USAID ASHA (American Schools and Hospitals Abroad) Grant

Administrator/Partner: American Leprosy Missions

Geographic Scope: International (focus on healthcare facilities in developing countries working on leprosy and NTDs)

Award Amount: Varies by project scope; recent grants range from $500,000 to $936,624 over 4-year periods

Grant Duration: Typically 4 years

Focus Areas:

• Capital improvements and infrastructure upgrades for overseas hospitals
• Facility construction and renovations
• Equipment upgrades for medical institutions
• Strengthening healthcare delivery for leprosy and related diseases
• Building capacity of health workers and researchers
• Demonstrating U.S. advancements in medical technology and healthcare

Background:
The ASHA program aims to increase the ability of overseas schools, libraries, and hospitals to demonstrate U.S. advancements in education and medical technology. These institutions contribute to strengthening mutual understanding between the U.S. and other countries while creating a foundation for leadership development.

American Leprosy Missions has received seven USAID ASHA grants totaling over $3.1 million.

Recent Examples:

2021 - Schieffelin Institute (India) - $936,624

• New Center for Prosthetics and Orthotics Research and Development
• Prosthetics and orthotics workshop expansion
• Gait laboratory
• CAD-CAM units for orthotic and prosthetic design and manufacturing
• Research and training facilities
• Supports care for people affected by leprosy with nerve damage and sensation loss

2017 - Anandaban Hospital (Nepal) - $500,000

• Three-story building construction
• Trauma center with two modern operation theaters
• Surgical wards
• Emergency ward
• Maternity block with delivery room
• Earthquake-safe, disability-friendly environment
• Replaces buildings damaged in 2015 earthquake
• Serves inaccessible and under-resourced areas

Previous Awards:

• 2014: Lalgadh Leprosy Hospital (Nepal) - $763,236
• 2010: Anandaban Hospital (Nepal) - $250,000

Application Process

Note: This is a competitive grant program administered by USAID. American Leprosy Missions applies on behalf of partner hospitals and healthcare institutions.

Eligible Institutions:

• Overseas hospitals and healthcare facilities
• Health research institutions
• Organizations serving people affected by leprosy and neglected tropical diseases
• Partners of American Leprosy Missions working in endemic countries

Application Requirements (Typical):

• Detailed project proposal and justification
• Capital improvement plans
• Facility designs and construction specifications
• Budget and cost breakdown
• Timeline for implementation
• Demonstration of impact on healthcare delivery
• Letters of support from host country and facility leadership
• Evidence of organizational capacity

How to Apply:
Applications are submitted through American Leprosy Missions' partnership development process. Organizations interested in ASHA grant funding should contact American Leprosy Missions directly.

Contact for Application Inquiries:
Sarah Hesshaus
Vice President of Business Process and Communications
Email: shesshaus@leprosy.org
Phone: 864.241.1731