REQUEST FOR APPLICATION (RFA): Barefoot Research Activities

USAID Civil Society and Media (USAID CSM) 

REQUEST FOR APPLICATION (RFA)

SECTION 1: Program Description

1.1 About USAID CSM

The USAID Civil Society and Media (USAID CSM) Activity is a five-year program (2022-2027) funded by USAID in Nepal through the CSM-STAND-LWA, with The Asia Foundation as the lead implementer. CSM supports independent civil society and media led by and for women, youth, and marginalized (WYM) communities to advance public interest, fundamental freedoms, and accountability. Most activities are implemented in Lumbini and Madhesh Provinces.

The Program works to achieve its goal through mutually reinforcing activities under three inter-related objectives while contributing to USAID’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS):

1. To foster an enabling environment for civic space where issues and interests of WYM communities are addressed.
2. Increase WYM's engagement in civic and public spaces and advance their interests through better access to resources, assets, and skills.
3. Improve availability of credible information and diverse narratives within media that better represent WYM issues and perspectives.

Submission Guidelines

All questions and other communications regarding this RFA should be submitted in writing to usaidcsm.nepal@asiafoundation.org. Written responses to questions will be made available to all applicants.

Applications must be submitted in English using Times New Roman font size 12, single-spaced. The page limit does not include Annexes and CVs of proposed staff included as part of the application.

Applications (including a technical description, estimated budget and supporting documentation) must be submitted electronically via email to and should reference CSM-RFA-2024-06. Applications must be submitted by the time and date indicated on the cover page.

Incomplete or late applications will be marked as such and will be ineligible for review or award; however, The Foundation reserves the right to accept and include incomplete or late applications in the review and award process when it is considered within the best interest of The Foundation to do so. Applications that are submitted late or incomplete run the risk of not being considered for review.

Applications may be withdrawn by written notice via email received at any time before an award is made. Applications may be withdrawn in person by an organization or its authorized representative if the representative’s identity is made known and the representative signs a receipt for the application before award is made.

A complete submission, at a minimum, will include the following:

• A copy of the applicant’s valid legal registration
• A completed and signed technical application.
• CVs for project personnel (if necessary)
• A completed and signed budget application
• Budget supporting documents, including the budget narrative, as applicable.
• List of organization’s board members and key management
• A copy of tax clearance and/or tax exemption certificate with renewal
• Others (applicant may submit other documents as relevant)

Receipt time for electronic submissions is when The Foundation’s Internet Server receives the application. Hand delivery and hardcopy paper submissions of the application will not be accepted after the stated time on the cover page. Please do not send files in ZIP format.

For detailed RFA click on the link below:

Detailed RFA for Barefoot Research

Annex 1 - Detailed Cost Proposal Template