Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS ZAF FY22 02
The Large Grants NOFO (Funding Opportunity Number PAS ZAF FY22 02) is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to South Africa, administered through the Public Affairs Section (PAS). It supports projects implemented in South Africa that are designed to strengthen people-to-people ties and deepen relationships between the United States and South Africa. A core requirement is that every proposal has a strong, central American element that is substantive and clearly integrated into the project design, such as collaboration with U.S.-based experts or institutions, use of U.S.-developed curricula, or meaningful incorporation of U.S. culture, history, society, values, perspectives, or policy-related themes. Importantly, the American connection must be separate and beyond any involvement limited to the U.S. Mission itself, its American Corners, or participation by alumni of U.S. government exchange programs (though exchange alumni collaboration can be included as an added feature).
Applications must be submitted by email to PretoriaGrants@state.gov rather than through Grants.gov. Funded activities must take place in South Africa and primarily serve South African participants. PAS signals a strong preference for proposals that extend beyond major metropolitan hubs (Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town) and that reach multiple provinces, townships, and historically underserved communities. Competitive proposals are expected to identify a clearly defined target audience, name or describe participants in concrete terms, explain how outcomes will be measured during the grant period, and show how short-term results can lay groundwork for longer-term impact. The award instrument may be a grant or a cooperative agreement, meaning PAS may have notable involvement during implementation, especially in some categories.
An organization may submit only one application and must choose one of six program categories. The first category, Combatting Climate Change, funds partnerships between Americans and South Africans that build awareness and encourage shared action on climate challenges. Priority themes include sustainable waste management and recycling, clean water solutions in urban and peri-urban settings, countering wildlife trafficking, climate adaptation, urban greening, and healthy oceans. Proposals should be audience-specific (for example youth, students, educators, or entrepreneurs) and should include a plan for measuring impact within the period of performance. PAS is especially interested in projects that leverage institutional links, such as between agencies (for example, the U.S. National Park Service and South African National Parks) or between universities and civil society organizations across both countries.
The second category, Improving Journalism Training, supports initiatives that strengthen professional journalism capacity, particularly for working journalists, editors, and contributors in community media. Strong proposals focus on practical skill-building in areas like investigative reporting, health/science/environment reporting, and legal reporting, while also addressing core competencies such as critical thinking, sourcing, countering disinformation, and ethics. PAS expects multiple engagements rather than one-off workshops, and it emphasizes hands-on field exercises in real-world settings. Sustainability is a key theme here: proposals should include follow-up programming and show potential to expand or continue after the initial grant-supported period. Partnerships between media outlets and educational, NGO, or civil society institutions in South Africa are viewed positively.
The third category, Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship (Expanding Economic Opportunities for Youth), seeks projects that help young South Africans overcome barriers to business success by drawing on American business and management approaches. Projects should build practical capabilities like networking, marketing, and investment readiness, and can support youth in launching new ventures. PAS also highlights intrapreneurship, meaning applying entrepreneurial practices inside existing organizations to improve innovation, strengthen governance and best practices, reduce corruption risks, and drive growth. The idea is to develop emerging leaders who can innovate within their workplaces or later start businesses that contribute to stronger U.S.-South Africa economic connections.
The fourth category, Promoting Equity, Social Justice, and Social Cohesion, funds programs that advance human rights, racial equity, social justice, and societal cohesion by connecting shared U.S. and South African experiences and priorities. PAS encourages proposals that engage historically marginalized groups and that foster dialogue, civic engagement, and education about historical injustices in both countries, with clear links to present-day implications. Priority areas include programming that draws connections between civil rights struggles in the United States and South Africa's liberation struggle, and projects that explore the literature, culture, and histories of marginalized U.S. communities with South African audiences. Intended audiences include high school and university students, professors, journalists, policymakers, and youth aged 15 to 35. Projects may use sports or arts as vehicles, as long as the activities are clearly tied to the American experience and are designed to resonate meaningfully with South African participants.
The fifth category, A Global Crisis: Trafficking in Persons, addresses South Africa's role as a source, destination, and transit country for trafficking victims. PAS seeks projects that raise awareness of trafficking-in-persons (TIP) issues in South Africa and that reflect concerns highlighted in the U.S. Department of State's 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report for South Africa. Programs should aim to improve public ability to recognize trafficking, report it, understand risk factors, and reduce demand tied to labor and sexual exploitation. Priority issues include low public awareness of trafficking crimes, limited knowledge of resources for victims, cultural practices that can increase vulnerability, underreporting, and problems of official indifference or complicity. Strong proposals identify specific audiences and explain why those audiences matter for prevention, detection, reporting, or victim support, and they are strengthened by existing relationships or credible capacity to partner with relevant South African government entities.
The sixth category, Expanding the University Partnership Initiative (UPI), supports strengthening and expanding collaboration between U.S. and South African higher education institutions. PAS is looking for proposals that can potentially scale if additional funds become available and that anticipate meaningful PAS engagement during implementation. While collaboration with U.S. Mission programs and USG exchange alumni is welcomed, proposals should focus on institution-to-institution partnerships and long-term sustainability beyond the period of U.S. government funding. Priority areas include faculty and student exchanges and the development of dual degree pathways that allow South Africans to study locally while addressing shortages of qualified academic staff; instructional technology to broaden access (including in contexts like COVID-19 disruptions); early-career training for academics; joint research (especially agriculture, food security, health, and STEM); professional exchanges on university and community college administration; and public-private partnerships that emphasize commercialization, tech transfer, and job creation. PAS particularly encourages links between South African technical universities and U.S. counterparts. Intended audiences include university and community college students, university administrators, and also high school teachers and students who may use university-developed materials.
Funding is offered with an award ceiling of $250,000, with an expectation of up to six awards. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations both with and without U.S. 501(c)(3) status. The funding activity areas span arts and humanities (cultural affairs), community development, education, environment, and law/justice-related programming. The original posting date is November 22, 2021, and the original closing date listed is April 30, 2022.
Finally, PAS clearly lists what it will not fund. Ineligible projects include partisan political activity; charity or development assistance that is not aligned with PAS public diplomacy objectives; construction; support for specific religious activities; fundraising campaigns; lobbying for legislation or specific projects; proposals mainly aimed at growing the applicant organization rather than delivering public-facing programming; duplication of existing projects; travel to the United States for family/social reasons or for purposes not tied to a larger program; travel intended primarily to amplify South African cultural initiatives; scholarships or tuition assistance; purely social events; and prizes or competition awards that are not connected to a broader, programmatic effort.Apply for PAS ZAF FY22 02
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to South Africa in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), community development, education, environment, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda), law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Large Grants NOFO" 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 22, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 30, 2022. (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 $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is the Large Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), Funding Opportunity Number PAS ZAF FY22 02. It is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to South Africa, administered through the Public Affairs Section (PAS).
2) What is the main purpose of the Large Grants NOFO?
The opportunity supports projects implemented in South Africa that are designed to strengthen people-to-people ties and deepen relationships between the United States and South Africa.
3) Where must funded activities take place?
Funded activities must take place in South Africa.
4) Who should primarily benefit from the funded activities?
Projects must primarily serve South African participants.
5) How do we submit an application?
Applications must be submitted by email to PretoriaGrants@state.gov (not through Grants.gov).
6) Can an organization submit more than one application?
No. An organization may submit only one application.
7) Do applicants have to choose a program category?
Yes. Applicants must choose one of six program categories and submit a single application under that category.
8) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $250,000.
9) How many awards are expected to be made?
PAS indicates an expectation of up to six awards.
10) What types of award instruments might be used?
The award instrument may be a grant or a cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement means PAS may have notable involvement during implementation, especially in some categories.
11) What is the required "American element" in proposals?
Every proposal must have a strong, central American element that is substantive and clearly integrated into the project design. Examples include collaboration with U.S.-based experts or institutions, use of U.S.-developed curricula, or meaningful incorporation of U.S. culture, history, society, values, perspectives, or policy-related themes.
12) Can the American element be limited to working with the U.S. Mission or its programs?
No. The American connection must be separate and beyond involvement that is limited to the U.S. Mission itself, its American Corners, or participation by alumni of U.S. government exchange programs. (Exchange alumni collaboration may be included as an added feature, but it is not sufficient on its own.)
13) Does PAS prefer projects outside major cities?
Yes. PAS signals a strong preference for proposals that extend beyond major metropolitan hubs (Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town) and that reach multiple provinces, townships, and historically underserved communities.
14) What makes a proposal more competitive according to PAS?
Competitive proposals are expected to (a) identify a clearly defined target audience, (b) name or describe participants in concrete terms, (c) explain how outcomes will be measured during the grant period, and (d) show how short-term results can lay groundwork for longer-term impact.
15) What are the six program categories?
The six categories are: (1) Combatting Climate Change, (2) Improving Journalism Training, (3) Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship (Expanding Economic Opportunities for Youth), (4) Promoting Equity, Social Justice, and Social Cohesion, (5) A Global Crisis: Trafficking in Persons, and (6) Expanding the University Partnership Initiative (UPI).
16) What kinds of projects fit under Combatting Climate Change?
This category funds partnerships between Americans and South Africans that build awareness and encourage shared action on climate challenges. Priority themes include sustainable waste management and recycling, clean water solutions in urban and peri-urban settings, countering wildlife trafficking, climate adaptation, urban greening, and healthy oceans.
17) Are climate proposals expected to define a specific audience and measure results?
Yes. Proposals should be audience-specific (for example youth, students, educators, or entrepreneurs) and include a plan for measuring impact within the period of performance.
18) Does PAS favor any particular climate-related partnerships?
PAS is especially interested in projects that leverage institutional links, such as between agencies (for example, the U.S. National Park Service and South African National Parks) or between universities and civil society organizations in both countries.
19) What kinds of projects fit under Improving Journalism Training?
This category supports initiatives that strengthen professional journalism capacity, particularly for working journalists, editors, and contributors in community media. Strong proposals focus on practical skill-building (for example investigative reporting, health/science/environment reporting, and legal reporting) while also addressing critical thinking, sourcing, countering disinformation, and ethics.
20) Are one-off journalism workshops competitive?
PAS expects multiple engagements rather than one-off workshops, and emphasizes hands-on field exercises in real-world settings.
21) Is sustainability expected in journalism training proposals?
Yes. Sustainability is emphasized. Proposals should include follow-up programming and show potential to expand or continue after the initial grant-supported period.
22) What kinds of partnerships are viewed positively for journalism projects?
Partnerships between media outlets and educational, NGO, or civil society institutions in South Africa are viewed positively.
23) What does the Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship category support?
This category seeks projects that help young South Africans overcome barriers to business success by drawing on American business and management approaches. Projects should build practical capabilities such as networking, marketing, and investment readiness, and may support youth in launching new ventures.
24) What is "intrapreneurship" in this NOFO?
Intrapreneurship refers to applying entrepreneurial practices inside existing organizations to improve innovation, strengthen governance and best practices, reduce corruption risks, and drive growth.
25) What is the intended longer-term idea behind entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship projects?
The intent is to develop emerging leaders who can innovate within their workplaces or later start businesses that contribute to stronger U.S.-South Africa economic connections.
26) What does the Promoting Equity, Social Justice, and Social Cohesion category focus on?
This category funds programs that advance human rights, racial equity, social justice, and societal cohesion by connecting shared U.S. and South African experiences and priorities. PAS encourages engagement with historically marginalized groups and programming that fosters dialogue, civic engagement, and education about historical injustices in both countries, with links to present-day implications.
27) What are the priority areas within the equity and social cohesion category?
Priority areas include: drawing connections between civil rights struggles in the United States and South Africa's liberation struggle, and exploring the literature, culture, and histories of marginalized U.S. communities with South African audiences.
28) Who are the intended audiences for equity and social cohesion projects?
Intended audiences include high school and university students, professors, journalists, policymakers, and youth aged 15 to 35.
29) Can sports or arts activities be included under equity and social cohesion?
Yes, sports or arts can be used as vehicles, as long as the activities are clearly tied to the American experience and designed to resonate meaningfully with South African participants.
30) What does the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) category aim to address?
This category addresses South Africa's role as a source, destination, and transit country for trafficking victims. PAS seeks projects that raise awareness of TIP issues in South Africa and reflect concerns highlighted in the U.S. Department of State's 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report for South Africa.
31) What are priority issues for TIP projects?
Priority issues include low public awareness of trafficking crimes, limited knowledge of resources for victims, cultural practices that can increase vulnerability, underreporting, and problems of official indifference or complicity.
32) What should strong TIP proposals include regarding target audiences?
Strong proposals identify specific audiences, explain why those audiences matter for prevention, detection, reporting, or victim support, and are strengthened by existing relationships or credible capacity to partner with relevant South African government entities.
33) What is the University Partnership Initiative (UPI) category?
UPI supports strengthening and expanding collaboration between U.S. and South African higher education institutions, with an emphasis on long-term sustainability beyond the period of U.S. government funding.
34) Does PAS expect to be involved in UPI implementation?
Yes. PAS anticipates meaningful engagement during implementation for UPI proposals.
35) What kinds of activities are prioritized under UPI?
Priority areas include faculty and student exchanges; dual degree pathways that allow South Africans to study locally while addressing shortages of qualified academic staff; instructional technology to broaden access (including in contexts like COVID-19 disruptions); early-career training for academics; joint research (especially agriculture, food security, health, and STEM); professional exchanges on university and community college administration; and public-private partnerships emphasizing commercialization, tech transfer, and job creation.
36) Are partnerships with certain types of South African universities encouraged under UPI?
Yes. PAS particularly encourages links between South African technical universities and U.S. counterparts.
37) Who are the intended audiences for UPI projects?
Intended audiences include university and community college students and university administrators, as well as high school teachers and students who may use university-developed materials.
38) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations both with and without U.S. 501(c)(3) status.
39) What funding activity areas does this NOFO cover?
The funding activity areas span arts and humanities (cultural affairs), community development, education, environment, and law/justice-related programming.
40) What are the original posting and closing dates listed for this opportunity?
The original posting date is November 22, 2021, and the original closing date listed is April 30, 2022.
41) What types of projects or costs will PAS NOT fund?
PAS lists several ineligible project types, including: partisan political activity; charity or development assistance not aligned with PAS public diplomacy objectives; construction; support for specific religious activities; fundraising campaigns; lobbying for legislation or specific projects; proposals mainly aimed at growing the applicant organization rather than delivering public-facing programming; duplication of existing projects; travel to the United States for family/social reasons or for purposes not tied to a larger program; travel intended primarily to amplify South African cultural initiatives; scholarships or tuition assistance; purely social events; and prizes or competition awards not connected to a broader, programmatic effort.
42) Are scholarships or tuition assistance allowed under this NOFO?
No. Scholarships or tuition assistance are specifically listed as ineligible.
43) Is construction funding allowed?
No. Construction is listed as ineligible.
44) Are fundraising campaigns allowed?
No. Fundraising campaigns are listed as ineligible.
45) Is lobbying supported?
No. Lobbying for legislation or specific projects is listed as ineligible.
46) Are purely social events eligible for funding?
No. Purely social events are listed as ineligible.
47) Can a project include travel to the United States?
Travel to the United States is listed as ineligible when it is for family/social reasons or for purposes not tied to a larger program. The NOFO also states that travel intended primarily to amplify South African cultural initiatives is ineligible.
48) Can we include prizes or competition awards in the budget?
Prizes or competition awards are ineligible if they are not connected to a broader, programmatic effort.
49) Can an application rely on exchange program alumni as the main U.S. connection?
No. Collaboration with U.S. government exchange alumni can be included as an added feature, but the American connection must be separate and beyond involvement limited to alumni participation.
50) Does PAS discourage proposals that duplicate existing projects?
Yes. Duplication of existing projects is listed as ineligible.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Community Development, Education, Environment, Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Law, Justice and Legal Services
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