It takes many years for USAID to get funding and allocate it in a manner that is cohesive, strategic, and sustainable.  At the Mission level, USAID programs the vast majority of its funding through contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements via solicitations for specific services or activities through Requests for Application (RFAs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs).  Potential partners may also submit unsolicited proposals that do not relate to a USAID RFP or RFA. Unsolicited proposals should attempt to correspond to the USAID focus areas in particular country or region.

The United States has a long history of extending a helping hand to those people overseas struggling to make a better life, recover from a disaster, or striving to live in a free and democratic country. U.S. foreign assistance has always had the twofold purpose of furthering America's foreign policy interests in expanding democracy and free markets while improving the lives of the citizens of the developing world.

Regionally, USAID/Southern Africa programs support long-term and equitable economic growth and improved livelihood by supporting the following areas in Southern Africa:

• HIV/AIDS
• Economic Growth
• Agriculture
• Democracy and Governance
• Environment
• Humanitarian Assistance

Regional funding is used to address issues with implications over multiple countries in Southern Africa.

For general inquiries regarding unsolicited proposals, please write to UnsolicitedProposals@usaid.gov

Click here for more information on the submission process for unsolicited proposals and grant applications.