United States Institute of Peace: Grants & Fellowships - Call for Proposals : Horn of Africa Priority Grant Competition

Call for Proposals: Horn of Africa Priority Grant Competition

BACKGROUND

The United States Institute of Peace announces the launch of its Horn of Africa Priority Grant Competition. The region faces numerous pressing challenges, including ongoing conflict within states and tensions among neighbors. A diverse set of actors–including governments, regional organizations, international bodies, research institutions, nonprofit organizations, and religious and community leaders are undertaking conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts in the region

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

The Horn of Africa Priority Grant Competition seeks to support the peacebuilding projects of non-profit organizations, think tanks, and universities. Priority will be given to local organizations, but international organizations with a strong history of work in the region may also apply.

Each year, the grant competition will support projects on a specific set of countries. For 2013, the Institute is seeking proposals for peacebuilding and conflict resolution projects in Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan.

In future years, the Institute may elect to solicit proposals on a different set of countries within the Horn of Africa.

Topics of interest include:

·        Inter-communal or inter-state conflict resolution and cooperation

·        Governance, rule of law, and transitional justice

·        The role of youth in conflict prevention and conflict resolution

·        Economic drivers of conflict and/or the economic impact of conflict

·        Media and science in peacebuilding and conflict resolution

·        Post-conflict reconciliation and reintegration

·        Early warning and conflict prevention

·        Religion and peacebuilding

·        Social and psychological impacts of war and conflict

·        Gender and peacebuilding

USIP supports both research projects and practitioner projects.

The above list is not exhaustive, and we do welcome other creative ideas. Grants may support either stand -alone projects or projects that form a part of wider conflict management initiatives. Do note, however, that the Institute does not provide funds to support the establishment of a new organization. Organizations may only seek funds for a discrete project, and the applying organization must already be properly registered with the relevant authorities. Please read the entire “Eligibility” section for detailed information on whether you are eligible to apply.

How to Apply

This Call for Proposals involves a mandatory two-step application process. The first step in the process is to submit a three-page concept note. Concept notes longer than three pages will not be reviewed. There is no form or specific format for the concept note, but applicants should be sure to describe:

1)     The problem that the proposed project seeks to address;

2)     The goals of the project and the activities that will be implemented;

3)     The qualifications of the organization and the project team;

4)     How the project will be monitored and evaluated; and

5)     The estimated cost of the project. (Do not provide a full budget.)

Please pay close attention to the “Proposal Guidance” and “Eligibility” sections when developing your concept note. Concept notes must be submitted by Tuesday, April 2^nd at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time to the email address hornofafricagrants@usip.org. At the top of the concept note and within the body of the email, please provide the name of the implementing organization, the name of the contact person, and the email address and telephone number of the contact person.

After a review of the concept notes, a select number of applicants will be contacted and asked to submit a full proposal.

Timeline:

Deadline for submission of concept notes:

·        April 2, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time

·        Request for full proposals: No later than April 8, 2013

·        Full proposals due: April 26, 2013

·        Funding decision: June 30, 2013

·        Projects begin: August 2013

This timeline is subject to change.

Proposal Guidance

Stronger project proposals:

• Will have a clearly articulated link to USIP’s conflict resolution and peacebuilding mandate.
• Will demonstrate an awareness of related work being carried out, and be able to explain how the proposed project offers a unique contribution.
• Will have well-developed project logic, with the objectives aligning with the problem to be addressed, and the activities relating clearly to the objectives.
• Will have organizational capacity and personnel based in the countries where the grant funds are being applied.
• Will demonstrate an awareness of possible risks and security challenges, as well as strategies to mitigate them.
• Will have a thoughtful monitoring and evaluation plan that will provide evidence on whether the project achieved its objectives.

Eligibility

All U.S. and foreign non-profit organizations and universities are eligible to apply for funding, although preference will be given to local Somali, South Sudanese, and Sudanese organizations. At a bare minimum, applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have personnel and organizational capacity in the area where the project would be implemented. Support cannot be provided to government agencies or to individuals working for government agencies.

Current USIP grantees are not eligible to apply. Individuals working as USIP contractors may or may not be eligible to apply depending on the nature of the contract.

The proposed project must be focused on Somalia, South Sudan, and/or Sudan.

The Institute of Peace does not provide funds for the creation of a new organization, for the construction or maintenance of an office, for direct social services, or for microenterprise projects.

Funding

Subject to available funding, current plans for this solicitation are as follows:

• Total funding: $400,000
• Number of projects funded: 4-6
• Grant range: $60,000-$100,000

Final decisions regarding funding will be made by the United States Institute of Peace Board of Directors.

If you have any questions, please email Elizabeth Murray at emurray@usip.org. Please note that concept notes should only be submitted to the address hornofafricagrants@usip.org.

About the United States Institute of Peace

The United States Institute of Peace is an independent, nonpartisan institution established and funded by Congress to increase the nation's capacity to manage international conflict without violence. To learn more, please visit www.usip.org.