U.S. Embassy Cotonou PDS Request for Statements of Interest: Notice of Funding Opportunity | PAS SGP FY24

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS SGP FY24

The U.S. Embassy in Cotonou, through its Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), is seeking Statements of Interest (SOIs) for programs that build stronger people-to-people ties between the United States and Benin. The focus is on cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and supports bilateral cooperation. This opportunity uses a two-step application process: first, applicants submit a short SOI concept note (1 to 2 pages, in English). After reviewing eligible SOIs, PDS will invite selected applicants to develop and submit a full proposal. The Embassy notes that it will not provide individualized feedback to non-selected applicants, but it will offer general feedback in a public presentation announced on the Embassy Facebook page.

Programs supported under this notice must include a clear American element, meaning they should incorporate U.S. culture and perspectives or connect meaningfully with American experts, organizations, or institutions in a relevant field. The goal is to promote greater understanding of U.S. policy and viewpoints while creating practical collaboration with Beninese communities. Examples of activities PDS commonly funds include lectures and speaker series, arts and cultural workshops and performances, cultural heritage preservation, professional or academic exchanges, and experiential civic learning programs such as Model UN or Model Government.

Applicants are expected to align proposals with one of four priority program objectives. The first priority, Vulnerable Groups Empowerment, supports activities that address poverty and vulnerability, strengthen resilience and social cohesion, and promote the rights of marginalized groups such as women and girls, religious and ethnic minorities, and other at-risk communities. It can also include capacity building to counter violent extremist organizations disinformation and recruitment. Target participants include youth and young adults engaged in their communities, religious leaders, and communities in northern Benin, with one to two awards anticipated and a maximum of $10,000 each. The second priority, Investigative Journalism, aims to strengthen journalism and free press in Benin by linking Beninese journalists with American journalists or media institutions, improving community radio practices for managing adversarial debate, and building skills and tools to counter myths and disinformation through verification. The main audiences are community radio outlets and mid-career journalists, with one to two awards anticipated and a maximum of $15,000 each.

The third priority area, U.S.-Benin Partnership, emphasizes public-facing activities featuring well-known American and/or Beninese artists, musicians, cultural figures, or influencers. These programs should increase awareness of longstanding U.S. support for trade and prosperity in Benin, and may connect to themes like healthier lifestyles and economic opportunity, including trade-related messaging such as AGOA linkages. Intended audiences include women entrepreneurs (including handicraft producers), youth and young adults who rely on social media or radio for information, and educated urban adults who may not be familiar with U.S. initiatives supporting Benin, with one to two awards anticipated and a maximum of $25,000 each. The fourth priority, Skills for Success, supports programs promoting STEM, American English learning, soft skills (resume writing, digital communication, financial literacy, public speaking, entrepreneurship), and digital literacy, drawing on both American and Beninese examples to help participants compete in the global economy. Applicants are strongly encouraged to partner with English Clubs, American Spaces, or U.S. exchange alumni. Target audiences include underemployed or unemployed youth nearing completion of school or recently graduated, female microentrepreneurs, and STEM students interested in improving English or potentially pursuing graduate study in the United States. This track anticipates one to three awards at up to $15,000 each.

Several program types are explicitly not eligible, including partisan political activities, for-profit projects, charitable or development assistance activities, construction, programs supporting specific religious activities, fundraising campaigns, lobbying, scientific research, projects primarily aimed at the applicant organization’s internal growth, or projects that duplicate existing programs. The legal authority for the funding is tied to the Smith-Mundt Act or the Fulbright-Hays Act, and funds come from FY2024 Public Diplomacy and/or Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs sources depending on the program type.

Funding details include an anticipated total funding pool of $145,000 (subject to availability), with individual awards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. The performance period is expected to be 6 to 12 months, and proposed programs should be completed within 12 months or less. Awards may be issued as grants, fixed amount awards, individual awards, or cooperative agreements. Cooperative agreements (and some fixed amount awards) can involve more direct Embassy participation in implementation, described as substantial involvement. Continuation funding beyond the initial period may be possible on a non-competitive basis if funds are available and performance is strong.

Eligibility is open to U.S. and Beninese registered non-profits (including think tanks and NGOs with relevant programming experience), individuals, non-profit or governmental educational institutions, and governmental institutions. A key rule is that each organization may submit only one SOI; submitting more than one will make all submissions from that organization ineligible. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active SAM.gov registration to receive an award, while individuals do not need a UEI or SAM registration.

SOIs are due by May 30, 2024, and must be submitted by email to CotonouPASGrants@state.gov. A grants committee made up of Embassy staff will review eligible submissions in June 2024, and applicants should expect a decision about whether they are invited to submit a full proposal within 30 days of the submission deadline. The SOI itself must be a Program Statement in Microsoft Word, not exceeding two pages, written in English, with budgets shown in U.S. dollars, pages numbered, and formatted to 8.5 x 11 paper. Word documents should be single-spaced, in 12-point Calibri, with at least 1-inch margins. The two-page statement must include a table listing the organization name, target countries, the amount requested from PDS Cotonou, any cost share, total program amount, and program length. It must also provide a brief program synopsis explaining intended impact, stakeholder engagement, and the American element; a concise objectives-and-activities breakdown with expected results tied to each objective; and a short description of the applicant’s qualifications and capacity to manage a U.S. government award.

SOIs are evaluated on the quality and need for the program idea, the practicality of planning (including a timeline with dates, times, and locations), the applicant’s ability and institutional capacity to deliver results, and clear attention to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, particularly plans to recruit and fully include participants from historically underserved communities and/or incorporate underserved perspectives from the United States.

• The U.S. Mission to Benin in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Cotonou PDS Request for Statements of Interest: Notice of Funding Opportunity" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.022, 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-04-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-30. (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 9 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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