U.S. Department of State’s Africa Regional Services: Grant for Guest Speaker Outreach in Sub-Saharan Africa

Africa Regional Services based in Paris (ARS) of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs announces an open competition for U.S. citizen individuals to submit a statement of interest (SOI) to be considered for a small grant as a guest speaker, artist, STEAM expert, or athlete/coach to conduct outreach activities that enhance the understanding of the United States in sub–Saharan Africa. ARS Speakers generally give professional lectures, seminars, as well as artistic and cultural workshops and masterclasses or conduct athletic camps and trainings. Please carefully follow all instructions below.

The submission of the SOI is the first step in a two-step process. Applicants must first submit a concise one-page statement of interest, in English, designed to clearly communicate their area of expertise, credentials, and foreign language ability and attach a CV or resume. The SOI should include a description of the speaker’s presentation style, preferred audience, topics covered with a short outline, testimonials/brief endorsement, previous experience as a speaker and links to videos of presentation (if available). 

The purpose of the SOI is to allow applicants to submit their credentials for consideration of inclusion on ARS’ roster of available speakers who will collaborate with U.S. embassies and consulates in sub-Saharan Africa to reach target audiences.

The second step begins once a merit review of eligible SOIs, selected applicants, are interviewed. Following the interview with the speaker team, successful applicants will be added to the roster. Successful applicants added to the roster will be contacted by the speaker team when a speaker request by an Africa-based U.S. embassy for a specific program match the applicant’s skills.

Objectives

Africa Regional Services is pleased to announce that funding is available for virtual, and in-person programs when health and safety conditions allow. This is a Statement of Interest outlining our priorities, themes, and the procedures for submitting your candidacy as a U.S. speaker.

Programs must be led in French, Portuguese, Spanish or English. Speakers and artists demonstrate cultural cooperation between the U.S. and sub-Sahara Africa and indicate the strong transatlantic relationship of our people.

Priority Program Areas

1.    Foster Openness and Open Societies

·      Good Governance/Rule of Law/Transparency and Accountability

·      Journalism Skills and World Press Freedom News, and Media Business Management

·      Freedom of Expression/Citizen Journalism

·      NGO/Civic Leadership, Public Management

·      Youth Empowerment

·      Women’s Leadership

·      Disability Rights, Awareness and Inclusion

·      Racial and Ethnic Diversity and Inclusion

2.    Deliver Democratic and Security Dividends

·      Preventing International Trafficking in Persons

·      Human Rights, LGBTQI+

·      Countering Gender Based Violence

·      Countering Disinformation

·      Cybersecurity

·      Countering Violent Extremism

3.    Advance Pandemic Recovery and Economic Opportunity

·      Health

·      Food Safety

·      Entrepreneurship and Innovation

·      Arts Entrepreneurship, Management

·      STEAM (science technology engineering arts and math)

4.    Support Conservation, Climate Adaption, and Just Energy Transition

·      Climate Change, Environment and Waste Management

·      Energy Security

·      Wildlife Protection/Illegal fishing/Judicial Aspects of Wildlife Trafficking

·      Space Policy

Participants and Audiences

ARS in coordination with U.S. embassy public affairs sections in sub-Sahara Africa seek to

engage the public, decision-makers, civil society leaders, and opinion-shapers at all levels of

society with the goal of broadening support for, and understanding of U.S. policies, culture,

history, society, and values.

1. Eligible Applicants

• American citizen individuals who can lead programs within their area of expertise in French, Portuguese, English or Spanish based in the U.S., Africa, Brazil and Europe

• Proof of citizenship by U.S. passport; U.S. green card holders if part of a performing artist group

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

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing is not required.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants may submit one SOI.

• Individuals are required to have a Social Security Number in order to comply with Internal Revenue Services reporting requirements.

Applicants should email their SOI and CV or resume to arsspeaker@state.gov

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Criteria

 Each SOI will be evaluated on a rolling basis and rated on level of subject matter expertise of the applicant, prior experience as a speaker or trainer, and language ability.

Applicants must first submit a concise one-page statement of interest, in English, designed to clearly communicate their area of expertise, experience, credentials, and language ability. The SOI should include a description of the speaker’s presentation style, preferred audience, topics covered with a short outline, testimonials/brief endorsement, and links to videos of presentation (if available). Applicants must also attach a CV or resume.

2. Review and Selection Process

A Grants Review Committee will evaluate all eligible SOIs. All eligible SOIs will be reviewed on a monthly basis. SOIs are reviewed individually against the criteria and not against competing SOIs. Selected applicants will be contacted for an interview.

3. Following the interview with the speaker team, successful applicants will be added to the roster. Successful applicants added to the roster will be contacted by the speaker team when a speaker request by an Africa-based U.S. embassy for a specific program match the applicant’s skills.

FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

Terms and Conditions: Before submitting the SOI, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply if a full proposal application is requested and awarded, to ensure that they will be able to comply. These include: 2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 600, and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions which are available at: https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-the-procurement-executive/.

FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

If you have any questions about the SOI application process, please contact: arsspeaker@state.gov