Project Information

Bid Title

Request for Application (RFA) Grand Rapids Michigan Community Partner for Next Engineers

Issuing Agency

FHI 360

Location

District of Columbia

Published Date

Feb 11, 2026

Closing Date

Feb 27, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

RFA-2026-0113 _RFA_02

Original Source

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Project Description

Request for Application (RFA) Grand Rapids Michigan Community Partner for Next Engineers
RFA No.: RFA-2026-0113 _RFA_02

Issue date: 12 Jan, 2026
Closing date: 27 Feb, 2026

Solicitation file(s):
RFA-2026-0113 - Next Engineers Program -Grand Rapids.pdf (479 KB)
Attachment A - Grant Application.docx (29 KB)
Attachment B - Budget Template.xlsx (70 KB)
Attachment C - Budget Narrative Instructions.docx (33 KB)

Modification file(s):
RFA-2026-0113 Next Engineers Program Grand Rapids, Michigan_Mod 1.pdf (126 KB)

Attachment Preview

Request for Application (RFA)

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Community Partner for Next Engineers

Issue Date:

January 13, 2026

Solicitation Number:

RFA-2026-0113

Written Questions Due:

January 23, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)

Application Due date and time:

February 20, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)

Anticipated Period of Performance: May 1, 2026 – January 30, 2031

Dear applicant:

FHI 360 is seeking applications from qualified organizations to implement a portion of Next

Engineers as a Community Partner in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

FHI 360 intends to make an award to the applicant(s) who best meets the merit review criteria

described in this RFA, subject to a risk assessment. Eligible parties interested in applying are

encouraged to read this RFA thoroughly to understand the type of implementer sought, as well

as the application submission requirements and selection process.

To be selected for the award, the applicant must provide all information as required in this RFA

and meet the eligibility standards outlined in the RFA.

Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of FHI 360 nor does

it commit FHI 360 to pay for any costs incurred in preparation or submission of comments,

suggestions, or an application. FHI 360 reserves the right to fund any or none of the

applications submitted, or to make an award without further discussion or negotiations.

Applications are submitted at the risk of the applicant. All preparation and submission costs are

at the applicant’s expense.

Thank you for your interest.

Sincerely,

Steven Ehrenberg, Next Engineers

Project Director

FHI 360

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Community Partner RFA (RFA-2026-0113)

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

A. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE ................................................................................................. 4

GE Aerospace Foundation ........................................................................................................... 4

FHI 360......................................................................................................................................... 4

B. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ......................................................................................................... 4

C. FUNDING.................................................................................................................................. 5

D. SCOPE OF WORK - PROGRAM FRAMEWORK AND DESIGN ..................................................... 5

Program Framework ................................................................................................................... 5

Eligibility Requirements/Qualifications..................................................................................... 11

E. APPLICATION PROCESS .......................................................................................................... 13

Application Content .................................................................................................................. 13

Grant Application ...................................................................................................................... 13

Program Budget and Budget Narrative..................................................................................... 13

F. EVALUATION CRITERIA .......................................................................................................... 17

G. NOTIFICATION........................................................................................................................ 17

H. COST OF DEVELOPING THE APPLICATION ............................................................................. 17

I. OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION ...................................................................................... 17

Appendix A: Next Engineers Theory of Change ............................................................................ 20

Appendix B: Sample Next Engineers Content............................................................................... 21

Appendix C: Engineering Academy Framework............................................................................ 22

Appendix D: Required Staffing...................................................................................................... 24

Key Personnel............................................................................................................................ 24

Personnel................................................................................................................................... 24

Lead facilitators ......................................................................................................................... 25

Appendix E: Illustrative Project Deliverables................................................................................ 30

Appendix F: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)……………………………………………………………………. 31

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Community Partner RFA (RFA-2026-0113)

A. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Next Engineers is a global college and career readiness initiative focused on increasing the diversity of

young people in engineering. The GE Aerospace Foundation has partnered with FHI 360, an international

nonprofit organization, to implement and serve as global management partners for Next Engineers.

GE Aerospace Foundation

The GE Aerospace Foundation (“The Foundation”), an independent charitable organization funded by GE

Aerospace, complements the company’s purpose to “lift people up” in communities where employees

live and work around the world. The Foundation’s philanthropic strategy and programs focus on

engineering education, workforce development, and disaster relief. The Foundation also supports GE

Aerospace employees through programs such as Matching Gifts and STAR Awards.

When GE Aerospace launched as an independent company in 2024, the GE Foundation was relaunched

as the GE Aerospace Foundation, commencing a new chapter that builds on the successful, 100+ year

legacy of the previous GE Foundation. (Learn more at www.geaerospace.com/company/philanthropy.)

FHI 360

FHI 360 is a global organization that mobilizes research, resources, and relationships so that people

everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives. Our staff of over 4,000

experts work in more than 60 countries around the world.

We have spent more than 50 years developing bold solutions to global challenges and creating

measurable results through research and application of scientific breakthroughs. We listen to, learn

from and work with communities to expand social and economic equity, improve health and well-being,

and strengthen resilience.

By bringing together deep expertise and diverse perspectives, we collaborate with partner communities

and peer organizations to build enduring networks and expand our collective impact.

In everything we do, we advocate for access and equity for people everywhere, enabling them to create

their own paths forward.

B. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Next Engineers is a global education and college readiness initiative that inspires diverse secondary

school students to pursue engineering in higher education. It is funded by the GE Aerospace Foundation,

formerly the GE Foundation, and was launched in October 2021 and is currently running in 7 cities. For

more information about our current locations, visit https://www.nextengineers.org/locations.

Next Engineers consists of two programs:

• Engineering Discovery, in which students in late middle school/early high school build

awareness about and interest in engineering and what engineers do through a variety of short,

exploratory sessions supported by GE Aerospace volunteers. These hands-on activities and

demonstrations in the classroom or community are geared to inspire young people and expand

their understanding of what engineering is about. In addition to the Engineering Discovery

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Community Partner RFA (RFA-2026-0113)

sessions, the community partner is also responsible for conducting outreach and engagement

activities so that students’ parents/guardians learn what engineering is and what engineers do.

• Engineering Academy, where students in high school learn to think and act like engineers and

prepare to advance to higher education through a series of immersive engineering design

challenges, career coaching, and college-readiness workshops to develop engineering habits of

mind and employability skills, strengthen engineering identity, foster self-efficacy and agency,

and equip them with the skills needed to pursue an engineering career. Students who satisfy

Academy completion requirements are eligible to receive a scholarship to pursue engineering in

higher education or apprenticeships.

Further information about the Next Engineers program can be found on nextengineers.org/about.

Details about each program are listed under section D.

C. FUNDING

FHI 360 will issue a grant to an institution of higher education or non-governmental entity, social

enterprise, or public-private partnership, with proof of legal registration in or around Grand Rapids,

Michigan. The implementation period of the grant is anticipated to be four years and is estimated to

run from May 1, 2026, through January 30, 2031. The funding mechanism for accepted and approved

applications is expected to be a cost reimbursement subgrant, subject to review and approval by FHI

360’s Contract Management Services Department. The anticipated program budget ceiling is $1,400,000

– 1,550,000 USD for the duration of the subgrant.

D. SCOPE OF WORK - PROGRAM FRAMEWORK AND DESIGN

Overall, the selected Community Partner will be responsible for the management and day-to-day

operations of Next Engineers in Grand Rapids. Organizations interested in implementing Next Engineers

in Grand Rapids should submit an application that aligns with the global Next Engineers framework and

design outlined below.

Program Framework

This section outlines Next Engineers’ framework and design. Applicants should review the framework to

determine the feasibility for implementing a local program.

Next Engineers programs increase diversity in the future engineering sector through exposure to

engineering, engineers, and engineering careers; and a sustained two-year program to further inspire

high school students to explore and help them develop self-efficacy, an engineering identity, and the

agency to realize their engineering potential. Students from locally diverse backgrounds in the field of

engineering are encouraged to participate in Next Engineers programs.

Next Engineers Intermediate and Long-Term Outcomes:

The outcomes for Engineering Discovery and Engineering Academy are the same, though the outcomes’

potency varies between the two programs.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Participants will demonstrate

• Awareness of what engineering is and what engineers do;

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Community Partner RFA (RFA-2026-0113)

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541330Engineering Services
• NAICS 541511Custom Computer Programming Services
• NAICS 541512Computer Systems Design Services

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