U.S. Embassy Nouakchott, PAS Request for Statements of Interest: Annual Program Statement | PASNOUAKCHOTT FY2022

Opportunity Information: Apply for PASNOUAKCHOTT FY2022

The U.S. Embassy Nouakchott Public Affairs Section (PAS), part of the U.S. Department of State, is seeking Statements of Interest (SOIs) for its FY2022 Annual Program Statement (Funding Opportunity Number: PASNOUAKCHOTT FY2022; CFDA 19.040). The core aim is to fund cultural and exchange programs that strengthen ties between the United States and Mauritania by highlighting shared values and encouraging practical bilateral cooperation. This opportunity is structured as a two-step process: organizations first submit a short SOI (a 2 to 3 page concept note) that clearly lays out the program idea and objectives, and only applicants with selected SOIs will be invited to develop and submit a full proposal. The approach is meant to reduce the burden on applicants by allowing PAS to assess ideas early before requiring a full application package.

Programs must directly relate to Mauritania and must include a clear American element. That American connection can take several forms, such as incorporating U.S. cultural content, partnering with American experts, or working with U.S. organizations or institutions in a relevant field. A key expectation is that the project will promote better understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives while still being grounded in cultural and people-to-people engagement. PAS notes that previously funded activities can include U.S. experts leading lectures, seminars, or speaking tours; artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions; cultural heritage conservation and preservation efforts; professional and academic exchanges; support for libraries or community centers interested in developing into an American Space; alumni-driven programming led by graduates of U.S.-supported exchanges; and projects that build English language teaching skills or broaden access to books and other U.S.-related informational resources.

Applicants are encouraged to align proposals with one or more of the Embassy's priority program areas. The first is strengthened security for Americans and Mauritanians, with illustrative topics like crime and safety awareness and countering violent extremism. The second is increased opportunity and reduced poverty, where example project themes include entrepreneurship, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math), and environmental protection. The third is promoting an inclusive society, which may involve promoting social inclusion, reducing discrimination in all forms, advocating for an inclusive national identity, facilitating cross-cultural dialogue and understanding, supporting human rights, and celebrating cultural and ethnic diversity. Across these themes, PAS emphasizes reaching culturally and ethnically diverse communities, with particular attention to youth and women within those communities.

Certain activities are explicitly not eligible for funding under this announcement. The Embassy will not fund partisan political activity; charitable or general development assistance; construction; programs that support specific religious activities; fundraising campaigns; lobbying for particular legislation or government programs; scientific research; projects primarily intended to grow or build the applicant organization itself rather than deliver public programming; projects that are not Mauritania-specific; applications submitted on behalf of individuals; or proposals that duplicate existing programs. The anticipated start date for supported programs is June 2022, indicating that applicants should be prepared to move from planning to implementation relatively quickly after selection.

Eligible applicants include U.S. and Mauritanian registered nonprofit organizations (including think tanks and civil society or nongovernmental organizations with relevant programming experience) as well as nonprofit or governmental educational institutions. The listing also references nonprofit entities with or without U.S. 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), but the general rule is that applicants must be nonprofit; for-profit and commercial entities are not eligible to apply.

Key logistical details include an award ceiling of $20,000 per award and an expectation of about 10 awards. SOIs and required materials had to be submitted by email to PASNouakchott@state.gov by March 4, 2022 at 12:00 noon UTC/GMT, with a grants committee (including Embassy employees) reviewing submissions. The review and selection process was expected to take up to six weeks after the deadline. Submission requirements stress that the SOI must clearly address the opportunity's goals and objectives, all documents must be in English, budgets must be in U.S. dollars, pages should be numbered, and documents should be formatted for 8.5 x 11 paper. Microsoft Word documents are required to be single-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman, with at least 1-inch margins.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Mauritania in the education, employment, labor and training sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Nouakchott, PAS Request for Statements of Interest: Annual Program Statement" 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 18, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 04, 2022. (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 $20,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for PASNOUAKCHOTT FY2022

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