Strengthening Equitable Education for the Deaf (SEED) | 72069624RFA00001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): USAID/Rwanda Strengthening Equitable Education for the Deaf (SEED) Activity

1) What is the SEED Activity?

SEED stands for Strengthening Equitable Education for the Deaf. It is a USAID/Rwanda-funded activity focused on improving early literacy outcomes for learners who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) in Rwanda, especially during pre-primary and lower primary grades.

2) What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The core goal is to improve reading outcomes for pre-primary and lower primary D/HH learners in Rwanda, with a specific target of stronger reading performance by the end of Primary 3 (P3/Grade 3).

3) Why does the activity focus on pre-primary through Primary 3?

The activity targets the years when children typically learn to read, with the intent of building strong early literacy foundations so D/HH learners are not left behind as school becomes more dependent on reading and text-based learning.

4) Who are the primary beneficiaries of SEED?

The primary beneficiaries are pre-primary and lower primary learners in Rwanda who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH), particularly those expected to reach stronger reading performance by the end of P3/Grade 3.

5) What does D/HH mean in this opportunity?

D/HH refers to learners who are deaf or hard of hearing.

6) What type of award will USAID use for SEED?

The opportunity will be implemented through a Cooperative Agreement.

7) What are the main components or results SEED is organized around?

SEED is structured around three intermediate results that address (1) the home environment, (2) the classroom experience, and (3) the government systems that sustain services over time.

8) What is Intermediate Result 1 focused on?

Intermediate Result 1 aims to improve the capacity of parents, communities, and youth to support Rwandan Sign Language (RSL) acquisition and literacy for D/HH learners.

9) Why is family and community support for RSL emphasized?

The opportunity recognizes that language access starts before a child enters a classroom and that early exposure to an accessible language is essential for later literacy. Strengthening families and communities supports consistent use and learning of RSL and helps children experience language-rich environments.

10) What kinds of activities fit under Intermediate Result 1?

Based on the description, this could include practical strategies that help families communicate effectively, reinforce language development at home, and build local networks that encourage consistent RSL use and learning.

11) What is Intermediate Result 2 focused on?

Intermediate Result 2 aims to improve access to quality and relevant bilingual teaching methodologies that link RSL to Kinyarwanda and English literacy.

12) What does "bilingual teaching methodologies" mean in the SEED context?

In this opportunity, bilingual methodology refers to instruction designed to connect meaning and access in RSL with reading and writing in Kinyarwanda and English, so D/HH learners can build print literacy while maintaining full access through sign language.

13) Which languages are explicitly referenced for literacy development?

The opportunity references Rwandan Sign Language (RSL) and links it to Kinyarwanda and English literacy.

14) What kinds of classroom-level improvements does Intermediate Result 2 suggest?

The description points to improvements such as stronger instructional approaches, materials, and pedagogy designed specifically for D/HH learners in pre-primary through lower primary grades.

15) Is SEED mainly about accommodations, or about instructional design?

The emphasis on bilingual methodology signals the activity is about intentionally designing instruction that helps children connect meaning in RSL with reading and writing in Kinyarwanda and English, not simply adding accommodations.

16) What is Intermediate Result 3 focused on?

Intermediate Result 3 focuses on strengthening national and decentralized Government of Rwanda (GOR) systems to better serve learners who are deaf or hard of hearing.

17) What does "strengthening GOR systems" imply in practical terms?

It implies supporting longer-term sustainability by improving how government structures plan, coordinate, resource, and monitor services for D/HH learners at both central and local levels.

18) Why is the government systems component included?

This component is intended to help ensure improvements are sustainable beyond the life of the award, becoming embedded in policies, procedures, capacity, and service delivery rather than remaining isolated pilot efforts.

19) Where will the SEED Activity take place?

The issuing agency is USAID in Kigali, Rwanda, and the activity is described as serving D/HH learners in Rwanda.

20) What is the eligibility for applicants?

Eligibility is unrestricted, meaning USAID is open to proposals from any qualified organization type and is not limiting competition to a narrow applicant category.

21) What is the maximum funding amount available under this solicitation?

The award ceiling is $4,000,000, which is the maximum amount available per award under this solicitation.

22) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is 72069624RFA00001.

23) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 98.001.

24) What funding activity category is this opportunity listed under?

The opportunity is listed under the education funding activity category.

25) When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on March 28, 2024.

26) What was the original closing date for submissions?

The original closing date for submissions was May 29, 2024.

27) What is the measurable target outcome mentioned in the opportunity?

The measurable target outcome described is stronger reading performance for D/HH learners by the end of Primary 3 (P3/Grade 3).

28) How do the three intermediate results work together?

Together they address key parts of a D/HH learner's literacy ecosystem: support for language acquisition and literacy at home and in the community, improved bilingual teaching that connects RSL to print literacy in the classroom, and stronger government systems to sustain and scale services over time.

29) Does the opportunity explicitly name the sign language involved?

Yes. It explicitly references Rwandan Sign Language (RSL).

30) Which USAID mission is issuing the opportunity?

USAID/Rwanda is the issuing mission, with the issuing office listed as USAID in Kigali, Rwanda.