U.S. Embassy Bangui Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program – FY 2022 Annual Program Statement | DOS CAF PD FY22

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS CAF PD FY22

The U.S. Embassy Bangui Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program (FY 2022 Annual Program Statement, opportunity number DOS-CAF-PD-FY22; CFDA 19.040) is a small-grants funding opportunity run by the U.S. Department of State in the Central African Republic (CAR). Its core goal is to strengthen ties between the United States and CAR by supporting programs that highlight shared values and encourage bilateral cooperation. A key requirement is that proposed activities include clear U.S. cultural elements or otherwise promote understanding of U.S. perspectives, meaning projects should connect in a visible, meaningful way to American culture, approaches, or viewpoints rather than operating as general community assistance.

The Embassy’s funding priorities focus on three broad outcomes: promoting peace in CAR, strengthening democratic institutions, and increasing prosperity for Central Africans. Competitive proposals are expected to fit one or more of these themes and show a practical, community-relevant approach, with specific objectives that can be tracked. While the notice lists several potential activity categories (including areas such as arts and cultural affairs, education, community development, business and commerce, environment, health, and related fields), applicants are essentially being asked to frame projects through a public diplomacy lens: improving mutual understanding and cooperation while delivering tangible local impact tied to peace, democracy, or economic opportunity.

Funding is provided as a grant, contingent on the availability of funds. The total amount anticipated for the program is up to $75,000, with an expectation of as many as 0 to 10 awards in a year. Award sizes are described in multiple places in the notice, but the practical takeaway is that awards are small, often in the $5,000 to $10,000 range, with a stated maximum award amount referenced in the announcement (including ceilings noted as high as $50,000 in the federal listing). Projects are intended to be short in duration, generally completed in under 10 months. The overall allowable window for completing projects runs from October 1, 2021 through July 31, 2023, but each funded project should have its own performance period of 10 months or less.

Eligibility is primarily aimed at locally established organizations. Applicants must be registered, non-profit organizations or associations that have been operating in CAR for at least one year prior to applying, and the most competitive applicants are expected to be Central African organizations. Partnerships with U.S.-based entities are allowed, but the lead applicant must meet the local eligibility requirements. Organizations must also have a bank account at a bank registered in CAR. The program also enforces strict limits on submissions: organizations may submit only one proposal per year, and submitting multiple proposals (including multiple people submitting on behalf of the same organization) is disqualifying. The same one-proposal rule applies to individuals as well, and for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply.

The notice is also clear about what it will not fund. Ineligible activities include projects that merely supplement other U.S. government funding, for-profit ventures, fundraising campaigns, and projects primarily intended to grow or develop an institution. It also excludes political support or advocacy (including for legislation or government activities), religious activities that promote only one faith, and charitable, development, or social welfare activities (so proposals should not be framed as general aid or welfare assistance). Construction or real estate, vehicles, alcohol, and academic or scientific research (including scholarships or tuition support) are also explicitly not eligible.

Cost sharing is not required, but it is treated as a competitiveness factor. In other words, you can apply without match funds, but proposals that demonstrate some level of shared or matching contribution are favored. Match can be provided in cash or through in-kind support such as labor, materials, or other non-cash contributions, as long as it is credible and clearly reflected in the budget.

Applications had a fixed submission window: they opened April 18, 2022 at 0000 West Africa Standard Time and closed May 2, 2022 at 0700 West Africa Standard Time. Late or early submissions were not considered and could be deleted. Applications had to be submitted electronically by email to BanguiGrants@state.gov, and only emailed submissions were accepted to support transparency (the mailbox is monitored by multiple staff). A complete application package required a typed and signed application form (no more than three pages), proof of non-profit registration, proof of the applicant’s legal authorization to work in the country (such as a passport, national ID, residency permit, or work visa), and the organization’s bank statements showing six months of account activity prior to the application.

The review process begins with an eligibility and completeness screening by the program coordinator. Complete, eligible applications are then evaluated by a grants review committee made up of U.S. Embassy employees. The committee scores and rank-orders proposals and forwards recommendations for final approval by the Public Affairs Officer, who makes award decisions based on suitability and available funding. Evaluation criteria emphasize alignment with the Embassy’s priority themes, the overall persuasiveness and completeness of the proposal (including a clearly demonstrated community need, a realistic plan to address it, measurable objectives, and a detailed implementation plan), preference for Central African applicants, and the presence of cost share or matching support.

Successful applicants are notified after funding becomes available, and the Embassy indicates it will try to notify unsuccessful applicants as well. After selection, awardees must complete standard U.S. federal assistance registration and compliance steps. These include obtaining an NCAGE code, registering in SAM to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), creating an account on grants.gov, and completing required standard forms for non-construction projects (including SF-424, SF-424C, and SF-424D). Official award notification is issued through a Federal Assistance Award/Notice of Award (referenced as SF-1909/DS-1909 in the notice), and recipients may begin incurring allowable costs starting on the award start date shown in that document.

Grant recipients must acknowledge U.S. government support at project sites using a U.S. flag graphic and the phrase “funding provided by the United States Government,” and they must be willing to take part in a public ceremony to sign grant agreements. Reporting is required throughout the project, including both financial and program reports, with the specific schedule set in the award document. Payment is typically made in two installments via electronic funds transfer: an initial payment near the beginning of the project and a second payment after the Embassy determines that progress toward objectives is satisfactory. The grants officer retains authority to terminate awards if recipients fail to comply with program requirements, and applicants are encouraged to review the Department of State’s Standard Terms and Conditions posted by the Office of the Procurement Executive. For questions, the main point of contact is the program coordinator at BanguiGrants@state.gov, though responses are limited mainly to questions about the announcement and confirmation of whether an application is complete and accepted.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Central African Republic in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), business and commerce, community development, education, environment, food and nutrition, health, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Bangui Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program – FY 2022 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 Mar 23, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 02, 2022. (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 $50,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Individuals.

Apply for DOS CAF PD FY22

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