Opportunity Information: Apply for SCAKAB 16 CA 006 SCA 04052016
Apply for SCAKAB 16 CA 006 SCA 04052016
- The DOS-AFG in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Programming for Women’s Dormitory at Balkh University" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.501.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 04, 2016 and posted on Apr 04, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 06, 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 $600,000.00 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 U.S. Department of State in Afghanistan (DOS-AFG), through the Public Affairs Section (PAS) in Kabul, announced a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Programming for Women's Dormitory at Balkh University" (Funding Opportunity Number SCAKAB 16 CA 006; CFDA 19.501). The opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the funder expects to remain actively involved in guiding or coordinating elements of implementation rather than simply issuing funds with minimal engagement. Proposals were solicited from eligible organizations (with eligibility described broadly in the notice as "Others," indicating that a range of organizations could potentially apply depending on the additional eligibility guidance in the full announcement). The application deadline listed was June 6, 2016, and the notice was posted on April 4, 2016.
The core purpose of the funding is to design and deliver programming for female university students who will live in a newly built, two-building women's dormitory at Balkh University in northern Afghanistan. The dormitory, managed under Afghanistan's Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) system for public university dorms, was expected to be completed in summer or fall of 2016 and to house roughly 800 women. Those residents are anticipated to include students attending Balkh University, Balkh Education University, and Balkh Medical University, specifically women whose homes are far enough away that living on campus is necessary for access to higher education. The grant frames secure dormitory housing as a direct response to ongoing security constraints that limit women's participation in Afghan university life, and it ties the dormitory and its related programming to national development goals centered on women's education and leadership preparation.
The programming focus is strongly shaped by the realities of dormitory life and the educational gaps many residents face. The notice highlights that many of the women expected to live in the dorm struggle academically due to limited prior educational opportunities and weak computer skills. It also points to restrictive cultural norms: while students may be permitted to attend classes, they may otherwise be required to remain inside the dormitory, limiting access to enrichment opportunities, study support, training centers, internships, or other activities that students elsewhere might use to build skills. In that context, the proposed solution is to bring supplementary training directly into the dormitory setting so that the students' available time can be used productively and safely.
The intended outcomes of the supported activities include improved academic performance, increased self-confidence, and stronger practical skills, especially in areas like computer literacy that can affect coursework, research ability, and employability. By building skills while students are in residence, the program aims to help participants not only succeed in their current university studies but also become more competitive for continued education and professional roles after graduation. In other words, the opportunity is designed to convert the dormitory from a place of confinement into a structured learning environment that supports retention, achievement, and longer-term workforce readiness for women who might otherwise be isolated from skill-building opportunities.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, PAS Kabul indicated an intention to make awards covering a 24-month base period, with the possibility of a 12-month optional extension (option year one), for a potential total performance period of up to 36 months. The award ceiling listed is $600,000, and the opportunity estimated up to 10 awards, suggesting either multiple implementers, multiple program components, or an intent to fund several complementary proposals under the same umbrella goal. The funding activity category is labeled as "Other," which typically signals a cross-cutting program that may blend educational support, skills training, and empowerment activities rather than fitting neatly into a single standard category.
Overall, this grant opportunity centers on addressing barriers that prevent Afghan women from fully benefiting from higher education, using the establishment of a large women's dormitory at Balkh University as a platform for targeted academic and professional skill development. The emphasis is on practical, on-site programming that can operate within the constraints of security and cultural limitations, while still delivering measurable benefits to female students and supporting broader national objectives around women's education and leadership development.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Programming for Women's Dormitory at Balkh University."
Who is offering this funding?
The funder is the U.S. Department of State in Afghanistan (DOS-AFG), through the Public Affairs Section (PAS) in Kabul.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SCAKAB 16 CA 006.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 19.501.
What type of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement. That means the funder expects to remain actively involved in guiding or coordinating elements of implementation, rather than only providing funding with minimal engagement.
What is the main purpose of the funding?
The purpose is to design and deliver programming for female university students who will live in a newly built, two-building women's dormitory at Balkh University in northern Afghanistan.
Where will the supported programming take place?
The programming is intended to be delivered in the women's dormitory setting at Balkh University, bringing supplementary training directly to residents who may have limited ability to access off-campus enrichment opportunities.
Who are the intended participants or beneficiaries?
The intended beneficiaries are female university students who will live in the new women's dormitory. Residents are anticipated to include students attending Balkh University, Balkh Education University, and Balkh Medical University.
Why is the dormitory central to the program design?
The grant frames secure dormitory housing as a response to security constraints that limit women's participation in Afghan university life. It also recognizes cultural limitations that may require students to remain inside the dormitory outside of class time, so the dorm becomes the most practical and safe place to offer supplementary learning and skills training.
How many residents is the dormitory expected to house?
The dormitory was expected to house roughly 800 women.
When was the dormitory expected to be completed?
The dormitory was expected to be completed in summer or fall of 2016.
Who manages the dormitory?
The dormitory is managed under Afghanistan's Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) system for public university dormitories.
What needs or challenges does the programming aim to address?
The notice highlights several challenges: many expected residents struggle academically due to limited prior educational opportunities, many have weak computer skills, and restrictive cultural norms may limit their ability to access training centers, internships, study support, or other enrichment activities outside the dormitory. The programming is intended to bring those supports into the dorm environment.
What kinds of activities or training does the opportunity emphasize?
The opportunity emphasizes supplementary training delivered on-site in the dormitory. It specifically points to skill-building in areas such as computer literacy, along with programming intended to support academic performance and practical skills development.
What outcomes is the program intended to achieve?
Intended outcomes include improved academic performance, increased self-confidence, and stronger practical skills (especially computer literacy). Longer-term, the program aims to help participants succeed in university studies and become more competitive for continued education and professional roles after graduation.
How does the opportunity connect to broader goals?
The grant ties the dormitory and related programming to national development goals focused on women's education and leadership preparation, positioning the dormitory as a platform to support retention, achievement, and workforce readiness for women facing security and cultural constraints.
What is the total funding available per award?
The award ceiling listed is $600,000.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity estimated up to 10 awards.
How long is the project period?
PAS Kabul indicated an intention to make awards covering a 24-month base period, with the possibility of a 12-month optional extension (option year one), for a potential total performance period of up to 36 months.
Is there an option year or extension period?
Yes. The notice describes a possible 12-month optional extension (option year one) beyond the 24-month base period.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is labeled "Other," which typically indicates a cross-cutting effort that may blend educational support, skills training, and empowerment activities.
Who was eligible to apply?
Proposals were solicited from eligible organizations described broadly as "Others." The notice indicates that a range of organizations could potentially apply, depending on additional eligibility guidance contained in the full announcement.
When was the opportunity posted?
The notice was posted on April 4, 2016.
What was the application deadline?
The listed application deadline was June 6, 2016.
Why does the opportunity emphasize delivering training inside the dormitory?
The notice states that many residents may be permitted to attend classes but otherwise may be required to remain inside the dormitory. Bringing training into the dormitory allows students to use available time productively and safely and reduces reliance on off-campus opportunities that may be inaccessible due to security or cultural restrictions.
What problem is the program trying to solve beyond housing?
Beyond providing secure housing, the program aims to prevent the dormitory from becoming only a place of confinement by converting it into a structured learning environment that supports academic success, skill development, and longer-term employability for women who may otherwise be isolated from enrichment opportunities.
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