Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS RWANDA PE 2023 02
The Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund (ASSHF) Rwanda is a small grants opportunity run by the U.S. Embassy in Kigali under the U.S. Department of State. It is designed to support practical, community-driven projects that improve basic economic and social conditions at the grassroots level. The fund is geared toward initiatives that deliver visible, high-impact benefits to a large number of people and that are strongly backed by the local community. While projects can be proposed from across Rwanda, the Embassy especially encourages submissions for work taking place in Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru, Nyamasheke, and Gisagara districts.
A key feature of this opportunity is that it uses a two-step application process. The first step is a Statement of Interest (SOI), which is intentionally brief and limited to two pages. This initial submission is not a full proposal and is meant to present a clear project idea and the main objectives in a concise way so the Embassy can screen and evaluate concepts before asking applicants to invest time in a full application. After an initial merit review of eligible SOIs, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. Those full proposals then go through a second merit review process, and only after that does the Embassy make final funding decisions. The Embassy will not review SOIs that exceed the two-page limit, so keeping the SOI tight and well organized is essential.
ASSHF projects must be rooted in local participation and shared responsibility. The Embassy is looking for proposals where the community contributes in meaningful ways, such as cash, labor, and/or materials. The underlying idea is that the project should not be something imposed from outside, but something the community helps build and can sustain afterward. Successful projects are expected to have clear local support and must be realistic for the community to operate and maintain once the grant-funded work is complete.
For the SOI itself, applicants must submit the document in English and present the total anticipated budget in U.S. dollars. The SOI must include specific core elements: the name, address, and point of contact for the cooperative or local organization that would implement and manage the funds; a brief description of the organization demonstrating it has the capacity to carry out the project and responsibly manage U.S. government funding; a clear problem statement explaining what issue is being addressed and why the project is needed; program goals and measurable objectives (with goals describing the intended end result and objectives describing the measurable steps toward that result); a description of the planned activities and how those activities will achieve the objectives; the number and description of beneficiaries; the target location of the project (with the named priority districts highlighted if relevant); and a high-level budget that lists major cost categories rather than detailed line items.
There are also important funding restrictions to plan around. Grant funds cannot be used for project administration or the operating costs of the self-help activities, meaning applicants should avoid building budgets that rely on the award to cover routine administrative overhead, staffing for general management, or ongoing operating expenses. The focus is on direct project costs that deliver community benefit, paired with local contributions that help demonstrate commitment and sustainability.
Administrative details included in the notice indicate this is a discretionary grant opportunity from the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Rwanda, under Funding Opportunity Number DOS RWANDA PE 2023 02 and CFDA 19.220 (community development). The opportunity was posted March 13, 2023, with SOIs due by May 8, 2023, at midnight Central Africa Time. The award ceiling is USD 15,000, and the Embassy anticipates making about four awards, reinforcing that this is a competitive process where clarity, feasibility, community buy-in, and broad beneficiary impact will matter a lot in the initial two-page concept.Apply for DOS RWANDA PE 2023 02
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Rwanda in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund (ASSHF) Rwanda" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.220.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 13, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 08, 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 $15,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund (ASSHF) Rwanda
What is the Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund (ASSHF) Rwanda?
The Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund (ASSHF) Rwanda is a small grants opportunity run by the U.S. Embassy in Kigali under the U.S. Department of State. It supports practical, community-driven projects that improve basic economic and social conditions at the grassroots level in Rwanda.
What kinds of projects is ASSHF designed to support?
ASSHF is designed to support practical projects that deliver visible, high-impact benefits to a large number of people. The projects should improve basic economic and social conditions and be strongly backed by the local community.
Where can projects take place?
Projects can be proposed from across Rwanda. However, the U.S. Embassy especially encourages submissions for activities taking place in Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru, Nyamasheke, and Gisagara districts.
What does the Embassy mean by "community-driven" and "local participation"?
ASSHF emphasizes local participation and shared responsibility. The Embassy is looking for projects that are not imposed from outside, but are supported and actively contributed to by the local community, including meaningful contributions such as cash, labor, and/or materials.
Does the community need to contribute to the project?
Yes. A key expectation is meaningful community contribution (cash, labor, and/or materials). This helps demonstrate local commitment and improves the likelihood the community can sustain the project after the grant-funded work ends.
How does the application process work?
The opportunity uses a two-step application process. Step 1 is submitting a brief Statement of Interest (SOI). After an initial merit review of eligible SOIs, selected applicants are invited to Step 2, which is submitting a full proposal. Full proposals go through a second merit review before final funding decisions are made.
What is a Statement of Interest (SOI) for this opportunity?
The SOI is an intentionally brief initial application (limited to two pages) that presents the core project idea and main objectives clearly and concisely. It is not a full proposal. The SOI is used by the Embassy to screen and evaluate project concepts before inviting selected applicants to submit a full proposal.
What is the page limit for the SOI?
The SOI is limited to two pages. The Embassy will not review SOIs that exceed the two-page limit, so it is important to keep the content tight and well organized.
In what language must the SOI be submitted?
The SOI must be submitted in English.
In what currency should the budget be presented?
The SOI must present the total anticipated budget in U.S. dollars (USD).
What information must be included in the SOI?
The SOI must include specific core elements, including:
- Name, address, and point of contact for the cooperative or local organization that will implement the project and manage the funds
- A brief description of the organization demonstrating capacity to carry out the project and responsibly manage U.S. government funding
- A clear problem statement explaining the issue being addressed and why the project is needed
- Program goals and measurable objectives (goals describe the intended end result; objectives describe measurable steps toward that result)
- A description of planned activities and how the activities will achieve the objectives
- The number and description of beneficiaries
- The target location of the project (and highlighting if it is in Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru, Nyamasheke, or Gisagara)
- A high-level budget listing major cost categories (not detailed line items)
How should goals and objectives be described in the SOI?
The SOI should distinguish between goals and objectives. Goals should describe the intended end result of the project, while objectives should describe the measurable steps that will be taken to reach that result.
How detailed should the SOI budget be?
The SOI budget should be high-level and list major cost categories rather than detailed line items.
What kinds of costs are not allowed under ASSHF?
Grant funds cannot be used for project administration or the operating costs of the self-help activities. Applicants should avoid budgets that rely on the award to cover routine administrative overhead, staffing for general management, or ongoing operating expenses.
What types of costs should the budget focus on?
The budget should focus on direct project costs that deliver community benefit, paired with local contributions that demonstrate commitment and support sustainability.
How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?
The Embassy anticipates making about four awards.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is USD 15,000.
Is this a competitive grant opportunity?
Yes. The Embassy expects to make about four awards, and the process includes merit reviews at both the SOI stage and the full proposal stage. Clear project concepts, feasibility, strong community buy-in, and broad beneficiary impact are important.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on March 13, 2023.
What is the SOI submission deadline?
SOIs were due by May 8, 2023, at midnight Central Africa Time (CAT).
Who administers this grant opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Rwanda (U.S. Embassy Kigali).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DOS RWANDA PE 2023 02.
What is the CFDA number and program area listed for this opportunity?
The notice lists CFDA 19.220, identified as community development.
What happens after an SOI is submitted?
Eligible SOIs undergo an initial merit review. Selected applicants are then invited to submit a full proposal. Full proposals are reviewed in a second merit review, and final funding decisions are made after that stage.
Does submitting an SOI mean the Embassy will fund the project?
No. Submitting an SOI is the first screening step. Only selected applicants are invited to submit a full proposal, and funding decisions are made only after the second merit review of full proposals.
What should applicants emphasize to be competitive at the SOI stage?
Based on the opportunity description, SOIs should be clear and concise within two pages, demonstrate feasibility, show strong community backing and contributions, focus on visible and high-impact benefits for many beneficiaries, and describe realistic plans for the community to operate and maintain the project after completion.
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