The U.S. Embassy Nouakchott Public Affairs Section is offering a grant to strengthen cultural ties and promote bilateral cooperation between the U.S. and Mauritania.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Embassy Nouakchott Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State announces a Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI) from organizations interested in applying for funding for program proposals that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Mauritania through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. PAS invites organizations interested in potential funding to submit Statement of Interest (SOI) applications outlining program concepts that reflect this goal. Please carefully follow all instructions below.

The submission of an SOI is the first step in a two-part process. Applicants must first submit the SOI, which is a concise, 2-3–page concept note designed to clearly communicate a program idea and its objectives before the development of a full proposal application. The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants the opportunity to submit program ideas for PAS to evaluate prior to requiring the development of full proposal applications. Upon review of eligible SOIs, PAS will invite selected applicants to expand their ideas into full proposal applications.

Purpose: PAS Nouakchott invites SOIs for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Mauritania through cultural 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-funded programs include, but are not limited to:

·        U.S. experts conducting lectures, seminars, or speaking tours

·        Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions

·        Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs

·        Professional and academic exchanges and programs

·        Libraries, community centers, or other institutions that are interested in becoming an American Space

·        Programs developed by an alumnus/a of a U.S. sponsored or supported educational or professional exchange program

·        Projects to promote English language teaching skills or widen access to books and other sources of information about the United States

Priority Program Areas:

Proposals should be related to one or more of the following U.S. Embassy priority program areas:

1. Strengthened Security for Americans and Mauritanians

Example projects under this program area could focus on:

·        Crime and safety awareness

·        Countering Violent Extremism

1. Increased Opportunity and Reduced Poverty

Example projects under this program area could focus on:

·                Entrepreneurship

·                Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM)

·                Environmental protection

1. Promoting an Inclusive Society

Example projects under this program area could focus on:

·                       Promoting social inclusion

·                       Reducing discrimination in all its forms

·                       Advocacy for inclusive national identity

·                       Cross-Cultural dialogue and understanding

·                       Human rights

·                       Cultural and ethnic diversity 

Participants and Audiences:

The intended target audiences should be culturally and ethnically diverse communities, in particular youth and women within those communities.

The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:

·                             Programs relating to partisan political activity;

·                             Charitable or development activities;

·                             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;

·                             Programs that are not Mauritania-specific;

·                             Programs submitted on behalf of individuals; or

·                             Programs that duplicate existing programs.

Anticipated programs start date: June 2022

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

1.     Eligible Applicants

The Public Affairs Section encourages applications from U.S. and Mauritania, including:

·        Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience

·        Non-profit or governmental educational institutions

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

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

The U.S. Embassy Nouakchott Public Affairs Section will accept proposals until March 4, 2022 at 12:00 noon UTC/GMT. A grants committee including U.S. Embassy employees will review eligible applications. The review and selection process may take up to six weeks from the deadline of the proposal submission. All application materials must be submitted by email to PASNouakchott@state.gov.

Content of Application

Please ensure:

• The SOI clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity
• All documents are in English

·        All budgets are in U.S. dollars

·        All pages are numbered

·        All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper, and

• All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.