U.S. Embassy in Ghana announces 2020 STEM Programme

Deadline: 8 May 2020

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Ghana requests proposals for funding for its 2020 STEM programming.

All submitted proposals must address at least one of the two U.S. foreign policy objectives:

• STEM literacy – Projects increase knowledge, skills, and abilities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or math.
• Career, Technology, and Life Skills – Project achieves identifiable goals in promoting critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or math.

Funding Information

• Minimum Award Amount: $10,000
• Maximum Award Amount: $50,000
• Projects that include cost-sharing from the applicant or third-party funders will be given preference. Proposals should explain clearly other likely sources of funding or in-kind participation. All grant awards are subject to the availability of funds from the U.S. Department of State. Budgets must be submitted in U.S. dollars.
• Projects must be completed in one year or less.
• Proposals that are selected for funding must be initiated no later than September 30, 2020, and generally be completed within one year of their commencement.

The following activities to do not qualify for Public Affairs funding:

• Organizational start-up costs
• Ongoing salaries, operating costs or capital improvements
• Office equipment
• Paying to complete activities begun with other funds
• Projects of a commercial or profit-making nature
• Projects that are inherently political in nature or that contain the appearance of partisanship or support to individual or single party electoral campaigns
• Projects that support specific religious activities
• Fundraising campaigns
• Academic or analytical research (if not part of a larger project)
• Construction projects
• Vehicles
• Scholarships
• Projects whose primary aim is the institutional development of the organization itself
• Solicitations, or any fees for news coverage
• Representational expenses, such as receptions (Exceptions: expenses for coffee breaks and working lunches can be funded; alcohol, however, cannot)
• While not inadmissible, fees and travel costs to attend conferences in the United States are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and funding for this type of expenditure is very limited

Eligibility Criteria

The Public Affairs Section encourages proposals from:

• Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/nongovernmental organizations with programming experience
• Individuals
• Non-profit or governmental educational institutions

For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.

Evaluation Criteria

• Audiences – The project should seek to influence a specific group of Ghanaian residents (based on age, profession, geographic location, gender, and/or other demographic factor) directly relevant to achieving the strategic goals.
• Goals and Objectives – The project addresses one or more of the strategic goals and is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.
• U.S. Content – Projects that include significant American content (such as American speakers, American materials, U.S. Embassy participation, or a theme or topic originating in, or inspired by, U.S. history or society) will also be more favorably evaluated.
• Strengths and Innovation – The proposal should clearly describe how the applicant will execute the program within the proposed time frame and articulate an innovative strategy or plan. Projects that reflect geographic diversity and gender equality will be more favorably evaluated.
• Organizational Capacity – The individual or organization applying for the grant has expertise in one or more of the areas falling under the Embassy’s strategic goals and demonstrates the ability to perform the proposed activities.
• Sustainability – The applicant demonstrates a clear plan for sustainable activity or impact of the activity after the grant period of performance.
• Budget and Budget Justification – The budget and narrative justification are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities. The budget does not include funding for non-allowable activities. Proposals that include cost-sharing with the applicant or third-parties will be viewed more favorably.
• Publicity/Media Plan – The applicant should include a plan to amplify the impact of the program on specific audiences.
• Monitoring and Evaluation – The applicant should outline how specifically the grant will be monitored and evaluated for its overall effectiveness and impact, with specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely indicators, whenever possible.

How to Apply

Proposals should be submitted via email at the address given on the website.

For more information, visit https://gh.usembassy.gov/education-culture/public-affairs-small-grants/