Opportunity Information: Apply for AFCOD 15 GR 001 AF 021115
Apply for AFCOD 15 GR 001 AF 021115
- The U.S. Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda) business and commerce education humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Kinshasa PAS Annual Program Statement" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040 Public Diplomacy Programs.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 28, 2015 and posted on May 28, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 28, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $200,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Individuals Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
- Think Tanks
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The U.S. Embassy Kinshasa Public Affairs Section (PAS), part of the U.S. Department of State, announced an Annual Program Statement for its Public Diplomacy Small Grants program. This opportunity is meant to fund a limited number of public diplomacy projects that strengthen exchange and engagement between the United States and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with the broader goal of building mutual respect and understanding. The announcement functions as an umbrella solicitation for the year, describing the Embassy's priority themes and explaining how applicants should submit requests for funding.
The program is focused on four main strategic priorities. First, it supports initiatives that advance good governance in the DRC, especially projects that encourage transparency and accountability in government, reinforce the rule of law, and promote more informed and active civic participation. Second, it seeks projects that build public support for U.S.-Congolese cooperation in business, entrepreneurship, science, and technology, with an emphasis on sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. Third, it funds peace and security programming, particularly civic education efforts and activities aimed at peacebuilding, reconciliation, and community stability. Fourth, it supports English language learning and expansion, including curriculum development, teacher training, and partnerships linking Congolese institutions with U.S. educational institutions.
A key requirement is that proposals must include a clear American component. PAS states it will only consider grants that demonstrate a U.S. element in the design or delivery of the program. Examples given include bringing in an American expert speaker, using curriculum created by a U.S. institution, or showing an American film. In practical terms, applicants need to show how the U.S. component is integral to meeting the project goals rather than a minor add-on.
In terms of funding structure, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary and can be awarded as either a grant or a cooperative agreement. The total estimated funding listed is $200,000, with an expected 15 awards. Individual awards range from a floor of $1,000 to a ceiling of $100,000. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants are not required to contribute their own funds to be eligible, although they may still choose to leverage other resources if it strengthens the proposal.
Eligibility is broad and includes individuals, NGOs, think tanks, and academic institutions. The eligible applicant categories listed include private and public institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without U.S. 501(c)(3) status (as applicable), and other eligible entities as clarified in the announcement. The funding is tied to CFDA number 19.040, Public Diplomacy Programs, and the activity areas associated with the solicitation include education, humanities/cultural affairs, arts, and business and commerce, reflecting the cross-cutting nature of the Embassy's public diplomacy work.
Administratively, the opportunity was posted on May 28, 2015, with an original and current closing date of May 28, 2016, and it was later archived on June 27, 2016. Applicants were directed to the U.S. Embassy Kinshasa website for full details and were provided a Public Affairs Section contact point and phone number for assistance, including help accessing the complete announcement electronically.
Public Diplomacy Small Grants (U.S. Embassy Kinshasa PAS) - FAQs
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is an Annual Program Statement from the U.S. Embassy Kinshasa Public Affairs Section (PAS), part of the U.S. Department of State, for its Public Diplomacy Small Grants program. It serves as an umbrella solicitation describing priority themes and how to submit requests for funding for the year.
2) What is the main purpose of the program?
The program is intended to fund a limited number of public diplomacy projects that strengthen exchange and engagement between the United States and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with the broader aim of building mutual respect and understanding.
3) What types of projects does PAS want to fund?
PAS is looking for public diplomacy projects aligned with its strategic priorities, including efforts that support governance, economic growth and entrepreneurship, peace and security, and English language learning and educational linkages.
4) What are the strategic priority areas for proposals?
The announcement lists four main strategic priorities:
- Good governance: transparency and accountability in government, rule of law, and informed and active civic participation.
- Support for U.S.-Congolese cooperation in business and innovation: business, entrepreneurship, science, and technology, with emphasis on sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction.
- Peace and security: civic education, peacebuilding, reconciliation, and community stability.
- English language learning and expansion: curriculum development, teacher training, and partnerships linking Congolese institutions with U.S. educational institutions.
5) What does it mean that this is an "Annual Program Statement" and an "umbrella solicitation"?
It means the announcement sets out the Embassy's themes and expectations for the year rather than describing only one single project. Applicants propose projects that fit within the priority areas and follow the submission guidance described by PAS.
6) Is an "American component" required?
Yes. PAS states it will only consider grants that demonstrate a clear U.S. element in the design or delivery of the program, and that the American component must be integral to achieving the project goals.
7) What are examples of an acceptable American component?
The announcement provides examples such as:
- Bringing in an American expert speaker
- Using curriculum created by a U.S. institution
- Showing an American film
8) Can the U.S. element be a small add-on at the end of the project?
No. The program description emphasizes that applicants need to show the U.S. component is integral to meeting project goals, not a minor or superficial addition.
9) How much funding is available overall?
The total estimated funding listed is $200,000.
10) How many awards does PAS expect to make?
The announcement indicates an expected 15 awards.
11) What is the minimum and maximum award size?
Individual awards range from a floor of $1,000 to a ceiling of $100,000.
12) What type of funding instrument will be used?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and can be awarded as either a grant or a cooperative agreement.
13) Is cost-sharing or matching required?
No. The announcement states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. Applicants do not need to contribute their own funds to be eligible.
14) Can an applicant still include other resources even if matching is not required?
Yes. While not required, applicants may choose to leverage other resources if it strengthens the proposal.
15) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes individuals, NGOs, think tanks, and academic institutions. The eligible applicant categories listed include private and public institutions of higher education, and nonprofits with or without U.S. 501(c)(3) status (as applicable), along with other eligible entities as clarified in the announcement.
16) Are both public and private universities eligible?
Yes. The eligible categories include both private and public institutions of higher education.
17) Do nonprofits need to have U.S. 501(c)(3) status to apply?
The announcement states nonprofits may be eligible with or without U.S. 501(c)(3) status (as applicable), based on the applicant category and the solicitation's eligibility clarification.
18) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The funding is tied to CFDA number 19.040, Public Diplomacy Programs.
19) What activity areas does this solicitation cover?
The activity areas associated with the solicitation include education, humanities/cultural affairs, arts, and business and commerce, reflecting the cross-cutting nature of the Embassy's public diplomacy work.
20) When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on May 28, 2015. The original and current closing date listed is May 28, 2016.
21) What does it mean that the opportunity was archived?
The announcement was later archived on June 27, 2016, indicating it is no longer an active, open solicitation on the posting platform as of that archive date.
22) Where were applicants directed to find full details?
Applicants were directed to the U.S. Embassy Kinshasa website for full details.
23) Who can applicants contact for help or questions?
The announcement notes that applicants were provided a Public Affairs Section contact point and phone number for assistance, including help accessing the complete announcement electronically.
24) What geographic relationship does the program emphasize?
The program is focused on strengthening exchange and engagement between the United States and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Business and Commerce Education Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA)
Next opportunity: Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program
Previous opportunity: INL Justice Criminal Attorney Training Project
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for AFCOD 15 GR 001 AF 021115
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "AFCOD 15 GR 001 AF 021115", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.