Private Sector Partnerships to Strengthen Higher Education Activity | 72016722RFA00002

Opportunity Information: Apply for 72016722RFA00002

USAID in Kosovo (USAID-Pristina) released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for a program called "Private Sector Partnerships to Strengthen Higher Education Activity" (Funding Opportunity Number 72016722RFA00002). The activity sits in the education sector and is structured as a cooperative agreement, which typically means USAID expects to stay actively involved with the recipient during implementation rather than simply issuing a grant with limited engagement. The overall intent is to strengthen the links between universities and the private sector in Kosovo, with a practical focus on ensuring higher education becomes more aligned with real labor market needs and that students gain more hands-on, work-relevant learning experiences.

The core objective is to build stronger, more functional partnerships between academic institutions and employers so that curricula, teaching approaches, and student preparation better match the skills companies actually need. The opportunity emphasizes market-oriented education and experiential learning, which usually includes things like structured internships, work-based learning placements, co-op programs, industry-led projects, mentoring, guest lectures from professionals, employer input into curriculum design, and other approaches that move learning beyond the classroom. In simple terms, USAID is looking for an implementer that can help universities and businesses collaborate in a way that produces graduates who are more job-ready and better prepared to contribute to Kosovo's economy.

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of organizations may apply. However, there is a clear, non-negotiable partnership requirement embedded in the opportunity: every application must include, at minimum, at least one U.S. Higher Education Institution (HEI) and at least one Kosovar HEI. This indicates the program is designed to leverage U.S. university expertise and institutional connections while directly strengthening Kosovo-based institutions, likely through joint planning, capacity building, and long-term collaboration. The partnership requirement also signals that proposals will be expected to show real commitment and clear roles for each partner, rather than listing institutions in name only.

From a funding standpoint, USAID anticipated making one award with a ceiling of up to $4,000,000. The opportunity was posted on October 21, 2021, with an original closing date of January 5, 2022. The listing references a Request for Concept Papers under the Request for Applications, which typically means applicants may have needed to submit an initial concept note describing the approach before being invited to submit a full application, though the specific submission steps and selection process are contained in the official NOFO attachments.

In practice, an application responsive to this opportunity would be expected to present a clear plan for how the U.S. and Kosovar universities, along with private sector partners, will collaborate to modernize programs, make coursework and credentials more relevant to market demand, and expand experiential learning opportunities that connect students directly with workplaces. It would also need to explain how the partnership will be managed, how private sector engagement will be sustained, and how results will be measured, consistent with USAID's typical focus on measurable outcomes and lasting institutional change.

• The Agency for International Development, Kosovo USAID-Pristina in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Private Sector Partnerships to Strengthen Higher Education 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 Oct 21, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 05, 2022. (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 $4,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for 72016722RFA00002

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