U.S. Mission to Pakistan: Promoting a Culture of Inclusion and Research

Under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), PAS seeks proposals that will strengthen the research capacity and advance a culture of research at these Pakistani institutions, while promoting minority inclusion and establishing an international linkage for follow-on collaboration. Proposals should address how activities will impart greater understanding of contemporary research issues, improve research methods, and facilitate faculty development.

Project Goal: This funding opportunity seeks to strengthen the research capacity of institutions in Pakistan (University of Sindh and/or Shah Abdul Latif University), develop stronger U.S. – Pakistan educational ties, and promote minority inclusion.

This program seeks to strengthen the research capacity of institutions in Pakistan and to enhance the academic, research, and knowledge exchange environment for faculty in Pakistani universities. The program will also promote understanding of American history and culture through exposure to the role of HBCUs in serving minority populations in the United States.

Program proposals may address, but are not limited to: the development and implementation of faculty and student exchange programs, collaborative research, academic collaboration, virtual teaching of research methods, exchange of resource materials and publications of mutual interest, and professional development for faculty, and curriculum development and/or revision.

Applicants are invited to discuss institutional goals that would be supported by these activities. Proposals should explain in detail how project activities will enable participants to achieve specific changes at the cooperating institutions. Proposals should outline well-reasoned strategies designed to meet specific objectives at each participating U.S. and foreign department or institution. In most cases, a proposal to pursue a limited number of related thematic objectives at each institution will be stronger and more coherent than a proposal addressing unrelated objectives. For example, proposals may outline new research specializations or methodologies; new or revised curricula; and new programs for outreach to educators, professional groups, or the general public. Proposals should explain in substantial detail strategies to promote research development.

Audiences: The primary audience for this project will be 20-30 administrators and faculty at the selected public sector universities in Pakistan. Indirectly, more than 40,000 students will benefit from improved research capacity and publishing and improved inclusion of minorities.

Eligibility is open to international non-profit organizations. Organizations may sub-award or subcontract with other entities, but only one non-profit organization can be the prime recipient of the award. Pakistan government entities are not eligible to apply. For-profit entitles are not eligible to be the prime recipient of an award under this NOFO. When sub-awarding or subcontracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal. The applicants must submit proof of their non-profit status with their proposal submission (e.g. proof of 501(c) (3) status, Pakistan NGO license). Applications that do not include proof of non-profit status will not be considered for an award. Individuals are not eligible for an award under this NOFO. U.S.-based or registered organizations should provide proof of registration to operate in Pakistan or have a documented agreement with a partner organization registered to operate in Pakistan.