U.S. Embassy Nouakchott, PAS APS FY21 | PASNOUAKCHOTT FY2021 001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this grant opportunity?

This is an FY2021 U.S. Embassy Nouakchott (Public Affairs Section, PAS) grant opportunity to support public diplomacy programs that deepen cultural ties between the United States and Mauritania through cultural and exchange activities.

What is the main goal of the funding?

The overall aim is public diplomacy: highlighting shared values, improving mutual understanding, and encouraging practical bilateral cooperation between the United States and Mauritania.

What does PAS mean by “public diplomacy” in this opportunity?

Based on the notice, public diplomacy means using cultural and exchange programming to engage the public, strengthen mutual understanding, and help audiences better understand U.S. policy and perspectives (not simply delivering general training or community programming).

Is an American cultural element required?

Yes. Every proposed activity must include a clear American cultural element or a direct connection to the United States, such as collaboration with U.S. experts, U.S. organizations, or U.S. institutions in a relevant field.

Do projects need to address U.S. policy and perspectives?

Yes. The embassy emphasizes that projects should help audiences better understand U.S. policy and perspectives, not just provide general training or community programming.

Is this a one-step or two-step application process?

It is a two-step process that starts with a Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI). Applicants submit a short Statement of Interest (SOI) first, and selected applicants are then invited to submit full applications.

What is a Statement of Interest (SOI)?

The SOI is described as a concise 2 to 3 page concept note. It should communicate the basic program idea, objectives, and how the concept fits the embassy’s goals.

Why is the SOI required before a full proposal?

The SOI allows PAS to screen concepts for eligibility and fit before asking applicants to invest time in developing a full application.

What kinds of activities are eligible for funding?

Eligible concepts can take many forms as long as they support cultural exchange and mutual understanding and meet the embassy’s requirements (including a U.S. connection). Examples mentioned include lectures, seminars, speaker series, artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, exhibitions, cultural heritage conservation/preservation work, and other professional or academic exchange-style programs.

Do programs need to be focused on Mauritania?

Yes. The common thread described is that programs should be Mauritania-focused, designed for public engagement, and clearly linked to an American partner, American expertise, or an American cultural component. The notice also states that programs that are not Mauritania-specific will not be funded.

What are the U.S. Embassy Nouakchott priority program areas?

Proposals are expected to align with one or more of these areas: (1) strengthened security for Americans and Mauritanians; (2) increased opportunity and reduced poverty; and (3) promoting an inclusive society.

What topics are included under the “strengthened security” priority area?

Illustrative topics mentioned include crime and safety awareness and countering violent extremism.

What topics are included under the “increased opportunity and reduced poverty” priority area?

Example themes mentioned include entrepreneurship, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), and environmental protection.

What topics are included under the “promoting an inclusive society” priority area?

Examples mentioned include social inclusion, reducing discrimination in all forms, advocating for an inclusive national identity, cross-cultural dialogue and understanding, human rights, and celebrating cultural and ethnic diversity.

Do proposals have to be cultural/exchange programs rather than technical interventions?

Yes. The notice indicates applicants are expected to translate priority themes into cultural or exchange programming rather than purely technical or development-style interventions.

Who should the programs reach?

Programs should reach culturally and ethnically diverse communities across Mauritania, with particular attention to youth and women within those communities.

What kind of outreach is likely to be competitive?

Based on the notice, proposals that can credibly demonstrate inclusive outreach, broad public benefit, and meaningful engagement beyond a narrow professional circle may be more competitive, especially if they show how diverse groups will participate and what outcomes the program is designed to produce.

What types of activities are not eligible for funding?

The notice states PAS will not fund: partisan political activities; charitable or development work; construction projects; programs supporting specific religious activities; fundraising campaigns; lobbying for legislation or specific government programs; scientific research; projects primarily intended to grow or build the applicant organization’s internal capacity; programs that are not Mauritania-specific; applications submitted on behalf of individuals rather than organizations; and projects that duplicate existing programs.

Are construction projects allowed?

No. Construction projects are listed as ineligible.

Are charitable or development projects allowed?

No. Charitable or development work is listed as ineligible.

Are partisan political activities allowed?

No. Partisan political activities are listed as ineligible.

Are religious programs eligible?

Programs supporting specific religious activities are listed as ineligible.

Are fundraising campaigns eligible?

No. Fundraising campaigns are listed as ineligible.

Is lobbying an eligible use of funds?

No. Lobbying for legislation or specific government programs is listed as ineligible.

Is scientific research eligible?

No. Scientific research is listed as ineligible.

Can the grant primarily support the applicant’s internal capacity building?

No. Projects primarily intended to grow or build the applicant organization’s internal capacity are listed as ineligible.

Can individuals apply directly?

No. The notice lists applications submitted on behalf of individuals rather than organizations as ineligible.

What does it mean that duplicate programs will not be funded?

The notice states projects that duplicate existing programs are ineligible, indicating PAS is looking for distinct programming rather than repeats of existing efforts.

What is the funding authority for this opportunity?

Funding comes from FY2021 Public Diplomacy resources under the statutory authority of the Smith-Mundt Act.

What type of award is expected?

Awards are structured as grants.

How long can the project last?

The project performance period can range from 1 to 12 months.

When is the anticipated project start date?

The notice anticipates a start around June 2021.

How much total funding is available?

The total funding pool is estimated at about $80,000.

What is the expected award size?

Individual awards are expected to range from $5,000 to $15,000.

How many awards does the embassy expect to make?

The embassy anticipated making roughly 4 to 8 awards depending on final award sizes. The opportunity listing also references an expectation of up to 10 awards.

What is the opportunity number or identifier?

The opportunity is identified as PASNOUAKCHOTT FY2021 001.

Which U.S. government entity is administering the opportunity?

It is administered by the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Mauritania (U.S. Embassy Nouakchott), through the Public Affairs Section (PAS).

What is the closing date for the opportunity?

The closing date listed is March 26, 2021.

Who is eligible to apply (based on the listing)?

The listing indicates eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, reflecting an emphasis on education and exchange-oriented programming.