The Higher Education Partnerships for Innovation and Impact (HEPII) is a new mechanism developed by the U.S. Agency for International Development to 1) strengthen human and institutional capacity within higher education institutions in USAID partner countries, and to 2) achieve USAID development impact through their rigorous research capabilities; focus on science, technology and engineering; subject-matter knowledge and experience; and partnership connections.​ Partnerships developed through HEPII will expand USAID’s reach into academic and technical sectors to solve mutual development challenges, while engaging the private sector, foundations and other industry partners. The program description is available for public comment at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=275126, and is open for comment until March 25.