Opportunity Information: Apply for AFMWI FY23 APS01
The U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe, through its Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), is offering funding through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program under an Annual Program Statement. The aim is to support projects that deepen relationships between the United States and Malawi by emphasizing shared values, encouraging collaboration, and helping Malawian audiences better understand U.S. policies and perspectives. This opportunity is discretionary, depends on the availability of funds, and is administered by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Malawi (CFDA 19.040). The funding opportunity number is AFMWI FY23 APS01, with an original closing date of May 31, 2023.
Projects must be rooted in public diplomacy and must include a clear and meaningful American element. The American connection is not optional; PDS states it will only consider proposals with a significant U.S. component. That component could take several forms, such as bringing in an American expert to speak or train participants, partnering with a U.S. organization or institution, using curriculum developed by a U.S. university or professional body, or incorporating American cultural programming like film screenings or other U.S.-linked content. The overall expectation is that the activity will go beyond general community benefit and directly support mutual understanding and U.S.-Malawi engagement.
The program supports a wide range of exchange and cultural activities. Examples mentioned include lectures, seminars, and speaking tours led by U.S. experts for Malawian audiences; artistic and cultural workshops, exhibitions, and joint performances; professional or academic exchange initiatives; and efforts related to cultural heritage conservation and preservation. PDS also encourages proposals developed by alumni of U.S. government-sponsored or U.S.-supported exchanges, as well as projects that maintain connections with exchange alumni networks. Another eligible direction includes English language-focused programming, such as improving English teaching skills or expanding access to books and credible information sources about the United States.
PDS highlights several priority program areas that proposals should align with. These priorities include promoting good governance and the rule of law, supporting entrepreneurship and business growth, and advancing gender equality in ways that increase girls and young womens participation in education and strengthen their ability to make informed health decisions. Additional priorities include improving government transparency by strengthening media capacity, supporting vulnerable and marginalized groups (specifically noting persons with disabilities, people living with albinism, and others facing stigma or persecution), preventing gender-based violence and trafficking in persons, and expanding and strengthening partnerships between U.S. and Malawian universities.
There are clear restrictions on what PDS will not fund. Ineligible activities include anything tied to partisan political campaigns or party activity, charitable or general development assistance work, and construction projects. Programs centered on promoting specific religious activities are excluded, as are fundraising campaigns and lobbying efforts aimed at influencing specific legislation or government programs. Scientific research is also not supported under this announcement, nor are projects that primarily serve to expand the applicants own organization (such as general institutional capacity building without a strong public diplomacy purpose). Finally, proposals that duplicate existing programs are considered ineligible, signaling that applicants should demonstrate how their approach fills a gap, offers a distinct contribution, or brings a new U.S.-Malawi public diplomacy angle rather than repeating work already being implemented elsewhere.
In terms of scale, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $100,000 and anticipates making around 10 awards. The instrument type is a grant, and the funding activity category is listed as "Other," with the substance of eligible activities described in the program narrative rather than fitting into a single standard category. Overall, competitive proposals will be those that directly address one or more priority areas, include a strong and credible American component, clearly explain the target audience and expected impact in Malawi, and fit squarely within public diplomacy goals rather than humanitarian aid, construction, partisan politics, or research.Apply for AFMWI FY23 APS01
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Malawi 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 Lilongwe Public Diplomacy 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 Nov 22, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 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 $100,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is the U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program offered under an Annual Program Statement (APS). It is administered by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Malawi (CFDA 19.040).
What is the main goal of the program?
The program aims to support projects that deepen relationships between the United States and Malawi by emphasizing shared values, encouraging collaboration, and helping Malawian audiences better understand U.S. policies and perspectives.
Who is offering and managing the grants?
The funding is offered through the U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe, specifically its Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), and is administered by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Malawi.
What is the funding opportunity number and CFDA listing?
The funding opportunity number is AFMWI FY23 APS01. The program is listed under CFDA 19.040.
Is funding guaranteed?
No. The opportunity is discretionary and depends on the availability of funds.
What was the original closing date listed for this APS?
The original closing date listed is May 31, 2023.
What types of projects are a good fit for this program?
Projects must be rooted in public diplomacy and designed to strengthen U.S.-Malawi engagement and mutual understanding. Competitive proposals align with one or more PDS priority areas, clearly define the target audience in Malawi, and explain expected impact.
What does "public diplomacy" mean in this context?
Based on the description provided, public diplomacy projects are those that go beyond general community benefit and directly support mutual understanding and engagement between Malawian audiences and the United States, including U.S. perspectives, policies, values, and collaboration.
Is an American element required?
Yes. PDS states it will only consider proposals with a clear, meaningful, and significant American component. The American connection is not optional.
What counts as a strong American element?
Examples mentioned include bringing in an American expert to speak or train participants, partnering with a U.S. organization or institution, using curriculum developed by a U.S. university or professional body, or incorporating American cultural programming such as film screenings or other U.S.-linked content.
Does the American element have to be central to the project?
Yes. The expectation is that the U.S. component is significant and credible, and that the project clearly advances U.S.-Malawi mutual understanding rather than delivering general development benefits without a clear public diplomacy purpose.
What kinds of activities are supported?
The program supports a wide range of exchange and cultural activities. Examples include lectures, seminars, and speaking tours led by U.S. experts for Malawian audiences; artistic and cultural workshops, exhibitions, and joint performances; professional or academic exchange initiatives; and cultural heritage conservation and preservation efforts.
Are exchange alumni encouraged to apply?
Yes. PDS encourages proposals developed by alumni of U.S. government-sponsored or U.S.-supported exchanges, including projects that maintain connections with exchange alumni networks.
Does the program support English language projects?
Yes. English language-focused programming is mentioned as an eligible direction, including improving English teaching skills or expanding access to books and credible information sources about the United States.
What are the priority program areas?
PDS highlights priorities that proposals should align with, including: promoting good governance and the rule of law; supporting entrepreneurship and business growth; advancing gender equality (including increasing girls and young womens participation in education and strengthening their ability to make informed health decisions); improving government transparency by strengthening media capacity; supporting vulnerable and marginalized groups (including persons with disabilities, people living with albinism, and others facing stigma or persecution); preventing gender-based violence and trafficking in persons; and expanding and strengthening partnerships between U.S. and Malawian universities.
Do proposals need to align with a priority area to be competitive?
Yes. Competitive proposals are described as those that directly address one or more of the listed priority areas, in addition to meeting the public diplomacy and American element requirements.
How much funding is available per award?
The award ceiling listed is $100,000.
How many awards does the Embassy anticipate making?
The opportunity anticipates making around 10 awards.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The instrument type is a grant.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is listed as "Other," with eligible activities described in the program narrative rather than fitting into a single standard category.
What activities are explicitly not funded?
PDS will not fund partisan political campaign or party activity, charitable or general development assistance work, construction projects, programs centered on promoting specific religious activities, fundraising campaigns, lobbying aimed at influencing specific legislation or government programs, scientific research, projects primarily aimed at expanding the applicants own organization (such as general institutional capacity building without a strong public diplomacy purpose), or proposals that duplicate existing programs.
Are construction costs allowed if they support a public diplomacy goal?
No. Construction projects are listed as ineligible.
Can a proposal focus on humanitarian aid or general development assistance?
No. Charitable or general development assistance work is listed as ineligible. The project must fit squarely within public diplomacy goals.
Can the grant be used for partisan political activities?
No. Anything tied to partisan political campaigns or party activity is ineligible.
Are religious programs eligible?
Programs centered on promoting specific religious activities are excluded under this opportunity.
Can funds be used for fundraising or lobbying?
No. Fundraising campaigns are excluded, and lobbying efforts aimed at influencing specific legislation or government programs are also excluded.
Is scientific research eligible under this announcement?
No. Scientific research is listed as not supported under this announcement.
Can the grant be used for general organizational capacity building?
Projects that primarily serve to expand the applicants own organization (for example, general institutional capacity building without a strong public diplomacy purpose) are listed as ineligible.
What does it mean that duplicate programs are ineligible?
It means proposals should not simply repeat existing programs. Applicants should show how their approach fills a gap, offers a distinct contribution, or brings a new U.S.-Malawi public diplomacy angle rather than duplicating work already being implemented elsewhere.
What makes a proposal competitive based on the description provided?
Competitive proposals are those that: align with one or more priority areas; include a strong, meaningful, and credible American component; clearly explain the target audience in Malawi; describe expected impact; and stay within public diplomacy purposes rather than humanitarian aid, construction, partisan politics, or research.
What kinds of audiences are these projects intended to reach?
The opportunity emphasizes Malawian audiences and improving their understanding of U.S. policies and perspectives, while strengthening U.S.-Malawi relationships through shared values and collaboration.
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