Frequently Asked Questions

There is no fee to register for the Innovation Network.

No deadline exists, though applicants should register before submitting proposals.

Registration does not guarantee funding; it remains a competitive process.

No. It is only necessary for your institution to register for the Innovation Network once.

No, only Innovation Network membership is required.

Yes, multiple proposals are allowed, though multiple awards to one institution under a single RFP are unlikely.

Yes, institutions can participate in multiple proposals as prime applicant or partner.

Proposals may have multiple key personnel involved. There are no strict requirements as to who can serve as the PI.

Yes, previously funded institutions may reapply with different partnerships.

Yes, if partnered with an in-country higher education institution serving as prime applicant.

Yes, if the BNC competes as prime, it must partner with at least one in-country HEI.

Institutions that facilitate study abroad opportunities at the post-secondary level, and provide academic credit to students, can be considered a Higher Education Institution.

They can apply as collaborators with an in-country HEI serving as prime applicant.

Yes, they may be proposed as long as they meet the criteria outlined in the RFP.

Yes, if a local university and international host university partner in the proposal.

No, previously funded institutions may reapply for future competitions.

RFPs are open only to higher education institutions in the Western Hemisphere.

There are no priority countries; however, some RFPs will have country restrictions.

No flexibility exists due to funding restrictions, though various countries will be involved across rounds.

South-south exchanges between or within non-U.S. countries are not eligible for support.

No, as Puerto Rico is considered part of the U.S.

There is no limit to the number of proposed partners.

Multi-institutional collaboration is encouraged if it meets program objectives.

Evaluation is based on content and impact, not on number of partner countries.

Yes, submitted proposals must identify the HEI partner(s).

It is not necessary for a formal agreement (i.e., MOU) to have been signed before submitting the proposal.

Yes. In fact, proposals are encouraged to include partnerships with civil society, associations, government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private sector partners.

The duration of the proposed program is one year. However, if selected for funding, grantees may extend project activities beyond the timeframe with prior approval.

Grant funds must typically be used within one year, though prior approval allows extensions.

Extensions are possible with prior approval.

No specific timeline requirement exists for program commencement.

Generally yes, though extensions are possible with approval.

There is no specific program length requirement for the student exchange portion.

Yes, if they result in academic credit and meet RFP criteria.

Yes, if it provides academic credit.

No, there are no priority fields. All academic fields are eligible.

Current and new programs are both eligible as long as new innovations are presented.

Yes. The proposal is open to providing international exchange opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students.

Yes, but teacher exchanges alone do not qualify. Proposals must focus more on student mobility.

Two-way exchanges are highly encouraged; however, proposed programs do not have to be bi-directional.

No.

There is no restriction, preference, or pre-determined number on where resources should be focused.

Yes, the proposed program must involve some level of credit given to the student.

A variety of programs, such as service-learning exchanges, may be proposed as long as they meet the criteria, which includes the requirement that students receive some level of credit.

Yes, an online collaboration can be proposed as long as the program includes an in-person international experience.

No. For the purposes of 100,000 Strong in the Americas, only study abroad that involves physical mobility of students is counted.

Proposed programs do not have to be based at the partner university; however, there must be the participation of at least one in-country HEI.

Yes, such activities could be part of a proposed program, as long as the applicant BNC meets all other program requirements.

Proposals should propose and justify a budget for up to the full grant amount.

Please refer to the RFP for any restrictions in the use of grant funds. In general, the budget should be reasonable, well-justified, and in accordance with activities related to the objectives.

There is no limit on the percentage of funding that should be allocated for certain activities.

Budgets must provide a detailed breakdown with calculations of all program costs.

The indirect rate is typically that which an institution charges for costs associated with facilities and administration.

Yes, indirect costs may be requested as part of the grant — we recommend that you charge no more than 20% of the grant.

There is no prescribed specific administrative rate, but given the size of the Innovation Fund awards, organizations with high overhead rates may consider proposing significant counterpart funding.

Grant funds may be used to cover faculty costs in implementing the proposed program, not for individual professional development.

Faculty costs should relate to program implementation, not individual professional development.

Yes, if related to implementing the proposed program.

Yes, the budget must include cost-share, which may include cash or in-kind contributions.

Non-monetary share or contribution may also be included.

Either will be acceptable.

No. Tuition, fees, or any costs paid by students to participate in the proposed program cannot be presented as cost-share, unless those fees are waived by the institution.

The decision to allocate funds within the institution or to partnering institutions is up to the prime applicant.

The grant will be awarded to the prime applicant institution, who will be responsible for the implementation and reporting.

The maximum award to a winning proposal is USD 25,000, unless specified by the RFP.

Only one Innovation Fund grant per selected proposal will be awarded.

Grant funds are disbursed to the prime applicant after negotiating the award agreement. This usually takes place 6–12 weeks after receiving the initial notification.

This refers to the applicant’s perception of institutional support for study abroad.

The Sustainability Plan should demonstrate how your institution and your partner institution plan to continue to collaborate and exchange students, faculty, curriculum, etc. after the grant ends.

Of course! The purpose of the Sustainability Plan is to do exactly that — present the ways in which your proposed program may grow beyond the grant period.

There is no set period for the sustainability plan, but longevity will be looked upon favorably.

There are no specific metrics that we require you to use. The important thing is to make sure that you connect the M&E Plan to the goals & objectives of your program.

Both. Proposals should include a timeline of activities for program implementation (i.e., all activities).

It is neither expected nor discouraged.

Yes. Proposals must include a letter of support from the applying institution and your partner institution(s).

You may submit either a MOU/MOA as proof of partnership, but we would also require letters of support.

There is no particular format, but they should adhere to the page limits described in the RFP.

Supporting documents will not count toward the page limit and have no page limit.

No, we do not require any legal/official documents or proof of internal approvals.

The scoring rubric mirrors the bullet points listed in each section of the Proposal Format & Design page.

Yes, finalists may be asked to clarify aspects of their proposals and to submit a revised version.

No, there will be no interview as part of the evaluation process.

No, we do not and will not share winning proposals.