Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS ZAF APS FY16
Apply for DOS ZAF APS FY16
- The DOS-ZAF in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), business and commerce, community development, education, employment, labor and training, energy, environment, health, other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification), science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy South Africa Public Affairs Section 2016 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.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 31, 2015 and posted on Dec 31, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 01, 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.
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Individuals, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
The U.S. Embassy South Africa Public Affairs Section (PAS) 2016 Annual Program Statement announces the availability of funding through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants program. The overall goal is to support projects that strengthen people-to-people ties and promote exchange between the United States and South Africa, with an emphasis on improving mutual understanding and respect. This opportunity is discretionary and is offered by the U.S. Department of State, with awards made as either grants or cooperative agreements. A cooperative agreement differs from a standard grant in that PAS staff expect to be more actively involved in implementing the project after an award is made.
Funding is intended for public diplomacy activities that align with PAS priority themes. These priorities include culture and American society, education initiatives, democracy and good governance (including rule of law), human rights and civil society, science and technology, youth leadership and development, climate change, and entrepreneurship and innovation. A core requirement is that every proposal must include a clear American component. The American element can take different forms, such as bringing in a U.S. expert speaker, using educational materials developed by a U.S. institution, featuring American film or cultural programming, or otherwise demonstrating a substantive U.S. connection that supports the exchange mission.
The program has clear boundaries around what it will not fund. Proposals focused on social welfare or charity-type services are not eligible, and the grant is not meant to pay for an individual to travel to a conference. Construction projects are excluded, as are requests to finish projects that were started with other funding. PAS also will not support projects that are inherently political or that could look partisan, including anything tied to electoral campaigns, political party activities, or similar advocacy. In addition, projects that support specific religious activities are not eligible. The legal authority for the program is grounded in the Smith-Mundt Act (governing U.S. engagement with international publics) and the Fulbright-Hays Act (authorizing international educational and cultural exchanges on issues of mutual interest).
Awards are relatively small, reflecting the program design. The minimum award size is USD 1,000 and the maximum is USD 10,000. Projects are generally expected to be completed within one year or less. While proposals up to the ceiling amount are allowed, PAS signals that smaller, more targeted projects may be more competitive. There is also a possibility of continuation funding beyond the initial period, but only on a noncompetitive basis and only if funds are available, performance is strong, and continued support is judged to be in the U.S. government’s interest.
Eligibility is open to organizations based in South Africa or the United States, including registered non-profit think tanks, civil society organizations and NGOs with relevant programming experience, and non-profit educational institutions. Individuals may apply as well. A key limitation is that only projects taking place in South Africa will be considered. Applicants are encouraged to include cost-sharing or leveraged support from other sources, which can strengthen a proposal by showing broader buy-in and helping PAS fund higher-impact work.
Applications must be submitted in English, and final grant agreements are also executed in English. For 2016, PAS set three submission deadlines: February 15, May 1, and August 1 (with the opportunity closing date shown as August 1, 2016). Proposals are submitted by email to the nearest PAS office: CapeTownGrants@state.gov, DurbanGrants@state.gov, JoburgGrants@state.gov, or PretoriaGrants@state.gov. Applicants must use the PAS Small Grant Application Form, which includes a project narrative, a detailed line-item budget and budget justification (including any cost-sharing), and a monitoring and evaluation plan explaining how results will be tracked and measured.
Administrative readiness matters for this program. Recipients are expected to be registered in SAM.gov, though PAS notes that exceptions may be possible for first-time, one-off grants. SAM registration typically requires obtaining a DUNS number (a unique nine-digit identifier) and an NCAGE code. The statement provides references for where applicants can start those registration processes, reflecting that compliance and traceability are part of the U.S. federal grants environment.
Proposals are reviewed competitively using criteria that focus on both program quality and the likelihood of successful delivery. PAS looks at organizational capacity and technical expertise, the clarity and impact of goals and objectives, and how well the proposal supports U.S. Embassy South Africa priority areas. Reviewers also weigh sustainability, meaning whether benefits are likely to last beyond the grant period, and feasibility, covering practical factors like the soundness of the approach, the realism of the timeline, and whether staffing and resources match the plan. Budget quality is important, with a strong emphasis on reasonableness and value for money; awards tend to go to projects that demonstrate the highest impact per dollar. Finally, the monitoring and evaluation plan must show credible indicators, milestones, and a method for systematically collecting and analyzing information to demonstrate progress and results.
If selected, awards are formally issued and administered by a Grants Officer, and both successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified in writing. The Department of State does not guarantee future or additional funding beyond the initial award, and any extension or increase is discretionary. Awardees must comply with reporting requirements laid out in the award agreement, which may include programmatic reports and, when required, financial reports. Fund disbursement can be tied to timely submission of required reports, and final program and financial reports are typically due within 90 days after the project ends (unless the agreement specifies a different timeline).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the U.S. Embassy South Africa PAS Public Diplomacy Small Grants program?
It is a discretionary funding opportunity offered by the U.S. Embassy South Africa Public Affairs Section (PAS) under its 2016 Annual Program Statement. The program provides small awards to support public diplomacy projects that strengthen people-to-people ties and promote exchange between the United States and South Africa, with an emphasis on improving mutual understanding and respect.
What is the overall goal of this grant opportunity?
The overall goal is to support projects that build stronger people-to-people connections and encourage exchange between the United States and South Africa, while improving mutual understanding and respect.
Who is offering the funding, and what type of awards are made?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy South Africa PAS. Awards may be issued as either grants or cooperative agreements.
What is the difference between a grant and a cooperative agreement for this program?
A cooperative agreement differs from a standard grant because PAS staff expect to be more actively involved in implementing the project after an award is made.
How much funding can an applicant request?
The minimum award size is USD 1,000 and the maximum is USD 10,000.
Are smaller requests more competitive than requests at the maximum amount?
PAS indicates that smaller, more targeted projects may be more competitive, even though proposals up to USD 10,000 are allowed.
How long can a project last?
Projects are generally expected to be completed within one year or less.
Is continuation funding available after the initial award?
Continuation funding may be possible, but only on a noncompetitive basis and only if funds are available, performance is strong, and continued support is judged to be in the U.S. government’s interest.
What types of projects does PAS want to fund?
Funding is intended for public diplomacy activities that align with PAS priority themes, including culture and American society, education initiatives, democracy and good governance (including rule of law), human rights and civil society, science and technology, youth leadership and development, climate change, and entrepreneurship and innovation.
Is an American component required in every proposal?
Yes. Every proposal must include a clear American component that demonstrates a substantive U.S. connection supporting the exchange mission.
What are examples of an acceptable American component?
Examples include bringing in a U.S. expert speaker, using educational materials developed by a U.S. institution, featuring American film or cultural programming, or other substantive U.S. elements that advance exchange and mutual understanding.
Are there geographic limitations on where projects can take place?
Yes. Only projects taking place in South Africa will be considered.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is open to organizations based in South Africa or the United States, including registered non-profit think tanks, civil society organizations, NGOs with relevant programming experience, and non-profit educational institutions. Individuals may apply as well.
Does the program support cost-sharing or leveraged support?
Yes. Applicants are encouraged to include cost-sharing or leveraged support from other sources. This can strengthen a proposal by showing broader buy-in and helping PAS fund higher-impact work.
What types of projects are not eligible for funding?
PAS will not fund proposals focused on social welfare or charity-type services, will not fund travel for an individual to attend a conference, will not fund construction projects, and will not fund requests to finish projects started with other funding. PAS also will not support projects that are inherently political or partisan (including election-related or political party activities) or projects that support specific religious activities.
Will the grant pay for an individual to travel to a conference?
No. The opportunity is not meant to pay for an individual to travel to a conference.
Are construction costs allowed?
No. Construction projects are excluded.
Can the grant be used to finish a project that already started with other funding?
No. Requests to finish projects that were started with other funding are excluded.
Are political or partisan activities eligible?
No. PAS will not support projects that are inherently political or could appear partisan, including projects tied to electoral campaigns, political party activities, or similar advocacy.
Are religious activities eligible?
No. Projects that support specific religious activities are not eligible.
What legal authorities govern this program?
The program is grounded in the Smith-Mundt Act (governing U.S. engagement with international publics) and the Fulbright-Hays Act (authorizing international educational and cultural exchanges on issues of mutual interest).
What language must applications be submitted in?
Applications must be submitted in English, and final grant agreements are also executed in English.
What are the submission deadlines for 2016?
PAS set three submission deadlines for 2016: February 15, May 1, and August 1. The opportunity closing date is shown as August 1, 2016.
How do applicants submit proposals?
Proposals are submitted by email to the nearest PAS office: CapeTownGrants@state.gov, DurbanGrants@state.gov, JoburgGrants@state.gov, or PretoriaGrants@state.gov.
What application form must be used?
Applicants must use the PAS Small Grant Application Form.
What must be included in the application package?
The PAS Small Grant Application Form includes a project narrative, a detailed line-item budget and budget justification (including any cost-sharing), and a monitoring and evaluation plan explaining how results will be tracked and measured.
What is required in the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan?
The monitoring and evaluation plan must explain how results will be tracked and measured, and it should present credible indicators, milestones, and a method for systematically collecting and analyzing information to demonstrate progress and results.
How are proposals reviewed and selected?
Proposals are reviewed competitively. Review criteria include organizational capacity and technical expertise; clarity and impact of goals and objectives; alignment with U.S. Embassy South Africa priority areas; sustainability of benefits beyond the grant period; feasibility (sound approach, realistic timeline, appropriate staffing and resources); budget reasonableness and value for money; and the quality of the monitoring and evaluation plan.
How important is the budget in the review process?
Budget quality is important, with emphasis on reasonableness and value for money. Awards tend to favor projects that demonstrate the highest impact per dollar.
What does PAS mean by sustainability and feasibility?
Sustainability refers to whether the project’s benefits are likely to last beyond the grant period. Feasibility refers to practical deliverability, including whether the approach is sound, the timeline is realistic, and staffing and resources match the plan.
Do recipients need to be registered in SAM.gov?
Recipients are expected to be registered in SAM.gov, although PAS notes that exceptions may be possible for first-time, one-off grants.
What registrations or identifiers are commonly needed for SAM.gov?
SAM registration typically requires obtaining a DUNS number (a unique nine-digit identifier) and an NCAGE code.
Who administers the award if a proposal is selected?
Awards are formally issued and administered by a Grants Officer.
How will applicants be notified about the outcome?
Both successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified in writing.
Does selection guarantee future or additional funding?
No. The Department of State does not guarantee future or additional funding beyond the initial award. Any extension or increase is discretionary.
What reporting requirements apply to awardees?
Awardees must comply with reporting requirements laid out in the award agreement. These may include programmatic reports and, when required, financial reports.
Can funding disbursement be tied to reporting?
Yes. Fund disbursement can be tied to timely submission of required reports.
When are final reports due?
Final program and financial reports are typically due within 90 days after the project ends, unless the agreement specifies a different timeline.
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