Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0016638
Supporting the Adoption of Mercury-Free Processing in Africa's Sahel (Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0016638) is a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of State through the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES). The opportunity is designed to support practical, on-the-ground programming that accelerates the shift away from mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in the Sahel region, with the work specifically centered on Cote d'Ivoire. At its core, the project is meant to advance implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury by helping reduce (and ultimately eliminate, where feasible) mercury reliance in small-scale gold processing, which is a major source of environmental contamination and human exposure in many mining communities.
The main program concept focuses on enabling miners to adopt mercury-free processing technologies, not just by introducing equipment, but by building the conditions that make adoption realistic and sustainable. A key element described in the notice is the development of mine site plans. These plans are intended to guide tailored interventions at specific sites, meaning applicants should expect to do site-level assessments and then translate findings into practical roadmaps for change. The plans are positioned as a bridge between the current informal mining reality and a more formalized, safer, and environmentally responsible approach, including steps that help miners access both mercury-free processing options and the formal financial sector. In practice, that implies activities like identifying financing barriers, structuring pathways to credit or banking services, and designing interventions that make it easier for miners or mining groups to pay for, maintain, and consistently use mercury-free alternatives.
The grant has an award ceiling of $300,000, and the agency expects to make one award. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is listed as environment (CFDA 19.017). The opportunity was created on 2024-06-11, with an original application closing date of 2024-07-24. Because only one award is expected, the competition is likely to favor applicants that can clearly present a focused plan, credible partnerships in Cote d'Ivoire, and a realistic approach to overcoming the financial and operational hurdles that often prevent mercury-free technologies from being adopted long-term.
Eligibility is relatively broad and includes U.S.-based nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), foreign-based nonprofits/NGOs, public international organizations, foreign public organizations, and U.S. for-profit organizations or businesses. That wide eligibility suggests OES is open to implementers ranging from traditional environmental NGOs to technical organizations with mining or processing expertise, as well as private-sector entities that can deliver technology deployment or finance-related solutions, provided they can meet the program goals and U.S. government grant requirements.
In summary, this opportunity funds a single, targeted project in Cote d'Ivoire aimed at reducing mercury use in ASGM by pairing mercury-free processing solutions with site-specific planning and practical access to formal finance. The emphasis is not only on environmental results, but also on enabling conditions like planning, financing pathways, and adoption support that can make mercury-free processing stick beyond the life of the grant.Apply for DFOP0016638
- The Bureau of Oceans - Int. Environmental - Scientific in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Supporting the Adoption of Mercury-Free Processing in Africa’s Sahel" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.017.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-06-11.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-07-24. (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 $300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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