USAID Integrated Health Systems Strengthening Activity: Strengthening Public Health Management and M&E Capacity

The USAID Integrated Health Systems Strengthening (IHSS) Activity is a flagship funding opportunity designed to enhance the resilience and effectiveness of health systems in partner countries. This activity focuses on strengthening public health management and monitoring & evaluation (M&E) capacity, recognizing that robust health systems are foundational to achieving global health security and universal health coverage. The opportunity is part of USAID's broader commitment to local capacity building and sustainable development, aligning with the U.S. Global Health Security Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). Successful applicants will implement comprehensive interventions that improve health governance, data-driven decision-making, and accountability mechanisms at national and sub-national levels. The activity targets a wide range of health system components, including human resources for health, health information systems, supply chain management, and financial management. Key outcomes include increased use of high-quality data for policy and programmatic decisions, enhanced capacity of health managers to plan and oversee health services, and strengthened institutional frameworks for health sector coordination. The donor expects applicants to propose context-specific approaches that address gender inequalities and promote social inclusion. The deadline for applications is August 1, 2026, with an estimated award value in the range of $50-100 million over five years, depending on the scope and country context. To succeed, applicants must demonstrate deep technical expertise, organizational capacity, and a track record of delivering results. GSLI's training courses in Public Health & Epidemiology, Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), and Project Management for Development can provide a competitive edge by equipping staff with the skills needed to design and implement evidence-based interventions. The following analysis provides a strategic context, implementation framework, risk mitigation strategies, and a clear value proposition for GSLI's role in enhancing proposal quality.

Strategic Overview

The USAID Integrated Health Systems Strengthening (IHSS) Activity is a flagship funding opportunity designed to enhance the resilience and effectiveness of health systems in partner countries. This activity focuses on strengthening public health management and monitoring & evaluation (M&E) capacity, recognizing that robust health systems are foundational to achieving global health security and universal health coverage. The opportunity is part of USAID's broader commitment to local capacity building and sustainable development, aligning with the U.S. Global Health Security Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). Successful applicants will implement comprehensive interventions that improve health governance, data-driven decision-making, and accountability mechanisms at national and sub-national levels. The activity targets a wide range of health system components, including human resources for health, health information systems, supply chain management, and financial management. Key outcomes include increased use of high-quality data for policy and programmatic decisions, enhanced capacity of health managers to plan and oversee health services, and strengthened institutional frameworks for health sector coordination. The donor expects applicants to propose context-specific approaches that address gender inequalities and promote social inclusion. The deadline for applications is August 1, 2026, with an estimated award value in the range of $50-100 million over five years, depending on the scope and country context. To succeed, applicants must demonstrate deep technical expertise, organizational capacity, and a track record of delivering results. GSLI's training courses in Public Health & Epidemiology, Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), and Project Management for Development can provide a competitive edge by equipping staff with the skills needed to design and implement evidence-based interventions. The following analysis provides a strategic context, implementation framework, risk mitigation strategies, and a clear value proposition for GSLI's role in enhancing proposal quality.

Who is it For?

This opportunity is designed for a diverse range of organizations with proven expertise in health systems strengthening, public health management, and monitoring & evaluation. Eligible applicants include U.S. and non-U.S. non-profit organizations, for-profit entities (subject to USAID's profit policy), private voluntary organizations, universities, research institutions, and international NGOs. Local partners and consortia are strongly encouraged, especially those that can demonstrate deep-rooted community engagement and sustainability. Key profiles include: (1) Organizations with at least 5 years of experience in implementing integrated health programs in low- and middle-income countries, preferably with USAID or other major donors. (2) Entities that have established M&E units with a track record of using data to inform policy and programmatic decisions. (3) Consortia that include local health ministries, civil society organizations, and private sector partners to ensure holistic capacity building. (4) Applicants who can commit to the entire duration of the activity (typically 5 years) and have a global or regional presence with country offices in target regions. Additionally, organizations that have undergone external audits and have clean financial records will be prioritized. GSLI training in Project Management for Development and Financial Management for NGOs can help applicants streamline their internal structures and demonstrate compliance with USAID's fiduciary standards.

Priorities

USAID's global health priorities under the IHSS Activity focus on achieving sustainable health outcomes through robust systems. Key investment KPIs include: (1) Strengthening health governance at national and sub-national levels, measured by the percentage of health facilities with functional M&E systems. (2) Enhancing the capacity of health workforce in data management and evidence-based decision-making, with targets for number of staff trained and certified. (3) Improving data quality and use for continuous quality improvement, with metrics on data completeness, timeliness, and accuracy. (4) Promoting integration of digital health technologies to streamline reporting and surveillance. (5) Ensuring financial sustainability by leveraging domestic resource mobilization, measured by increased government budget allocation for health. (6) Advancing gender equality and social inclusion in health systems, with KPI on proportion of women in leadership roles. The donor emphasizes a 'localization' agenda, prioritizing partners that build local capacity and transition ownership. Alignment with the U.S. Global Health Security Agenda and the SDGs is critical. Applicants must demonstrate how their approach contributes to pandemic preparedness and universal health coverage. GSLI courses in WASH and Public Health & Epidemiology can help applicants design integrated interventions that address cross-sectoral determinants of health.

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria are rigorous and multi-dimensional. Financially, applicants must have a minimum annual operating budget of $5 million for the past three fiscal years, demonstrated through audited financial statements. For consortia, each member must meet individual thresholds, with a combined budget of at least $10 million. Applicants must have a valid DUNS number or Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and be registered in SAM.gov. Non-U.S. organizations must provide evidence of registration in their home country and compliance with local laws. Spatially, the activity targets specific countries or regions; applicants must have direct operational presence or a registered office in the target area, or a firm partnership with a local entity. Legal audits require submission of organizational bylaws, conflict of interest policies, and whistleblower protection protocols. Applicants must have no history of debarment or suspension and must certify compliance with anti-terrorism and anti-trafficking regulations. For for-profit entities, a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA) is required. Small and disadvantaged businesses are encouraged to apply. Experience in managing USAID cooperative agreements or contracts valued over $10 million is highly preferred. GSLI training in Grants Management and Writing Winning Proposals can help applicants navigate the complex application process and meet all eligibility requirements.

Path to Success

To win this opportunity, follow a strategic roadmap integrating GSLI training to strengthen your proposal. Step 1: Conduct a Rapid Organizational Assessment (Week 1-4) – Evaluate your current M&E capacity, financial systems, and health systems expertise against USAID's requirements. Identify gaps in technical knowledge, especially in public health management and data analytics. Enroll key staff in GSLI's Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) course to level up their skills in indicator design, data quality assurance, and results reporting. Simultaneously, initiate partnerships with local health ministries and NGOs to ensure contextual relevance. Step 2: Develop a Theory of Change and Technical Approach (Week 5-12) – Craft a detailed intervention logic linking inputs to long-term health outcomes. Use GSLI's Public Health & Epidemiology course to strengthen epidemiological analysis and evidence-based intervention design. Incorporate gender-sensitive and inclusive approaches. Define a clear 5-year implementation plan with milestones, such as establishing an M&E dashboard by Month 6, training 200 health managers by Year 2, and achieving 80% data completeness by Year 3. Align with USAID's localization goals by including a sub-grant mechanism for local CSOs. Step 3: Build a Robust Financial and Compliance Framework (Week 13-20) – Develop a detailed budget that reflects cost-sharing and sustainability. Use GSLI's Financial Management for NGOs and Grants Management courses to ensure compliance with USAID's ADS 201 and 303, including allowable costs, audit requirements, and reporting. Prepare a pre-award survey packet with audited financials, organizational charts, and procurement policies. Step 4: Write a Compelling Proposal and Engage in Pre-application (Week 21-30) – Draft the narrative focusing on your unique value proposition. Highlight how GSLI-trained staff will lead M&E and financial management. Submit questions to USAID's designated point of contact and attend any pre-application conferences. Review past successful USAID IHSS proposals from other countries to model best practices. Finally, submit the proposal at least two weeks before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues. Continuously integrate GSLI course certificates as evidence of capacity building.

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Deadline: 2026-08-01

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal