Opportunity Information: Apply for PRM AFR 12 CA AF 032812 HORN
Apply for PRM AFR 12 CA AF 032812 HORN
- The Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2012 PRM NGO Programs Benefiting Refugees in Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.517 Overseas Refugee Assistance Programs for Africa.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 28, 2012 and posted on Mar 28, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 26, 2012 Proposal submission deadline Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 1200 p.m. (noon) EDT. Proposals submitted after this deadline will not be considered.. (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 $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- (1) Non profit organizations having a 501(c)(3) status with IRS, other than institutions of higher education and international organizations and (2) International Organizations.
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Opportunity Summary:
The FY 2012 PRM NGO Programs Benefiting Refugees in Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya opportunity was a U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) funding announcement aimed at supporting humanitarian assistance for refugees and other conflict-affected populations in the Horn of Africa region, with a strong emphasis on Somali refugees who had been displaced for long periods. The program was framed around PRM's mandate to provide protection, essential assistance, and sustainable solutions for refugees and victims of conflict. Even though PRM encouraged projects that also serve local host communities, the agency made it clear that it would only fund projects that included at least 50 refugees within the intended beneficiary group, reflecting its priority on refugee-centered programming.
A central priority area in this announcement was the long-term impact of protracted Somali displacement in Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya. For that specific challenge, PRM sought proposals that combined education and livelihoods in a connected, mutually reinforcing way rather than treating them as separate sectors. The intent was to support approaches where education activities directly improve employability and self-reliance, and where livelihoods interventions are built on a foundation of skills, training, and learning. PRM also signaled a preference for programs that benefit both refugees and host nationals, ideally in a balanced 50/50 ratio, to reduce tensions and improve social cohesion in areas hosting large refugee populations. At the same time, for the refugee portion of the programming, PRM wanted a clear and credible link to eventual voluntary return, meaning proposals needed to show how the skills, certifications, or livelihood capacities developed would remain useful if and when refugees chose to return home.
The geographic and population targeting rules were specific. In Kenya, PRM indicated it would consider proposals for both camp-based refugees and urban refugees living in Nairobi, acknowledging that refugee needs extend beyond camp settings. In Ethiopia, PRM narrowed eligibility to refugee assistance efforts in camps near four locations: Asosa, Dolo Ado, Jijiga, and Shire. These constraints mattered because proposals outside those locations would not align with the stated funding priorities. Djibouti was included in the overall scope of the Somali-refugee-focused objective, particularly as part of the broader regional response to long-staying Somali displacement.
Beyond the education-plus-livelihoods focus described above, PRM stated that other proposals needed to fall within two main sectors: protection and health. Protection programming explicitly included prevention of and response to gender-based violence, along with services for unaccompanied minors, both of which are common high-risk areas in displacement contexts. Health programming was defined broadly and included WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene), reproductive health, mental health and psychosocial support, nutrition, and assistance for people with disabilities. In practice, this meant PRM was looking for proposals that addressed core survival and dignity needs while also strengthening safety and access to essential services for vulnerable groups.
PRM allowed applications from NGOs working in the relevant sectors, but it also described the factors that would influence competitive positioning, especially given budget constraints. Priority would go to organizations that could demonstrate strong alignment and coordination with UNHCR, such as an established working relationship, current UNHCR funding, and/or a letter of support from UNHCR. That letter was expected to do more than simply endorse the organization; it should identify the specific gap in services the proposed program would address, showing that the project fit into a broader response plan and was not duplicating other efforts. PRM also favored applicants with a proven track record delivering the proposed type of assistance in the specific sector and location, as well as evidence of coordination with other international organizations and NGOs operating in the same area or sector, and, where feasible, with local authorities.
On program design, PRM emphasized disciplined planning and measurable performance. Applicants were expected to present a concrete implementation plan with objectives and indicators that followed SMART principles (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, reliable, time-bound, and trackable). Proposals were expected to include established baselines and at least one outcome or impact indicator per objective, signaling that PRM wanted more than activity counts; it wanted evidence of change and results. Budgets were also scrutinized for appropriateness and realism, and PRM looked favorably on budgets that demonstrated co-funding from non-U.S. government sources, even though cost sharing or matching was not a formal requirement. PRM further expected appropriate beneficiary targeting coordinated with UNHCR and other relevant actors, and compliance with international humanitarian standards, referencing PRM's General NGO Guidelines as the benchmark for sector-specific expectations.
From an administrative standpoint, this was a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement, indicating that PRM anticipated substantial involvement in program oversight and collaboration rather than a hands-off grant. The funding activity category was refugee assistance under CFDA 19.517 (Overseas Refugee Assistance Programs for Africa). The announcement anticipated up to 30 awards, with typical award sizes ranging from a floor of $175,000 to a ceiling of $1,500,000. Eligible applicants included U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education) as well as international organizations. There was no cost-sharing requirement. The opportunity was posted on March 28, 2012, and the final submission deadline was updated to Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) EDT, with late proposals not considered. PRM also noted that international organizations seeking funding for relevant programs should ensure their initiatives were made known to PRM by the closing date so PRM could evaluate NGO and IO programming side by side. The listed program contact was Chris Upchurch, Program Officer, at 202-453-9384.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the FY 2012 PRM NGO Programs Benefiting Refugees in Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya opportunity?
This was a U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) funding announcement focused on humanitarian assistance for refugees and other conflict-affected populations in the Horn of Africa region, with a strong emphasis on Somali refugees experiencing long-term displacement in Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya.
Which U.S. government office funded this opportunity?
The opportunity was issued by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM).
What was PRM trying to achieve through this funding?
The program was framed around PRM's mandate to provide protection, essential assistance, and sustainable solutions for refugees and victims of conflict. PRM sought proposals that addressed core needs (like protection and health) and, for protracted Somali displacement, supported more durable self-reliance outcomes by linking education and livelihoods.
Which populations were intended to benefit?
The primary focus was refugees, particularly long-staying Somali refugees displaced for extended periods. PRM also encouraged (but did not require) inclusion of local host communities, as long as the project remained refugee-centered.
Is there a minimum number of refugees that must be included in the beneficiary group?
Yes. PRM stated it would only fund projects that included at least 50 refugees within the intended beneficiary group.
Can projects serve host-community (non-refugee) beneficiaries as well?
Yes. PRM encouraged projects that also serve local host communities, particularly where doing so could reduce tensions and improve social cohesion in areas hosting large refugee populations.
Did PRM express a preferred ratio of refugees to host-community beneficiaries?
For the Somali protracted displacement priority, PRM signaled a preference for programs that benefit both refugees and host nationals, ideally in a balanced 50/50 ratio, while still maintaining a clear refugee component that aligns with PRM priorities.
What were the main program sectors supported under this announcement?
PRM indicated proposals should generally fall within these sectors: (1) education and livelihoods in an integrated, mutually reinforcing approach for the protracted Somali displacement challenge, and (2) protection and health for other proposals.
What did PRM mean by linking education and livelihoods?
PRM sought proposals where education activities directly improve employability and self-reliance, and where livelihoods interventions are built on a foundation of skills, training, and learning, rather than treating education and livelihoods as separate, disconnected sectors.
What did PRM want proposals to show regarding voluntary return?
For the refugee portion of programming, PRM wanted a clear and credible link to eventual voluntary return. Proposals were expected to show how skills, certifications, or livelihood capacities developed through the project would remain useful if and when refugees choose to return home.
Which countries were included in this funding opportunity?
The opportunity covered Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya, with a strong emphasis on Somali refugees affected by long-term displacement across the region.
Where in Kenya would PRM consider proposals?
PRM indicated it would consider proposals for both camp-based refugees and urban refugees living in Nairobi.
Where in Ethiopia would PRM consider proposals?
PRM limited eligibility to refugee assistance efforts in camps near four locations: Asosa, Dolo Ado, Jijiga, and Shire.
Would proposals outside the specified Ethiopian locations be competitive?
The announcement indicated these geographic constraints mattered for alignment with stated funding priorities, meaning proposals outside Asosa, Dolo Ado, Jijiga, and Shire would not align with the stated priorities.
How was Djibouti treated within the geographic scope?
Djibouti was included in the overall scope of the Somali-refugee-focused objective, particularly as part of the broader regional response to long-staying Somali displacement.
What types of activities counted under the protection sector?
Protection programming explicitly included prevention of and response to gender-based violence (GBV), as well as services for unaccompanied minors.
What types of activities counted under the health sector?
Health programming was defined broadly and included WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene), reproductive health, mental health and psychosocial support, nutrition, and assistance for people with disabilities.
Who was eligible to apply for this PRM funding?
Eligible applicants included U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education) as well as international organizations.
Were institutions of higher education eligible under the U.S. nonprofit category?
No. The eligible U.S. nonprofit category explicitly excluded institutions of higher education.
What kind of award instrument was used?
This was a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement, indicating PRM anticipated substantial involvement in program oversight and collaboration.
What was the activity category and CFDA number?
The funding activity category was refugee assistance under CFDA 19.517 (Overseas Refugee Assistance Programs for Africa).
How many awards were anticipated?
The announcement anticipated up to 30 awards.
What were the typical award size ranges?
Typical award sizes ranged from a floor of $175,000 to a ceiling of $1,500,000.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity stated there was no cost-sharing requirement.
Did PRM view co-funding favorably even if it was not required?
Yes. PRM looked favorably on budgets that demonstrated co-funding from non-U.S. government sources, even though cost sharing or matching was not a formal requirement.
What coordination or partnership factors affected competitiveness?
Given budget constraints, PRM prioritized organizations that could demonstrate strong alignment and coordination with UNHCR, such as an established working relationship, current UNHCR funding, and/or a letter of support from UNHCR.
What was PRM expecting in a UNHCR letter of support?
PRM expected the letter to do more than generally endorse the organization. It should identify the specific gap in services the proposed program would address, showing how the project fits into a broader response plan and avoids duplicating other efforts.
Did PRM prioritize experience in specific places and sectors?
Yes. PRM favored applicants with a proven track record delivering the proposed type of assistance in the specific sector and location, along with evidence of coordination with other international organizations and NGOs operating in the same area or sector and, where feasible, with local authorities.
What did PRM require for project planning and performance measurement?
PRM emphasized measurable performance and disciplined planning. Applicants were expected to provide an implementation plan with objectives and indicators that followed SMART principles (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, reliable, time-bound, and trackable).
Were baselines and outcome/impact indicators required?
Yes. Proposals were expected to include established baselines and at least one outcome or impact indicator per objective, reflecting PRM's interest in evidence of change and results (not only activity counts).
How were budgets evaluated?
Budgets were scrutinized for appropriateness and realism. PRM also viewed co-funding from non-U.S. government sources favorably (though it was not required).
What standards or guidelines were proposals expected to follow?
PRM expected compliance with international humanitarian standards and referenced PRM's General NGO Guidelines as the benchmark for sector-specific expectations.
How should beneficiary targeting be handled?
PRM expected appropriate beneficiary targeting coordinated with UNHCR and other relevant actors.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on March 28, 2012.
What was the submission deadline?
The final submission deadline was updated to Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) EDT.
Were late proposals accepted?
No. PRM stated that late proposals would not be considered.
What guidance was provided to international organizations that wanted to be considered?
PRM noted that international organizations seeking funding for relevant programs should ensure their initiatives were made known to PRM by the closing date so PRM could evaluate NGO and international organization programming side by side.
Who was the program contact for this announcement?
The listed program contact was Chris Upchurch, Program Officer, reachable at 202-453-9384.
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