Investing in the Liberated Universities of Ninewa | DOS BAGHDAD PD 2018 009

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS BAGHDAD PD 2018 009

The grant opportunity "Investing in the Liberated Universities of Ninewa" (Funding Opportunity Number: DOS BAGHDAD PD 2018 009) is a U.S. Department of State initiative run through the U.S. Mission to Iraq, specifically the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Its purpose is to help restore and revitalize three higher education institutions in northern Iraq that were heavily affected by conflict: the University of Mosul, the University of Ninewa, and the University of Hamdaniya. The opportunity is framed as part of the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA), which identifies education, academic exchanges, and research collaboration as major areas of cooperation. In practical terms, the program is meant to support recovery and long-term stability in communities around Mosul and the Ninewah Plain, where minority groups suffered extreme violence and genocide and where universities need help re-establishing basic operations and rebuilding their ability to serve students.

The Embassy is seeking a single project that lasts two years and focuses on strengthening the capacity of these universities to deliver both educational and economic opportunities to affected populations. The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. government expects to have substantial involvement in how the project is carried out, rather than simply providing funds with minimal oversight. The program sits in the education funding activity category (CFDA 19.021) and is designed to contribute to human and technical capacity building inside Iraq, support the next generation of leaders, and help Iraqi universities reconnect with and integrate into the broader international academic community.

Funding is significant, with an award ceiling of up to $15,000,000 and an expectation of one award in total, suggesting a large, centralized implementation approach rather than multiple smaller grants. Eligible applicants are limited to nonprofit organizations that hold IRS 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education as direct applicants. In other words, a U.S.-based nonprofit would typically apply and then work in partnership with the Iraqi universities and other stakeholders to deliver the activities described in the proposal.

Programmatically, proposals are expected to begin with a structured needs assessment in coordination with each of the three universities. This assessment is intended to guide the rest of the intervention, ensuring the project targets the most urgent gaps in operations, academic capacity, and student services. From there, the Embassy is looking for concrete capacity-building programs that strengthen institutional performance, teaching and learning quality, and the universities' ability to operate effectively after conflict. A major emphasis is placed on building linkages with American universities, not as a symbolic partnership but as a functional relationship that supports curriculum development, faculty collaboration, and exposure to international academic standards and practices.

The opportunity also emphasizes aligning academic offerings with Iraq's labor market and economic needs. Competitive proposals would be expected to outline how curricula will be updated or developed so students graduate with skills that translate into real employment and economic contribution, which is especially important in areas recovering from conflict and displacement. Alongside curriculum and program improvements, the grant explicitly allows for the purchase of related equipment and educational materials, indicating the program can support tangible inputs needed for instruction, labs, classrooms, or other learning environments, as long as these purchases clearly support the educational objectives.

Faculty exchange is another core component. Applicants are expected to design exchange programs that enable Iraqi faculty to collaborate with counterparts at American partner universities, strengthening professional networks, teaching methods, research collaboration, and information sharing. Finally, the grant calls for development of English language education, reflecting a practical goal of improving students' and faculty members' access to global research, international collaboration, and academic mobility. Overall, the opportunity is built to combine short-term restoration support with longer-term institutional strengthening, using partnerships and exchanges to help these universities re-establish themselves as stable, credible centers of learning in a region working to recover from severe trauma and disruption.

Key administrative details from the posting include the opportunity title "Investing in the Liberated Universities of Ninewa," creation date of August 6, 2018, and an original closing date of September 7, 2018. The awarding agency is the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Iraq, and the funding instrument is a mandatory cooperative agreement with a maximum award amount of $15 million over the two-year project period.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Iraq in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Investing in the Liberated Universities of Ninewa" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.021.
• This funding opportunity was created on Aug 06, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 07, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $15,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for DOS BAGHDAD PD 2018 009

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