U.S. Afghan University Partnership with Balkh University in Engineering | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the title of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "U.S. Afghan University Partnership with Balkh University in Engineering."

2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is SCAKAB 13CA 026 05192013.

3) Who issued this funding opportunity?

It was issued by the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul under the U.S. Mission to Afghanistan.

4) What type of solicitation is this?

This was released as a Request for Grant Proposals (RFGP).

5) Is this an open competition?

Yes. The opportunity was set up as an open competition for one cooperative agreement.

6) How many awards were expected to be made?

The announcement anticipated making one award.

7) What type of award mechanism is anticipated?

The opportunity was competed for one cooperative agreement.

8) What category or program area does this activity fall under?

The activity falls under the education category.

9) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is tied to CFDA 19.501, Public Diplomacy Programs for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

10) What does the CFDA association suggest about the program's purpose?

It indicates the program is meant to advance educational and people-to-people objectives alongside U.S. public diplomacy goals.

11) What is the core goal of the program?

The program is designed to create a structured, sustained partnership between an accredited U.S. college or university and Balkh University in Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan, focused on engineering.

12) Which Afghan institution is the partner university?

The Afghan partner institution is Balkh University in Mazar-e Sharif.

13) What academic field is the partnership focused on?

The partnership is specifically focused on engineering.

14) Is the intent simply a short-term exchange program?

No. The intent is not simply an exchange program; it is a sustained institutional relationship aimed at improving the academic ecosystem at Balkh University.

15) What kinds of improvements at Balkh University does the opportunity emphasize?

It emphasizes strengthening teaching and learning in engineering, expanding faculty and student engagement in research, and building ongoing channels for knowledge exchange between the U.S. and Afghan institutions.

16) What development rationale is described for focusing on engineering?

The opportunity describes a development logic that better-trained engineering graduates can help Afghanistan make practical use of the country’s significant natural and economic resources, contributing to broader economic development and stability.

17) What does "capacity building" mean in the context of this opportunity?

In this context, capacity building refers to improving the ability of Balkh University faculty and students to deliver and participate in higher-quality engineering education and research through a structured partnership.

18) What types of activities are proposals expected to describe?

Proposals would be expected to describe how the partnership will improve the quality of engineering education and the overall research environment, including items such as curriculum support, faculty development, collaborative projects, and academic linkages exposing participants to current engineering practices and problem-solving approaches.

19) Does the opportunity include a public diplomacy or mutual understanding objective?

Yes. A parallel objective is strengthening mutual understanding between Americans and Afghans, consistent with PAS-led programming.

20) Why does the opportunity emphasize sustained relationships rather than one-off events?

The partnership model is intended to create sustained professional relationships and institutional connections between the U.S. and Afghan institutions, rather than one-time activities.

21) What is the estimated total funding for the award?

The estimated total funding was $750,000.

22) What is the award ceiling?

The award ceiling was $750,000.

23) What is the award floor?

The award floor was $500,000.

24) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. No cost sharing or matching was required.

25) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility was limited to accredited U.S. two-year and four-year colleges and universities that meet provisions commonly associated with 501(c)(3) status under 26 USC 501(c)(3).

26) Are non-university entities eligible based on the information provided?

The information provided limits eligibility to accredited U.S. two-year and four-year colleges and universities meeting the noted provisions. No other eligible applicant types are listed in the provided description.

27) What qualifications were applicants expected to demonstrate beyond basic eligibility?

Applicants were expected to bring direct experience in engineering, demonstrated knowledge of the Afghan context, and the operational ability to carry out the proposed activities.

28) What does "operational ability" imply here?

Based on the description, it implies the applicant should have credible capability to implement an Afghanistan-focused academic partnership effectively, not just technical expertise.

29) Where is the U.S. partner institution expected to be located?

The U.S. partner is expected to be an accredited U.S. college or university (two-year or four-year).

30) When was the opportunity posted/created?

The opportunity was posted and created on May 29, 2013.

31) What was the proposal deadline?

The proposal deadline was June 30, 2013.

32) When was the opportunity archived?

The opportunity was archived on July 30, 2013.

33) Who was the point of contact for questions?

The listed point of contact was Pedro Palugyai, Grants Manager in the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.

34) What types of inquiries was the point of contact intended to handle?

He handled inquiries and proposal-related questions, including help accessing the full announcement.

35) What is the intended outcome for Balkh University students and faculty?

The intended outcome is improved teaching and learning in engineering, increased engagement in research, and stronger academic linkages that support ongoing knowledge exchange and exposure to current engineering practices.

36) What is the broader intended outcome beyond academics?

Beyond academics, the opportunity aims to strengthen mutual understanding between Americans and Afghans and support longer-term economic development and stability through improved engineering capacity.