Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS ACC RSOI 2024 02
The U.S. Embassy Accra Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), part of the U.S. Department of State, is inviting organizations to submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) for its Grants Program under the Annual Program Statement titled "Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI)" (Opportunity Number: DOS ACC RSOI 2024 02). The overall aim is to fund projects that strengthen relationships between the United States and Ghana by emphasizing shared values, increasing mutual understanding, and supporting practical cooperation. A central requirement is that every proposed project must include a clear American element, meaning a real connection to U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions that goes beyond simply involving the U.S. Embassy or American Corners. The Embassy is looking for projects that produce concrete, measurable outcomes, and it signals that proposals focused only on conferences, roundtables, speaker series, theoretical research, surveys, or book writing/publishing are unlikely to be competitive.
This funding opportunity uses a two-step application process designed to reduce the burden of writing full proposals before an initial screening. In the first step, applicants submit an SOI that clearly communicates the program idea and objectives through a concise concept note (no more than three pages) plus a one-page budget supported by a strong budget narrative/justification. This is explicitly not a request for a full proposal at the first stage. After review, selected applicants will be invited to develop and submit a full proposal, which then goes through a second merit review before final funding decisions are made. Because the instructions and required submission details matter for eligibility, applicants are told to consult the Embassy website for the complete guidance: https://gh.usembassy.gov/education-culture/public-affairs-small-grants/.
PDS Accra identifies six priority program areas. First, in Economic programming, the Embassy is especially interested in initiatives that support women-led business ventures across Ghana, with an emphasis on environmentally sustainable entrepreneurship, skills training, access to business networks, and efforts that help women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expand, hire youth, and contribute to sustainable growth. Second, in Education, priority activities include strengthening critical thinking, practical skills training, and experiential learning for Ghanaian secondary institutions and educators, along with on-the-job skills training and professional development that helps young people engage constructively in democratic life and participate in a modern, 21st-century economy. Third, under Peace and Security, the focus is on amplifying the voices of youth, marginalized communities, and local government through civic education and conflict-resolution training, including approaches that counter violent extremism and gender-based violence, while improving communities' ability to handle sensitive debates without resorting to violence. Fourth, for Media and Press Freedom, PDS is looking for targeted training that improves fact-checking, journalist ethics, and resilience against misinformation, alongside media and information literacy efforts (particularly for youth) to protect credibility and support democratic participation. Fifth, Democracy and Civil Society programs should strengthen the internal capacity of civil society organizations, particularly those representing marginalized or underrepresented perspectives, with emphasis on management, planning, and issue advocacy to broaden civic engagement and public debate. Sixth, Human Rights activities should challenge harmful norms, support safe spaces for public advocacy, promote tolerance and respect for human rights (with zero tolerance for abuse), and reinforce the ability of civil society, media, and academia to sustain democratic debate.
Audience design is an important part of how SOIs are judged. Applicants can target different groups depending on the topic, but the Embassy expects a well-reasoned approach that clearly identifies the intended audience, stakeholders, and beneficiaries (both primary and secondary) and explains how the project will reach and benefit them. Projects that include U.S. Government exchange alumni receive additional consideration, which can strengthen an application if alumni are meaningfully integrated into implementation or outreach. The notice also aligns with the U.S. Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities, encouraging programs that advance equity across characteristics such as race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability.
Funding is expected to support roughly 5 to 10 awards, depending on requested amounts, with individual awards ranging from a minimum of $15,000 to a maximum of $100,000. Total expected funding is up to $300,000, subject to availability. Awards may be issued as grants or fixed amount awards, and the period of performance must be 18 months or less. The anticipated start window is July through October 2024. The Embassy also notes it may award more or less than the amounts described, depending on the quality of applications and U.S. Government interests, and all budgets and activities remain subject to negotiation with the Grants Officer before a final award is made. Continuation funding beyond the initial budget period may be possible on a non-competitive basis if funds are available, performance is satisfactory, and continued funding is deemed to be in the U.S. Department of State's interest.
The competition timeline is clearly defined for the two-stage process. SOIs are due by March 24, 2024 at 23:59 GMT. Invitations to submit full proposals are expected to be sent by April 18, 2024. Full proposals from invited applicants are due May 13, 2024, and notifications of selected proposals are anticipated by May 30, 2024, with the possibility that additional selections could be made later if funding remains available. Review is conducted by an Embassy Grant Review Committee, and SOIs are evaluated against published criteria rather than ranked directly against each other. The notice also emphasizes that, for fairness, reviewers will only consider content within the page limit, and an invitation to submit a full proposal is not a promise of funding.
Eligibility is limited to organizations, not individuals. Eligible applicants include registered non-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs/CSOs with relevant programming experience), non-profit or governmental educational institutions, and governmental institutions in the United States and Ghana. For-profit entities are not eligible, and individuals may not apply. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active SAM.gov registration; the announcement warns that registration or renewal can take 4 to 8 weeks, so applicants should start early. Another strict rule is that each organization may submit only one proposal; if an organization submits multiple proposals, all submissions from that organization will be deemed ineligible.
To apply at the SOI stage, submissions must include the SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance), and SOIs must be submitted by email to PASAccraGrant@state.gov by the deadline. While the Embassy may provide templates on its grants webpage, it notes these are best-practice tools rather than required formats. Applicants are encouraged to use S.M.A.R.T. objectives (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound) and to consult Grants.gov resources for grant-writing guidance. Full official instructions and any supplementary materials must be obtained from the U.S. Embassy Ghana website and/or Grants.gov, and following those instructions closely is important because non-compliant applications can be ruled ineligible.Apply for DOS ACC RSOI 2024 02
- The U.S. Mission to Ghana in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Accra Public Diplomacy Annual Program Statement: Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.022, 19.040, 19.979.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-02-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-03-24. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 7 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is this grant opportunity?
This is a U.S. Embassy Accra Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) Grants Program opportunity under the Annual Program Statement titled "Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI)" (Opportunity Number: DOS ACC RSOI 2024 02). It invites organizations to submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) as the first step in a two-stage application process.
2. What is the overall goal of the program?
The overall aim is to fund projects that strengthen relationships between the United States and Ghana by emphasizing shared values, increasing mutual understanding, and supporting practical cooperation.
3. What does it mean that every project must include an "American element"?
Every proposed project must include a clear American element, meaning a real connection to U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions. This connection must go beyond simply involving the U.S. Embassy or American Corners.
4. What types of projects are unlikely to be competitive?
The Embassy signals that proposals focused only on conferences, roundtables, speaker series, theoretical research, surveys, or book writing/publishing are unlikely to be competitive. The Embassy is looking for projects that produce concrete, measurable outcomes.
5. Is this a one-step or two-step application process?
This opportunity uses a two-step application process. First, organizations submit a Statement of Interest (SOI). After review, selected applicants may be invited to submit a full proposal, which undergoes a second merit review before final funding decisions are made.
6. What must be included in the Statement of Interest (SOI) submission?
At the SOI stage, applicants must submit:
- A concise concept note (no more than three pages) that clearly communicates the program idea and objectives
- A one-page budget
- A strong budget narrative/justification supporting the budget
- The SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
7. Is the SOI a full proposal?
No. The Embassy explicitly states that the SOI stage is not a request for a full proposal. The SOI is meant to reduce the burden of writing full proposals before initial screening.
8. Where can applicants find the complete official instructions?
Applicants are directed to consult the U.S. Embassy Ghana website for complete guidance and required submission details: https://gh.usembassy.gov/education-culture/public-affairs-small-grants/ . The notice also states that full official instructions and supplementary materials must be obtained from the Embassy website and/or Grants.gov.
9. What are the priority program areas for this opportunity?
PDS Accra identifies six priority program areas:
- Economic programming
- Education
- Peace and Security
- Media and Press Freedom
- Democracy and Civil Society
- Human Rights
10. What kinds of projects are prioritized under Economic programming?
The Embassy is especially interested in initiatives that support women-led business ventures across Ghana, emphasizing environmentally sustainable entrepreneurship, skills training, access to business networks, and efforts that help women-led SMEs expand, hire youth, and contribute to sustainable growth.
11. What kinds of projects are prioritized under Education?
Priority activities include strengthening critical thinking, practical skills training, and experiential learning for Ghanaian secondary institutions and educators, along with on-the-job skills training and professional development that helps young people engage constructively in democratic life and participate in a modern, 21st-century economy.
12. What kinds of projects are prioritized under Peace and Security?
The focus includes amplifying the voices of youth, marginalized communities, and local government through civic education and conflict-resolution training. This includes approaches that counter violent extremism and gender-based violence, and efforts that improve communities' ability to handle sensitive debates without resorting to violence.
13. What kinds of projects are prioritized under Media and Press Freedom?
PDS is looking for targeted training that improves fact-checking, journalist ethics, and resilience against misinformation, along with media and information literacy efforts (particularly for youth) to protect credibility and support democratic participation.
14. What kinds of projects are prioritized under Democracy and Civil Society?
Programs should strengthen the internal capacity of civil society organizations, especially those representing marginalized or underrepresented perspectives. Emphasis areas include management, planning, and issue advocacy to broaden civic engagement and public debate.
15. What kinds of projects are prioritized under Human Rights?
Human Rights activities should challenge harmful norms, support safe spaces for public advocacy, promote tolerance and respect for human rights (with zero tolerance for abuse), and reinforce the ability of civil society, media, and academia to sustain democratic debate.
16. How important is audience design in the SOI?
Audience design is an important part of how SOIs are judged. The Embassy expects a well-reasoned approach that clearly identifies intended audience, stakeholders, and beneficiaries (both primary and secondary), and explains how the project will reach and benefit them.
17. Do projects involving U.S. Government exchange alumni get any advantage?
Yes. Projects that include U.S. Government exchange alumni receive additional consideration, especially when alumni are meaningfully integrated into implementation or outreach.
18. Does the opportunity encourage programs focused on equity and underserved communities?
Yes. The notice aligns with the U.S. Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities and encourages programs that advance equity across characteristics such as race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability.
19. How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?
Funding is expected to support roughly 5 to 10 awards, depending on requested amounts.
20. What is the funding range for individual awards?
Individual awards are expected to range from a minimum of $15,000 to a maximum of $100,000.
21. What is the total funding expected for this opportunity?
Total expected funding is up to $300,000, subject to availability.
22. What types of awards may be issued?
Awards may be issued as grants or fixed amount awards.
23. What is the maximum project period (period of performance)?
The period of performance must be 18 months or less.
24. When are projects expected to start?
The anticipated start window is July through October 2024.
25. Can the final award amount or activities change after selection?
Yes. The Embassy notes it may award more or less than the amounts described depending on application quality and U.S. Government interests. All budgets and activities remain subject to negotiation with the Grants Officer before a final award is made.
26. Is continuation funding beyond the initial budget period possible?
Continuation funding beyond the initial budget period may be possible on a non-competitive basis if funds are available, performance is satisfactory, and continued funding is deemed to be in the U.S. Department of State's interest.
27. What is the SOI submission deadline?
SOIs are due by March 24, 2024 at 23:59 GMT.
28. When will invitations for full proposals be sent?
Invitations to submit full proposals are expected to be sent by April 18, 2024.
29. When are full proposals due for invited applicants?
Full proposals from invited applicants are due May 13, 2024.
30. When are applicants expected to be notified of selection results?
Notifications of selected proposals are anticipated by May 30, 2024. The Embassy also notes that additional selections could be made later if funding remains available.
31. Who reviews the SOIs and proposals?
Review is conducted by an Embassy Grant Review Committee.
32. How are SOIs evaluated?
SOIs are evaluated against published criteria rather than ranked directly against each other.
33. Will reviewers read content that exceeds the page limit?
No. The notice emphasizes that, for fairness, reviewers will only consider content within the page limit.
34. Does an invitation to submit a full proposal guarantee funding?
No. The Embassy explicitly states that an invitation to submit a full proposal is not a promise of funding.
35. Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to organizations, not individuals. Eligible applicants include:
- Registered non-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs/CSOs with relevant programming experience)
- Non-profit or governmental educational institutions
- Governmental institutions in the United States and Ghana
36. Are individuals eligible to apply?
No. Individuals may not apply.
37. Are for-profit entities eligible to apply?
No. For-profit entities are not eligible.
38. What registration requirements apply to eligible organizations?
Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active SAM.gov registration. The announcement warns that registration or renewal can take 4 to 8 weeks, so applicants should start early.
39. How many submissions can one organization make?
Each organization may submit only one proposal. If an organization submits multiple proposals, all submissions from that organization will be deemed ineligible.
40. How must the SOI be submitted?
SOIs must be submitted by email to PASAccraGrant@state.gov by the deadline.
41. Are templates required for the SOI?
The Embassy may provide templates on its grants webpage, but it notes these are best-practice tools rather than required formats.
42. Does the notice recommend any approach for writing objectives?
Yes. Applicants are encouraged to use S.M.A.R.T. objectives (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound).
43. Why is it important to follow the official instructions closely?
The notice emphasizes that following the instructions and required submission details matters for eligibility, and that non-compliant applications can be ruled ineligible.
44. Where can applicants find additional grant-writing guidance?
Applicants are encouraged to consult Grants.gov resources for grant-writing guidance.
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