YouthPower 2 (YP2) Annual Program Statement (APS) | 7200AA20APS00007

YouthPower 2 (YP2) Annual Program Statement (APS) - FAQs

1) What is the YouthPower 2 (YP2) Annual Program Statement (APS)?

The YouthPower 2 (YP2) APS is a standing USAID funding framework (an umbrella announcement) designed to make it easier for youth-led and youth-serving organizations, plus other partners and systems, to propose ideas that improve youth outcomes across sectors. It provides USAID's overall guidance, expectations, and "rules of the road" so organizations can prepare to respond when targeted opportunities are released as addenda.

2) Is the YP2 APS a one-time grant competition?

No. The YP2 APS is not a single, one-time competition. It operates as an ongoing umbrella announcement. Actual opportunities are released over time through specific addenda posted under the APS.

3) Is this APS the same thing as a Request for Applications (RFA)?

No. The YP2 APS is explicitly not an RFA. Organizations should not submit unsolicited proposals to the main APS. Submissions are only accepted in response to an active addendum issued under the APS.

4) Can an organization submit a Concept Note or Full Application to the main APS at any time?

No. USAID only accepts submissions when there is an active addendum under the YP2 APS and the submission directly responds to that addendum. If an organization is not responding to a currently open addendum, USAID will not accept a Concept Note or Full Application under the APS.

5) How does the submission process typically work under the YP2 APS?

The typical pathway described is: (1) USAID posts an addendum describing a targeted opportunity, (2) applicants submit a short Concept Note aligned to that addendum, (3) USAID reviews Concept Notes and decides whether to invite selected organizations to submit a Full Application.

6) What is an addendum under the YP2 APS?

An addendum is the actionable, targeted opportunity announcement released under the broader YP2 APS framework. Each addendum functions like a specific call for Concept Notes, and it is the addendum (not the standalone APS) that sets what USAID is seeking to support, where, by when, and with what submission requirements.

7) What types of activities does the YP2 APS support?

The APS focuses on cross-sectoral, positive youth development. Activities can cut across areas such as education, workforce development, civic engagement, health, and other youth-centered priorities, as long as they contribute to stronger outcomes for young people. The APS also explains what kinds of activities will be considered, and each addendum can further refine the scope.

8) Does the YP2 APS only fund education projects?

Not necessarily. While the opportunity is associated with an education-related assistance listing (CFDA/Assistance Listing 98.001), the stated overall focus is cross-sectoral positive youth development, which can include education as well as other sectors (for example workforce development, civic engagement, health, and other youth-centered priorities) depending on the addendum.

9) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as "unrestricted," which generally indicates broad applicant eligibility, including youth-led and youth-serving organizations along with other partners and systems. However, each addendum can introduce additional eligibility requirements or limits (including geographic or thematic restrictions) depending on what USAID is seeking to support in that specific addendum.

10) What kinds of awards will USAID make under this APS?

USAID anticipates making multiple awards under the YP2 APS mechanism. Awards may be issued as grants and/or cooperative agreements, depending on the addendum and USAID's approach for that particular opportunity.

11) How many awards will be made?

USAID does not set a fixed minimum or maximum number of awards in advance under this APS. The number of awards can vary depending on the addenda released and the Concept Notes and Full Applications received and selected.

12) What is the funding ceiling for this opportunity?

The source data lists an award ceiling of up to $50,000,000. This suggests individual addenda could vary widely in size, and some may be substantial. The specific funding expectations for any given opportunity are determined by the addendum.

13) Where can applicants find the official listing and identifier information for this APS?

The opportunity is listed under USAID (Agency for International Development) with Funding Opportunity Number 7200AA20APS00007. It is categorized as "Other" and associated with CFDA/Assistance Listing 98.001.

14) What does "standing" APS or "umbrella announcement" mean for applicants in practice?

It means the APS provides general guidance and expectations, but you should not treat it as an open application window by itself. In practice, applicants monitor for addenda, then prepare and submit a Concept Note that follows the specific addendum's instructions and deadlines.

15) What information does the APS provide to help applicants prepare?

The APS lays out practical submission guidance, including what kinds of activities will be considered, how funding will be made available, what the submission process and required elements look like, and how USAID will evaluate Concept Notes and any Full Applications that may be requested. It also points applicants to relevant documentation and resources that may be needed to prepare competitive submissions.

16) How will USAID evaluate submissions?

The APS describes that it uses structured evaluation criteria and formal requirements for reviewing Concept Notes and (if invited) Full Applications. The APS provides the baseline evaluation approach, and each addendum can refine or add details to the evaluation criteria and expectations.

17) What should applicants monitor to find open opportunities and deadlines?

Applicants should monitor Grants.gov for currently open YP2 addenda, including each addendum's specific deadlines and submission instructions. The APS emphasizes that addenda are where the real, actionable opportunities are released.

18) Are there examples of YP2 addenda and what do they show?

Yes. The announcement points to examples such as "Senegal - Access to Education" (Funding Opportunity Number 72068524APS00001, closing April 30, 2024) and the "Youth Open Geospatial Data Activity (YODA)" addendum (7200AA20APS00007-ADDENDUM, closing May 6, 2024). These examples illustrate that each addendum is time-bound and topic- and/or location-specific, with its own closing date and requirements.

19) If an addendum is closed, can an applicant still submit?

The information provided indicates submissions are only accepted when responding to an active addendum and following that addendum's deadline and instructions. Once an addendum is no longer active, applicants would generally need to wait for another addendum under the APS to be posted and open for submissions.

20) What ultimately determines what USAID is buying, where the work happens, and how to apply?

The addendum determines those details. The APS provides the umbrella guidance and overall expectations, but the addendum sets the targeted scope, geography, deadlines, and the specific submission requirements applicants must follow.