USAID RFP: Institutional Capacity Building for Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning in Global Health Programs

The USAID RFP for Institutional Capacity Building for Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) in Global Health Programs is a high-priority call for applications due by August 15, 2026. This opportunity is designed to support USAID’s global health mission by funding projects that strengthen the MEL competencies of local institutions, ensuring they can generate and use high-quality data to improve health outcomes. The RFP reflects a broader trend in development towards localization—shifting ownership and capacity to host-country organizations. With an emphasis on sustainability, the donor expects applicants to propose strategies that transcend one-off training, embedding MEL capabilities into institutional cultures and systems. This call is open to a variety of entities, including non-governmental organizations, private sector firms, universities, and government agencies. The projected award size and period are not explicitly defined in the RFP summary, but typical USAID MEL capacity building projects range from $5 million to $20 million over 3 to 5 years. Applicants should be prepared to articulate a clear theory of change linking training interventions to measurable improvements in program performance. The RFP also demands a strong focus on equity, requiring disaggregation of data by gender, age, and disability status. Furthermore, it encourages the use of innovative digital tools for data collection, analysis, and visualization. Given the urgency and strategic importance, organizations should start developing their proposals immediately. Key elements to include are a detailed needs assessment methodology, a robust results framework, a staffing plan with senior MEL experts, and a budget that leverages cost-sharing or in-kind contributions. Cross-sectoral integration—linking MEL with supply chain, financial management, and health service delivery—is a plus. GSLI’s courses in M&E, Public Health & Epidemiology, and Fundraising & Resource Mobilization can help strengthen every aspect of the proposal, from technical design to sustainability planning.

Strategic Overview

Who is it For?

This RFP targets a broad range of organizations—including international NGOs, local civil society organizations (CSOs), private sector firms, academic institutions, and public health entities—with demonstrated expertise in global health program MEL. Ideal applicants have a track record in designing and delivering capacity-building initiatives, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The call is inclusive of consortia, promoting partnerships that blend technical MEL proficiency with local knowledge. Specifically, entities that have managed USAID or other donor-funded projects with substantial MEL components are well-positioned. The RFP emphasizes ability to work with host-country governments, strengthening their MEL systems for sustainable health outcomes. Organizations with prior experience in health areas such as HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, family planning, malaria, tuberculosis, and pandemic preparedness will resonate with donor priorities. Additionally, those skilled in fostering data utilization for decision-making at community, facility, and national levels are sought. GSLI’s target audience includes MEL officers, program managers, and executive directors seeking to enhance their institution’s proposal competitiveness through certified training. The RFP also encourages local organizations, aligning with USAID’s localization agenda, requiring applicants to articulate how they will build local MEL capacity permanently.

Priorities

USAID’s global health MEL capacity-building priorities focus on four key pillars: (1) strengthening data systems for real-time monitoring and evaluation, (2) enhancing analytical capacities for evidence-based policy making, (3) promoting learning and adaptive management to improve program outcomes, and (4) fostering sustainability through local ownership. The donor emphasizes integration with national health information systems, using interoperable digital tools, and gender- and equity-sensitive data disaggregation. Key performance indicators include number of MEL professionals trained, improvement in data quality scores, reduction in reporting lag times, and documented use of evidence for programmatic adjustments. The RFP underscores the need for context-specific approaches, acknowledging that capacity building must be tailored to country-level maturity of MEL systems. Additionally, USAID prioritizes cost-effectiveness, requiring transparent justification of training methods (e.g., blended learning, on-site mentoring). The call aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3, 16, 17) and the U.S. Global Health Security Agenda. Bidders must demonstrate how their proposed interventions will enhance accountability to beneficiaries and donors alike, with clear linkage to USAID’s Journey to Self-Reliance. The RFP also calls for innovation in using new technologies like mobile data collection, GIS mapping, and predictive analytics. GSLI’s courses in M&E and WASH connect directly by offering modules on digital M&E, field-practical tools, and results-based management.

Eligibility

Eligibility is broadly defined but requires detailed financial, spatial, and corporate legal audits. Applicants must be legally registered entities with at least three years of proven experience in MEL for global health programs. Financial stability is crucial: the proposal must include audited financial statements from the last two years, demonstrating capacity to manage US federal funds without cash flow disruptions. Spatial eligibility covers all USAID-presence countries, but preference may be given to organizations operating in health-fragile regions (e.g., Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia). For consortia, a lead applicant must be identified with a signed memorandum of understanding. Compliance with 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) is mandatory, including procurement integrity, conflict-of-interest disclosures, and lobbying restrictions. Organizations debarred or suspended by the U.S. government are ineligible. Additionally, the RFP may require evidence of past performance in similar contracts, with a minimum of two completed references. Small and local organizations can request a waiver on certain financial thresholds, but must provide alternative proof of capacity such as letters of credit or parent-organization guarantees. The legal audit must verify employment verification (E-Verify registration) if applying from the US, or equivalent local labor compliance. Environmental compliance (22 CFR 216) may apply for health programs with construction components. All applicants must have a valid DUNS number (or now SAM.gov Unique Entity ID) and be registered with USAID’s Partner Vetting System if working in high-risk areas. GSLI’s Grants Management course is instrumental to ensure eligibility documentation is rigorous and audit-ready.

Path to Success

To succeed under this USAID RFP, institutions should follow a strategic roadmap that leverages GSLI training to address donor demands. Step 1: Pre-Enroll Key Personnel in GSLI’s Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Course. This course covers M&E frameworks, logic models, indicator selection, and data quality assurance—core competencies USAID expects. Have at least three senior staff complete this training to demonstrate institutional readiness. Step 2: Assemble a consortium with local partners possessing on-the-ground knowledge. Use GSLI’s Writing Winning Proposals course to structure a compelling theory of change and results framework. This course teaches how to align with donor priorities, articulate sustainability, and present past performance effectively. Step 3: Develop a detailed MEL capacity-building curriculum integrating GSLI modules. For example, propose a blended program combining GSLI’s Public Health & Epidemiology course for health data interpretation, and the Project Management for Development course for adaptive management. Map each training objective to USAID’s capacity indicators, ensuring measurable outputs. Step 4: Submit a robust proposal with a strong staffing plan, realistic budget, and risk mitigation. Use GSLI’s Grants Management and Financial Management for NGOs courses to ensure compliance with 2 CFR 200 and to design a cost-efficient budget that includes training costs, travel, and tech systems. Include a sustainability plan: demonstrate how trainees will become local trainers (train-the-trainer model) using GSLI’s open-access materials. Step 5: Establish a monitoring framework for the grant itself, tracking training completion, knowledge retention, and field-level impact. GSLI’s Fundraising & Resource Mobilization course can help identify co-funding sources to leverage additional resources. By embedding GSLI training, your proposal will show concrete, donor-endorsed capacity building that directly responds to the RFP’s intent to strengthen MEL skills sustainably. Engage GSLI early for a customized partnership letter emphasizing our accredited curricula and proven track record in similar USAID-funded projects.

Recommended GSLI Courses

Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)
Project Management for Development
Writing Winning Proposals

Deadline: 2026-08-15

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal