Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS COG SSHF ECON FY16
Apply for DOS COG SSHF ECON FY16
- The DOS-COD in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.700.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 07, 2016 and posted on Mar 07, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 07, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $10,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
The Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program is a small-grants opportunity run by the U.S. Department of State to support practical, community-led development projects in local communities across the Republic of Congo. The program is designed to improve basic economic and social conditions at the village or neighborhood level, with a strong emphasis on projects that benefit the largest possible number of people rather than a narrow group. A central idea is that the community itself identifies the need and drives the solution, so proposals are expected to reflect genuine local priorities and clear community ownership.
A key requirement is that projects must be "self-help" in a real, measurable way. This means the community has to contribute to the project through donated labor, locally provided materials, and/or community-raised funds. Outside organizations such as institutions, associations, government bodies, NGOs, or private sector partners can sponsor or assist, but they should be supporting community initiative rather than replacing it. The program also expects communities to be able to run, operate, and maintain whatever is built or implemented for the full intended life of the project, so proposals need to show how maintenance, staffing, repairs, and ongoing costs will be handled after the grant ends.
The U.S. Government contribution is explicitly one-time only, not a renewable or multi-year funding stream, and projects must be completed within one year. In practice, this encourages proposals that are tightly scoped, realistic to deliver, and ready to implement quickly. The award ceiling is listed at $10,000, and the program anticipated around 10 awards for the referenced cycle. As a point of recent context, the prior year reportedly funded eight grants with an average award size of about $6,800, also with one-year implementation periods, which suggests the program typically supports small, concrete initiatives rather than large infrastructure or long-term service delivery.
Applications are reviewed using standard grantmaking criteria focused on whether the project can actually be carried out and sustained. The opportunity description highlights feasibility (a credible plan, timeline, and approach), solid financial and management controls (ability to manage funds responsibly and track spending), sustainability (a realistic plan for continued operation after the one-time support), and appropriate community ties (evidence the applicant is genuinely connected to and supported by the community). Preference is also given to organizations that already work constructively with private sector actors, NGOs, or government counterparts and that can demonstrate sustainability plus a clear path to scale up results over time, even if the grant itself funds only a single, one-year effort.
Administratively, the funding opportunity is titled "Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program" with the opportunity number DOS COG SSHF ECON FY16 and is associated with CFDA 19.700. The agency is listed as DOS-COD. The original and current closing date shown for this posting was May 7, 2016, and it was posted March 7, 2016, which indicates the specific notice provided is from that cycle, though the program itself may recur in other years depending on embassy priorities and funding availability. For application instructions and the most accurate, current guidance, applicants are directed to contact Congogrants@state.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program?
The Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program is a small-grants opportunity run by the U.S. Department of State to support practical, community-led development projects in local communities across the Republic of Congo. It focuses on improving basic economic and social conditions at the village or neighborhood level.
What kinds of projects does the program aim to support?
The program aims to support practical, concrete projects that improve basic economic and social conditions locally. The emphasis is on projects that benefit the largest possible number of people in the community rather than a narrow group.
What does "community-led" mean for this opportunity?
"Community-led" means the community identifies the need and drives the solution. Proposals are expected to reflect genuine local priorities and demonstrate clear community ownership of the project.
What does "self-help" mean in this program?
"Self-help" is a measurable requirement in this opportunity. The community must contribute to the project through donated labor, locally provided materials, and/or community-raised funds. The project should not be something delivered entirely by outside actors.
Can an NGO, association, government body, or private sector partner apply or be involved?
Outside organizations such as institutions, associations, government bodies, NGOs, or private sector partners may sponsor or assist. Their role should be to support a community initiative rather than replace it, since the core expectation is community ownership and participation.
What is the maximum grant amount available?
The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $10,000.
How many awards were anticipated for the referenced cycle?
The opportunity anticipated around 10 awards for the referenced cycle.
How long do projects have to be completed?
Projects must be completed within one year.
Is this funding renewable or available as multi-year support?
No. The U.S. Government contribution is explicitly one-time only and is not a renewable or multi-year funding stream.
What does the one-time, one-year structure imply about project scope?
It encourages proposals that are tightly scoped, realistic to deliver, and ready to implement quickly, since funding is limited to a single award and the project must be finished within one year.
What does the program expect regarding long-term operation and maintenance?
The program expects the community to be able to run, operate, and maintain what is built or implemented for the full intended life of the project. Proposals should explain how maintenance, staffing, repairs, and ongoing costs will be handled after the grant ends.
What were typical award sizes in the prior year mentioned?
The prior year reportedly funded eight grants with an average award size of about $6,800, with one-year implementation periods.
What criteria are used to review applications?
Applications are reviewed using standard grantmaking criteria focused on whether the project can be carried out and sustained. The opportunity description highlights feasibility (credible plan, timeline, and approach), solid financial and management controls (ability to manage funds responsibly and track spending), sustainability (continued operation after one-time support), and appropriate community ties (evidence the applicant is connected to and supported by the community).
What does "feasibility" mean in the review process?
Feasibility refers to whether the proposal presents a credible plan, timeline, and approach that show the project can realistically be implemented within the one-year period.
What are "financial and management controls" in this context?
This refers to the applicant's ability to manage grant funds responsibly and track spending appropriately.
What does the program mean by "appropriate community ties"?
It means there should be evidence the applicant is genuinely connected to and supported by the community the project will serve.
Is there any preference for certain types of applicants or partnerships?
Preference is given to organizations that already work constructively with private sector actors, NGOs, or government counterparts and that can demonstrate sustainability plus a clear path to scale up results over time, even though the grant itself funds only a single, one-year effort.
What is the official title of the funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program."
What is the opportunity number for this posting?
The opportunity number is DOS COG SSHF ECON FY16.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 19.700.
Which agency is listed for this opportunity?
The agency is listed as DOS-COD.
When was this specific notice posted and when did it close?
This posting was dated March 7, 2016, with an original and current closing date shown as May 7, 2016.
Does the provided notice indicate the program may run again in other years?
The dates indicate the specific notice provided is from the FY16 cycle, though the description notes the program itself may recur in other years depending on embassy priorities and funding availability.
Where should applicants request application instructions and current guidance?
Applicants are directed to contact Congogrants@state.gov for application instructions and the most accurate, current guidance.
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