2025 Annual Program Statement, Harare PD | AF HAR FY25 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for AF HAR FY25 01

The 2025 Annual Program Statement from the U.S. Embassy Harare Public Diplomacy (PD) Section announces a small-grants funding opportunity focused on Zimbabwe. The core purpose is to support projects that strengthen connections and professional networks between people in the United States and people in Zimbabwe, mainly through exchange-style programming that highlights shared goals and values and increases understanding of U.S. perspectives. A central requirement is that every proposed project must include a clear American component, such as bringing a U.S. expert to engage audiences in Zimbabwe (in person or virtually) or supporting Zimbabweans to travel to the United States to collaborate, learn, and exchange best practices in a particular field. Proposals that build this American component into the project design in a strong, meaningful way are expected to be prioritized over proposals where the U.S. link is weak or incidental.

Awards may be issued as a grant, a fixed amount award (FAA), or a cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements (and some FAAs) differ from traditional grants because embassy staff can be more directly involved in implementation, described in the notice as "substantial involvement." Projects are expected to be completed within 18 months or less. Continuation or renewal funding beyond the initial budget period is described as rare, and any continuation would depend on funding availability, performance, and a determination that continued support aligns with U.S. Department of State interests. The opportunity is explicitly subject to availability of funds, and the U.S. government also notes it may reject any or all proposals and does not reimburse costs associated with proposal preparation.

The maximum award amount listed is USD 30,000, and the stated application deadline is August 1, 2025. Unsuccessful applicants should expect notification by email no later than October 15, 2025. The program is run by the U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe, with CFDA numbers 19.022 and 19.040, and it is categorized under "Other" in the funding activity area. The notice emphasizes careful compliance with submission instructions: applications that do not follow the requirements can be deemed ineligible.

Eligibility is open to applicants from the United States and Zimbabwe, although the embassy expresses a preference for local (Zimbabwe-based) applicants. Eligible applicants include registered nonprofit organizations (including think tanks, trusts, and civil society or nongovernmental organizations with relevant programming experience), individuals, and nonprofit or governmental educational institutions. For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible. For organizations, a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and active SAM.gov registration are mandatory. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or SAM.gov registration. The announcement also flags practical financial capacity issues in Zimbabwe, warning that banking constraints and currency pressures can complicate implementation; it recommends that applicants maintain a foreign currency account in addition to a local currency account and ensure their bank can reliably handle U.S. dollar electronic transfers through correspondent banking relationships. The embassy notes it will not add funds later to cover currency fluctuations or unforeseen banking-related costs.

Applications must be submitted in English and should clearly align with the goals of the opportunity, while also being specific about the basics: who will do the work, what will happen, why it matters, when and where activities will occur, how the approach will work, and what it will cost. A budget narrative and a budget table in U.S. dollars are required, with unit costs, quantities, and totals clearly shown. Required forms include the U.S. Embassy application form, a detailed projected budget form, and standard federal assistance forms: SF-424 (for organizations) or SF-424-I (for individuals), SF-424A (budget information for non-construction programs), and in certain cases SF-424B (assurances). The SF-424B is required for individuals and for organizations that are exempt from registration or not required to fully register in SAM.gov. The proposal itself can use the applicant's own format, but it must include specific narrative components: a short project summary with objectives and anticipated impact; an organizational or individual background section demonstrating capacity (including disclosure of previous U.S. Embassy or U.S. government grants); a problem statement supported by clear reasoning and evidence; measurable goals and objectives; a description of activities; an explanation of methods and program design (with a logic model when appropriate); a schedule and timeline with dates, times, and locations; key personnel details (names, roles, qualifications, and the portion of time allocated to the project); a description of project partners and any sub-awardees; a monitoring and evaluation plan explaining how implementation will be tracked and results assessed; and a sustainability section explaining how the work might continue after the grant ends or what other resources could support it.

Several attachments are also expected. These include one-page CVs or resumes for key personnel, letters of support from partners that spell out responsibilities, a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) if the organization plans to charge indirect costs using a negotiated rate, and any official permission letters required to conduct planned activities. The budget justification is treated as a serious component of the application and should explain each cost in detail after completing the SF-424A. The guidance breaks down typical budget categories and what reviewers expect to see: personnel and fringe benefits with time allocations; travel and per diem estimates, including justification for international travel; equipment (generally items costing USD 10,000 or more per unit and having a useful life beyond one year); supplies (including devices, unless they meet the equipment threshold); contractual costs (vendors and sub-awards); other direct costs (itemized, with no vague "miscellaneous" line items); and indirect costs. If an organization does not have a NICRA, it may be able to use a de minimis indirect cost rate of 15 percent of Modified Total Direct Costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.1. Cost sharing is allowed and can include cash or in-kind contributions such as volunteer time or donated venues. The notice also states that grant funds cannot be used to purchase alcoholic beverages.

If selected, the award will be issued and administered by a Grants Officer, and the signed award document is the controlling authorization. Recipients may only begin incurring project expenses on or after the official start date stated in the award document. Payments are handled through requests submitted on SF-270 (advance or reimbursement) and are paid via electronic funds transfer. After award, recipients should expect standard federal compliance obligations and reporting requirements, including both financial and program reports at intervals specified in the award. The notice ties administration to the federal assistance framework under 2 CFR Part 200 and related regulations and policies, including SAM and unique identifier requirements (2 CFR 25), subaward and executive compensation reporting (2 CFR 170), anti-trafficking requirements (2 CFR 175), drug-free workplace requirements (2 CFR 182), and other Department of State terms and conditions. It also notes policy considerations such as promoting freedom of speech and religious liberty and a preference, where legally permitted, for goods and materials produced in the United States, along with the government’s authority to terminate agreements under certain conditions if they no longer advance program goals or agency priorities.

• The U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2025 Annual Program Statement, Harare PD" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.022, 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-15.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-08-01. (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 $30,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for AF HAR FY25 01

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