In a significant move to enhance global research collaboration and address pressing development challenges, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched a transformative new program under its Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN). The Strategic Partnerships for Advancing Research and Knowledge (SPARK) initiative is a five-year partnership (2024–2029) between USAID’s Innovation, Technology, and Research Hub and the Institute of International Education (IIE).
This Cooperative Agreement aims to create impactful, equitable, and sustainable research partnerships between U.S. universities and institutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
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What is SPARK?
The SPARK initiative focuses on empowering researchers and higher education
institutions by providing financial grants, capacity-strengthening programs,
and fostering partnerships to address global development challenges.
By prioritizing collaboration and innovation, SPARK enables research and
solution development in areas critical to international development, such as:
• Food Security
• Education
• Energy
• Climate Change
• Resilience
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Key Priorities of SPARK
SPARK is designed to achieve three overarching goals:
1. Fund Locally Led Research: Empower local institutions to lead high-quality research addressing international development challenges and crafting practical solutions.
2. Support Long-Term Partnerships: Encourage sustainable collaborations between U.S. universities and local institutions, with benefits extending beyond USAID funding.
3. Strengthen Local Capacity: Enhance the ability of local higher education institutions to conduct, share, and apply impactful research.
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SPARK’s Flexible Approach
To cater to diverse research needs, SPARK offers a variety of grant options, including:
• Research Grants: For initiating innovative studies.
• Research Partnership Grants: To foster collaborative research efforts.
• Research Scaling Grants: Focused on scaling up proven solutions.
• Travel and Professional Development Funds: To support knowledge sharing and capacity building.
This flexible framework ensures that SPARK can address varied funding requirements across sectors, regions, and timelines while fostering meaningful partnerships.
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Why SPARK Matters
The initiative is a testament to USAID’s commitment to locally led development and inclusive innovation. By bridging gaps between U.S. and LMIC institutions, SPARK promises long-lasting solutions to global challenges while strengthening the research landscape in underrepresented regions.
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Contact Information
For more details, please reach out to ITR_RESEARCHFEEDBACK@USAID.GOV.
Stay updated as SPARK paves the way for transformative research and development partnerships worldwide
