U.S. Embassy Nouakchott Public Diplomacy Section: Annual Program Statement | APS FY 23

Opportunity Information: Apply for APS FY 23

The U.S. Embassy in Nouakchott (Public Diplomacy Section, or PDS) released this Annual Program Statement to fund projects that deepen ties between the United States and Mauritania through cultural, educational, and exchange-focused programming. The overall aim is public diplomacy: activities that build mutual understanding, highlight shared values, and support practical cooperation between the two countries. Proposals are expected to be Mauritania-specific and to produce clear, measurable outcomes for defined local audiences.

Funding is offered under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 19.040, Public Diplomacy Programs, using instruments such as grants or cooperative agreements. The Embassy anticipates a total funding pool of about $300,000 and expects to make around five awards. Individual awards must fall between $30,000 (minimum) and $150,000 (maximum). Any request above $150,000 will not be considered. While the APS notes that applications may be accepted on a rolling basis, it also sets a firm submission deadline of March 24, 2023 at 12:00 noon UTC/GMT, and indicates that the review process may take up to roughly six weeks after the deadline. Availability of funding ultimately determines what can be supported.

Programmatically, the Embassy is looking for strong people-to-people initiatives that connect Mauritanians with American ideas, expertise, and institutions. A core requirement is that every project include a meaningful American component, such as an American cultural element or direct engagement with U.S. experts, U.S. organizations, or U.S. institutions in the relevant field. The expectation is that this U.S. connection will help participants better understand U.S. policy and perspectives in addition to building professional or cultural relationships.

The APS gives a wide range of illustrative activities that have been funded in the past or would fit the intent of the program. These include bringing U.S. experts to deliver lectures, seminars, or speaking tours; running artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, or exhibitions; supporting cultural heritage conservation and preservation efforts; organizing professional and academic exchanges; developing libraries or community centers interested in becoming an American Space; implementing projects designed by alumni of U.S.-sponsored exchanges; and initiatives that strengthen English language teaching or expand access to books and reliable information about the United States. These examples are not exhaustive, but they reflect the Embassy's preference for practical, engagement-driven projects with visible community impact.

Applicants are encouraged to align proposals with one or more Embassy priority program areas. The first is Strengthened Security for Americans and Mauritanians, with example themes such as crime and safety awareness and Countering Violent Extremism. The second is Increased Opportunity and Reduced Poverty, including entrepreneurship, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), and environmental protection. The third is Promoting an Inclusive Society, which can include social inclusion, reducing discrimination in all forms, advocating for an inclusive national identity, cross-cultural dialogue and understanding, human rights, and promoting cultural and ethnic diversity. Across these areas, the Embassy emphasizes audiences that are often central to public diplomacy impact: youth, women, culturally and ethnically diverse communities, and marginalized groups.

The statement is also explicit about what it will not fund. Ineligible activities include partisan political programs, charitable or development activities, construction, programs that support specific religious activities, fundraising campaigns, lobbying for specific legislation or programs, and scientific research. The Embassy also will not fund projects primarily meant to grow the applicant organization itself (institutional development), projects that are not focused on Mauritania, proposals submitted on behalf of individuals, projects that duplicate existing programs, or any activities that fall outside the public diplomacy purpose described in the announcement.

Eligibility is aimed at established organizations with relevant experience, particularly registered nonprofit organizations (including think tanks and civil society or nongovernmental organizations) and educational institutions. The APS also indicates that applicants may come from the United States or Mauritania. For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply. Cost sharing is not required, but if an applicant voluntarily proposes cost share, the applicant is expected to provide the promised contribution as part of the award commitment. A critical rule is that each organization may submit only one proposal; submitting multiple proposals from the same organization makes all of them ineligible.

Application requirements are fairly specific and are designed to standardize review. Applicants must submit a full proposal in English as a Microsoft Word document, typically 8 to 12 pages, formatted single-spaced in 12-point Times New Roman with at least 1-inch margins. Budgets must be in U.S. dollars. Proposals should clearly present the project description with goals, objectives, intended outcomes, performance indicators, beneficiaries, and a proposed timeline. The Embassy also expects a clear statement demonstrating organizational capacity, including the ability to implement the project and manage U.S. Government funds responsibly. The program statement should include the organization name; target country or countries (with the clear expectation of Mauritania relevance); the funding amount requested from PDS; any cost share amount; the total program budget; and the proposed program length. Applicants should also provide a concise synopsis explaining expected impact and stakeholder engagement, as well as a clear mapping of objectives to activities and expected results.

All materials are submitted by email to PASNouakchott@state.gov and are reviewed by a grant committee composed of U.S. Embassy staff. Selected applicants may be contacted afterward to proceed with award procedures, suggesting that the initial submission must be complete and compliant because noncompliant proposals can be ruled ineligible before they ever reach a substantive program review.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Mauritania in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), education, employment, labor and training, energy, environment, health, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda), information and statistics, law, justice and legal services, science and technology and other research and development, transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Nouakchott Public Diplomacy Section: 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, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 24, 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 $150,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: County governments, City or township governments, Independent school districts, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for APS FY 23

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