The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking concept notes for a cooperative agreement from qualified U.S. organizations to fund a program entitled Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research, Capacity, and Influence.   Funding Opportunity Number: 7200AA18RFA00038 Funding Opportunity Title: Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research, Capacity, and Influence Posted Date: September 19, 2018 Closing Date for Concept Notes: October 24, 2018     USAID seeks to implement a Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research, Capacity and Influence, aiming to advance food security policy through high quality, relevant research from credible and sound country and regional policy research institutions. The Innovation Lab will deliver on this vision by a) strengthening the capacities of select country and regional research institutions to undertake research that is relevant and sound, to communicate findings in ways that are more likely to influence policy-makers, and to better manage their organizations so they can be sustainable over time, while b) implementing an integrated country, regional and global research agenda. The implementer of this Innovation Lab faces two key management challenges: a) conducting in-country research in ways that allow country and regional research institutions to lead such research, ensuring greater organizational effectiveness and capacities for quality research and effective influence; and b) integrating potential USAID Mission-funded country-specific research and capacity strengthening with USAID’s Bureau for Food Security (BFS) core-funded global research often occurring in the same countries.   This RFA will have two phases. Phase I will consist of submission of concept notes. USAID will then request a full application from selected concept note(s). Eligibility for this award is restricted to Title XII institutions. Please view the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) on Grants.gov for complete details.