Opportunity Information: Apply for 72044224RFA00004
The Bridging Education Solutions for Transformation (BEST) Activity is a USAID/Cambodia funding opportunity focused on improving foundational learning in Cambodia, with a strong emphasis on helping the students who are most likely to be left behind. The long-term goal is to raise learning outcomes and strengthen the skills students need to succeed in school, especially among marginalized groups, so they can stay in primary school and successfully move on to lower secondary education. In practical terms, BEST is centered on Grade 4, a pivotal point where students are expected to shift from learning to read toward using reading to learn other subjects. The program is therefore designed to strengthen Khmer literacy and "Read-to-Learn" abilities in Grade 4 using solutions that are not only effective but also demonstrably cost-effective.
The opportunity lays out three main objectives. First, it aims to revise the core Khmer Grade 4 textbook and to develop literacy packages for Grade 4 that are practical, affordable, and easy to implement at scale. This signals a focus on improving the quality and usability of teaching and learning materials rather than creating expensive, hard-to-maintain interventions. Second, the activity targets teacher performance by improving teachers' competencies specifically in literacy instruction in the primary schools selected for the program. This recognizes that better materials alone will not improve reading outcomes unless teachers are supported with training, coaching, and clear instructional approaches. Third, BEST is designed to generate and share evidence about what works. The intent is not just to run a successful project in a limited number of schools, but to produce credible learning and implementation evidence that can support the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport in expanding successful practices more broadly across the education system.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a cooperative agreement, which generally means USAID expects substantial involvement during implementation, such as collaboration on technical direction, monitoring, and learning. The opportunity is issued by USAID-Phnom Penh under Funding Opportunity Number 72044224RFA00004, and it is categorized under Education (CFDA 98.001). The award ceiling is listed as USD 3,000,000. The notice was created on 2024-06-25, and the original closing date for applications is 2024-08-13.
A key eligibility condition is that the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is restricted to local organizations, as detailed in Section C of the NOFO. That restriction is an important part of the design of the competition, signaling USAID's intent to channel leadership and implementation through Cambodian organizations (or other entities that meet the NOFO definition of "local") rather than international applicants. Overall, BEST is positioned as a focused Grade 4 literacy intervention that combines improved learning materials, stronger teacher practice, and rigorous evidence-building to enable national scale-up of approaches that measurably improve Khmer reading and reading-to-learn outcomes.Apply for 72044224RFA00004
- The Cambodia USAID-Phnom Penh in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Bridging Education Solutions for Transformation (BEST) Activity" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-06-25.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-08-13. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Bridging Education Solutions for Transformation (BEST) Activity
1. What is the BEST Activity?
The Bridging Education Solutions for Transformation (BEST) Activity is a USAID/Cambodia funding opportunity focused on improving foundational learning in Cambodia, with a strong emphasis on supporting students most likely to be left behind. It is designed to raise learning outcomes and strengthen the skills students need to succeed in school, especially among marginalized groups.
2. What is the long-term goal of BEST?
The long-term goal is to improve learning outcomes and strengthen student skills so more learners, particularly those from marginalized groups, can stay in primary school and successfully transition to lower secondary education.
3. Which grade level does BEST focus on, and why?
BEST is centered on Grade 4. Grade 4 is described as a pivotal point where students are expected to shift from learning to read to using reading to learn other subjects. The activity therefore targets Khmer literacy and "Read-to-Learn" skills at this stage.
4. What subject area or skills does BEST aim to strengthen?
The activity is designed to strengthen Khmer literacy and "Read-to-Learn" abilities in Grade 4, using solutions that are effective and demonstrably cost-effective.
5. What are the main objectives of the BEST Activity?
The opportunity identifies three main objectives:
- Revise the core Khmer Grade 4 textbook and develop Grade 4 literacy packages that are practical, affordable, and easy to implement at scale.
- Improve teacher performance by strengthening teachers' competencies in literacy instruction in the primary schools selected for the program.
- Generate and share evidence about what works, producing learning and implementation evidence that can support broader expansion through the education system.
6. What kinds of materials will BEST develop or improve?
BEST aims to revise the core Khmer Grade 4 textbook and develop literacy packages for Grade 4 that are practical, affordable, and designed for implementation at scale.
7. How does BEST address teacher performance?
BEST targets teacher performance by improving teachers' competencies specifically in literacy instruction in the primary schools selected for the program. The opportunity indicates that better materials alone are not sufficient without support for teachers through training, coaching, and clear instructional approaches.
8. Why does the BEST Activity emphasize evidence and learning?
BEST is designed not only to implement a program in a limited number of schools, but also to generate and share credible evidence on learning and implementation. The intent is to support the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) in expanding successful practices more broadly across Cambodia's education system.
9. What type of award is this opportunity?
This opportunity is a cooperative agreement. In general terms, a cooperative agreement indicates USAID expects substantial involvement during implementation, such as collaboration on technical direction, monitoring, and learning.
10. Who is issuing this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is issued by USAID-Phnom Penh.
11. What is the Funding Opportunity Number for BEST?
The Funding Opportunity Number is 72044224RFA00004.
12. What is the assistance listing / CFDA number and category?
The opportunity is categorized under Education with CFDA 98.001.
13. What is the maximum funding amount available?
The award ceiling is listed as USD 3,000,000.
14. When was this notice created?
The notice was created on 2024-06-25.
15. What is the application closing date?
The original closing date for applications is 2024-08-13.
16. Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is restricted to local organizations, as detailed in Section C of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). This reflects USAID's intent to channel leadership and implementation through Cambodian organizations (or other entities meeting the NOFO definition of "local") rather than international applicants.
17. Where can eligibility requirements be found?
The opportunity states that the NOFO is restricted to local organizations, with details provided in Section C of the NOFO.
18. How is BEST positioned overall within Cambodia's education priorities?
BEST is positioned as a focused Grade 4 literacy intervention that combines improved learning materials, stronger teacher practice, and rigorous evidence-building to enable national scale-up of approaches that measurably improve Khmer reading and reading-to-learn outcomes.
19. What does "cost-effective" mean in the context of BEST?
The opportunity emphasizes solutions that are not only effective but also demonstrably cost-effective, signaling a preference for approaches and materials that are practical, affordable, and suitable for scaling rather than expensive, difficult-to-maintain interventions.
20. Which government body is intended to use the evidence generated by BEST?
The opportunity indicates the evidence is intended to support the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) in expanding successful practices more broadly across the education system.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education
Next opportunity: Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
Previous opportunity: DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer, Virtual Cancer Center Director Award
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for 72044224RFA00004
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (72044224RFA00004) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): School Choice and Improvement Programs (SCIP): Stronger Connections Technical Assistance and Capacity Building (SCTAC) Grant Program, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.424H Apply for ED GRANTS 062624 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 062624 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): School choice and Improvement Programs (SCIP): Promise Neighborhoods (PN), Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.215N Apply for ED GRANTS 062724 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 062724 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| University Research Program (University Capacity Building Program, UCBP) Apply for DOS GEO 24 008 07012024 Funding Number: DOS GEO 24 008 07012024 Agency: U.S. Mission to Georgia Category: Education Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| FY 2024 Teams Engaging Affiliated Museums and Informal Institutions (TEAM II) STEM Innovator Award Apply for NNH24ZHA003CTEAMIIINOV Funding Number: NNH24ZHA003CTEAMIIINOV Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Category: Education Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| FY 2024 Teams Engaging Affiliated Museums and Informal Institutions (TEAM II) Community Anchor Award Apply for NNH24ZHA003C TEAMIIANCHR Funding Number: NNH24ZHA003C TEAMIIANCHR Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Category: Education Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2024 Homeland Security National Training Program (HSNTP) Continuing Training Grants (CTG) Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE) Apply for DHS 24 NPD 005 00 99 Funding Number: DHS 24 NPD 005 00 99 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Education Funding Amount: $1,800,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2024 Homeland Security National Training Program (HSNTP) National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium (NCPC) Apply for DHS 24 NPD 005 00 97 Funding Number: DHS 24 NPD 005 00 97 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Education Funding Amount: $7,200,000 |
| American Corners in Jordan Apply for OFOP0001501 Funding Number: OFOP0001501 Agency: Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Category: Education Funding Amount: $45,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2024 Homeland Security National Training Program Continuing Training Grants Apply for DHS 24 NPD 005 00 96 Funding Number: DHS 24 NPD 005 00 96 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP):State Personnel Development Grants (SPDG) Program, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.323A Apply for ED GRANTS 070924 002 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 070924 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $2,100,000 |
| OSERS: OSEP: Technical Assistance on State Data Collection--National Technical Assistance Center to Improve State Capacity to Collect, Report, Analyze, and Use Accurate IDEA Part B Data, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.373Y Apply for ED GRANTS 070924 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 070924 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $6,250,000 |
| BER-APS-FY24-001 Transatlantic Partnership Program Apply for OFOP0001505 Funding Number: OFOP0001505 Agency: U.S. Mission to Germany Category: Education Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants Apply for FOA BS 2024 1 Funding Number: FOA BS 2024 1 Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration Category: Education Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Higher Education for Youth Prosperity in Agriculture Project Apply for 72061224RFA00001 Funding Number: 72061224RFA00001 Agency: Malawi USAID-Lilongwe Category: Education Funding Amount: $22,000,000 |
| U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau, 2025 Education Summer Scholarship Program Apply for HKG NOFO FY24 02 Funding Number: HKG NOFO FY24 02 Agency: U.S. Mission to China Category: Education Funding Amount: $160,000 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE): Tribal Controlled Colleges or Universities (TCCUs) Research and Development Infrastructure (RDI) Grant Program, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.116H Apply for ED GRANTS 071824 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 071824 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Dominican-U.S. Higher Education Network Building Initiative Apply for S DR860 24 NOFO 001 Funding Number: S DR860 24 NOFO 001 Agency: U.S. Mission to the Dominican Republic Category: Education Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| OSERS: OSEP: Technical Assistance on State Data Collection--National Technical Assistance Center To Improve State Capacity To Collect, Report, Analyze, and Use Accurate Early Childhood IDEA Data, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.373Z Apply for ED GRANTS 072224 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 072224 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $6,250,000 |
| Request for Information (RFI): Strengthening the capacity of Lebanese Higher Education Institutions Apply for LEBEDU 24 RFI 00001 Funding Number: LEBEDU 24 RFI 00001 Agency: Lebanon USAID-Beirut Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| STEM Program 2024 Apply for PAS ALG FY24 06 Funding Number: PAS ALG FY24 06 Agency: U.S. Mission to Algeria Category: Education Funding Amount: $40,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "72044224RFA00004", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.