Opportunity Information: Apply for 720FDA19APS00004

The West Africa Rapid Response Fund for Acute Humanitarian Needs Resulting from New Internal Displacement is a USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) funding opportunity designed to support fast, flexible humanitarian action in West Africa when new internal displacement creates urgent, short-term needs. The focus is on rapid response rather than long, slow-moving development programming, meaning the funded organization is expected to be able to detect emerging displacement events quickly, assess needs in real time, and move resources to affected communities without delays. The overall intent is to reduce human suffering and stabilize conditions for people who have been newly displaced inside their own countries, as well as for host communities that suddenly absorb displaced households and experience immediate strain on basic services and supplies.

This opportunity is being offered as a discretionary award through a cooperative agreement, which typically means USAID expects substantial involvement during implementation compared with a standard grant. In practice, that often includes closer coordination on priorities, approvals, reporting, and strategic adjustments as situations change. The funding activity category is Disaster Prevention and Relief (CFDA 98.001), which signals that the supported work should align with humanitarian assistance objectives such as life-saving relief, protection, emergency health and nutrition support, water, sanitation, and hygiene activities, emergency shelter, and other urgent interventions that address immediate risks and vulnerabilities linked to displacement. Although the notice does not list specific technical sectors in the excerpt provided, the title and OFDA mandate strongly point to acute, time-sensitive humanitarian outcomes rather than infrastructure-heavy or long-term livelihood programs.

USAID anticipated making one award under this notice of funding opportunity, but it also clearly reserved the right to make no awards at all, depending on the quality of applications received and USAID priorities. The award ceiling listed is $5,000,000, which indicates the maximum expected size of the cooperative agreement under this call, though the final award amount would depend on the proposed approach, budget justification, and USAID negotiations. Eligible applicants are described as unrestricted, meaning a broad range of qualified entities could apply, provided they meet the specific eligibility criteria laid out in Section C of the NFO (for example, compliance, capacity, and registration requirements that commonly apply to USAID assistance awards).

Key administrative details include the funding opportunity number 720FDA19APS00004, with an original closing date of September 8, 2019, and a posting/creation date of July 2, 2019. Applicants were encouraged to read the full NFO carefully to understand what kind of program USAID sought, how to submit an application correctly, and how USAID would evaluate and select an awardee. In simple terms, this solicitation was aimed at identifying a capable humanitarian partner that could operate a rapid response mechanism in West Africa, ensuring that when new displacement occurs, assistance can be mobilized quickly to meet critical needs and prevent conditions from deteriorating further.

  • The Agency for International Development in the disaster prevention and relief sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "West Africa Rapid Response Fund for Acute Humanitarian Needs Resulting from New Internal Displacement" 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 2019-07-02.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-09-08. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $5,000,000.00 in funding.
  • Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
Apply for 720FDA19APS00004

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the West Africa Rapid Response Fund for Acute Humanitarian Needs Resulting from New Internal Displacement?

It is a USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) funding opportunity designed to support fast, flexible humanitarian action in West Africa when new internal displacement creates urgent, short-term needs.

What problem is this funding opportunity intended to address?

The opportunity targets acute humanitarian needs that arise when people are newly displaced inside their own country and when host communities suddenly absorb displaced households and experience immediate strain on basic services and supplies.

What is the main goal of the fund?

The overall intent is to reduce human suffering and stabilize conditions for newly displaced people and affected host communities during the early, urgent period following new internal displacement.

Is this opportunity focused on rapid response or long-term development programming?

It is focused on rapid response rather than long, slow-moving development programming. The funded organization is expected to act quickly and deliver time-sensitive humanitarian outcomes.

What capabilities is an applicant expected to have to carry out this work?

Based on the description, a funded organization is expected to be able to detect emerging displacement events quickly, assess needs in real time, and move resources to affected communities without delays.

What type of award is USAID offering under this opportunity?

This opportunity is offered as a discretionary award through a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement typically means USAID expects substantial involvement during implementation compared with a standard grant, which can include closer coordination on priorities, approvals, reporting, and strategic adjustments as situations change.

What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?

The funding activity category is Disaster Prevention and Relief, listed as CFDA 98.001.

What kinds of activities does Disaster Prevention and Relief (CFDA 98.001) usually support in this context?

The description indicates alignment with humanitarian assistance objectives such as life-saving relief, protection, emergency health and nutrition support, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) activities, emergency shelter, and other urgent interventions that address immediate risks and vulnerabilities linked to displacement.

Does the excerpt list specific technical sectors that must be included?

No specific technical sectors are listed in the excerpt provided. However, the title and OFDA mandate point strongly toward acute, time-sensitive humanitarian outcomes rather than infrastructure-heavy or long-term livelihood programs.

What geographic area is this fund intended to support?

The opportunity is intended to support rapid humanitarian action in West Africa.

Who benefits from activities supported by this opportunity?

The intended beneficiaries include people who have been newly displaced inside their own countries as well as host communities that experience immediate strain due to sudden displacement inflows.

How many awards did USAID anticipate making?

USAID anticipated making one award under this notice of funding opportunity.

Could USAID decide not to make an award?

Yes. USAID reserved the right to make no awards at all, depending on the quality of applications received and USAID priorities.

What is the maximum funding amount available (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling listed is $5,000,000, which indicates the maximum expected size of the cooperative agreement under this call.

Is the final award amount guaranteed to be $5,000,000?

No. The final award amount would depend on the proposed approach, budget justification, and USAID negotiations.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are described as unrestricted, meaning a broad range of qualified entities could apply, provided they meet the specific eligibility criteria laid out in Section C of the notice of funding opportunity (including typical requirements related to compliance, capacity, and registration for USAID assistance awards).

Where are the detailed eligibility requirements described?

The specific eligibility criteria are described in Section C of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO), as referenced in the opportunity description.

What is the funding opportunity number for this solicitation?

The funding opportunity number is 720FDA19APS00004.

When was this funding opportunity posted?

The posting/creation date is July 2, 2019.

What was the original closing date for applications?

The original closing date was September 8, 2019.

What should applicants do to understand submission and evaluation requirements?

Applicants were encouraged to read the full NFO carefully to understand the program USAID sought, how to submit an application correctly, and how USAID would evaluate and select an awardee.

In plain terms, what kind of partner was USAID trying to identify?

This solicitation aimed to identify a capable humanitarian partner that could operate a rapid response mechanism in West Africa so that when new displacement occurs, assistance can be mobilized quickly to meet critical needs and prevent conditions from deteriorating further.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Agency for International Development

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Disaster Prevention and Relief

Next opportunity: Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Navy and Marine Corps Science & Technology

Previous opportunity: Rapid Assessment of Drug Abuse: Smart City Tools (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional)

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 720FDA19APS00004

 

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (720FDA19APS00004) also looked into and applied for these:

Funding Opportunity
Securing the Cities Program, 2020 STC Sustainment Apply for DHS ST 20 106 STC 0001

Funding Number: DHS ST 20 106 STC 0001
Agency: Office of Procurement Operations - Grants Division
Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief
Funding Amount: $16,071,018
Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) Uganda Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Apply for BAA OAA LLDI 2019 ADDENDUM06

Funding Number: BAA OAA LLDI 2019 ADDENDUM06
Agency: Agency for International Development
Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Slip-on Tanker Units Apply for D24AS00253

Funding Number: D24AS00253
Agency: Interior Business Ceter
Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief
Funding Amount: $200,000
Fiscal Year 2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant Program Apply for DHS 24 GPD 042 01 99

Funding Number: DHS 24 GPD 042 01 99
Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA
Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief
Funding Amount: $319,500,000
Fiscal Year 2024 Spring National Dam Safety Program State Assistance Grant Apply for DHS 24 MT 041 00 97

Funding Number: DHS 24 MT 041 00 97
Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA
Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Fiscal Year 2024 National Incident Management System, Emergency Management Assistance Compact Program Apply for DHS 24 NPD 107 00 99

Funding Number: DHS 24 NPD 107 00 99
Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA
Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief
Funding Amount: $2,250,000
Fiscal Year 2024 Homeland Security Preparedness Technical Assistance Program (HSPTAP) Apply for DHS 24 NPD 007 00 99

Funding Number: DHS 24 NPD 007 00 99
Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA
Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief
Funding Amount: $200,000
Fiscal Year 2024 Emergency Management Baseline Assessment Grant Apply for DHS 24 NPD 131 00 99

Funding Number: DHS 24 NPD 131 00 99
Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA
Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief
Funding Amount: $445,000
Request for Information - USAID Livestock Systems Research for Development Apply for 7200AA25RFI00TBD

Funding Number: 7200AA25RFI00TBD
Agency: Agency for International Development
Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Nonprofit Security Grant Program National Security Supplemental Apply for DHS 24 GPD 008 00 98

Funding Number: DHS 24 GPD 008 00 98
Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA
Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief
Funding Amount: $210,000,000
Department of Interior (DOI), Office of Wildland Fire (OWF) - Slip-on Tanker Units Apply for D25AS00131

Funding Number: D25AS00131
Agency: Interior Business Ceter
Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief
Funding Amount: $500,000
Innovation Lab Technical Feedback RFI Apply for 7200AA25RFITBD

Funding Number: 7200AA25RFITBD
Agency: Agency for International Development
Category: Disaster Prevention and Relief
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
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

 

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

  • 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.
Access Applicants Portal

 

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 "720FDA19APS00004", 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.

 

Ask a Question: