Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS MSU SSH FY21
The U.S. Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund (SSH) is a small-grants program run by the U.S. Embassy in Maseru (Special Projects Office) to support practical, community-initiated projects in Lesotho. The focus is grassroots development that can be launched quickly and completed in a short period, with clear local ownership. Projects are expected to improve basic economic and social conditions in a village or community and are typically tied to tangible needs in places like schools, clinics, cooperatives, associations, and other community groups. Examples of eligible activities mentioned include building or improving classrooms, constructing ventilated pit latrines, developing community centers or health clinics, drilling boreholes for clean water access, and purchasing critical items like school supplies or equipment, medical equipment, solar heating solutions, and agricultural kits.
Funding is provided as a grant, with applicants generally expected to request no more than USD 10,000 per project (this is the award ceiling). Awards are subject to the availability of funds, and the embassy may make one or multiple awards depending on the quality of proposals and funding levels. The embassy also retains broad discretion during the selection process, including the option to reject any or all applications, fund more than one proposal, accept proposals that are not the lowest cost, and negotiate with applicants for clarifications or changes to the project design or budget. The anticipated project start date listed is September 2021, and the performance period is set at 12 months, meaning proposals should be designed to be completed within a one-year timeframe.
Eligible applicants include schools, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), and faith-based organizations (FBOs), as long as they are supporting community-based initiatives. A key requirement is local cost sharing: applicants must contribute 10 percent in cost share, match, or cost participation, which can include contributions like materials and/or labor. Applicants also must not be debarred or suspended; any organization listed on the Excluded Parties List in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is not eligible to apply or participate in activities funded under an award, consistent with federal debarment and suspension rules.
Applications were accepted during the stated window of February 9, 2021 through April 30, 2021. Application guidelines are available upon request by email, and submissions could be sent either electronically or delivered/mailed to the U.S. Embassy Maseru Special Projects Office at 254 Kingsway, P.O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho. Late applications, incomplete submissions, or applications missing required documentation are rejected, and the Special Projects Office may request additional documents beyond what is listed in the notice. For proposals that are selected, the embassy may require additional steps before issuing the final award, such as a pre-award site visit, written responses to review-panel conditions, revised application materials, and bank account information, along with any other documents discussed during negotiations.
Proposals are reviewed first for eligibility and then scored against specific evaluation criteria. Strong applications are expected to be clearly responsive to the funding notice, and to present a project idea that is original, innovative, and creative while still being practical. The embassy looks for projects with an immediate, positive impact on an identified community need, and applications should clearly state who benefits, how many people benefit, and what type of support they will receive. The requested budget should make sense in light of the beneficiary count and expected results, and the overall approach must be realistic for the skills and resources available in the community. Projects must include clear, measurable objectives, a well-defined timeline, and a credible plan for how the work will be carried out. Reviewers also prioritize sustainability, meaning applicants should explain how the benefits or activities will continue after the grant funds are spent. Another important expectation is accountability: projects must be able to quantify and report the number of beneficiaries served, and budgets must be complete, reasonable, and built on realistic cost estimates.
After initial scoring, shortlisted applicants may be contacted for an interview to clarify parts of the proposal and may need to accommodate a site visit. Final selections are presented to an internal review panel, and applicants who are not selected are notified. If awarded, the grant is formally issued and administered by a U.S. Government Grants Officer, and recipients must submit program and financial reports on the schedule specified in the award agreement. Funding disbursements are tied to timely reporting, so grantees should plan for ongoing documentation and compliance throughout the project period.
For questions or to request guidelines, the main contact is the Special Projects Office at grantsmaseru@state.gov, with an additional phone contact listed as +266 58853930. The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Lesotho, under Funding Opportunity Number DOS MSU SSH FY21 (CFDA 19.700), and it anticipated making up to 8 awards with a maximum request of USD 10,000 per project.Apply for DOS MSU SSH FY21
- The Department of State, U. S. Mission to Lesotho in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Ambassador's Special Self Help Fund" 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 Feb 09, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 30, 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 $10,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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U.S. Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund (SSH) - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the U.S. Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund (SSH)?
The U.S. Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund (SSH) is a small-grants program managed by the U.S. Embassy in Maseru (Special Projects Office). It supports practical, community-initiated projects in Lesotho that improve basic economic and social conditions at the grassroots level.
2) What kinds of projects does the SSH fund?
SSH focuses on tangible, community-driven projects that can be launched quickly and completed in a short period, with clear local ownership. The notice highlights projects tied to real needs in places like schools, clinics, cooperatives, associations, and other community groups.
3) What are examples of eligible activities?
Examples mentioned in the notice include:
- Building or improving classrooms
- Constructing ventilated pit latrines
- Developing community centers or health clinics
- Drilling boreholes to improve access to clean water
- Purchasing critical items such as school supplies or equipment, medical equipment, solar heating solutions, and agricultural kits
4) Who can apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants include schools, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), and faith-based organizations (FBOs), as long as they are supporting community-based initiatives.
5) Does the program require cost sharing or matching funds?
Yes. Applicants must contribute 10 percent in cost share, match, or cost participation. The notice states this can include contributions such as materials and/or labor.
6) What is the maximum amount that can be requested?
Applicants are generally expected to request no more than USD 10,000 per project. This is the award ceiling stated in the notice.
7) How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?
The opportunity anticipated making up to 8 awards, depending on proposal quality and the availability of funds.
8) Is funding guaranteed if an application is eligible?
No. Awards are subject to the availability of funds and the competitiveness of proposals. The Embassy also has broad discretion in the selection process, including the ability to reject any or all applications.
9) What discretion does the Embassy have during selection?
The notice explains that the Embassy may, at its discretion:
- Reject any or all applications
- Fund more than one proposal
- Select proposals that are not the lowest cost
- Negotiate with applicants for clarifications or changes to the project design or budget
10) What is the expected project timeline?
The anticipated project start date listed is September 2021. The performance period is 12 months, so proposals should be designed to be completed within one year.
11) What makes an application competitive under this program?
Based on the evaluation information provided, competitive proposals are expected to:
- Be clearly responsive to the funding notice
- Be original, innovative, and creative while still practical
- Show immediate, positive impact on a clearly identified community need
- Clearly identify who benefits, how many people benefit, and what support they receive
- Present a budget that is reasonable and aligns with beneficiaries and expected results
- Be realistic given the community's skills and resources
- Include measurable objectives, a clear timeline, and a credible implementation plan
- Explain sustainability (how benefits continue after funds are spent)
- Demonstrate accountability, including the ability to quantify and report beneficiaries
12) What happens after an application is submitted?
Applications are first reviewed for eligibility and then scored against evaluation criteria. Shortlisted applicants may be contacted for an interview to clarify parts of the proposal and may need to accommodate a site visit. Final selections are presented to an internal review panel, and applicants who are not selected are notified.
13) Can the Special Projects Office request additional documents?
Yes. The notice states that incomplete submissions or applications missing required documentation are rejected, and the Special Projects Office may request additional documents beyond what is listed in the notice.
14) What additional steps might be required before the final award is issued?
For selected proposals, the Embassy may require steps before issuing the final award, such as a pre-award site visit, written responses to review-panel conditions, revised application materials, bank account information, and other documents discussed during negotiations.
15) Are late or incomplete applications accepted?
No. The notice states that late applications, incomplete submissions, or applications missing required documentation are rejected.
16) When was the application period open?
Applications were accepted during the stated window of February 9, 2021 through April 30, 2021.
17) How could applications be submitted?
Submissions could be sent electronically or delivered/mailed to the U.S. Embassy Maseru Special Projects Office at 254 Kingsway, P.O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho.
18) How can applicants get the application guidelines?
Application guidelines are available upon request by email. The notice lists the contact email as grantsmaseru@state.gov.
19) Are there restrictions related to suspension or debarment?
Yes. Applicants must not be debarred or suspended. Any organization listed on the Excluded Parties List in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is not eligible to apply for or participate in activities funded under an award, consistent with federal debarment and suspension rules.
20) Who issues and administers the grant if awarded?
If awarded, the grant is formally issued and administered by a U.S. Government Grants Officer.
21) What reporting requirements apply to grantees?
Recipients must submit program and financial reports on the schedule specified in the award agreement. The notice also states that funding disbursements are tied to timely reporting, so recipients should plan for ongoing documentation and compliance during the project period.
22) What is the official funding opportunity identification?
The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Lesotho, under Funding Opportunity Number DOS MSU SSH FY21 (CFDA 19.700).
23) Who should be contacted with questions?
Questions and requests for guidelines should be directed to the Special Projects Office at grantsmaseru@state.gov. An additional phone contact listed is +266 58853930.
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