The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is issuing a funding opportunity for the Global Health New Partnerships Initiative (NPI) to address COVID-19 through a program titled "Communities Leading COVID-19 Response and Oxygen Ecosystem." Respondents are invited to submit Concept Papers aimed at enhancing community health systems and the oxygen ecosystem—crucial for treating COVID-19 patients—across multiple target countries. Proposals should incorporate both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions aligned with national policies. Interested parties are encouraged to send questions before the deadline and submit their proposals by specified dates. This initiative prioritizes collaboration with local entities, emphasizing the role of community-led responses in health care and continuity. It underscores the necessity of training healthcare workers, augmenting community engagement, and fostering partnerships between various local health system providers. The funding, subject to availability, aims to distribute resources effectively to improve health resilience in the targeted regions, ensuring long-term sustainability and community empowerment in handling public health crises.

The document outlines the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) COVID-19 Round under the New Partnerships Initiative aimed at supporting community-driven responses to the pandemic, specifically in strengthening health systems and the oxygen ecosystem. The request for concept papers invites eligible organizations to propose innovative interventions to enhance community health systems and support COVID-19 preparedness by aligning with national policies. The guidelines specify that submissions should demonstrate existing relationships within communities and address identified gaps in healthcare and response measures. Key focus areas include the safe use of oxygen, community empowerment, effective linkages between health systems and communities, and innovative partnerships across sectors. The funding opportunity targets several priority countries, with a total available amount up to $100 million. Successful applicants may engage in co-creation with USAID for further refinement of their proposals. The aim is to leverage local knowledge and resources to build resilience and continuity in health care while addressing the ongoing challenges presented by COVID-19.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) issued an Addendum for the Global Health New Partnerships Initiative (NPI) focused on COVID-19 response titled "Communities Leading COVID-19 Response and Oxygen Ecosystem." The initiative invites applicants to submit Concept Papers to enhance community health systems, specifically regarding the oxygen ecosystem for COVID-19 preparedness and response. Submissions should align with USAID's goals of leveraging community involvement and adapting national policies for effective healthcare delivery. Key focus areas include building partnerships with local entities, enhancing oxygen ecosystems, and fostering community capacities to address health challenges linked to COVID-19. USAID is particularly interested in innovative approaches that strengthen local healthcare links and improve training, resource allocation, and emergency response mechanisms. The funding opportunity, with a ceiling of $100 million, emphasizes collaboration with a wide range of beneficiaries across targeted countries. Eligible entities range from non-profits to universities, and applicants must illustrate their local presence and strategies for engaging communities effectively. The submission process requires adherence to specific guidelines, emphasizing clarity and technical soundness in proposed interventions to combat COVID-19 impacts while ensuring continuity of essential health services.

The document outlines responses from USAID regarding the submission of concept papers for funding opportunities related to COVID-19 initiatives across priority countries. It clarifies that no detailed budget is required at the concept paper stage; instead, applicants should indicate the total funding requested. USAID plans to award up to $100 million without predetermined limitations on individual proposal amounts or country allocations. Eligibility criteria allow for various partnership approaches, providing flexibility in collaborations between organizations, including local and international entities. Each concept paper must address specified result areas (Result 1 or Results 2-4) and align with illustrative sub-results relevant to proposed interventions. The document emphasizes that projects should focus on community health improvements rather than infrastructure projects, outlining funding structures, submission guidelines, and evaluation criteria based on organizational capacity and community presence. Overall, the aim is to enhance COVID-19 responses while fostering partnerships with local entities and organizations to effectively address health issues in targeted countries.