Opportunity Information: Apply for PDS SIV 100 FY25 NOFO

The Cross Border University Partnership Initiatives grant is a U.S. Embassy Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire) Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) funding opportunity designed to build lasting, practical partnerships between U.S. and Ivoirian universities. The core aim is to create sustainable linkages that go beyond one-time events by supporting structured academic collaboration, joint research relationships, and/or student exchange activities that connect institutions in both countries. In addition to the academic goals, the program is clearly rooted in public diplomacy: every proposed project must include an American cultural component or a tangible connection to the United States through American experts, U.S.-based organizations, or U.S. institutions in a relevant field, with the intent of improving understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

This opportunity is listed as a discretionary award and will be issued as a cooperative agreement, which usually means the Embassy expects to stay actively involved during implementation (for example, through coordination, approvals, or program guidance) rather than functioning as a hands-off funder. The funding activity category is education under CFDA 19.040. The announced award ceiling is $75,000 per award, and the Embassy anticipates making up to 10 awards, indicating they are looking to support multiple partnership models or thematic focus areas rather than funding a single large project.

Eligible applicants include private institutions of higher education, individuals, and certain nonprofit entities that do not hold 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). While the program emphasis is on higher education linkages, the eligibility language suggests that proposals may come from universities directly or from other eligible entities capable of organizing university-to-university collaboration, as long as the project structure credibly builds and maintains cross-border institutional relationships. The competition is run by the U.S. Mission to Cote d'Ivoire, and applications are due by July 4, 2025. The notice was created on May 27, 2025, which sets a relatively defined window for applicants to identify partner institutions, co-design activities, and present an implementation plan that demonstrates durability, mutual benefit, and clear U.S. engagement.

In practical terms, competitive proposals will likely be those that show a clear partnership framework (who the U.S. and Ivoirian partners are and what each will do), specific collaboration outputs (such as joint curricula, co-authored research, lab or faculty collaboration plans, exchange cohorts, or shared training programs), and a meaningful U.S. cultural or expert-driven element that is integrated into the program design rather than added as an afterthought. The Embassy is signaling interest in projects that strengthen institutional ties, increase academic and people-to-people connections, and create credible avenues for sustained engagement between U.S. and Ivoirian higher education communities.

  • The U.S. Mission to Cote d Ivoire in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cross Border University Partnership Initiatives" 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 2025-05-27.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-07-04. (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 $75,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals.
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Cross Border University Partnership Initiatives Grant (U.S. Embassy Abidjan) - FAQs

What is the Cross Border University Partnership Initiatives grant?

It is a U.S. Embassy Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire) Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) funding opportunity designed to build lasting, practical partnerships between U.S. and Ivoirian universities through structured academic collaboration, joint research relationships, and/or student exchange activities.

Who is offering this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Embassy Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire), specifically through its Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), under the U.S. Mission to Cote d'Ivoire.

What is the main goal of the grant?

The core goal is to create sustainable linkages between U.S. and Ivoirian universities that go beyond one-time events, emphasizing durable institutional relationships and practical collaboration.

What kinds of activities does the grant support?

The grant supports structured academic collaboration, joint research relationships, and/or student exchange activities that connect institutions in the United States and Cote d'Ivoire. Examples referenced include joint curricula, co-authored research, lab or faculty collaboration plans, exchange cohorts, and shared training programs.

Does every project need a U.S. connection or American cultural component?

Yes. Every proposed project must include an American cultural component or a tangible connection to the United States. This can be achieved through American experts, U.S.-based organizations, or U.S. institutions in a relevant field, with the intent of improving understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

What does the Embassy mean by a "public diplomacy" focus?

The opportunity is rooted in public diplomacy, meaning projects should strengthen mutual understanding and people-to-people ties. The required U.S. cultural or U.S.-expert element should be integrated into the project design and support improved understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

What type of award is this?

The opportunity is listed as a discretionary award and will be issued as a cooperative agreement.

What is a cooperative agreement in this context?

A cooperative agreement typically indicates that the Embassy expects to be actively involved during implementation (for example, through coordination, approvals, or program guidance), rather than acting as a fully hands-off funder.

What is the funding category and CFDA number?

The funding activity category is education under CFDA 19.040.

What is the maximum award amount?

The announced award ceiling is $75,000 per award.

How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?

The Embassy anticipates making up to 10 awards, suggesting an intent to support multiple partnership models or thematic focus areas rather than a single large project.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include private institutions of higher education, individuals, and certain nonprofit entities that do not hold 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education).

Can universities apply directly?

Yes. The eligibility list includes private institutions of higher education, and the program emphasis is specifically on higher education linkages.

Can an individual apply?

Yes. Individuals are explicitly included among eligible applicants.

Can a nonprofit apply if it is not a 501(c)(3)?

Yes. The eligibility language includes certain nonprofit entities that do not hold 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education).

Do applicants need to be a university to propose a university-to-university partnership?

Not necessarily. The eligibility language suggests proposals may come from universities directly or from other eligible entities capable of organizing university-to-university collaboration, as long as the project structure credibly builds and maintains cross-border institutional relationships.

What countries or institutions should be involved in the partnership?

The partnership should connect U.S. and Ivoirian universities, creating cross-border institutional relationships between institutions in the United States and Cote d'Ivoire.

What makes a proposal "competitive" based on the opportunity description?

Competitive proposals are likely to include: a clear partnership framework (identifying U.S. and Ivoirian partners and what each will do), specific collaboration outputs (for example, joint curricula, co-authored research, collaboration plans, exchange cohorts, shared training programs), and a meaningful U.S. cultural or expert-driven element that is integrated into the overall design.

Is the program focused on one-time events?

No. The stated aim is to build sustainable linkages that go beyond one-time events by supporting structured collaboration and durable relationships.

What is the application deadline?

Applications are due by July 4, 2025.

When was the notice created?

The notice was created on May 27, 2025.

Who runs the competition?

The competition is run by the U.S. Mission to Cote d'Ivoire.

What should applicants be prepared to show in their plans?

Applicants should be prepared to present an implementation plan that demonstrates durability, mutual benefit, and clear U.S. engagement, including defined roles for the U.S. and Ivoirian partners and concrete outputs.

Is student exchange an eligible activity?

Yes. Student exchange activities are explicitly listed as one of the types of supported activities, as long as they connect institutions in both countries and align with the program's sustainable partnership goals.

Are joint research activities eligible?

Yes. Joint research relationships are specifically mentioned as an eligible and encouraged collaboration pathway.

Are projects expected to involve American experts or U.S.-based organizations?

Projects must include a tangible connection to the United States, which may include American experts, U.S.-based organizations, or U.S. institutions in a relevant field.

What is the broader intent of the Embassy in funding these projects?

The Embassy is signaling interest in projects that strengthen institutional ties, increase academic and people-to-people connections, and create credible avenues for sustained engagement between U.S. and Ivoirian higher education communities, while advancing public diplomacy goals tied to U.S. understanding and engagement.

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