U.S. Embassy Abuja Public Affairs Section Offers Grants for U.S.-Nigeria Cultural and Bilateral Cooperation Programs

• Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience
• Individuals
• Non-profit or governmental educational institutions
• Governmental institutions

For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.

Cost sharing is not required (but desirable).

Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding.

In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet, as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for information on how to obtain these registrations. Individuals are not required to have a DUNS number or be registered in SAM.gov.

The U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section in Abuja is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below.

Purpose of Small Grants: PAS Abuja invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Nigeria through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

Examples of PAS Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to:

• Academic and professional lectures, seminars

• Exchanges and speaker programs

• Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances and exhibitions, media events

• Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs

• Training and empowerment programs

• Leadership, youth and sports programs

• Programs that advance peace, security and national unity

PAS will prioritize grant program proposals that:

• Promote Nigeria’s democratic governance, unity and stability, such as 

o Active citizenship, grassroot mobilization at state and local levels

o Youth political activism

o Transparency and accountability

o Civil society engagement and capacity building

o Media resources and verification techniques

• Strengthen human capital to promote inclusive economic growth and development, such as

o Empowerment programs

o Mentorship series 

o STEM education

• Protect against security threats and foster peace and stability, such as 

o Countering violent extremist narratives and misinformation

o Mitigate rural violence

o Support for community interventions

o Interfaith and intercommunal conflict resolution

o Peace through sports

• Improve and expand English language learning, and studying in U.S. institutions, such as

o Curriculum development

o Teacher training

o Educational exchanges

• Support Nigeria’s response to the COVID19 pandemic, such as

o Awareness campaign

o Media messaging

o Gender based violence awareness, prevention and response

This funding opportunity focuses on programs for northern Nigeria and its audiences. 

The following types of programs are not eligible for funding: 

• Programs relating to partisan political activity;

• Charitable or social welfare projects;

• Tuition support

• Individual travel to conferences

• Construction programs;

• Programs that support specific religious activities;

• Fund-raising campaigns;

• Lobbying for specific legislation or programs

• Scientific research;

• Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; or

• Programs that duplicate existing programs.

Authorizing statutes for the funding opportunity are: 

1) Fulbright-Hays Act, which allows the Department of State to use funds for the purpose of supporting international exchanges that address issues of mutual interest to the United States and host nations: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/iegps/fulbrighthaysact.pdf 

2) Smith-Mundt Act that outlines the terms by which the U.S. government engages global audiences: http://www.state.gov/pdcommission/library/177362.htm