Open Call: American Spaces Administrative Funds Management 2026 (Zambia)

Deadline: 20-Jun-2026

The U.S. Embassy in Zambia, through its Public Diplomacy Section, is seeking one qualified organization to manage the financial administration and fund disbursement functions of Zambia’s American Spaces network. The cooperative agreement provides funding of up to $12,591 for a period of up to 12 months to support payments, budget execution, financial reporting, and administrative management of American Spaces activities across Zambia.

About the Funding Opportunity

The American Spaces Administrative Funds Management 2026 opportunity supports the efficient financial administration of Zambia’s American Spaces program.

The selected organization will be responsible for processing payments, disbursing funds, managing financial transactions, and providing financial reporting for activities conducted through Zambia’s American Spaces network. The role is strictly administrative and financial in nature and does not include designing, planning, or implementing program activities.

The grant is administered by the U.S. Embassy in Zambia through its Public Diplomacy Section, which will maintain ongoing oversight and coordination throughout the project period.

Program Objectives

The initiative aims to:

• Support efficient financial administration of American Spaces activities.
• Ensure timely disbursement of program funds.
• Facilitate payments to vendors, organizations, and individuals.
• Strengthen financial accountability and transparency.
• Support operational requirements across American Spaces locations.
• Improve budget tracking and expenditure reporting.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. government grant management requirements.
• Maintain smooth administrative operations for American Spaces programming.

Focus Areas

The selected grantee will support:

• Financial management and administration.
• Fund disbursement and payment processing.
• Vendor payment management.
• Logistics and operational expense payments.
• Budget execution monitoring.
• Financial reporting and documentation.
• Administrative coordination.
• Compliance and accountability procedures.
• Support for American Spaces operational activities.

Funding Information

• Funding amount: Up to $12,591.
• Funding mechanism: Cooperative Agreement.
• Project duration: Up to 12 months.
• Performance period: Until FY2026 funds are fully utilized or the project period concludes.

Funding is intended solely for administrative and financial management activities related to the American Spaces network in Zambia.

About American Spaces

American Spaces are open-access learning, engagement, and cultural exchange centers that connect local communities with the United States.

These centers provide opportunities for:

• Educational development.
• Professional skills training.
• Cultural exchange.
• Community dialogue.
• Leadership development.
• English language learning.
• Technology and innovation education.
• Access to information about U.S. higher education.

Programming often covers topics such as:

• Freedom of speech.
• Digital rights.
• American history and culture.
• Entrepreneurship.
• Innovation and technology.
• Education opportunities in the United States.
• Professional development skills.

American Spaces Locations in Zambia

The program currently operates through three locations:

• American Center for Leadership at the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka.
• American Corner at the National Institute for Public Administration (NIPA) in Lusaka.
• American Corner at Copperbelt University in Kitwe.

These locations regularly require financial support for activities, supplies, logistics, and operational expenses.

Responsibilities of the Selected Organization

The selected grantee will:

• Process payments to vendors and service providers.
• Disburse funds to partner organizations and individuals.
• Facilitate payments for events and activities.
• Manage logistical and operational expenses.
• Maintain financial records.
• Prepare expenditure reports.
• Submit budget execution reports to the Public Diplomacy Section.
• Coordinate regularly with the Embassy’s American Spaces team.
• Ensure compliance with financial management requirements.

The selected organization will not:

• Design programs.
• Develop programming content.
• Select participants.
• Implement activities.
• Manage programmatic decision-making.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include organizations legally registered and physically present in Zambia.

Eligible entities include:

• Not-for-profit organizations.
• Civil society organizations (CSOs).
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• Think tanks.
• Public educational institutions.
• Private educational institutions.

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to manage financial transactions and administrative processes effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

Organizations are encouraged to demonstrate:

• Experience managing grants and cooperative agreements.
• Strong financial management systems.
• Budget administration expertise.
• Accounting and reporting capacity.
• Experience with donor-funded projects.
• Experience managing U.S. government grants.
• Experience managing international development funding.
• Internal financial control procedures.
• Organizational compliance systems.

How the Program Works

The administrative process generally follows these steps:

• The U.S. Embassy approves American Spaces activities and expenditures.
• Funding requirements are communicated to the selected grantee.
• The grantee processes payments to approved recipients.
• Funds are disbursed to vendors, organizations, or individuals.
• Financial records are maintained.
• Expenditure reports are prepared and submitted.
• Budget execution is monitored throughout implementation.
• Regular coordination meetings are conducted with the Embassy.
• Financial compliance and accountability procedures are reviewed continuously.

U.S. Embassy Oversight and Support

The U.S. Embassy will maintain substantial involvement throughout the project.

Embassy responsibilities include:

• Oversight of financial activities.
• Approval and monitoring of expenditures.
• Facilitating access to payment systems.
• Reviewing financial reports.
• Coordinating with the grantee.
• Conducting regular implementation meetings.
• Monitoring compliance with grant requirements.

Expected Deliverables

The selected organization is expected to provide:

• Accurate financial disbursement services.
• Timely payment processing.
• Monthly or periodic expenditure reports.
• Budget tracking documentation.
• Financial accountability records.
• Administrative support for American Spaces operations.
• Compliance with grant management requirements.

Why This Opportunity Matters

American Spaces play an important role in fostering educational exchange, leadership development, and community engagement.

This funding opportunity helps:

• Maintain uninterrupted American Spaces operations.
• Improve administrative efficiency.
• Strengthen financial accountability.
• Support educational and cultural programming.
• Ensure effective use of public resources.
• Enhance cooperation between local communities and the United States.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Demonstrate strong financial management capacity.
• Highlight previous grant administration experience.
• Provide evidence of accounting and reporting systems.
• Show experience handling donor-funded projects.
• Explain internal control and compliance procedures.
• Demonstrate organizational stability and legal registration.
• Include examples of successful financial administration projects.
• Show capacity to manage multiple payment transactions efficiently.

Common Application Mistakes

• Providing insufficient evidence of financial management capacity.
• Failing to demonstrate legal registration in Zambia.
• Weak accounting and reporting systems.
• Limited experience managing grants.
• Incomplete organizational documentation.
• Unclear financial procedures.
• Lack of internal control mechanisms.
• Failure to demonstrate physical presence in Zambia.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who can apply for this funding opportunity?

Not-for-profit organizations, NGOs, civil society organizations, think tanks, and public or private educational institutions legally registered and operating in Zambia.

What is the total funding available?

The cooperative agreement has an anticipated funding amount of $12,591.

How long is the project period?

The performance period is up to 12 months or until FY2026 funds are fully utilized.

Will the selected organization implement American Spaces programs?

No. The selected organization will only manage administrative and financial disbursement functions.

What types of expenses will be managed?

Expenses may include vendor payments, logistics costs, supplies, event-related expenses, and other approved operational costs.

Is previous experience with U.S. government grants required?

It is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged and may strengthen an application.

What reporting responsibilities will the grantee have?

The grantee must provide regular expenditure reports, budget execution reports, financial documentation, and compliance records to the U.S. Embassy.

Conclusion

The American Spaces Administrative Funds Management 2026 opportunity provides an important funding mechanism for organizations in Zambia with strong financial management expertise. By supporting the administrative and financial operations of the American Spaces network, the selected grantee will help ensure efficient fund management, accountability, and the continued delivery of educational, cultural, and professional development opportunities across Zambia.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.