Africa Regional Services based Paris (ARS) branch of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs announces an open competition for organizations or individuals to submit a statement of interest (SOI) to apply for a small grant in order to carry out a program in line with ARS’ strategic themes in English, French, Portuguese or Spanish.  Please carefully follow all instructions below. 

The submission of the SOI is the first step in a two-step process. Applicants must first submit a concise two-page statement of interest designed to clearly communicate the program idea and objectives and basic budget. This is not a full proposal. The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants to submit program ideas for evaluation prior to requiring the development of a full proposal application. Upon a merit review of eligible SOIs, selected applicants will be invited to expand on their program idea(s) by submitting a full proposal application. Full proposals will go through a second merit review before final funding decision are made.  

Priority Region: sub-Saharan Africa; programs in French, Portuguese or Spanish 

Program Objectives: 

ARS invites statements of interest with proposals for programs that strengthen ties between the U.S. and sub-Sahara African countries through virtual and in-person programs that highlight shared values and promote an understanding of U.S. policies and institutions, as well as the political, economic, social, and cultural context from which they arise. All programs must include an American cultural element, and/or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, institution/s or material content that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. 

Examples of ARS Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to: 

• Professional lectures, seminars and speaker programs 
• Artistic and cultural workshops and masterclasses 
• Development of podcasts, online courses, radio or other remote learning opportunties 
• Development of materials for future programs 

Priority Program Areas: 

1.  Governance: Projects promoting democratic principles, improved and inclusive governance, transparency, human rights, religious freedom, empowerment of marginalized groups, voter participation, civic education, civil society. 

2. Prosperity: Promote shared economic prosperity and stability through funding proposals that foster equitable and transparent economies, reinforce shared values of entrepreneurship and innovation, promote economic opportunities and empowerment of underserved communities and youth, and explore the management of cultural resources and promoting the arts. 

3. Security: Projects promoting peace and security, rule of law, fostering tolerance, preventing radicalization to violence, improving mutual understanding between groups, community policing; building lasting partnerships that bridge tribal, religious, and regional divides; wildlife protection, and resilience to climatic shocks and human security due to environmental threats.  

4. Journalism: Projects promoting a professional and independent media, role of informed citizens in a democracy, media literacy, ethical journalism, new media business management. 

5. Community health: Projects teaching cyber security, internet protections for children, advancing health cooperation and creating a healthy society through collaborative solutions to existing and emerging health concerns. 

Participants and Audiences: 

ARS in coordination with U.S. Embassy public affairs sections in sub-Saharan Africa seek to engage the public, decision-makers, civil society leaders, and opinion-shapers at all levels of society with the goal of broadening support for, and understanding of U.S. policies, culture, history, society and values. 

Authorizing legislation, type and year of funding: 

Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt. The source of funding is FY21 Public Diplomacy Funding.   

Content and Form of Application Submission

Please follow all instructions below carefully. SOIs that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible. 

Content of SOI must include: 

• A brief project description (1-2 pages) summarizing goals, objectives, outcomes, performance indicators, beneficiaries, and proposed budget and timeline.  
• A clear statement of the applicant’s organizational capacity to carry out the proposed activity and manage U.S. Government funds. 
• Documents in English 
• The anticipated total budget amount (in U.S. dollars) 
• Font Times New Roman size 12 

Submission Dates and Times 

Applications may be submitted for consideration at any time before the closing date of August 31, 2021. No applications will be accepted after that date. 

Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals early, and decisions will be made on a rolling basis with review at the end of each month of the SOIs received that month. An email response will be sent within two weeks of the decision meeting stating whether the applicant should either continue the application process or not. 

Funding Restrictions 

The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:  

• Programs relating to partisan political activity; 
• Charitable or development activities; 
• Construction programs; 
• Programs that support specific religious activities; 
• Fund-raising campaigns; 
• Lobbying for specific legislation or programs; 
• Scientific research; 
• Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization;  
• Programs that duplicate existing programs; 
• English-learning programs.