U.S. Embassy Ghana: University Partnership Initiative Grant for Strengthening U.S.-Ghanaian University Collaborations

The Public Diplomacy Section of U.S. Embassy Ghana is seeking proposals to carry out a program focused on strengthening existing ties and fostering new collaborations between U.S. and Ghanaian universities. Project activities must take place in Ghana and the United States and be directed primarily at Ghanaian audiences/participants. Proposals should address how relationships between institutions will be sustained after U.S. government-funded efforts are concluded and may include an exchange element. 

Focus areas:

Facilitate joint research, institutional capacity, or innovation, especially in renewable energy, environmental science, agriculture, food security, and STEM

Provide training, knowledge exchange, and professional development in all aspects of institutional and academic advancement through subject matter exchange programs, reciprocal visits, seminars, mentoring, or other shared in-person or virtual exchanges.

Create public-private partnerships, with an emphasis on commercialization, technology

transfer, and job creation.

Promote U.S.-Ghana student and faculty exchanges, including in-person and virtual exchange opportunities

Participants and Audiences:

University faculty, staff, administration, and students 

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: 12 to 18 months

Number of awards anticipated: 1-2 awards (dependent on amounts)

Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $200,000

Total available funding: $200,000

Type of Funding: FY23 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds

Anticipated program start date: September 15, 2023

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Funding Instrument Type: Grant

Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 18 months or less.

All projects must begin before September 30, 2023. This does not mean that the activity must be completed before September 30, 2023, but preparation for the activity must begin before that date. We recommend submitting your proposal early to allow time to address any difficulties that may arise. Please include the title of this Funding Opportunity (University Partnerships Initiative) as the subject line of your email.

Email: PASAccraGrant@state.gov

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

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

Individuals including U.S. government alumni from academic programs

Public tertiary educational institutions

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

Cost Sharing or Matching: Projects that include cost-sharing from the applicant or third-party funders will be given positive consideration in the selection process to break ties among applications with equivalent scores. Proposals should explain clearly other sources of funding or in-kind participation.

Other Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Proposals should be submitted via email to the Public Diplomacy Section using the following email address: PASAccraGrant@state.gov.

Please see full announcement for additional information and exemptions – Grants – U.S. Embassy in Ghana (usembassy.gov)

Submission Dates and Times

Applications are due no later than April 21, 2023 11:59pm

Funding Restrictions:

• Fees and travel costs to attend conferences in the United States

• Organizational start-up costs

• Ongoing salaries, operating costs or capital improvements

• Office equipment

• Paying to complete activities begun with other funds

• Projects of a commercial or profit-making nature

• Projects that are inherently political in nature or that contain the appearance of partisanship or support to individual or single party electoral campaigns

• Projects that support specific religious activities

• Fundraising campaigns

• Academic or analytical research (if not part of a larger project)

• Construction projects

• Vehicles

• Scholarships

• Projects whose primary aim is the institutional development of the organization itself

• Solicitations, or any fees for news coverage

• Representational expenses, such as receptions (Exceptions: expenses for coffee breaks and working lunches can be funded; alcohol, however, cannot)

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Proposal Evaluation Criteria:

Quality and Feasibility of Program Idea – The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out to reach the intended audience. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline and directly relevant to achieving the strategic goals noted above.

Goals and Objectives – The project addresses one or more of the strategic goals outlined above and is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.

Support for Equity and Underserved Communities – The proposal should clearly describe how the applicant will execute the program within the proposed time frame and articulate an innovative strategy or plan that reflects geographic diversity and gender equality will be more favorably evaluated. Proposals that establish practices or systems to be inclusive of persons from underrepresented groups including women, persons from rural communities or with disabilities will also be weighted more favorably.

Organizational Capacity – The individual or organization applying for the grant has expertise in one or more of the areas falling under the Embassy’s strategic goals and demonstrates the ability to perform the proposed activities.

Sustainability – The applicant demonstrates a clear plan for sustainable activity or impact of the activity after the grant period of performance.

Budget and Budget Justification – The budget and narrative justification are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities. The budget does not include funding for non-allowable activities. Proposals that include cost-sharing (please describe whether funding or in-kind) with the applicant or third-parties will be viewed more favorably.

Publicity/Media Plan – The applicant should include a plan to amplify the impact of the program on specific audiences.

Monitoring and Evaluation – The applicant should outline how specifically the grant will be monitored and evaluated for its overall effectiveness and impact, with specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely indicators, whenever possible.

Review and Selection Process

A review committee will evaluate all eligible applications.

Preference will also be given to proposals that involve alumni of U.S. government exchange programs (e.g., YALI Mandela Washington Fellows, YALI Regional Leadership Center, Fulbright, International Visitor Leadership Program, etc.).

Award Administration

The grant award shall be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer (GO). The GO is the U.S. government official delegated the authority by the U.S. Department of State Procurement Executive to write, award, and administer grants. The GO is assisted by the Grants Officer Representative (GOR), who works with the GO to make sure that all assistance awards are administered correctly. The GOR may be the primary point of contact for grantees. The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document and it will be provided to the recipient for review and signature by email. The recipient may only start incurring program expenses beginning on the start date shown on the grant award document signed by the Grants Officer.

If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State.

Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the U.S. government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received.

Organizations whose proposals will not be funded will be notified in writing.

Reporting Requirements:

All awards issued under this announcement will require both program and financial reports on a frequency specified in the award agreement. The disbursement of funds may be tied to submission of these reports in a timely manner. All other details related to award administration will be specified in the award agreement.

OTHER INFORMATION – please see U.S. Embassy Website for Full NOFO – https://bit.ly/UPINOFO