Africa Regional Services Paris Statement of Interest: Small Grants | AF PDPA FY21 02

Opportunity Information: Apply for AF PDPA FY21 02

Africa Regional Services Paris (ARS), a branch of the U.S. Department of State Bureau of African Affairs (Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs), announced a small grants opportunity for organizations or individuals proposing public diplomacy programs connected to sub-Saharan Africa. The central idea is to fund projects that strengthen ties between the United States and countries in sub-Saharan Africa through virtual and/or in-person engagement that highlights shared values and improves understanding of U.S. policies and institutions, including the political, economic, social, and cultural contexts that shape them. A non-negotiable requirement is that every proposed program must include a clear American cultural element or a concrete connection to the United States, such as involvement of U.S. experts, U.S. institutions or organizations, or U.S.-based materials and content that help participants better understand U.S. perspectives.

The application process is intentionally structured as a two-step competition. Applicants do not start with a full proposal. Instead, they first submit a short Statement of Interest (SOI) limited to two pages that lays out the core program concept, objectives, and a basic budget and timeline. ARS uses this initial submission to screen ideas before asking anyone to invest time in a full application. Eligible SOIs are reviewed on a rolling basis, with ARS conducting reviews at the end of each month for SOIs received during that month. Applicants are then notified by email within two weeks of the decision meeting whether they are invited to move forward. Only those selected at the SOI stage are asked to submit a full proposal, which then undergoes a second merit review before final award decisions are made.

In terms of geography and language, the priority focus is on sub-Saharan Africa, with particular interest in programs delivered in French, Portuguese, or Spanish (English is also acceptable). ARS is looking for programming that reaches people who can influence communities and public life, including members of the public, decision-makers, civil society leaders, and opinion-shapers, typically in coordination with U.S. Embassy public affairs sections in the region. The broader public diplomacy goal is to broaden support for and understanding of U.S. policies, culture, history, society, and values, rather than to fund traditional aid or development interventions.

ARS highlights several example formats to illustrate the kind of activities it supports. These include professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs; artistic and cultural workshops or masterclasses; the creation of podcasts, online courses, radio programs, or other remote learning opportunities; and development of durable materials that can be used for future programming. These examples are not exhaustive, but they signal a preference for visible engagement, learning, and exchange that can be delivered effectively either in person or online.

The opportunity is organized around five priority program areas. Governance projects should advance democratic principles, inclusive governance, transparency, human rights, religious freedom, civic education, voter participation, empowerment of marginalized groups, and civil society engagement. Prosperity projects should encourage shared economic stability and opportunity by supporting equitable and transparent economies, entrepreneurship and innovation, and economic empowerment for youth and underserved communities, while also allowing space for work connected to cultural resource management and the arts. Security projects should promote peace and security through rule of law, tolerance-building, prevention of radicalization to violence, community policing, and bridge-building across tribal, religious, or regional divides, and may also address wildlife protection and resilience to climate-related shocks and broader human security threats linked to environmental pressures. Journalism projects should strengthen professional and independent media through media literacy, ethical journalism, the role of informed citizens in democracy, and practical skills such as new media business management. Community health projects, as framed here, include teaching cyber security and online protections for children, and advancing health cooperation and collaborative solutions to existing and emerging health concerns, with an emphasis on building healthier societies through partnership and education.

Funding is provided under the Smith-Mundt authority using FY2021 public diplomacy funds. The award instrument may be a grant, cooperative agreement, or another type of assistance instrument. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $25,000, and ARS anticipated making about four awards under this announcement. The funding opportunity was listed under number AF PDPA FY21 02, created March 1, 2021, with an original closing date of August 31, 2021, after which submissions would not be accepted.

Applicants have to follow specific submission requirements closely because non-compliant SOIs are considered ineligible. The SOI must include a brief project description (typically 1 to 2 pages) that clearly states goals, objectives, intended outcomes, performance indicators, beneficiaries, and a proposed budget and timeline. It must also include a clear statement demonstrating the applicant’s capacity to carry out the activity and responsibly manage U.S. Government funds. The SOI must be written in English, specify the anticipated total budget in U.S. dollars, and use Times New Roman, size 12 font.

Finally, ARS lists clear funding restrictions that shape what is not allowed. The program will not fund partisan political activity; charitable or development activities; construction; programs supporting specific religious activities; fundraising campaigns; lobbying for specific legislation or programs; scientific research; projects primarily aimed at the applicant organization’s own growth or institutional development; duplicative programs; or English-language learning programs. These restrictions reinforce that the grants are meant for public diplomacy engagement and mutual understanding, not humanitarian aid, infrastructure, advocacy, or routine capacity-building for the applicant itself.

• The Department of State, Africa Regional Services in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), business and commerce, community development, employment, labor and training, health, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Africa Regional Services Paris Statement of Interest: Small Grants" 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 Mar 01, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 31, 2021. (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 $25,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for AF PDPA FY21 02

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