Opportunity Information: Apply for 7200AA18RFA00023
The grant opportunity titled "Sustainable E-Waste Management and Battery Technologies for the Off-Grid Solar Sector" is a discretionary funding program offered by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). It was posted on May 22, 2018 under the funding opportunity number 7200AA18RFA00023, with an original application deadline of July 15, 2018. The opportunity sits in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category and is associated with CFDA number 98.011, which generally aligns with USAID foreign assistance programming.
This funding is structured as a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant. In practical terms, that usually means the selected recipient should expect substantial involvement from USAID during the life of the project, such as collaboration on technical direction, monitoring, learning, and coordination with other stakeholders. The program anticipates making a single award, with an award ceiling of $1,800,000, indicating a focused project rather than a multi-recipient portfolio.
The thematic focus is on sustainability challenges created by the rapid growth of off-grid solar systems, particularly the management of electronic waste and the development or deployment of improved battery technologies. Off-grid solar products, especially solar home systems and small solar devices, rely heavily on batteries and electronic components that eventually reach end of life. This creates an urgent need for responsible collection, recycling, refurbishment, and safe disposal pathways, as well as better battery solutions that can reduce hazardous waste, extend product lifetimes, improve safety, and lower lifecycle costs. Projects under this kind of opportunity typically aim to strengthen end-to-end systems: from product design and standards, to take-back schemes and reverse logistics, to recycling capacity and environmentally sound handling, while also exploring technology innovations that fit off-grid conditions (for example, batteries that tolerate heat, deep cycling, and irregular charging, or systems that are easier to service and recover).
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the competition is open to any type of qualified applicant (such as nonprofits, universities, for-profits, or other organizations), subject to any additional eligibility conditions that may be described in the full notice under an "Additional Information on Eligibility" section. With one expected award and a defined ceiling, applicants would generally need to propose a well-scoped, high-impact approach with clear technical objectives, measurable outcomes, and a credible plan for implementation in the off-grid solar context, including partnerships across the private sector, recyclers, manufacturers, service networks, and potentially host-country institutions.
Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a targeted USAID investment intended to reduce the environmental and health risks associated with end-of-life solar and battery products while supporting technology and system improvements that make off-grid solar markets more durable and sustainable over time.Apply for 7200AA18RFA00023
- The Agency for International Development in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Sustainable E-Waste Management and Battery Technologies for the Off-Grid Solar Sector" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.011.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 22, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 15, 2018. (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 $1,800,000.00 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.
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FAQs: Sustainable E-Waste Management and Battery Technologies for the Off-Grid Solar Sector (USAID)
What is the title of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Sustainable E-Waste Management and Battery Technologies for the Off-Grid Solar Sector."
Which U.S. government agency is offering this opportunity?
This is a discretionary funding program offered by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is 7200AA18RFA00023.
When was the opportunity posted?
It was posted on May 22, 2018.
What was the original application deadline?
The original application deadline was July 15, 2018.
What type of funding instrument is USAID planning to use?
This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, not a standard grant.
What does a cooperative agreement typically mean for the recipient?
A cooperative agreement typically means the selected recipient should expect substantial involvement from USAID during implementation. Based on the description provided, this can include collaboration on technical direction, monitoring, learning activities, and coordination with other stakeholders.
How many awards does USAID anticipate making under this opportunity?
The program anticipates making a single award.
What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?
The award ceiling is $1,800,000.
Is this a multi-recipient program or a focused project?
With one expected award and a defined ceiling of $1,800,000, it is described as a focused project rather than a multi-recipient portfolio.
What category does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity sits in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 98.011, which generally aligns with USAID foreign assistance programming.
What problem is this opportunity trying to address?
The focus is on sustainability challenges created by the rapid growth of off-grid solar systems, especially the need for responsible management of electronic waste and the development or deployment of improved battery technologies.
Why is e-waste a concern in the off-grid solar sector?
Off-grid solar products (including solar home systems and small solar devices) rely heavily on batteries and electronic components that eventually reach end of life. As adoption grows, this creates an urgent need for responsible collection, recycling, refurbishment, and safe disposal pathways to reduce environmental and health risks.
What kinds of solutions are implied for sustainable e-waste management?
The description emphasizes strengthening end-to-end systems, which can include product design and standards, take-back schemes, reverse logistics, recycling capacity, and environmentally sound handling of end-of-life electronics and batteries.
What is meant by "take-back schemes" and "reverse logistics" in this context?
As described, the opportunity points to building systems that can move end-of-life products back from customers and service points into refurbishment, recycling, or safe disposal pathways. This is generally captured by take-back schemes (organized return programs) and reverse logistics (the transport and handling flows in the reverse direction of sales and distribution).
What is the battery technology focus described in this opportunity?
The thematic focus includes developing or deploying improved battery technologies that can reduce hazardous waste, extend product lifetimes, improve safety, and lower lifecycle costs for off-grid solar products.
What battery performance needs are highlighted for off-grid conditions?
Examples mentioned include batteries that tolerate heat, deep cycling, and irregular charging, as well as systems that are easier to service and recover.
Is the opportunity focused only on technology innovation, or also on systems and markets?
It is framed as both: improving or deploying battery technologies while also strengthening practical, end-to-end management systems for collection, refurbishment, recycling, and safe disposal in off-grid solar markets.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the competition is open to any type of qualified applicant, such as nonprofits, universities, for-profits, or other organizations.
Are there any additional eligibility conditions?
The summary notes that unrestricted eligibility applies subject to any additional eligibility conditions that may be described in the full notice under an "Additional Information on Eligibility" section.
What kind of project approach is implied to be competitive?
Given that there is one expected award with a defined ceiling, the description suggests applicants would generally need a well-scoped, high-impact approach with clear technical objectives, measurable outcomes, and a credible plan to implement within the off-grid solar context.
What kinds of partnerships are suggested by the opportunity description?
The description indicates projects may involve partnerships across the private sector, recyclers, manufacturers, service networks, and potentially host-country institutions.
What is the overall goal of USAID's investment through this opportunity?
Overall, the opportunity is described as a targeted USAID investment intended to reduce the environmental and health risks associated with end-of-life solar and battery products while supporting technology and system improvements that make off-grid solar markets more durable and sustainable over time.
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