Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS ACC RSOI 2023 01
The U.S. Embassy in Ghana, through its Public Diplomacy Section (PAS) at the U.S. Department of State, is running a FY 2023 Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program and is inviting organizations and individuals to compete for funding by first submitting a Statement of Interest (SOI). This opportunity is designed to strengthen relationships between the United States and Ghana by supporting activities that spotlight shared values, common goals, and cooperation. A central requirement is that every proposed project must include a clear and meaningful American element. In practice, that means the program should feature a connection to American experts, U.S. organizations, or U.S. institutions in a way that is separate from any involvement of the Embassy itself or its American Corners. The main diplomatic aim is to increase understanding of American values, perspectives, and policies, specifically in areas that match the Embassy's priority themes.
The application process is intentionally set up as a two-step competition. First, applicants submit a concise concept note (the SOI), capped at three pages, explaining the proposed program idea and what it is meant to accomplish. PAS then conducts eligibility checks and reviews, including technical and merit review. Only the strongest SOIs are invited to move forward to the second step, where selected applicants are asked to develop and submit a full proposal. The timeline in the notice sets February 26, 2023 as the SOI deadline; March 31, 2023 for invitations to submit full proposals; April 30, 2023 for full proposal submission; and June 30, 2023 for final notifications. While the main deadline is firm, the Embassy notes that late SOIs may be reviewed later on a rolling basis only if funding remains available and the concept fits priority needs.
Projects supported under the program can take many forms as long as they clearly advance public diplomacy goals and include that American connection. The notice gives examples such as academic or professional speaker programs featuring an American speaker (either in person or virtual), artistic and cultural workshops or exhibitions that highlight American artists or American subject matter, initiatives led by U.S. government-sponsored exchange alumni that advance Embassy priorities, and roundtables, panels, workshops, or media training tied to U.S. policy priorities. The common thread across these examples is that they are not general development projects; they are engagement and exchange-style programs meant to build mutual understanding and durable people-to-people ties.
The Embassy highlights several priority program areas to guide applicants. One major theme is accountable governance, democratic strengthening, and human rights, including efforts that increase public-sector transparency and civic engagement, protect human rights, support anti-corruption initiatives, and strengthen the judicial sector. A second priority is protecting press freedom through professional development for journalists, media literacy for key audiences, and work that combats or exposes disinformation. A third theme focuses on engaging youth and marginalized communities to support peace and security, including countering violent extremism and gender-based violence, promoting social inclusion, and reducing discrimination in all forms. A fourth priority emphasizes opportunity and sustainable, inclusive economic growth, such as entrepreneurship support, environmental protection, alternative energy and climate mitigation, and expanding STEM learning opportunities. The list is described as illustrative rather than exhaustive, but proposals are expected to align clearly with these strategic directions.
Audience design and inclusion are treated as important parts of competitiveness. Programs may be targeted to different groups depending on the topic, but SOIs are evaluated in part on whether they present a thoughtful strategy for reaching the intended audience and whether the program is inclusive. The notice explicitly references inclusivity across gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, and disability, signaling that applicants should show how participation and benefits will reach diverse communities and not remain limited to narrow networks.
The grant funding details are relatively straightforward. The performance period can range from 6 to 18 months, and projects must be completed within 18 months or less. PAS anticipates making roughly 8 to 10 awards, depending on award sizes and available funds. Individual awards are expected to fall between $15,000 and $35,000, with total funding available up to $225,000. Funding is subject to availability, and the Embassy reserves the right to award more or less than the stated amounts depending on the quality of applications and what it determines is in the U.S. Government's interest. Awards may be issued as a Grant or a Fixed Amount Award, and all projects are subject to negotiation with the Grants Officer before final award. The anticipated start date is on or before July 31, 2023.
Eligibility is open to a range of U.S. and Ghanaian applicants, including registered non-profit organizations (such as think tanks and civil society organizations) with relevant programming experience, individuals, non-profit or governmental educational institutions, and governmental institutions. Applicants must be able to document experience implementing similar projects. For-profit businesses and commercial entities are not eligible. A key compliance requirement is that organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM.gov to be eligible for an award. Cost sharing is not required, but voluntary cost share or in-kind contributions are viewed positively during review. Another strict rule is that each individual or organization may submit only one application; submitting more than one causes all submissions from that organization to be deemed ineligible.
The notice also clearly lays out what will not be funded, which helps applicants avoid proposing ineligible activities. PAS will not support partisan political activity, charitable or general social welfare or development work, construction, programs that support specific religious activities, fundraising campaigns, lobbying for or against specific legislation or programs, scientific research, projects mainly intended to grow the applicant organization itself, or proposals that duplicate existing programs. In other words, applicants need to stay focused on public diplomacy objectives, avoid politically partisan or religious programming, and show the project is distinct, purposeful, and aligned with Embassy priorities.
For submission, applicants are directed to find the official RSOI materials on Grants.gov (search: DOS-ACC-RSOI-2023-01) or on the U.S. Embassy Ghana website page for public affairs small grants. SOIs must be submitted by email to PASAccraGrant@state.gov by 11:59 p.m. GMT on February 26, 2023, for full consideration under the main review cycle. The overall opportunity is listed under the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Ghana, with Funding Opportunity Number DOS ACC RSOI 2023 01, and an award ceiling of $35,000 per project.Apply for DOS ACC RSOI 2023 01
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Ghana in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Ghana Public Diplomacy Section Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 25, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 26, 2023. (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 $35,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FY 2023 U.S. Embassy Ghana (PAS) Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program - FAQs
1. What is this grant opportunity?
This is the U.S. Embassy in Ghana Public Diplomacy Section (PAS) FY 2023 Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. It invites organizations and individuals to compete for funding by first submitting a Statement of Interest (SOI). The program supports activities meant to strengthen relationships between the United States and Ghana by highlighting shared values, common goals, and cooperation.
2. What is the main purpose of the program?
The main diplomatic aim is to increase understanding of American values, perspectives, and policies in areas that match the Embassy's priority themes, using engagement and exchange-style programming that builds mutual understanding and people-to-people ties.
3. What does "public diplomacy" mean in this notice?
Based on the examples and restrictions in the notice, public diplomacy here means programs such as speaker engagements, workshops, panels, trainings, cultural programming, or alumni-led initiatives that connect Ghanaians and Americans and promote mutual understanding. It is not general development work, charity, or construction.
4. What is the required "American element" and how must it be shown?
Every proposed project must include a clear and meaningful American element. In practice, the project should feature a connection to American experts, U.S. organizations, or U.S. institutions. This American element must be separate from any involvement of the U.S. Embassy itself or its American Corners.
5. Can the Embassy or American Corners be the American element?
No. The notice specifies that the American connection must be separate from any involvement of the Embassy or its American Corners.
6. How does the application process work?
The competition is two-step. Step 1 is a Statement of Interest (SOI), described as a concise concept note capped at three pages. PAS conducts eligibility checks and review (including technical and merit review). Only selected SOIs are invited to Step 2, where applicants develop and submit a full proposal.
7. What is an SOI and how long can it be?
The SOI is a concept note that explains the proposed program idea and what it is meant to accomplish. It is capped at three pages.
8. What are the key deadlines in the notice?
- SOI deadline: February 26, 2023 (by 11:59 p.m. GMT for full consideration in the main cycle)
- Invitations to submit full proposals: March 31, 2023
- Full proposal deadline (for invited applicants): April 30, 2023
- Final notifications: June 30, 2023
9. Are late SOIs accepted?
The Embassy states that late SOIs may be reviewed later on a rolling basis only if funding remains available and the concept fits priority needs. The main deadline is described as firm for full consideration in the main review cycle.
10. When is the anticipated project start date?
The anticipated start date is on or before July 31, 2023.
11. How long can a project last?
The performance period can range from 6 to 18 months, and projects must be completed within 18 months or less.
12. How much funding is available per award?
Individual awards are expected to be between $15,000 and $35,000, with an award ceiling of $35,000 per project.
13. What is the total funding available under this opportunity?
Total funding available is up to $225,000, subject to availability.
14. How many awards does PAS expect to make?
PAS anticipates making roughly 8 to 10 awards, depending on award sizes and available funds.
15. Can the Embassy award more or less than the amounts listed?
Yes. The notice says the Embassy reserves the right to award more or less than the stated amounts depending on the quality of applications and what it determines is in the U.S. Government's interest.
16. What types of awards might be used?
Awards may be issued as a Grant or a Fixed Amount Award. All projects are subject to negotiation with the Grants Officer before final award.
17. Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is open to U.S. and Ghanaian applicants including registered non-profit organizations (including think tanks and civil society organizations) with relevant programming experience, individuals, non-profit or governmental educational institutions, and governmental institutions.
18. Are for-profit businesses eligible?
No. For-profit businesses and commercial entities are not eligible.
19. Do applicants need prior experience delivering similar projects?
Yes. Applicants must be able to document experience implementing similar projects.
20. Is SAM.gov registration required?
Yes. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active SAM.gov registration to be eligible for an award.
21. Is cost sharing required?
No. Cost sharing is not required, but voluntary cost share or in-kind contributions are viewed positively during review.
22. How many applications can one organization or individual submit?
Each individual or organization may submit only one application. Submitting more than one causes all submissions from that organization to be deemed ineligible.
23. What types of projects are encouraged?
The notice allows many formats as long as they advance public diplomacy goals and include a strong American connection. Examples listed include:
- Academic or professional speaker programs featuring an American speaker (in person or virtual)
- Artistic and cultural workshops or exhibitions highlighting American artists or American subject matter
- Initiatives led by U.S. government-sponsored exchange alumni that advance Embassy priorities
- Roundtables, panels, workshops, or media training tied to U.S. policy priorities
24. What are the Embassy's priority program areas?
The notice identifies priority themes applicants are expected to align with:
- Accountable governance, democratic strengthening, and human rights (transparency, civic engagement, human rights protection, anti-corruption, strengthening the judicial sector)
- Protecting press freedom (journalist professional development, media literacy, combating/exposing disinformation)
- Youth and marginalized communities for peace and security (countering violent extremism, addressing gender-based violence, promoting social inclusion, reducing discrimination)
- Opportunity and sustainable, inclusive economic growth (entrepreneurship, environmental protection, alternative energy and climate mitigation, expanding STEM learning)
The list is described as illustrative rather than exhaustive, but proposals are expected to align clearly with these strategic directions.
25. How important is audience strategy and inclusion?
Audience design and inclusion are treated as key competitiveness factors. SOIs are evaluated in part on whether they show a thoughtful strategy for reaching the intended audience and whether the program is inclusive.
26. What does the notice say about inclusivity?
The notice explicitly references inclusivity across gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, and disability. Applicants are expected to show how participation and benefits will reach diverse communities rather than narrow networks.
27. What activities will NOT be funded?
The notice lists several ineligible categories. PAS will not support:
- Partisan political activity
- Charitable work or general social welfare/development work
- Construction
- Programs that support specific religious activities
- Fundraising campaigns
- Lobbying for or against specific legislation or programs
- Scientific research
- Projects mainly intended to grow the applicant organization itself
- Proposals that duplicate existing programs
28. Where can applicants find the official materials?
The notice directs applicants to find the official RSOI materials on Grants.gov (search: DOS-ACC-RSOI-2023-01) or on the U.S. Embassy Ghana website page for public affairs small grants.
29. How do applicants submit the SOI?
SOIs must be submitted by email to PASAccraGrant@state.gov by 11:59 p.m. GMT on February 26, 2023, for full consideration under the main review cycle.
30. What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The opportunity is listed under the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Ghana, with Funding Opportunity Number DOS ACC RSOI 2023 01 (also referenced for Grants.gov search as DOS-ACC-RSOI-2023-01).
31. What is the maximum award amount ("award ceiling")?
The award ceiling is $35,000 per project.
32. What happens after an SOI is selected?
Applicants with the strongest SOIs are invited to develop and submit a full proposal in Step 2. Awards and project details are subject to negotiation with the Grants Officer prior to a final award.
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