Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS ACC NOFO 2023 01
The U.S. Embassy in Ghana, through its Public Diplomacy Section, announced the University Partnership Initiative Notice of Funding Opportunity (DOS ACC NOFO 2023 01) to support practical, results-oriented partnerships between U.S. and Ghanaian universities. The core aim is to strengthen existing institutional ties and spark new collaborations that produce visible benefits for Ghanaian higher education communities. Activities are expected to take place in both Ghana and the United States, but they must be directed primarily toward Ghanaian audiences and participants, including university faculty, staff, administrators, and students. A major theme running through the opportunity is sustainability: proposals are expected to explain clearly how the institutional relationships, joint work, and outcomes will continue after U.S. government funding ends, and projects may include an exchange component (in-person or virtual) to deepen those long-term links.
Programmatically, the Embassy is looking for proposals that align with a set of priority focus areas tied to innovation, capacity building, and workforce-relevant outcomes. Competitive projects may facilitate joint research or build institutional capacity and innovation ecosystems, especially in renewable energy, environmental science, agriculture, food security, and broader STEM fields. The opportunity also encourages training and professional development that strengthens academic and institutional advancement, which could include subject-matter exchanges, reciprocal visits, seminars, mentoring arrangements, and other structured in-person or virtual engagements. In addition, applicants are invited to design public-private partnership elements that push beyond academic collaboration into real-world impact, particularly around commercialization, technology transfer, and job creation. Student and faculty exchanges between the U.S. and Ghana are explicitly encouraged as a way to build durable networks and shared expertise.
On the funding side, the Embassy expects to make one to two awards depending on the final award sizes, using FY23 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds. Total funding available is USD 200,000, with individual awards anticipated to range from USD 50,000 up to USD 200,000. The performance period is designed to be relatively short and focused, with projects expected to run 12 to 18 months and to be completed in 18 months or less. The anticipated program start date listed is September 15, 2023, and applicants are told that all projects must begin before September 30, 2023 (meaning project preparation must start by then, even if activities extend beyond that date). As with many government opportunities, the notice also notes that awards are subject to the availability of funding.
Eligibility is fairly broad but clearly defined. Applicants can include registered not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs with relevant programming experience), individuals (including alumni of U.S. government academic and exchange programs), and public tertiary educational institutions. For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply. Organizational applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM.gov to receive an award, while individuals are not required to have a UEI or SAM registration. Cost sharing is not mandatory, but it can strengthen an application: the Embassy states that cost sharing from the applicant or third-party funders may be used as a tie-breaker when proposals receive equivalent scores, and proposals should clearly describe any cash or in-kind contributions.
The application process is email-based rather than a portal submission. Proposals must be submitted to PASAccraGrant@state.gov, and applicants are instructed to use the funding opportunity title, "University Partnerships Initiative," as the email subject line. The deadline provided is April 21, 2023 at 11:59pm. The Embassy also recommends submitting early to leave time to resolve any submission issues. Applicants are referred to the Embassy website announcement for full details, exemptions, and required components.
Several funding restrictions shape what a compliant proposal and budget can include. The notice lists a range of non-allowable costs and project types, including: fees and travel costs to attend conferences in the United States; organizational start-up costs; ongoing salaries, operating costs, or capital improvements; office equipment; paying to complete activities already started with other funds; projects of a commercial or profit-making nature; inherently political or partisan programming or support to electoral campaigns; projects supporting specific religious activities; fundraising campaigns; standalone academic or analytical research that is not part of a larger project; construction; vehicles; scholarships; projects aimed primarily at developing the applicant organization itself; solicitations or fees for news coverage; and representational expenses such as receptions (with limited exceptions for coffee breaks and working lunches, and with alcohol not allowed). In practice, these restrictions signal that the Embassy wants projects that are programmatic, partnership-driven, and publicly beneficial, with spending focused on deliverables rather than general institutional overhead, long-term staffing, or infrastructure.
Proposals are reviewed competitively by a committee using a set of stated evaluation criteria. Reviewers will look closely at the quality and feasibility of the program idea, including whether activities are clearly described, implementable, and supported by a realistic timeline. They will assess whether the goals and objectives align to the Embassy's strategic priorities and whether the project is likely to generate meaningful impact. Equity and inclusion are also built into the scoring: proposals that demonstrate geographic diversity, gender equality, and inclusive practices for underserved or underrepresented groups (including women, rural communities, and persons with disabilities) are weighted more favorably. The committee will also evaluate organizational capacity (whether the applicant has the relevant expertise and ability to deliver), sustainability (the credibility of the plan to continue the partnership and benefits beyond the grant), the budget and budget justification (reasonableness and compliance with allowable costs), and a publicity or media plan to amplify impact with target audiences. Finally, applicants are expected to present a monitoring and evaluation approach, ideally with specific indicators that are measurable and time-bound, showing how outcomes will be tracked and reported.
The selection approach includes an explicit preference for proposals that involve alumni of U.S. government exchange programs such as the YALI Mandela Washington Fellowship, YALI Regional Leadership Center programs, Fulbright, and the International Visitor Leadership Program. On administration, the award is formally issued and managed by a U.S. Department of State Grants Officer, supported by a Grants Officer Representative who may serve as a day-to-day contact. Importantly, recipients can only begin incurring costs on or after the official start date on the signed award document. The Embassy also emphasizes standard federal disclaimers: issuing the notice does not guarantee an award, the government is not responsible for proposal preparation costs, it may reject any or all proposals, and any future funding beyond the awarded amount or period is not guaranteed and is fully discretionary.
Finally, awardees should expect both programmatic and financial reporting requirements at intervals specified in the award agreement, and funding disbursements may be linked to timely submission of those reports. Overall, the opportunity is designed for applicants that can quickly launch a well-structured, partnership-based program with clear deliverables in Ghana and the U.S., demonstrate inclusive participation, and leave behind durable university-to-university relationships that keep producing academic, innovation, and workforce benefits after the grant ends.Apply for DOS ACC NOFO 2023 01
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Algeria in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Ghana University Partnership Initiative Notice of Funding Opportunity" 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 Mar 02, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 21, 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 $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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