Promoting Democratic Principles in Zimbabwe | AF HAR FY23 03

Opportunity Information: Apply for AF HAR FY23 03

The Promoting Democratic Principles in Zimbabwe grant is an open, competitive funding opportunity from the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe (U.S. Department of State) for projects designed to strengthen democratic principles and values in a post-election context. The Embassy is looking for creative, sustainable, and engaging proposals that support a more resilient democratic culture in Zimbabwe, including work that advances human rights, supports freedom of expression and assembly, builds a freer and more professional press, increases citizen and civil society participation, and raises public awareness about disinformation and misinformation. The opportunity is closely tied to the State Department's public diplomacy priorities, with an emphasis on defending free speech, encouraging civic activism, and helping civil society better influence decision makers in ways that improve accountable governance.

A central requirement is that every proposal must clearly strengthen ties between the United States and Zimbabwe. Applicants are expected to incorporate a strong American element, meaning a meaningful connection to U.S. experts, U.S. organizations, or U.S. institutions. This is meant to go beyond simply interacting with the U.S. Mission or American Corners and instead create real collaboration, exchange, and relationship-building that can last after the grant ends. The Embassy's underlying theory of change is that supporting freedom of speech, press, assembly, and thought, in partnership with civil society, academia, and media, will contribute to more accountable democratic governance through a more engaged citizenry and stronger respect for fundamental human rights.

Proposals must align with two required program objectives. First, they must enhance democratic development in Zimbabwe by working through civil society, media, academic organizations, and communities in ways that promote democratic sustainability and civic participation. Second, they must strengthen collaboration and networks between Zimbabwean and U.S. civil society, press, and advocacy organizations, with a clear focus on long-term relationships and sustainability rather than one-off events. While applicants can propose a wide range of democracy-related activities, the notice highlights several example themes such as building an engaged citizenry that participates in civic life and defends human rights; supporting entrepreneurial journalism and business sustainability for the media; advocating for legal and policy reforms that protect human rights; forming coalitions of civil society organizations around democratic principles; designing initiatives to counter disinformation and misinformation; convening dialogue on potential law reforms that support democratic governance; and professionalizing the media, civil society, and academia to engage government more effectively on democracy resilience and promotion. If a project includes travel between Zimbabwe and the United States, applicants are expected to build in flexibility to adjust plans in response to changing health or travel conditions, including COVID-19 related disruptions.

The program can support projects targeting a range of audiences, including media stakeholders, civil society groups, women, youth, policymakers, opinion leaders, underserved populations, and other clearly defined sectors. Awards are expected to run between 6 and 18 months, with an anticipated start around July 2023, and the Embassy anticipates making roughly 2 to 3 awards. The award ceiling listed is $50,000, and funding may be issued as a grant, fixed amount award, or cooperative agreement, with the overall announcement explicitly dependent on the availability of funds.

To apply, applicants can request the application package by emailing PublicDiplomacyGrants-ZIM@state.gov (an automatic reply provides the forms), and materials are also available through grants.gov. Submissions must be in English and should clearly address the opportunity's goals and objectives while laying out the project in practical terms: who will do the work, what activities will happen, why they matter, when and where they will occur, how they will be implemented, and what they will cost. The application must include a budget table and budget narrative in U.S. dollars with unit costs, quantities, and totals. Required forms include the completed application form, a detailed projected budget form, and standard federal forms SF-424 (or SF-424-I for individuals), SF-424A, and SF-424B. Applicants should also include letters of support from partners explaining roles and responsibilities, any required official permission letters, and, if applicable, a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). If an organization does not have a NICRA, indirect and overhead costs are capped at 10% of the total budget.

Organizations applying (as opposed to individuals) must complete federal registrations, including SAM.gov registration to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and securing an NCAGE/CAGE code, both at no cost. The Embassy accepted proposals beginning November 1, 2022, and encouraged applicants to submit before the January 31, 2023 deadline. Applications could be emailed directly to PublicDiplomacyGrants-ZIM@state.gov with the subject line "Democratic Principles Grant Proposal."

Proposals are reviewed competitively by the Public Diplomacy Grants Committee based on the stated technical and substantive criteria and the availability of funds. Applicants not selected are to be notified by email no later than September 30, 2023, and qualified proposals may remain on file for up to 12 months in case funding becomes available later. For selected proposals, the official award is issued and administered by a Grants Officer, and recipients may only begin charging expenses from the start date shown on the signed award document. The Department of State does not promise future or renewal funding, and it reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and does not reimburse costs related to preparing or submitting an application. Payments are made via electronic funds transfer, and recipients must comply with federal grant rules and State Department standard terms (including branding and marking requirements such as U.S. flag branding). Grantees will also be required to submit program and financial reports, including expenditure accounting tied to the release of additional funding tranches. For process questions, applicants are directed to contact PD Harare at PublicDiplomacyGrants-Zim@state.gov, with the note that after submission, Embassy and State Department staff cannot discuss the competition with applicants until the review is complete.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe in the humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Promoting Democratic Principles in Zimbabwe" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on Nov 01, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 31, 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 $50,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for AF HAR FY23 03

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: