USAID Civic Initiatives Support Program
CONSOLIDATED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Request for Applications (RFA) for Disability Rights and Inclusion Grants 2015-16
As of March 31, 2015
In response to the RFA referenced above, this document provides a consolidated response to questions raised during the three grant solicitation workshops USAID CIS held in Amman, Irbid and Ma’an between March 23 & 25, 2015 as well as all requests for clarification submitted via email to y the March 26, 2015 deadline. Answers to these frequently asked questions are organized by major topics as follows:
- Application-Related Questions
- Project-Related Questions
- Cost-Related Questions
- Cost Share-Related Questions
- Award-Related Questions
- Government-Related Questions
Answers are posted on the USAID CIS website ( and Facebook page ( Phone calls to USAID CIS staff and visits to the USAID CIS office are not permitted and may be regarded as grounds for disqualification.
Applicants are encouraged to review the USAID CIS Grants Manual as details on similar topics can be found there (
- Application-Related Questions
Q1: Can an organization submit more than one application? Can more than one award be given to an organization?
A1: Yes more than one application may be submitted. Successful grantees may receive multiple awards if the applicant can demonstrate capacity to implement.
Q2: Can we apply as a coalition?
A2: Yes, though one lead organization must act as the grant applicant, and if selected for a grant, signthe grant agreement and assume responsibility for grant management and reporting requirements.
Q3: Can individuals apply for grants under the Disability Rigths Grants?
A3: No, individuals and informal groups are ineligible to receive grants but are encouraged to participate in coalitions that may be applying.
Q4: Can Syrians with disabilities living in Amman apply?
A4.Individuals and informal groups are ineligible to apply despite nationality, but they are encouraged to work through legally registered organisations in Jordan.
Q5:Is there a limit to the number of projects to be funded? Is there a breakdown of the number of grants to geographical areas?
A5: The Grant Evaluation Committee will determine the final shortlist for funding of projects based on the results of the review. No geographical quota has been set.
Q6: Can we submit the proposal in Arabic? Can the proposal be submitted via e-mail?
A6: Proposals can be submitted in either English or Arabic. All applications should be submitted via email to by the deadline.
Q7: Are NGOs, not-for profit companies, media institutes, research centers, for profit organizations, and companies eligible to apply for a grant for this RFA, and what are the conditions and registration that the company must adhere to in order for it to be able to apply?
A7: As defined in the RFA, organizations that are registered legal entities in Jordan withheadquarters based in Jordan are eligible to apply.
Q8: Can a voluntarycommittee under UNRWA apply for this grant program?
A8: Applicants must be registered as legal entities in Jordan with headquarters based in Jordan.
Q9: Can adisabled persons organization (DPO)applyfor this grant?
A9: Yes as long as it is a registered legal entity in Jordan with headquarters based in Jordan.
Q10: Can an organization like UNDP apply for the grant? Can this grant be part of our work within the Host Communities support in Mafraq (for example to include number of disabled in our emergency cash for work programme)?
A10: Only organizations legally registered in Jordan with heaquarters based in Jordan can apply. International organizations are eligible to partner with a qualified Jordanian organization as outlined in the eligibility criteria. Proposed program activities must be responsive to the goals and objectives of the RFA.
- Project-Related Questions
Q11: Can we suggest a project that targets Syrian refugees and Jordanian host communities?
A11: Proposed initiatives that include all members of targeted host communities are eligible for funding under this opportunity.
Q12: Can we engage Syrian and Iraqi refugees within our program/implementation?
A12: Proposed project activities should be open to all community members within host communities in Jordan.
Q13: Can we build our proposed initatives on the findings and results of previous studies or experiences when implementing our initiative?
A13: USAID CIS program encourages building on previous studies and experiences to better design and implement proposed initiatives as it is important to benefit from lesson learned from previousprojects.
Q14: When evaluating proposals, will the GEC take into consideration the budget and action plan suggested for the preparation phase?
A14: These elements are part of the application itself and will be reviewed as part of the overall project concept per the evaluation criteria.
Q15: Do I consider my grant awarded when shortlisted to oral presentation?
A15: No, the oral presentation is part of the evaluation process to determine the final shortlist. It is important to note that being shortlisted does not constitute an award commitment on the part of USAID CIS.
Q16: Do you considerusing questionnairesas consultation with disability stakeholder?
A16: Quantitative research tools such as questionnaires are one of many valid researchmethodologies that can be proposed; the results of which will depend on the final research design, including clearly defined research objectives, target and sample size, implementation and analysis.
Q17: May our proposed activity include equipment and infrastructure?
A17: As outlined in the RFA, physical adaptation of infrastructure will be considered on case by case basis; strong justification must be provided and linked to the results of the inclusion assessment. Similarly, equipment purchases must be linked to the proposed project goals and assessment results.
Q18: Can we target a specific type of disability?
A18: Applicants are free to propose their specific target in line with the goals and objectives of the RFA.
C. Cost-Related Questions
Q19. Is there a minimum and maximum grant size?
A19: The award thresholds are described in the RFA as small grants: up to JOD 20,000 and large grants: up to JOD 70,000. Applicants must remember that this phase of the application, only the preparatory phase budget is requested as the implementation phase budget will be decided upon the results of the inclusion assessment, institutional development assessment and consultation process. Overall, the total budget requested from the program should not exceed the defined grant ceiling of 70,000 JOD.
Q20: Can the budget be submitted in English or Arabic? What format should be used for the budget?
A20: Yes, the budget narrative may be in English or Arabic. However figures (numbers) must be in Roman numerals (English). Applicants must use the budget template provided to prepare their budget. A sample budget can be found in the Budgeting Presentation available with the DRI RFA package at
Q21: Is there a ceiling for consultant rates?
A21: Consultant rates should be budgeted based on the individual consultant’s established daily rate. Consultant rates will be verified based on payroll statements or rates paid through previous contracts, in addition a biographical data form or market survey for similar positions may be used.Consultant daily rates in excess of 182 JOD per day will not be accepted.
Q22: Can newly registered NGOs allocate more than 10 % for institutional development
A22:Overall the goal of the RFA is to support inclusion at all levels so exceeding the 10% may be considered as long as it is justified in line with achieving the proposed project goals.The final allocation for institutional development will depend on the proposed initiative and results of the inclusion and institutional capacity assessments.
D. CostShare-Related Questions
Q23: Is cost-share required?
A23: A minimum of ten percent (10%) cost share is required. Cost share should be calculated based on the total amount requested from USAID CIS, for example if the budget requested from USAID CIS is 20,000 JOD, a minimum cost share of 2,000 JOD (10%) is required; therefore the budget total will become 22,000 JOD. The overall cost share budget will be determined during the finalization of the implementation phase of awarded grantees, however applicants are encouraged to allocate part of their cost share contribution during the preparatory phase of the grant.
Q24: Can the organization distribute the cost share unequally between different parts of the project budget lines?
A24: Yes.
E. Award-Related Questions
Q25: My newly registered organization has been shortlisted for a grant, but it doesn't have an audited financial report, what can I provide instead?
A25: According to Jordanian law, all registered organizations are required to conduct annual external audits. If a recent audit has not been conducted, a revenue and expense statement and balance sheet for the previous financial year may be submitted, in addition to any written financial policies and cost data the organization may have available.
Q26: Do we need tohave the foreign fundingapproval to receive the award?
A26: The USAID CIS program does not require a evidence of foreign funding approval.
Q27: What are the terms of engagement in regards to branding? For example is there a need to put logos on project related publications?
A: USAID branding and marking is required.
F. Government-Related Questions
Q28:Are stipends for government employees managing the program and/or participating in the program’s activities allowed?
A28: No, payments of any kind to government staff are unallowable. Organizations that make payments to government staff with other funding resources may not include those costs as cost share.
Q29:Are Government institutionseligible to apply? What about Royal services and centers?
A29: Governmental institutions are not eligible to apply. Organziations are considered to be governmental or semi governmental if the Government of Jordan owns at least 50% share of it, or if it receives at least 50% of their financial support from the Government of Jordan. Individuals employed by such institutions are considered to be government employees and may not receive payments with grant funds. Supporting documents for the past 3 years might be required.
Consolidated Q&A: Request for Applications for Disability Rights & Inclusion Grants, 31 March2015 pg. 1