U.S. Embassy Lusaka Public Diplomacy Section Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI): Annual Program Statement | DOS PAS LUSAKA FY23 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS PAS LUSAKA FY23 01

The U.S. Embassy in Lusaka, through the Department of State Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), is offering funding under its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program as part of an Annual Program Statement (APS). This opportunity supports projects in Zambia that advance core U.S. government priorities, with an emphasis on practical, measurable community impact and stronger mutual understanding between Zambian audiences and the United States. The funding instrument is a grant, the opportunity is discretionary, and the Embassy anticipates making about five awards with a maximum award size of USD 25,000 per project. The opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number DOS PAS LUSAKA FY23 01, issued by the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Zambia, and covers a broad set of activity areas such as community development, education, employment and workforce development, environment and natural resources, humanities/cultural affairs, and science and technology.

The application process is structured as a competitive, two-round pipeline designed to reduce burden on applicants at the start while allowing the Embassy to focus full proposal development on the strongest concepts. In Round 1, organizations submit a concise Statement of Interest (SOI) capped at 1,500 words that explains the project idea and its objectives. SOIs were accepted through March 30, 2023, using a required template and submitted by email to LusakaPASGrants@state.gov. After review, the Embassy plans to invite only a limited number of applicants to continue. Those selected are notified by email (in this cycle, by May 2, 2023) and then receive detailed instructions for Round 2. In Round 2, invited applicants submit a full proposal for formal consideration, with full applications due June 1, 2023.

Programmatically, the Embassy is looking for projects that align with key U.S. priorities in Zambia: promoting democracy and good governance, building inclusive economic prosperity, strengthening health and education systems, and advancing peace and security. A central requirement is that every project must include an American cultural element or a clear connection to the United States, such as collaboration with U.S. experts, U.S. organizations, or U.S. institutions in a relevant field. This U.S. component is meant to deepen understanding of U.S. policy, approaches, and perspectives while supporting locally grounded solutions. The Embassy also signals that it generally does not favor proposals that primarily exist to hold conferences, suggesting a preference for hands-on programming, skills-building, sustained engagement, and activities that produce concrete, observable outcomes.

The APS highlights several illustrative program types to guide applicants. Priority examples include initiatives that help Zambian youth, especially young women and people from marginalized groups, build skills and confidence through innovative STEM learning and entrepreneurship programming. It also encourages civic-focused youth initiatives such as social entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and community engagement that lead to practical participation in public life. Additional emphasis is placed on building advocacy and communications skills for young people from marginalized communities so they can effectively raise priorities with government and other decision-makers. Governance-focused proposals are welcomed as well, particularly those that support transparency, accountability, and public integrity. The Embassy is also interested in leadership development for emerging community leaders, including training that helps them grow organizations and reach youth audiences more effectively.

Innovation and technology applications are another highlighted theme, especially projects that promote the development and use of new technologies to address economic, environmental, or social challenges. Strong concepts may include linking U.S. technology or public policy experts with Zambian counterparts, or adapting proven American tools and innovations to local Zambian contexts in a way that is ethical, feasible, and sustainable. Civil society strengthening is also explicitly encouraged, including projects that build NGO and CSO management capacity, develop the professional skills of early- to mid-career CSO staff, expand professional networks between Zambia and the United States, and demonstrate to the broader public how civil society contributes to a healthy, informed, and prosperous democratic society.

A major selection factor is the clarity of the intended audience and the ability to measure change. Proposals must define a specific target audience that is both countable and realistically reachable through the proposed activities. Applicants are expected to state what changes they aim to produce, such as shifts in knowledge, understanding, attitudes, or behaviors, and explain how those outcomes will be measured. The Embassy places importance on results-based design: successful proposals should spell out anticipated results, when they will occur, and how the Embassy can verify progress. Reporting is not treated as a formality; grantees are expected to provide regular updates, and Embassy officials may visit activities to monitor implementation and outcomes. Finally, while proposals can be implemented broadly, the Public Diplomacy Section expresses particular interest in projects based in rural areas and smaller cities, signaling a desire to reach communities beyond major urban centers.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Zambia in the community development, education, employment, labor and training, environment, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda), natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Lusaka Public Diplomacy Section Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI): Annual Program Statement" 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.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 16, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 30, 2023. (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 $25,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for DOS PAS LUSAKA FY23 01

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