Opportunity Information: Apply for 7200AA25RFITBD
The Innovation Lab Technical Feedback RFI (Funding Opportunity Number 7200AA25RFITBD) is a USAID request for information, not a traditional grant solicitation, issued by the Bureau for Resilience, Environment and Food Security (REFS) through the Center for Agriculture-Led Growth. USAID is collecting technical input from a broad range of stakeholders to help shape a planned set of future research-for-development activities. Eligible respondents are unrestricted, meaning USAID is open to hearing from implementing partners, local organizations, researchers, NGOs, and other interested parties who can provide practical, evidence-based feedback on priorities and approaches.
The feedback USAID is seeking centers on three connected research directions. First, USAID wants ideas to improve the genetics and management of perennial crops that matter for food security, specifically including trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials. Second, USAID is looking for input on improving the genetics and management of vegetable crops that are both climate resilient and nutritious, reflecting a focus on adaptation as well as diet quality. Third, USAID is seeking perspectives on integrating efficient and effective water, land, and soil management, signaling that crop improvement is expected to be paired with natural resource management and farming system practices rather than treated as a standalone plant breeding effort.
The purpose behind the RFI is to make upcoming USAID research investments more coordinated, demand-driven, and effective by grounding them in stakeholder experience and field realities. In practical terms, USAID is using this process to sense-check needs, refine research questions, and identify approaches that are likely to translate into real-world uptake and impact across diverse contexts.
An amendment was posted on January 13, 2025. That amendment corrects links contained in the RFI document and revises the dates associated with RFI submissions, with changes highlighted in yellow in the updated document. Responses must be submitted by email to ftfresearch@usaid.gov no later than Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. For access problems or issues locating the RFI materials, USAID lists a point of contact: Kyle Davis at kydavis@usaid.gov. The listing shows no award ceiling and no expected number of awards, which aligns with the fact that this is an information-gathering notice rather than an announcement of immediate funding.Apply for 7200AA25RFITBD
- The Agency for International Development in the disaster prevention and relief sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovation Lab Technical Feedback RFI" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2025-01-07.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-01-22. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the Innovation Lab Technical Feedback RFI?
The Innovation Lab Technical Feedback RFI (Funding Opportunity Number 7200AA25RFITBD) is a USAID Request for Information (RFI). It is an information-gathering notice intended to collect technical input from stakeholders, not a traditional grant or contract solicitation.
2) Is this a grant application or a funding solicitation?
No. Based on the information provided, this is not a traditional grant solicitation and does not describe an immediate funding opportunity. USAID is collecting feedback to help shape future research-for-development activities.
3) Who is issuing this RFI?
The RFI is issued by USAID through the Bureau for Resilience, Environment and Food Security (REFS) and specifically through the Center for Agriculture-Led Growth.
4) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this RFI?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is 7200AA25RFITBD.
5) Who is eligible to respond?
Eligible respondents are unrestricted. USAID is open to hearing from a broad range of stakeholders, including implementing partners, local organizations, researchers, NGOs, and other interested parties that can provide practical, evidence-based feedback on priorities and approaches.
6) What kind of input is USAID looking for?
USAID is seeking technical input to help shape a planned set of future research-for-development activities. The emphasis is on practical, evidence-based feedback grounded in stakeholder experience and field realities.
7) What are the main research directions USAID wants feedback on?
USAID is seeking feedback across three connected research directions:
- Improving the genetics and management of perennial crops important for food security, including trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials
- Improving the genetics and management of vegetable crops that are both climate resilient and nutritious
- Integrating efficient and effective water, land, and soil management alongside crop improvement efforts
8) What does USAID mean by "perennial crops" in this RFI?
Within the information provided, USAID specifically includes trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials as perennial crops relevant to food security.
9) Why is USAID emphasizing both climate resilience and nutrition for vegetables?
The RFI states that USAID is focused on adaptation as well as diet quality. In other words, the vegetable crop focus is intended to address climate resilience while also improving nutritional outcomes.
10) Is crop improvement expected to be paired with natural resource management?
Yes. USAID explicitly signals that crop improvement should be integrated with water, land, and soil management and broader farming system practices, rather than treated as a standalone plant breeding effort.
11) What is the purpose of collecting this feedback?
The purpose of the RFI is to help make upcoming USAID research investments more coordinated, demand-driven, and effective by grounding them in stakeholder experience and real-world conditions. USAID also describes this as a way to sense-check needs, refine research questions, and identify approaches likely to translate into practical uptake and impact across diverse contexts.
12) Does the notice list an award ceiling or an expected number of awards?
No. The listing shows no award ceiling and no expected number of awards, which aligns with the RFI being an information-gathering notice rather than an announcement of immediate funding.
13) Was there an amendment to the RFI?
Yes. An amendment was posted on January 13, 2025.
14) What changed in the January 13, 2025 amendment?
According to the information provided, the amendment corrects links contained in the RFI document and revises the dates associated with RFI submissions. The changes are highlighted in yellow in the updated document.
15) When are responses due?
Responses must be submitted no later than Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.
16) How do I submit an RFI response?
Responses must be submitted by email to ftfresearch@usaid.gov.
17) Who do I contact if I cannot access the RFI materials or have trouble locating documents?
For access problems or issues locating the RFI materials, USAID lists a point of contact: Kyle Davis at kydavis@usaid.gov.
18) What types of organizations does USAID want to hear from?
USAID indicates it wants input from a broad range of stakeholders, including implementing partners, local organizations, researchers, NGOs, and other interested parties able to provide practical, evidence-based technical feedback.
19) What is USAID planning to do with the information submitted?
Based on the description provided, USAID is using responses to shape and refine a planned set of future research-for-development activities by validating needs, sharpening research questions, and identifying practical approaches that can lead to uptake and impact.
20) Does responding to this RFI guarantee future funding?
The information provided does not indicate that responding will result in an award or guarantee future funding. It describes an RFI intended to inform future USAID research investments rather than an immediate funding decision.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Disaster Prevention and Relief
Next opportunity: Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Small Research Grant (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)
Previous opportunity: NM FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Good Neighbor Authority
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for 7200AA25RFITBD
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (7200AA25RFITBD) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Fiscal Year 2025 Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund Program Apply for DHS 25 STORM 139 00 99 Funding Number: DHS 25 STORM 139 00 99 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| 2025 U.S. - Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Alumni Small Grants Opportunity Apply for OFOP0001742 Funding Number: OFOP0001742 Agency: U.S. Mission to Barbados Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief Funding Amount: $5,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2025 National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Individual State Earthquake Assistance Apply for DHS 25 MT 082 02 99 Funding Number: DHS 25 MT 082 02 99 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief Funding Amount: $963,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant Apply for DHS 25 GPD 042 01 99 Funding Number: DHS 25 GPD 042 01 99 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief Funding Amount: $319,500,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2025 Nonprofit Security Grant Program Apply for DHS 25 GPD 008 00 99 Funding Number: DHS 25 GPD 008 00 99 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief Funding Amount: $274,500,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2025 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) Apply for DHS 25 GPD 067 00 98 Funding Number: DHS 25 GPD 067 00 98 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief Funding Amount: $1,008,000,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2025 National Dam Safety Program State Assistance Spring Grant Apply for DHS 25 MT 041 00 97 Funding Number: DHS 25 MT 041 00 97 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fiscal Year 2025 National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Multi-State and National Earthquake Assistance Apply for DHS 25 MT 082 00 99 Funding Number: DHS 25 MT 082 00 99 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief Funding Amount: $1,314,350 |
| Fiscal Year 2025 Next Generation Warning System Grant Program Apply for DHS 25 IPAWS 138 00 99 Funding Number: DHS 25 IPAWS 138 00 99 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief Funding Amount: $40,000,000 |
| Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of Wildland Fire (OWF) - Slip-On Tanker Units Apply for D26AS00056 Funding Number: D26AS00056 Agency: Interior Business Center Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief Funding Amount: $249,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "7200AA25RFITBD", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.