Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS PTA 201905
The U.S. Embassy South Africa Public Affairs Section (PAS), part of the U.S. Department of State at the U.S. Mission to South Africa, released an Annual Program Statement (APS) for its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This opportunity is meant to fund projects that advance the Embassy's public diplomacy goals in South Africa, and the APS functions as the main guide to what PAS is looking to support, which strategic themes it prioritizes, and how applicants should structure and submit proposals. Rather than being a single narrowly defined project competition, an APS typically signals an ongoing set of priorities for a given period, inviting a range of program ideas that fit those priorities, as long as applicants follow the procedures described in the full statement.
The opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number DOS PTA 201905 and is categorized as discretionary funding. PAS expects to make awards in the form of grants or cooperative agreements, which means some awards may involve closer collaboration or involvement from the U.S. government during implementation (cooperative agreement) compared to a more traditional grant structure. The activity category is labeled "Other," with clarification referenced in the full APS, which usually indicates that projects can span multiple public diplomacy approaches such as cultural, educational, media, community engagement, or exchange-related programming, depending on what the APS spells out.
In terms of who can apply, eligibility is broad. Applications are open to individuals, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits are eligible whether or not they have U.S. 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education in the case of the nonprofit categories listed. This mix of eligible applicants suggests PAS is interested in attracting both established organizations (like universities and NGOs) and credible individual implementers who can deliver strong programming aligned with Embassy priorities.
Funding levels are relatively small and geared toward compact, targeted public diplomacy projects. The award ceiling is listed at USD 24,000, and the program anticipated around 16 total awards. That scale usually implies competitive selection and an emphasis on clear, practical project designs with measurable outcomes, realistic budgets, and strong implementation plans. The APS also implies that applicants should pay close attention to required components and compliance expectations, because small grants programs often have strict formatting, budget, and reporting rules even when the award amounts are modest.
Key timeline details provided include a creation date of March 13, 2019, and an original closing date of July 15, 2019. Applicants were instructed to read the full APS carefully before applying, which is important because the APS is where PAS typically defines its priority themes, target audiences, preferred activities, evaluation expectations, required proposal sections, and submission steps. In short, this grant opportunity offered up to $24,000 per project through the U.S. Embassy in South Africa to support public diplomacy initiatives that match PAS priorities, open to a wide range of applicants, and awarded through grants or cooperative agreements on a competitive basis.Apply for DOS PTA 201905
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to South Africa 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 South Africa Public Affairs Section Annual Program Statement" 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 13, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 15, 2019. (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 $24,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 16 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, Individuals.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is the U.S. Embassy South Africa Public Affairs Section (PAS) Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program offered under an Annual Program Statement (APS). It is intended to fund projects that advance the Embassy's public diplomacy goals in South Africa.
Who is offering the grant?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Embassy South Africa Public Affairs Section (PAS), which is part of the U.S. Department of State at the U.S. Mission to South Africa.
What is an Annual Program Statement (APS) and how is it different from a typical grant competition?
An APS is a standing statement of priorities and procedures for a period of time. Instead of requesting proposals for one narrowly defined project, it invites a range of project ideas that align with PAS priorities, as long as applicants follow the requirements and submission instructions described in the full APS.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this APS?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DOS PTA 201905.
What type of funding is this categorized as?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding.
What types of awards will be made?
PAS expects to make awards as either grants or cooperative agreements.
What is the difference between a grant and a cooperative agreement in this opportunity?
Both are funding instruments, but a cooperative agreement may involve closer collaboration or involvement from the U.S. government during implementation than a more traditional grant.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is listed as "Other," with additional clarification referenced in the full APS.
What kinds of projects does the "Other" activity category typically include for public diplomacy small grants?
Based on how public diplomacy APS opportunities are generally framed, the "Other" category commonly allows for a mix of approaches such as cultural, educational, media, community engagement, or exchange-related programming, depending on the details in the full APS.
Where are the projects expected to focus?
The program is meant to support public diplomacy initiatives in South Africa that align with the U.S. Embassy's public diplomacy goals and PAS strategic themes as described in the APS.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. Applications are open to individuals, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations.
Can individuals apply directly, or is an organization required?
Individuals are explicitly listed as eligible applicants, so an organization is not strictly required as long as the individual can meet the APS requirements and submit a compliant proposal package.
Are universities and colleges eligible to apply?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible if they are not based in the United States?
The eligibility summary states that nonprofits are eligible whether or not they have U.S. 501(c)(3) status, which indicates that non-U.S. nonprofit status may be acceptable, as long as the applicant fits the eligible categories and follows the APS requirements.
Is U.S. 501(c)(3) status required for nonprofit applicants?
No. The opportunity states that nonprofits are eligible whether or not they have U.S. 501(c)(3) status.
Are all nonprofit organizations eligible, including nonprofit institutions of higher education?
The eligibility description notes that nonprofits are eligible whether or not they have U.S. 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education in the nonprofit categories listed.
What is the maximum amount that can be requested?
The award ceiling is USD 24,000 per project.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated around 16 total awards.
What does the relatively small award size imply for applicants?
The ceiling of $24,000 suggests the program is geared toward compact, targeted public diplomacy projects. It also typically means proposals benefit from having clear objectives, measurable outcomes, realistic budgets, and practical implementation plans that fit the scale of the funding.
Is this a one-time competition or an ongoing set of priorities?
Because it is issued as an APS, it generally signals an ongoing set of priorities for a given period rather than a single narrowly defined project competition.
What are the key dates listed for this opportunity?
The creation date is March 13, 2019, and the original closing date is July 15, 2019.
What was the application deadline?
The original closing date listed is July 15, 2019.
What should applicants review before preparing an application?
Applicants were instructed to read the full APS carefully before applying, because it serves as the main guide to PAS priorities and includes instructions on how to structure and submit proposals.
What information is typically defined in the full APS?
The APS is where PAS typically defines its priority themes, strategic goals, target audiences, preferred activities, evaluation expectations, required proposal sections, and submission steps.
How competitive is this opportunity likely to be?
With an anticipated 16 awards and a stated ceiling of $24,000, the program is likely to be competitive. Selection typically depends on alignment with PAS priorities and the strength, feasibility, and clarity of the proposal as required by the APS.
What should applicants pay attention to when preparing proposals for a small grants program like this?
The description indicates that applicants should pay close attention to required components and compliance expectations, since small grants programs often have strict formatting, budget, and reporting rules even when award amounts are modest.
Does the opportunity description list the specific strategic themes PAS prioritizes?
No. The summary indicates that the strategic themes and priority areas are laid out in the full APS, which applicants should consult for specifics.
Does the opportunity description specify required proposal sections or submission procedures?
No. It notes that applicants should follow the procedures described in the full APS, which typically contains required proposal components and submission steps.
Is the program limited to a single type of public diplomacy activity?
No. The APS format and the "Other" activity category suggest PAS may consider a range of public diplomacy project types, as long as they match the APS priorities and comply with the APS submission requirements.
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Previous opportunity: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Office of Indian Education (OIE): Indian Education Formula Grants to Local Education Agencies CFDA Number 84.060A
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