U.S. Embassy in Mauritania: PAS Request for Statements of Interest

Deadline: 17-Mar-23

The U.S. Embassy Nouakchott Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State announces a Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI) from organizations interested in applying for funding for program proposals that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Mauritania through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation.

Purpose

• PAS Nouakchott invites SOIs for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Mauritania through cultural programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation.
• All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

Priority Program Areas

• Proposals should be related to one or more of the following U.S. Embassy priority program areas:
  • Strengthened Security for Americans and Mauritanians
    • Example projects under this program area could focus on:
      • Crime and safety awareness
      • Countering Violent Extremism
  • Increased Opportunity and Reduced Poverty
    • Example projects under this program area could focus on:
      • Entrepreneurship
      • Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM)
      • Environmental protection
  • Promoting an Inclusive Society
    • Example projects under this program area could focus on:
      • Promoting social inclusion
      • Reducing discrimination in all its forms
      • Advocacy for inclusive national identity
      • Cross-Cultural dialogue and understanding
      • Human rights
      • Cultural and ethnic diversity

Funding Information

• Total estimated available funding: $100,000
• Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $20,000
• Number of awards anticipated: 5-10 awards (dependent on amounts)
• Length of performance period: 1 to 12 months

Eligible Projects

Examples of PAS-funded programs include, but are not limited to:

• U.S. experts conducting lectures, seminars, or speaking tours
• Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions
• Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs
• Professional and academic exchanges and programs
• Libraries, community centers, or other institutions that are interested in becoming an American Space
• Programs developed by an alumnus/a of a U.S. sponsored or supported educational or professional exchange program
• Projects to promote English language teaching skills or widen access to books and other sources of information about the United States

Ineligible Projects

• Programs relating to partisan political activity
• Charitable or development activities
• Construction programs
• Programs that support specific religious activities
• Fund-raising campaigns
• Lobbying for specific legislation or programs
• Scientific research
• Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization
• Programs that are not Mauritania-specific
• Programs submitted on behalf of individuals, or
• Programs that duplicate existing programs.

Participants and Audiences: The intended target audiences should be culturally and ethnically diverse communities, in particular youth and women within those communities.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Public Affairs Section encourages applications from U.S. and Mauritania, including:
  • Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/nongovernmental organizations with programming experience
  • Non-profit or governmental educational institutions
• For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding.

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Mauritania.