Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO | DOS DAR 2021

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS DAR 2021

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (DOS DAR 2021) is the U.S. Embassy Dar es Salaam Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program, run by the U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to Tanzania). It is a discretionary funding opportunity designed to support short, clearly defined public diplomacy projects that directly advance the Embassy's stated goals and help promote a better understanding of the United States. The program makes it explicit that the funding is not charity; proposals must show a direct, clearly stated link to the Embassy goals or they will not be considered. Awards may be issued as a grant, fixed amount award, or cooperative agreement, depending on the project and how the Embassy plans to manage involvement.

Funding is competitive and proposals are judged on the strength and clarity of the topic, the quality of the goals and objectives, the definition of the target audience, and the demonstrated capacity of the applicant (individual or organization) to implement the activities successfully. The Embassy encourages cost-sharing and also encourages applicants to involve alumni of U.S. Department of State exchange programs in designing and delivering the project, since alumni participation can strengthen credibility, content, and local networks. Applicants are also expected to be transparent about other likely sources of funding for the project, whether confirmed or anticipated, so the Embassy can assess feasibility and avoid duplication.

The anticipated start window listed for this cycle is February through September 2021, with a performance period of six to 12 months; in practice, projects must be designed to finish within 12 months or less. The NOFO notes that the opportunity is subject to the availability of funding, and that the Embassy is not obligated to fund any proposals simply because they were submitted. The published award ceiling is $24,500, with an expectation of around four awards, which signals that the program is aimed at small-to-midsize, tightly scoped projects with a realistic plan and measurable outcomes rather than large, multi-year initiatives.

A major theme of the announcement is what the program will not fund. Ineligible activities include research projects (academic or scientific), study abroad cost support, construction, social welfare projects, individual travel to conferences, finishing projects that were started with other funding, and anything inherently political or that appears partisan (including support to specific electoral campaigns or political party activities). Projects supporting specific religious activities are also excluded. On the cost side, the program flags several expenses as non-supported or disqualifying, including sustained staff salaries and overhead or operational expenses above 10% of total operational costs, large durable equipment purchases, alcohol or excessive hospitality/entertainment, fundraising campaigns, projects primarily intended to grow the applicant organization rather than serve a public diplomacy purpose, venture capital or for-profit ventures, charging participation fees, individual scholarships, personal development, social travel/visits, gifts or prizes, and programs that duplicate existing efforts.

Applications must be submitted in English by email to DARPDProposals@state.gov, and applicants are instructed to reference the "Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program" in correspondence. The Embassy requires applicants to use a specific template, the "Dar PD Small Grant Application Form," available on the Embassy website (https://tz.usembassy.gov/education-culture/funding-opportunities/). Proposals that do not follow the instructions, fail to answer all questions in the form, are not in English, or do not provide a budget in U.S. dollars are treated as ineligible. If selected, applicants will later be required to complete standard federal forms, including SF-424 (or SF-424-I for individuals) and SF-424A for the non-construction budget.

The application form is structured to force applicants to present a complete project plan rather than a general idea. It requires an executive summary describing the project, objectives, and anticipated impact, along with an "American Component" explaining the U.S. aspect of the program and how it promotes understanding of the United States. Applicants must select which U.S. Embassy Dar es Salaam goal the project supports, provide a well-supported project justification that explains the problem and why the approach is needed, and clearly define the target audience (who will be reached and how many). The proposal must distinguish between overall goals (the end results) and measurable objectives (the intermediate achievements), then lay out specific activities with a schedule, timeline, and logistics such as dates, times, and locations.

Monitoring and evaluation is treated as a core requirement rather than an add-on. Proposals are expected to spell out the outcomes they intend to produce, such as changes in knowledge, awareness, attitudes, improved service quality, or increased institutional capacity, and to explain exactly how those outcomes will be measured using tools like pre- and post-surveys, interviews, observations, or focus groups. The NOFO emphasizes that strong evaluation plans identify what will be measured, when it will be measured, and how data will be collected, and they anticipate challenges by including benchmarks and alternative strategies. Applicants should also plan to reflect on what worked, what changed, lessons learned, and results achieved in the final reporting.

The form also requires applicants to name key personnel (by name, not generic roles) and describe their qualifications and responsibilities, as well as list project partners and explain the nature of those partnerships. Partner engagement is important because reviewers look for evidence of local buy-in and community support, and they value projects that involve credible institutions and networks such as schools, community centers, NGOs, businesses, government entities, American Spaces, or subject matter experts. Applicants must address sustainability by explaining how impact will continue beyond the grant period or what resources could keep the work going. A communication plan is also required, outlining how the project will be promoted through social media, websites, or traditional media; the Embassy expects U.S. Embassy branding to be included, and draft uses of the Embassy logo and attribution language should be approved before final publication or printing.

The review process is handled by the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section through a selection committee using defined criteria. Reviewers prioritize a clear purpose, compelling summary, and credible implementation plan, with attention to whether the project fills a real gap or addresses a genuine need and whether it is likely to have a sustained influence in the community. They assess the strength of the American component and alignment with Embassy goals, the depth and reliability of local partner support, the rigor of the monitoring and evaluation plan, the likelihood of sustainability, and the quality of the outreach plan. Budget review is also central: costs must be reasonable, realistic, and detailed, and the budget narrative must justify expenses and show that projected outcomes match the level of funding requested.

Finally, the administrative terms are standard for a U.S. government assistance award. Only successful applicants are contacted, and recipients must sign a formal grant agreement administered by a Grants Officer. Costs can only be incurred on or after the official start date on the signed award document. The Embassy is not obligated to provide future funding or renewals, and it reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. Awardees must submit program and financial reports on a schedule specified in the agreement, which is tied to the monitoring and evaluation commitments described in the proposal. For questions, applicants are directed to email DARPDProposals@state.gov.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Tanzania in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO" 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 Nov 01, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 30, 2021 n/a. (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 $24,500.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for DOS DAR 2021

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