The U.S. Embassy Harare Public Diplomacy (PD) Section of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below.

Funding Instrument Type: Grant, fixed amount award (FAA), or cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements and some FAAs are different from grants in that U.S. Embassy Harare staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation (“Substantial Involvement”). 

Program Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 18 months or less.

The Department of State will rarely entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period. If selected, the application can be processed on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Priority Region: Zimbabwe

Executive Summary

PD Harare invites proposals for projects that strengthen networks between the people of the United States and the people of Zimbabwe through exchanges highlighting our shared goals and values. All programs MUST include an American component, such as an American expert engagement (physical or virtual) in Zimbabwe or Zimbabweans traveling to the United States to collaborate and exchange best practices in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. perspectives. Projects that incorporate strong American components into their design will be prioritized over other proposals.

A.   Application Contents and Format

Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.

Content of Application

The proposal should:

·      Clearly serve the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity;

·      Be specific and concise in describing the who, what, why, when, where, how and cost aspects of the project;

·      Provide all documents in English; and

·      Include a budget narrative and a budget table in U.S. dollars breaking down costs per unit rates, quantities as well as totals.

The following documents are required: 

Mandatory application forms

·         Completed U.S. Embassy application form

·         Detailed projected budget form

·         SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – Organizations)

·         or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance – Individuals)

·         SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)

·         SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) note: the SF-424B is only required for individuals, organizations exempt from registration, and for organizations not required to fully register in SAM.gov

·         Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration with the SAM.gov

Proposal [RP1] 

·         The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. You may use

your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below. 

·         Proposal Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed project, including project objectives and anticipated impact.

·         Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including

·         information on all previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. government agencies.

·         Problem Statement: Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed

·         Program Goals and Objectives: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments

·         on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable.

·         Project Activities: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives.

·         Project Methods and Design: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. Include a logic model

·         as appropriate.

·         Proposed Project Schedule and Timeline: The proposed timeline for the program activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities

·         and events.

·         Key Personnel: Names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program. What proportion of their time will be used in

·         support of this program? 

·         Project Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees.

·         Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful grants. Throughout the time-frame of the grant, how will the activities be

·         monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant?

·         Future Funding or Sustainability: Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable.

Budget Justification Narrative

After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use a separate file to describe each of the budget expenses in detail. See section on Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information.

Attachments

·         1-page Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program

·         Letters of support from project partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner

·         If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, include your latest NICRA as a

PDF file. 

·         Official permission letters, if required for program activities.

G.  Award Notices

The award or cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The award agreement is the authorizing document and it will be provided to the recipient for review and signature by email. The recipient may only start incurring program expenses beginning on the start date shown on the grant award document signed by the Grants Officer.

If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State.

Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the U.S. government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received.

Unsuccessful applicants: Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email no later than October 15, 2025. 

Payment Method: Recipients will be required to request payments by completing form SF-270 - Request for Advance or Reimbursement, and submitting the form to the Grants Officer. Payments will be made via electronic funds transfer.

H.   Post-Award Requirements and Administration

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply.  These include:

In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department of State will review and consider applications for funding, as applicable to specific programs, pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity in accordance with the following: NOTE:

·         Guidance for Grants and Agreements in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR), as updated in the Federal Register’s 89 FR 30046 on April 22,

2024 , particularly on:

·         Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an impartial process of evaluating Federal

award applications (2 CFR part 200.205),

·         Promoting the freedom of speech and religious liberty in alignment with Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty (E.O. 13798) and Improving Free

Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities (E.O. 13864) (§§ 200.300, 200.303, 200.339, and 200.341),

·         Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR part

200.322), and

·         Terminating agreements pursuant to the U.S. Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, including, to the greatest extent authorized by law, if an

award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR part 200.340).

·         2 CFR 25 - UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

·         2 CFR 170 - REPORTING SUBAWARD AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION INFORMATION

·         2 CFR 175 - AWARD TERM FOR TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

·         2 CFR 182 - GOVERNMENTWIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE)

·         2 CFR 183 - NEVER CONTRACT WITH THE ENEMY

·         2 CFR 600 – DEPARTMENT OF STATE REQUIREMENTS

·         U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Reporting

Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports. The award document will specify what reports are required and how often these reports must be submitted.  

I.   Other Information

 Guidelines for Budget Justification

Personnel and Fringe Benefits: Describe the wages, salaries, and benefits of temporary or permanent staff who will be working directly for the applicant on the program, and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the program.

Travel: Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for this program, for program staff, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries. If the program involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel.

Equipment: Describe any machinery, furniture, or other personal property that is required for the program, which has a useful life of more than one year (or a life longer than the duration of the program), and costs at least $10,000 per unit.

Supplies: List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are needed for the program. If an item costs more than $10,000 per unit, then put it in the budget under Equipment.

Contractual: Describe goods and services that the applicant plans to acquire through a contract with a vendor. Also describe any sub-awards to non-profit partners that will help carry out the program activities.

Other Direct Costs: Describe other costs directly associated with the program, which do not fit in the other categories. For example, shipping costs for materials and equipment or applicable taxes. All “Other” or “Miscellaneous” expenses must be itemized and explained.

Indirect Costs: These are costs that cannot be linked directly to the program activities, such as overhead costs needed to help keep the organization operating. If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, attach a copy of your latest NICRA. Organizations that have never had a NICRA may request indirect costs of 15% of Modified Total Direct Costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.1. 

“Cost Sharing” refers to contributions from the organization or other entities other than the U.S. Embassy.  It also includes in-kind contributions such as volunteers’ time and donated venues.

Alcoholic Beverages: Please note that award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.  

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Miscellaneous

• Other