Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS MWI ASSHF FY16
Apply for DOS MWI ASSHF FY16
- The DOS-MWI in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund 2015-2016, U.S. Embassy Lilongwe" 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 Dec 08, 2015 and posted on Dec 08, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 29, 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 12 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. Ambassador's Special Self-Help (SSH) Fund 2015-2016, administered by the U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe, is a small-grants program designed to support locally driven community development projects in Malawi. It is positioned as a grass-roots assistance mechanism that helps U.S. embassies respond quickly when communities request support for practical, community-based initiatives. A key theme of the opportunity is speed and flexibility: the program is meant to fund modest activities with immediate, visible impact, especially when those needs do not fit neatly within larger, more structured USAID programs. At the same time, the grants are intended to reinforce U.S. Mission priorities and increase public awareness of U.S. foreign assistance at the community level.
The SSH program emphasizes community ownership and self-reliance as core requirements rather than optional features. Projects must be initiated locally, administered at the local level, and structured so that the community is not merely a beneficiary but an active implementer. An important expectation is that applicants bring meaningful community contributions, which can include cash, labor, or materials. This cost-sharing element is meant to demonstrate local commitment, stretch limited grant funds further, and help communities build the confidence and capacity to undertake similar development activities independently in the future.
From an administrative standpoint, this opportunity is a discretionary funding program offered by the U.S. Department of State in Malawi (Agency: DOS-MWI) under Funding Opportunity Number DOS MWI ASSHF FY16, with CFDA Number 19.700. The funding instrument type is listed as "Other," and the funding activity category is also "Other," indicating the program does not fall into a single conventional sector label and may support a range of small development activities as long as they meet the program's intent and Embassy objectives. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is USD 10,000 per grant, reflecting the program's focus on small-scale projects rather than large infrastructure or long-term multi-year efforts. The Embassy anticipated making approximately 12 awards under this cycle.
The application timeline for this specific announcement shows it was posted on December 8, 2015, with the closing date set for February 29, 2016 (both the original and current closing dates match). Eligibility is broadly described as "Others," with the note that additional eligibility details would be provided in the full announcement's eligibility clarification field. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a small, flexible grant channel aimed at high-visibility, community-led projects that can be executed locally, quickly, and with tangible results, while also highlighting U.S. support and encouraging communities to sustain and replicate development efforts beyond the grant period.
FAQs: U.S. Ambassador's Special Self-Help (SSH) Fund 2015-2016 (U.S. Embassy Lilongwe, Malawi)
What is the U.S. Ambassador's Special Self-Help (SSH) Fund?
The U.S. Ambassador's Special Self-Help (SSH) Fund is a small-grants program administered by the U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe to support locally driven community development projects in Malawi. It is designed as a grass-roots assistance mechanism that can respond quickly when communities request support for practical, community-based initiatives.
What is the main purpose of the SSH Fund?
The program is intended to fund modest community activities that deliver immediate, visible impact, especially when those needs do not fit neatly within larger and more structured development programs. It also aims to reinforce U.S. Mission priorities and increase public awareness of U.S. foreign assistance at the community level.
Where are projects supported under this opportunity?
Projects supported under this opportunity are community development initiatives in Malawi, administered through the U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe.
Who administers this grant program?
This opportunity is administered by the U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe under the U.S. Department of State in Malawi (Agency: DOS-MWI).
What kind of projects does the SSH Fund support?
The SSH Fund supports practical, community-based development projects that are locally initiated and implemented, and that can produce tangible, high-visibility results. The opportunity is not limited to a single conventional sector label, and may support a range of small development activities as long as they match the program intent and Embassy objectives.
What does "speed and flexibility" mean in the context of this grant?
Speed and flexibility refer to the program's goal of funding small, modest activities that can be carried out quickly and deliver immediate, visible benefits. It is positioned as a way for the Embassy to respond rapidly to community requests for practical assistance.
How important is community ownership for SSH projects?
Community ownership and self-reliance are core requirements. Projects must be initiated locally, administered at the local level, and designed so the community is an active implementer rather than only a beneficiary.
Do applicants need to contribute resources to the project?
Yes. The SSH program expects meaningful community contributions. Cost-sharing can include cash, labor, or materials. This demonstrates local commitment, stretches limited grant funds, and supports long-term community capacity and confidence to carry out similar efforts in the future.
Why does the program require cost-sharing or community contributions?
The cost-sharing expectation is meant to show local commitment, make limited grant funding go further, and encourage communities to sustain and replicate development efforts beyond the grant period.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is USD 10,000 per grant, reflecting the program's focus on small-scale projects rather than large infrastructure or multi-year efforts.
How many awards were expected under this cycle?
The Embassy anticipated making approximately 12 awards under this cycle.
What is the funding opportunity number for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DOS MWI ASSHF FY16.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA Number listed for this opportunity is 19.700.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is listed as "Other."
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is also listed as "Other," indicating it may support a range of small development activities rather than being confined to a single sector category.
When was this opportunity posted?
The announcement was posted on December 8, 2015.
What was the application deadline?
The closing date for applications was February 29, 2016 (the original and current closing dates match).
Is this program intended for large infrastructure or long-term projects?
No. The SSH Fund is structured for modest, small-scale projects with immediate and visible impact, supported by a maximum award of USD 10,000.
How is eligibility described for this opportunity?
Eligibility is broadly described as "Others," with a note that additional eligibility details would be provided in the full announcement's eligibility clarification field.
What is the program trying to achieve beyond the immediate project outputs?
Beyond immediate results, the program is intended to promote community self-reliance, build local capacity to undertake similar development initiatives independently, and increase public awareness of U.S. foreign assistance at the community level while reinforcing U.S. Mission priorities.
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