U.S. Mission to Sudan: Office of Sudan Affairs, PDS Annual Program Statement

Overview

The Office of Sudan Affairs (OSA) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Small Grants Program. This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding.  Please carefully follow all instructions below.

The OSA strives to ensure that its efforts reflect the diversity of U.S. society and societies abroad. The OSA seeks and encourages the involvement of people from traditionally underrepresented audiences in its grants, programs, and other activities and in its workforce and workplace. 

Opportunities are open to people regardless of their race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. 
OSA will accept proposals for projects inside Sudan; however, these proposals MUST provide a clear risk assessment and monitoring plan that addresses security risks and contingencies given the instability of the current situation in Sudan. For proposals outside of Sudan, the Embassy expects a clear description of the beneficiaries and how the projects aim to engage with them.

Goals and Objectives
PDS invites proposals for programs that support OSA goals in Sudan (see priority program areas below). Successful proposals must include a reference to American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of the United States and/or U.S. policy or perspectives. Successful proposals will clearly describe the U.S. component of the program, the program’s anticipated results, when results will be expected, and how the OSA can measure them. Successful grantees will proactively show progress towards results through regular reporting to the OSA. U.S. government officials will visit the program, if possible, to monitor progress.

Examples of Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program activities include but are not limited to: 
•    Academic and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs; 
•    Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions;
•    Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs; 
•    Professional and academic exchanges and programs; and 
•    Conferences, workshops, or training opportunities.

Priority Program Areas: The proposal must address one of the following priority program areas: 
•    Promoting women’s leadership, entrepreneurship, and STEM;
•    Promoting societal inclusion; 
•    Promoting peace through the arts; or 
•    Promoting any of the themes above through the arts. 
•    Promoting humanitarian assistance and civilian protection; 
•    Promoting civic education and engagement; 
•    Promoting media capacity building; 
•    Promoting human rights awareness and advocacy;

Participants and Audiences:
Youth aged 18-35 years; 
Young professionals; and 
Above priority audiences with a focus on women, underprivileged or culturally/ethnically diverse communities, or those from marginalized groups

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. 

Program Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 12 months or less. Subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State. This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Number of awards anticipated: Subject to Funding Availability

Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $2,000 to a maximum of $25,000, although exceptional proposals over $25,000 may be considered.

Funding Instrument Type:  Grant, fixed amount award (FAA), or cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements and some FAAs are different from grants in that bureau/embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation (“Substantial Involvement”).

Cost Sharing or Matching: Inclusion of cost sharing is welcome but not required.

Submission Dates and Times: Proposals will be accepted throughout the year. Proposals will be reviewed according to the following schedule:

• Proposals received between December 1 and December 31 will be reviewed by February 15, 2025.  Responses will be sent to applicants by March 15, 2025.
• Proposals received between January 1 and March 15 will be reviewed by April 30, 2025.  Responses will be sent to applicants by May 31, 2025.
• Proposals received between April 1 and May 31 will be reviewed by June 1, 2025.  Responses will be sent to applicants by July 31, 2025.

Applications may be submitted for consideration at any time before the closing date of May 31, 2025.  No applications will be accepted after that date.