USAID Institutional Capacity Building for Monitoring and Evaluation in Health Programs

The USAID Institutional Capacity Building for Monitoring and Evaluation in Health Programs is a funding opportunity designed to enhance the M&E capabilities of local health institutions in partner countries. This grant recognizes that strong M&E systems are essential for effective health programming, enabling evidence-based decision-making, accountability, and improved health outcomes. The program targets health areas such as maternal and child health, infectious diseases, and pandemic preparedness, reflecting USAID's strategic priorities. The grant will support activities such as training health workers, developing M&E frameworks, deploying digital data collection tools, and strengthening data analysis and use. Applicants must demonstrate a clear understanding of USAID's M&E standards, including the Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) and Data Quality Assessments (DQAs). The funding period is typically 3-5 years, with budgets ranging from $500,000 to $5 million. This opportunity is part of USAID's broader localization agenda, which aims to shift leadership to local actors. Successful applicants will need to show financial stability, technical expertise, and a strong partnership network. GSLI's courses on M&E and Public Health & Epidemiology can help organizations prepare competitive proposals by building staff capacity in these areas. The deadline is August 15, 2026, and urgency is high due to limited funding and intense competition.

This opportunity is designed for a diverse range of organizations, including local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), academic institutions, research institutes, and private sector entities operating in health sectors. Priority will be given to locally-led organizations based in USAID partner countries that have a proven track record in health programming and M&E capacity building. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial stability, with audited financial statements for the past two years, and have a minimum of three years of experience in health-related projects. Technical expertise should include familiarity with USAID's M&E standards, such as the Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) and Data Quality Assessments (DQAs). Organizations must also have a legal registration in the country of operation and comply with USAID's policies on anti-terrorism, trafficking in persons, and environmental compliance. Smaller grassroots organizations may apply in consortium with larger entities to strengthen capacity. The donor strongly encourages applications from women-led organizations, youth-focused groups, and those representing marginalized communities. Additionally, applicants must have a clear institutional mandate to build M&E capacity, either as a direct implementer or as a technical assistance provider. The funding aims to empower local actors to lead their own development, so international organizations are encouraged to partner with local counterparts rather than apply alone.

USAID's global priorities for this funding window include strengthening health systems, improving data quality and use, and fostering local capacity for sustainable health outcomes. Key performance indicators (KPIs) focus on the number of institutions with improved M&E systems, percentage of health programs using data for decision-making, and increased local ownership of health data. The donor emphasizes alignment with the U.S. Global Health Security Strategy, which targets pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, and zoonotic disease control. Investment priorities also include maternal and child health, family planning, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, with cross-cutting themes of gender equality, social inclusion, and climate resilience. Geographically, USAID prioritizes countries in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America with high disease burden and weak health systems. The donor expects applicants to incorporate digital health innovations, such as mobile data collection tools and interoperable health information systems, to enhance M&E efficiency. Additionally, USAID stresses the importance of adaptive management, requiring grantees to use real-time data to adjust programs. Cost-effectiveness is critical, with a preference for interventions that show high returns on investment. Finally, USAID looks for partnerships that leverage local knowledge and foster sustainability, ensuring that capacity building efforts outlast the grant period.

Eligibility requirements are comprehensive and include financial, spatial, and corporate legal audits. Financially, applicants must submit audited financial statements for the last two fiscal years, demonstrating sound financial management and no significant audit findings. The organization must have a minimum annual operating budget of $500,000 and adequate liquidity to pre-finance activities for up to 90 days. Spatially, the project must be implemented in USAID-designated priority countries, with a focus on underserved or remote areas where health M&E capacity is weakest. Applicants must provide a detailed map of proposed intervention areas and evidence of community engagement. Corporate legal audits require the organization to be legally registered in the country of operation, with bylaws, board of directors, and tax clearance certificates. The organization must not be debarred or suspended from receiving U.S. government funds. Additionally, USAID mandates compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, anti-trafficking policies, and environmental regulations. For consortium applications, a lead partner must be designated, with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining roles and responsibilities. Organizations with previous USAID grants must have a satisfactory performance record. Ineligible entities include political parties, government agencies (unless they are public health institutes), and for-profit entities that do not demonstrate a health mission. All applicants must demonstrate a commitment to gender equality and social inclusion in their governance structures.

Strategic roadmap for winning the USAID Institutional Capacity Building for Monitoring and Evaluation in Health Programs grant, with GSLI integration: Step 1: Institutional Readiness Assessment (Months 1-2) Conduct a gap analysis of your organization's M&E capacity, financial systems, and compliance with USAID regulations. Use GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' and 'Financial Management for NGOs' courses to upskill your team in developing robust M&E frameworks and financial controls. GSLI's courses provide practical tools for data quality assurance, indicator selection, and budgeting, directly aligning with USAID requirements. Ensure your organization has a clean audit record and a strong theory of change. Engage stakeholders to define the problem statement and desired outcomes. Develop a pre-proposal concept note for internal review. Step 2: Partnership Development and Local Engagement (Months 3-4) Identify local partners, including health ministries, community-based organizations, and academic institutions. Formalize consortium agreements with clear roles, especially for M&E capacity building. Leverage GSLI's 'Public Health & Epidemiology' and 'WASH' courses to align partner expertise with health priorities. Conduct stakeholder workshops to co-design the M&E capacity building approach, ensuring local ownership. Build a data-sharing agreement with the government to ensure sustainability. Submit a letter of intent to USAID if required. Use GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' course to craft persuasive narratives for partner recruitment and donor communication. Step 3: Proposal Development and Submission (Months 5-6) Draft the full proposal, including a detailed work plan, budget narrative, M&E plan, and risk management framework. Incorporate USAID's PMP and DQA standards. Use GSLI's 'Project Management for Development' course to design logical frameworks and Gantt charts. Ensure the budget aligns with USAID's cost principles and includes provisions for training, technology, and travel. Highlight how GSLI courses will be used to train local staff, emphasizing cost-effectiveness. Submit the proposal by the deadline, ensuring all attachments (audits, registrations, letters of support) are complete. Follow up with USAID's grants office for confirmation. Step 4: Post-Submission and Capacity Building (Months 7-8) While awaiting review, continue strengthening institutional capacity using GSLI's 'Grants Management' and 'Procurement & Supply Chain' courses to prepare for award management. Develop a monitoring dashboard and train staff on data analysis. If shortlisted, prepare for a site visit or virtual interview by presenting your M&E capacity building model. Upon award, implement the project using GSLI training to ensure compliance and adaptive management. Build a community of practice for M&E professionals through GSLI alumni networks.