U.S. Embassy Abuja PAS is offering this grant to strengthen U.S.-Nigeria ties through public diplomacy programs.

1. Eligible Applicants

The Public Affairs Section encourages applications from U.S. and Nigerian:
• 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.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost-sharing is not required.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements

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.

Note: Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS): Organization registrations prior to April 2022 require applicants to obtain a DUNS prior to registering in SAM. By April 2022, the federal government will stop using the DUNS number as an entity identifier and will transition to the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued by SAM. Beginning in April 2022, overseas organizations should apply for an NCAGE code and then go to SAM.gov to complete their registration, a UEI will be generated as part of the SAM.gov registration process.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Embassy 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 ties between the U.S. and Nigeria through cultural, information 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

• Initiatives that support democratic values such as freedom of the press

• Programs that advance peace, security and national unity

Priority Program Areas:

PAS will prioritize grant program proposals that:

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

o Citizen involvement at state and local levels, including state elections

o Youth political activism

o Transparency and accountability in election administration, vote counting, and public sector accountability at the level of elected state legislative officials

o Civil society engagement and capacity building

o Media resources and verification techniques and election reporting best practices

o Strengthening democratic practices and institutions drawing on the U.S. experience

• Strengthen human capital to promote inclusive economic growth and development through programs, in cooperation with American Spaces Nigeria, such as:

o Empowerment programs to teach digital skills and green entrepreneurship

o Mentorship series to increase employability and professional literacy

o STEM education benefiting schoolgirls from marginalized communities

o Leadership and peacebuilding through sports

o In-person and virtual study through U.S. institutions of higher learning

o Improve and expand English language learning through curriculum development and teacher training

o Community service and public awareness campaigns about climate change

• Support Nigeria’s response to the COVID19 pandemic and other infectious diseases via:

o Awareness campaigns

o Media messaging

o Sexual and Gender Based Violence awareness, prevention, and response

• Promote the preservation, restoration, and protection of Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage sites, objects, and traditions through:

o Training and capacity-building for local professionals

o Educational and cultural exchange for curators and art conservators

o Campaigns to improve public awareness 

• Nurture networks of U.S. exchange program alumni among Nigerian citizens regarding priority program themes. through public observance of key dates on U.S. Mission programming calendar, including: 

o June 5: World Environment Day 

o July 18: Nelson Mandela Day 

o July 30: World Day against Trafficking in Person 

o Aug 12: International Youth Day 

o Sept 15: International Day of Democracy 

o Oct 27: International Religious Freedom Day 

o Nov 21: Global Entrepreneurship week 

o Nov 27: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 

o Dec 3: International Day for Persons Living with Disabilities 

o Dec 10: International Human Rights Day

Participants and Audiences:

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 legislation, type and year of funding:

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