The CGD Podcast Racing to Preserve Life-saving USAID Programs with the Project Resource Optimization Team
Jun 5, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Rob Rosenbaum and Caitlin Tulloch, both from the Project Resource Optimization (PRO) team, share their insights into preserving vital USAID programs amid funding cuts. They delve into innovative strategies for prioritizing health and humanitarian initiatives, emphasizing the importance of cost-effectiveness in project selection. Their experiences in international health work bring humor to the conversation, revealing the unpredictability of the field. They also touch on the need for political reforms to enhance U.S. foreign policy impact.
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PRO’s Life-Saving Focus
- The PRO initiative focused on life-saving health and humanitarian programs amid USAID grant cancellations.
- Their goal was to find highly cost-effective projects to keep urgent services going despite funding disruptions.
Data-Driven & Expert-Informed Selection
- PRO used a top-down approach filtering FY24 USAID funding data for health/humanitarian programs in low-income countries.
- This was combined with bottom-up expert interviews to assess cost-effectiveness and identify projects most suitable for philanthropic funding.
Research Key to Future Efficiency
- PRO values investing in rigorous research, especially ongoing studies halted due to funding cuts.
- Completing these reduces fixed costs and advances innovation critical to improving cost-efficiency in foreign aid.