Deadline: 6 September 2019
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad is currently inviting eligible organizations to submit proposals to restore and revitalize the University of Anbar.
Iraq’s communities at the areas seized by ISIS were victims of extreme violence and displacement due to the military operations, and there is a critical need to restore basic operations at the above-mentioned university. Under the Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) between the Governments of Iraq and the United States of America, education, exchanges, and research collaboration are key pillars of mutual cooperation. The U.S. Mission in Iraq, including the Embassy in Baghdad and its Consulate General in Erbil, supports the SFA through academic initiatives that promote human and technical capacity building inside Iraq, bolster long-term stability, develop the next generation of leaders, and support Iraq’s integration into the global academic community.
Applicants must have the demonstrated experience and ability to provide guidance to and monitor university partnership projects that would focus on the following U.S. Mission education priorities:
- Faculty development and exchange, both in-person and virtual;
- Curriculum development;
- Collaborative research projects, particularly in STEM and the humanities;
- Capacity building in university administration;
- Development of information systems to establish digital record keeping;
- Capacity building in English language teaching;
- Establishment of distance learning programs;
- Development of career advisory and internship placement services on campus;
- Initiatives to promote inclusiveness and national reconciliation;
In addition, the program implementer will:
- Foster relationships between U.S. institutions of higher learning and Iraqi university of Preference should be given to one-on-one partnerships.
- Consult with officials from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), Iraqi university leaders and education experts, U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section staff, and U.S. university associations and higher education institutions on program design and implementation;
- Provide quarterly reporting with a budget update to U.S. Embassy Baghdad on program
- Serve as the primary point of contact and source of information for the Iraqi university, U.S. institution, and U.S. Embassy Baghdad;
- Manage all logistical elements of the program, including facilitating Americans’ travel to Iraq and Iraqi travel to the U.S., should the proposal include such activities;
- Coordinate with public and private sector institutions to develop an internship program for university students;
- Plan and organize a closing session in Iraq or via on-line platforms to summarize and evaluate the program and foster ongoing collaboration between American and Iraqi university partners.
Award Information
- Approximate Total Funding: $500,000, pending availability of funds
- Anticipated Award Date: September 30, 2019
- Anticipated Project Completion Date: April 2021
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants: Applications must be submitted by U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3).
- Applicants must:
- Be a U.S. non-profit organization meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c) (3).
- Have demonstrated experience developing and administering similar programs;
- Have the capacity to operate in Iraq and have active partnerships with organization(s) operating in Iraq needed to support the program.
- Applicants must:
- Cost Sharing or Matching Funds: There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this competition. However, PAS BAGHDAD encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.
How to Apply
Applications must be prepared and submitted using the Public Diplomacy Grants Program Application form, available on the given website.
For more information, please visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=318795