Funder: U.S. Mission to Benin
Due Dates: June 2, 2025 (Statement of Interest)
Funding Amounts: Awards range from $5,000–$25,000; total program funding up to $100,000; project period up to 12 months.
Summary: Supports projects by individuals and organizations in Benin or the U.S. to advance public diplomacy, economic growth, and U.S.-Benin cooperation through training, mentorship, and grants.
Key Information: Only one Statement of Interest per organization; for-profit entities are not eligible.
Description
The U.S. Embassy Cotonou Public Diplomacy Section invites Statements of Interest (SOIs) for projects that strengthen U.S.-Benin relations, promote economic growth, and advance public diplomacy objectives. Funding is available for initiatives that support media, youth, and business leaders through training, mentorship, and capacity-building activities. Projects should align with one or more of the following goals:
- Making America safer (countering extremism, building community resilience)
- Making America stronger (promoting press freedom, English language learning, democratic governance)
- Making America more prosperous (expanding trade, supporting entrepreneurship, fostering STEM capacity)
This opportunity is open to both U.S. and Beninese individuals and organizations, with a focus on innovative, impactful projects that foster mutual prosperity and cooperation.
Due Dates
- Statement of Interest Deadline: June 2, 2025 (11:59 p.m. UTC+1)
- Anticipated project start date: October 1, 2025
Funding Amount
- Award size: $5,000–$25,000 per project
- Total available funding: Up to $100,000 (pending availability)
- Project duration: 10–12 months
- Number of anticipated awards: Varies by program area (typically 1–2 per goal area)
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- U.S. and Beninese registered not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks, civil society, and NGOs)
- Individuals (U.S. or Beninese)
- Non-profit or governmental educational institutions
- Governmental institutions
Ineligible: For-profit or commercial entities
Additional requirements:
- Only one SOI per organization; multiple submissions from the same organization will render all ineligible.
- Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and active registration in SAM.gov (not required for individuals).
- Cost sharing is not required.
Application Process
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Step 1: Statement of Interest (SOI)
- Submit a concise (max 3 pages) SOI in English by email to CotonouPASGrants@state.gov.
- SOI must include: project summary, problem statement, goals/objectives, timeline, anticipated budget, and justification narrative.
- Use single-spaced, 12-point Calibri font, 1-inch margins.
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Step 2: Full Proposal (by invitation)
- Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal within two weeks of notification.
- Full proposals require additional forms (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B as applicable).
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Review Process
- SOIs are reviewed for quality, organizational capacity, program planning, and budget.
- Only one SOI per organization is permitted.
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Submission
- All materials must be submitted by email to CotonouPASGrants@state.gov.
- Application forms are available at the U.S. Embassy in Benin homepage and Grants.gov.
Additional Information
- Projects must be completed within 12 months.
- No cost sharing required, but if offered, it must be honored.
- Funding cannot be used for for-profit activities or to support UNRWA.
- Compliance with all applicable U.S. federal anti-discrimination laws is required.
- The Embassy will not provide individual feedback on non-selected SOIs, but a public feedback session will be announced on the Embassy’s Facebook page.
External Links
Contact Information