USAID Integrated Health Systems Strengthening Activity – West Africa Regional

The USAID Integrated Health Systems Strengthening Activity – West Africa Regional is a landmark opportunity for organizations dedicated to advancing health system resilience in one of the world's most challenging regions. West Africa faces a double burden of infectious diseases, such as malaria and HIV/AIDS, and rising non-communicable diseases, compounded by weak health infrastructure and workforce shortages. This grant aims to address these issues by strengthening the six building blocks of health systems: governance, financing, workforce, information systems, service delivery, and medical supplies. The activity is part of USAID's broader strategy to support universal health coverage and global health security, with a specific focus on climate resilience and gender equality. The total funding is estimated at $50 million over five years, with a deadline of July 15, 2026. Applicants are required to submit a concept note and full proposal, with detailed sections on technical approach, management plan, and budget. The donor emphasizes collaborative partnerships with local governments, NGOs, and private sector entities to ensure sustainability. GSLI's courses, such as Public Health & Epidemiology and Monitoring & Evaluation, are directly relevant to the technical requirements of this call. Organizations that have previously received USAID funding are expected to demonstrate a strong performance record, including compliance with audit standards and timely reporting. This overview underscores the complexity and strategic importance of the grant, calling for proposals that are innovative, evidence-based, and context-sensitive. The call is specifically designed to address the fragmentation of health systems in West Africa, where multiple donors and programs often operate in silos. By requiring an integrated approach, USAID aims to create synergies across different health areas, such as maternal and child health, infectious disease control, and emergency preparedness. The activity will target high-burden countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Mali, while also supporting regional bodies like the West African Health Organization (WAHO). Key technical areas include digital health, human resources for health, health financing, and supply chain management. The donor expects proposals to outline a clear theory of change, with causal links between activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact. Additionally, USAID is committed to the localization agenda, which means that international organizations must demonstrate how they will build the capacity of local entities to take over activities. GSLI's courses in Grants Management and Financial Management for NGOs are ideal for training local partners in compliance and accountability. The call also encourages the use of innovative financing mechanisms, such as social impact bonds or co-payment schemes, to ensure long-term financial sustainability. This expansive overview provides potential applicants with a comprehensive understanding of the grant's scope, priorities, and expectations. In terms of compliance, USAID requires that all proposals adhere to strict environmental and social safeguards, including a environmental mitigation plan if infrastructure is involved. The budget must be detailed with cost breakdowns for each major activity, and indirect costs are capped at 10% for local organizations and 15% for international ones. The evaluation criteria include technical approach (35%), management and staff capacity (25%), past performance (20%), and budget efficiency (20%). Successful applicants will often have dedicated teams for monitoring and evaluation, finance, and procurement. GSLI's course in Project Management for Development can help build these teams' skills in managing complex grants. The donor also expects quarterly technical and financial reports, with an annual independent audit. To prepare for this, organizations can benefit from GSLI's training on Writing Winning Proposals, which includes sections on logical frameworks and sustainability plans. Overall, this call is highly competitive, requiring a deep understanding of West African health systems and a strong commitment to capacity building. By leveraging GSLI's resources, organizations can enhance their proposal quality and implementation readiness.

Strategic Overview

The USAID Integrated Health Systems Strengthening Activity – West Africa Regional is a landmark opportunity for organizations dedicated to advancing health system resilience in one of the world's most challenging regions. West Africa faces a double burden of infectious diseases, such as malaria and HIV/AIDS, and rising non-communicable diseases, compounded by weak health infrastructure and workforce shortages. This grant aims to address these issues by strengthening the six building blocks of health systems: governance, financing, workforce, information systems, service delivery, and medical supplies. The activity is part of USAID's broader strategy to support universal health coverage and global health security, with a specific focus on climate resilience and gender equality. The total funding is estimated at $50 million over five years, with a deadline of July 15, 2026. Applicants are required to submit a concept note and full proposal, with detailed sections on technical approach, management plan, and budget. The donor emphasizes collaborative partnerships with local governments, NGOs, and private sector entities to ensure sustainability. GSLI's courses, such as Public Health & Epidemiology and Monitoring & Evaluation, are directly relevant to the technical requirements of this call. Organizations that have previously received USAID funding are expected to demonstrate a strong performance record, including compliance with audit standards and timely reporting. This overview underscores the complexity and strategic importance of the grant, calling for proposals that are innovative, evidence-based, and context-sensitive. The call is specifically designed to address the fragmentation of health systems in West Africa, where multiple donors and programs often operate in silos. By requiring an integrated approach, USAID aims to create synergies across different health areas, such as maternal and child health, infectious disease control, and emergency preparedness. The activity will target high-burden countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Mali, while also supporting regional bodies like the West African Health Organization (WAHO). Key technical areas include digital health, human resources for health, health financing, and supply chain management. The donor expects proposals to outline a clear theory of change, with causal links between activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact. Additionally, USAID is committed to the localization agenda, which means that international organizations must demonstrate how they will build the capacity of local entities to take over activities. GSLI's courses in Grants Management and Financial Management for NGOs are ideal for training local partners in compliance and accountability. The call also encourages the use of innovative financing mechanisms, such as social impact bonds or co-payment schemes, to ensure long-term financial sustainability. This expansive overview provides potential applicants with a comprehensive understanding of the grant's scope, priorities, and expectations. In terms of compliance, USAID requires that all proposals adhere to strict environmental and social safeguards, including a environmental mitigation plan if infrastructure is involved. The budget must be detailed with cost breakdowns for each major activity, and indirect costs are capped at 10% for local organizations and 15% for international ones. The evaluation criteria include technical approach (35%), management and staff capacity (25%), past performance (20%), and budget efficiency (20%). Successful applicants will often have dedicated teams for monitoring and evaluation, finance, and procurement. GSLI's course in Project Management for Development can help build these teams' skills in managing complex grants. The donor also expects quarterly technical and financial reports, with an annual independent audit. To prepare for this, organizations can benefit from GSLI's training on Writing Winning Proposals, which includes sections on logical frameworks and sustainability plans. Overall, this call is highly competitive, requiring a deep understanding of West African health systems and a strong commitment to capacity building. By leveraging GSLI's resources, organizations can enhance their proposal quality and implementation readiness.

Who is it For?

This grant is designed for a diverse range of organizations that have a proven track record in health systems strengthening and community development in low-resource settings. Prime recipients include international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) with global health portfolios, local civil society organizations (CSOs) rooted in West African communities, academic and research institutions with expertise in public health and epidemiology, and private sector firms specializing in health infrastructure, logistics, or data analytics. Consortiums involving multiple partners are encouraged, provided the lead applicant demonstrates fiscal and administrative capacity. Specifically, eligible entities must have at least five years of experience implementing health programs in developing countries, with a minimum of three years in West Africa. They must possess robust financial management systems audited by an independent body, as per USAID's standards. Additionally, applicants should have established relationships with local health ministries and community organizations to facilitate stakeholder engagement. GSLI's courses in Project Management for Development and Grants Management are ideal for strengthening an organization's proposal development and compliance capabilities. The donor also prioritizes organizations that contribute to local capacity building, meaning applicants should outline strategies for transferring skills and resources to local partners. Ultimately, this opportunity is for those who can articulate a clear vision for sustainable health systems that endure beyond the funding period, with measurable improvements in health outcomes and governance.

Priorities

USAID's global priorities for this activity encompass several key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The primary focus is on strengthening the six building blocks of health systems: service delivery, health workforce, health information systems, access to essential medicines, financing, and leadership/governance. Specific KPIs include a 20% reduction in maternal mortality rates in targeted regions, 30% increase in childhood immunization coverage, and 100% of health facilities achieving minimum quality standards within three years. Digital health integration is a cross-cutting priority, with expectations to adopt electronic health records and telemedicine platforms. The donor emphasizes gender equality and social inclusion, mandating that at least 40% of health leadership positions in project governance are held by women. Additionally, USAID prioritizes climate-resilient health systems; thus, proposals must include adaptation strategies for climate-sensitive diseases. Financial KPIs require that at least 80% of funds reach the community level, with overhead costs capped at 15%. Data-driven decision-making is critical: each project must establish a robust M&E system with quarterly reports, independent evaluations, and real-time data dashboards. Lastly, the donor seeks innovative financing mechanisms, such as performance-based funding or social impact bonds, to incentivize efficiency. Organizations that have completed GSLI's Monitoring & Evaluation and Financial Management for NGOs courses will be adept at designing such systems and reporting on these complex KPIs.

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria for this grant are stringent to ensure that only capable organizations undertake the complex task of health systems strengthening in West Africa. First, applicants must be legally registered entities, such as non-profit organizations, for-profit companies, universities, or government agencies, with at least five years of experience in health or development programming. They must submit audited financial statements for the last three years, demonstrating a stable financial position and compliance with international accounting standards. The geographical scope requires a physical presence or partnership with local entities in at least three West African countries (e.g., Ghana, Senegal, and Mali) to ensure contextual understanding. Organizations with a history of USAID funding must have a satisfactory performance rating. Additionally, the applicant must demonstrate a financial management system that meets USAID's standards, including procurement policies, internal controls, and anti-corruption measures. For consortiums, the lead partner must cover at least 51% of the project budget. The donor also requires a clear cost-sharing strategy, with at least 10% of the total budget coming from non-USAID sources. Technical eligibility includes having key personnel with advanced degrees in public health, medicine, or a related field, and at least ten years of experience in health systems strengthening. Potential applicants can benefit from GSLI's courses in Procurement & Supply Chain and Public Health & Epidemiology to align their team's skills with donor requirements. Finally, organizations must submit a concept note that outlines their approach, partnership strategy, and preliminary budget, demonstrating an understanding of the region's health challenges and USAID's priorities.

Path to Success

Achieving success with this USAID grant requires a strategic roadmap that integrates technical excellence, stakeholder alignment, and capacity building through GSLI's training. Step 1: Comprehensive Needs Assessment & Partnership Building. Begin by conducting a detailed health systems gap analysis across targeted West African regions, focusing on governance, workforce, and supply chain bottlenecks. Engage local ministries of health, community leaders, and existing GSLI alumni to co-design a responsive strategy. This phase should leverage GSLI's course in Public Health & Epidemiology to ensure the analysis is evidence-based and epidemiologically sound. Step 2: Design a Robust Implementation Framework. Develop a phased plan covering at least three years, with clear objectives for health workforce training, infrastructure upgrades, and digital health integration. Use GSLI's Project Management for Development course to align timelines, milestones, and risk matrices with USAID's requirements. Include a detailed M&E plan with baseline indicators, such as health facility readiness scores and coverage rates, which GSLI's Monitoring & Evaluation course can help refine. Step 3: Financial and Procurement Strategy that meets USAID's compliance standards. Create a transparent budgeting system with cost control mechanisms, leveraging GSLI's Financial Management for NGOs and Procurement & Supply Chain courses to design an efficient procurement process for medicines and equipment. Establish a sub-granting mechanism for local organizations. Step 4: Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer. Integrate GSLI's short courses into the project design, offering them to local staff and partners to strengthen institutional capacity. For example, deliver 'Writing Winning Proposals' to enable local organizations to sustain funding. Step 5: Continuous Quality Improvement and Reporting. Implement quarterly reviews using real-time data dashboards, and adapt interventions based on feedback. GSLI's Grants Management course can guide compliance with reporting requirements. By embedding GSLI training at each stage, applicants demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and capacity building, which aligns perfectly with USAID's priorities. This roadmap not only enhances the proposal's competitiveness but also ensures long-term impact beyond the grant period.

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Deadline: 2026-07-15

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal