Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS PDS APS FY23

The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, through its Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) within the U.S. Department of State, is running an open, competitive grant opportunity that starts with a Request for a Statement of Interest (SOI). This opportunity is meant for organizations or individuals who have a program idea (or multiple ideas) that aligns with the Embassy's public diplomacy objectives in Ethiopia. Rather than asking applicants to submit a full proposal up front, the Embassy is using a two-step process so it can first review brief concepts and only invite the strongest ones to develop full applications.

At the first stage, applicants must submit a concise SOI that is limited to three pages and focuses on clearly explaining the proposed program idea and its objectives. The SOI is intentionally not a full proposal; it is a concept-level submission meant to communicate what you want to do, why it matters, and what you aim to achieve. After the submission deadline, the Embassy will conduct a merit review of eligible SOIs. Applicants whose concepts score well in this initial review will be invited to proceed to the second stage, where they will expand their idea into a full proposal application. Those full proposals will then undergo a second merit review before any final funding decisions are made, meaning that an invitation to submit a full proposal is not the same as an award.

The grant is administered by the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Ethiopia, and falls under a discretionary funding category using a grant funding instrument. The official listing identifies the activity category as "Other" (with clarification referenced in the original notice), and the CFDA (assistance listing) number is 19.040, which is commonly associated with public diplomacy and educational and cultural exchange-type assistance. While eligibility is summarized in the notice as "Others" with additional details referenced elsewhere, the announcement explicitly states that both organizations and individuals may submit an SOI, signaling a relatively broad applicant pool as long as applicants meet the specific eligibility requirements described in the full instructions.

In terms of scale and competitiveness, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $100,000 per award and anticipates making around five awards. This suggests the Embassy is looking to support a small number of well-defined, high-impact projects rather than a large portfolio of smaller activities. Interested applicants must send their SOI to the Mission Addis Ababa Public Affairs Grants Management Team via the email address AddisPASAPSGrants@state.gov and follow the instructions in the announcement carefully, since compliance with formatting, page limits, and submission requirements is typically part of the eligibility screening for government-funded competitions.

Key administrative details from the source listing include the funding opportunity title "U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa PDS Request for Statement of Interest" and the funding opportunity number "DOS PDS APS FY23." The opportunity was created on February 17, 2023, with an original closing date of March 21, 2023. Overall, the practical takeaway is that this is an Embassy-led public diplomacy grants process designed to lower the initial barrier to entry by requesting a short concept paper first, then narrowing the field to a smaller set of applicants invited to write full proposals that compete for final awards.

  • The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Ethiopia 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 Addis Ababa PDS Request for Statement of Interest" 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 Feb 17, 2023.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 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 $100,000.00 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 PDS APS FY23

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is an open, competitive grant opportunity run by the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa through its Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) within the U.S. Department of State. It begins with a Request for a Statement of Interest (SOI) rather than a full proposal.

Who is administering the grant?

The grant is administered by the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Ethiopia (U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa), through the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS).

What is the funding opportunity title and number?

The title is "U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa PDS Request for Statement of Interest" and the funding opportunity number is "DOS PDS APS FY23."

What type of submission is required first?

Applicants must first submit a Statement of Interest (SOI). The SOI is a brief, concept-level submission used to present a proposed program idea and its objectives.

Is the SOI the same as a full proposal?

No. The SOI is intentionally not a full proposal. It is a short concept paper meant to clearly communicate what you want to do, why it matters, and what you aim to achieve.

How long can the SOI be?

The SOI is limited to three pages.

What should the SOI focus on?

Based on the notice, the SOI should clearly explain the proposed program idea and its objectives, and communicate the purpose and intended outcomes at a concept level (not a full application).

What is the overall application process?

This opportunity uses a two-step process. Step 1 is submission of a brief SOI. Step 2 is an invitation-only full proposal stage for applicants whose SOIs score well during the initial merit review.

How are SOIs evaluated?

After the submission deadline, the Embassy conducts a merit review of eligible SOIs. High-scoring concepts may be invited to submit a full proposal.

If I am invited to submit a full proposal, does that mean I will receive funding?

No. An invitation to submit a full proposal is not an award. Full proposals undergo a second merit review before final funding decisions are made.

Who is eligible to apply?

The announcement indicates that both organizations and individuals may submit an SOI. Eligibility is summarized as "Others" in the listing, with additional requirements referenced in the full instructions, so applicants should confirm they meet all eligibility conditions described in the official announcement.

What kinds of projects is the Embassy looking for?

The opportunity is intended for program ideas that align with the Embassy's public diplomacy objectives in Ethiopia. Applicants can propose one idea or multiple ideas as long as they align with those objectives.

What is the assistance listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?

The assistance listing (CFDA) number is 19.040.

What is the activity category listed for this opportunity?

The activity category is listed as "Other" (with further clarification referenced in the original notice).

What is the funding instrument?

The opportunity uses a grant funding instrument and is described as discretionary funding.

How much funding is available per award?

The award ceiling is $100,000 per award.

How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?

The opportunity anticipates making around five awards.

Where do I submit the SOI?

SOIs must be sent to the Mission Addis Ababa Public Affairs Grants Management Team by email at AddisPASAPSGrants@state.gov.

Are formatting and submission rules important at the SOI stage?

Yes. The notice emphasizes following the instructions carefully. Compliance with page limits, formatting, and submission requirements is typically part of the eligibility screening in government competitions.

When was this opportunity created and what was the original closing date?

The opportunity was created on February 17, 2023, and the original closing date was March 21, 2023.

Why is the Embassy using a two-step SOI process?

The stated purpose is to lower the initial barrier to entry by requesting a short concept submission first, then inviting only the strongest concepts to develop full proposals for the final funding competition.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Ethiopia

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