USAID Program: Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Building for Health Systems Strengthening in Sub-Saharan Africa

This USAID program, 'Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Building for Health Systems Strengthening in Sub-Saharan Africa,' is a multi-year funding opportunity aimed at addressing critical gaps in health data systems across the region. The deadline is July 15, 2026, and the urgency is high, reflecting the donor's commitment to strengthening health systems by 2030. The program invites applications from organizations capable of designing and implementing comprehensive M&E capacity building initiatives that are contextually appropriate and sustainable. The funding amount is estimated to be between $5 million and $20 million per award, with a project duration of 3 to 5 years. Geographically, the program targets Sub-Saharan African countries, with a particular focus on those where USAID has an active health portfolio. The core problem this program seeks to solve is the lack of robust M&E systems that can generate timely, accurate, and relevant data for health program management and policy formulation. Many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have fragmented data systems, inadequate human resources for M&E, and limited capacity to use data for decision-making. This undermines the effectiveness of health interventions and hampers progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). USAID's strategy is to invest in building local M&E capacity to create self-sustaining systems that improve health outcomes. The program emphasizes integration with existing national health information systems (e.g., DHIS2) and alignment with national M&E plans. It also encourages innovative approaches such as building mobile data collection, real-time dashboards, and community-based monitoring. Applicants are expected to propose activities that strengthen both the 'demand side' (data use) and 'supply side' (data collection and analysis). This includes training health workers at all levels, supporting the development of data quality assurance protocols, and enhancing data visualization and communication skills. Additionally, the program aims to foster a culture of evidence-based decision-making by engaging policymakers and program managers. The GSLI recommends that applicants leverage its 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' and 'Public Health & Epidemiology' courses to build their internal capacity for developing competitive proposals. These courses provide foundational knowledge in M&E methods, indicator development, and data analysis, which are crucial for designing a robust intervention. The program also requires a strong emphasis on gender equity and social inclusion, ensuring that M&E systems capture and use data to address disparities. Overall, this is a high-impact opportunity for organizations with deep regional experience and a commitment to strengthening health systems from the ground up.

Strategic Overview

This USAID program, 'Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Building for Health Systems Strengthening in Sub-Saharan Africa,' is a multi-year funding opportunity aimed at addressing critical gaps in health data systems across the region. The deadline is July 15, 2026, and the urgency is high, reflecting the donor's commitment to strengthening health systems by 2030. The program invites applications from organizations capable of designing and implementing comprehensive M&E capacity building initiatives that are contextually appropriate and sustainable. The funding amount is estimated to be between $5 million and $20 million per award, with a project duration of 3 to 5 years. Geographically, the program targets Sub-Saharan African countries, with a particular focus on those where USAID has an active health portfolio. The core problem this program seeks to solve is the lack of robust M&E systems that can generate timely, accurate, and relevant data for health program management and policy formulation. Many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have fragmented data systems, inadequate human resources for M&E, and limited capacity to use data for decision-making. This undermines the effectiveness of health interventions and hampers progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). USAID's strategy is to invest in building local M&E capacity to create self-sustaining systems that improve health outcomes. The program emphasizes integration with existing national health information systems (e.g., DHIS2) and alignment with national M&E plans. It also encourages innovative approaches such as building mobile data collection, real-time dashboards, and community-based monitoring. Applicants are expected to propose activities that strengthen both the 'demand side' (data use) and 'supply side' (data collection and analysis). This includes training health workers at all levels, supporting the development of data quality assurance protocols, and enhancing data visualization and communication skills. Additionally, the program aims to foster a culture of evidence-based decision-making by engaging policymakers and program managers. The GSLI recommends that applicants leverage its 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' and 'Public Health & Epidemiology' courses to build their internal capacity for developing competitive proposals. These courses provide foundational knowledge in M&E methods, indicator development, and data analysis, which are crucial for designing a robust intervention. The program also requires a strong emphasis on gender equity and social inclusion, ensuring that M&E systems capture and use data to address disparities. Overall, this is a high-impact opportunity for organizations with deep regional experience and a commitment to strengthening health systems from the ground up.

Who is it For?

This opportunity is designed for a diverse range of organizations operating in Sub-Saharan Africa, including international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), local civil society organizations (CSOs), universities, research institutions, and private sector consulting firms. Eligible entities must have demonstrable experience in health systems strengthening, M&E capacity building, or related fields. Priority will be given to organizations with a proven track record of working in the region and with USAID-funded programs. Applicants should possess expertise in quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, statistical analysis, and data visualization. Partnerships with local institutions are highly encouraged to ensure cultural relevance and sustainability. The program targets organizations that can engage with ministries of health, district health management teams, and community health workers. Additionally, organizations with experience in training and adult learning methodologies will have a competitive advantage. For-profit entities must operate on a not-for-profit basis for this grant. The ideal applicant demonstrates strong organizational capacity, including financial management, human resources, and project management systems. Organizations should also have the ability to adapt to rapidly changing health priorities, such as emerging infectious disease outbreaks or shifts in donor funding. NGOs with experience in integrating M&E into existing health programs (e.g., HIV/AIDS, malaria, maternal and child health) will be particularly well-suited. Ultimately, the program seeks entities that can contribute to long-term, systemic improvements in health data ecosystems.

Priorities

USAID's global health priorities emphasize sustainability, country ownership, and data-driven decision-making. Under this program, the donor expects investments that lead to measurable improvements in health system performance, particularly in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Key investment KPIs include: (1) number of health workers trained in M&E, (2) percentage of health facilities with functional data management systems, (3) improvement in data quality scores (e.g., completeness, timeliness, accuracy), (4) number of evidence-based policy decisions influenced by M&E data, and (5) cost-effectiveness of M&E interventions. The donor prioritizes innovative approaches such as digital health solutions, mobile data collection, and real-time monitoring dashboards. Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) must be integrated into all program activities. Additionally, USAID seeks to strengthen local M&E systems to reduce dependency on external technical assistance. There is a strong emphasis on building capacities at the sub-national level, including district and community levels. The program also prioritizes knowledge management and learning networks to facilitate cross-country sharing of best practices. Anticipated funding amounts are typically in the range of $5-20 million over 3-5 years, with a preference for consortium applications that leverage complementary expertise. The donor expects co-financing or in-kind contributions from applicants to demonstrate commitment and sustainability.

Eligibility

Eligibility is open to U.S. and non-U.S. organizations, including non-profit and for-profit entities, provided they comply with USAID regulations. Financial audit requirements: Applicants must submit audited financial statements for the most recent three fiscal years, demonstrating no material weaknesses or significant non-compliance. If the organization has less than three years of experience, a letter of credit or guarantee from a parent organization may be required. Spatial/geographic focus: Activities must benefit Sub-Saharan African countries, with priority for USAID presence countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and South Africa. Organizations must have legal registration in the country of implementation or a partnership with a locally registered entity. Corporate legal audits: Applicants must certify compliance with anti-terrorism laws, debarment checks, and conflict of interest policies. Organizations must have a System for Award Management (SAM) registration with an active CAGE code for U.S. entities; non-U.S. entities must register in the UN Development Business portal. Additionally, organizations must demonstrate fiscal responsibility with a single audit if federal funding exceeds $750,000 annually. The proposal must include a detailed budget narrative with cost allocation principles per USAID's cost accounting standards. Past performance reviews will be considered, and organizations with negative references may be disqualified. Applicant organizations must also have a demonstrated capacity to manage sub-awards, as the program may involve partnerships with local CSOs. Finally, for-profit applicants must waive profit fees under this cooperative agreement.

Path to Success

Step 1: Conduct a comprehensive M&E capacity gap analysis. Leverage GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' and 'Public Health & Epidemiology' courses to build foundational knowledge for your team. Use tools like the M&E System Assessment (MESA) to identify weaknesses in data collection, analysis, and use within target health facilities. Engage local stakeholders to ensure buy-in and align the analysis with national M&E frameworks. Step 2: Design a scalable capacity-building model. Based on the gap analysis, develop a tiered training curriculum that includes basic M&E principles for frontline health workers and advanced data analytics for managers. Integrate GSLI's 'Project Management for Development' course to strengthen implementation planning. Ensure the model incorporates digital tools (e.g., DHIS2, CommCare) and includes a mentorship component for sustained learning. Pilot the model in one district before scaling. Step 3: Build a strong consortium with local partners. Partner with universities, research institutions, and local NGOs to ensure cultural relevance and long-term sustainability. Include a finance-focused partner with expertise in grants management – consider GSLI's 'Financial Management for NGOs' and 'Grants Management' courses for capacity building. Formalize partnerships through memoranda of understanding (MOUs) that outline roles and responsibilities. Step 4: Develop a robust M&E framework for the program itself. Define clear indicators, baseline data, and targets for each outcome. Include a learning agenda to answer key operational questions. Use GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' course to design a data quality assurance plan. Establish a data use culture by creating monthly data review meetings and feedback loops. Step 5: Write a compelling proposal that showcases your approach, past performance, and alignment with USAID's priorities. Highlight the integration of GSLI training to strengthen institutional capacity. Include a detailed budget that demonstrates value for money and cost-sharing. Submit before the deadline with all required attachments, including SAM registration and audited financials.

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Deadline: 2026-07-15

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal