Opportunity Information: Apply for PDS DKR NOFO UPI FY23 02
The University Partnership Initiative is a U.S. Department of State grant opportunity run by the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Dakar. It is designed to deepen existing relationships and spark new collaborations between U.S. universities and higher education institutions in Africa, with a specific emphasis on Senegal and Guinea-Bissau. Projects funded under this program are expected to operate in both locations: activities must take place in Senegal or Guinea-Bissau and in the United States. The primary beneficiaries and participants should be Senegalese and Bissau-Guinean audiences, which could include students, faculty, researchers, and university administrators.
A central expectation of the program is long-term impact rather than one-off events. Proposals are expected to explain how the partnerships created or strengthened through the grant will continue after U.S. government funding ends. In practice, that means applicants should describe realistic sustainability plans such as formal institutional agreements, joint curricula or research agendas that persist beyond the grant period, continuing virtual collaboration structures, shared resource platforms, or external funding strategies that keep exchanges and joint projects moving forward.
The opportunity outlines several priority focus areas. One major area is building and expanding formal partnerships with U.S. higher education institutions, which can include collaborative programming, institutional linkages, and structured cooperation between departments or research centers. Another priority is establishing student and faculty exchanges for Senegalese or Bissau-Guinean participants, and the program explicitly allows for both in-person and virtual exchange formats. This makes it possible to design hybrid exchange models that broaden access, reduce costs, and maintain collaboration even when travel is limited.
The initiative also emphasizes joint research, particularly in fields that align with development and innovation goals. Highlighted research themes include agriculture, entrepreneurship, creative industries, food security, and STEM. Competitive proposals would typically show how research collaboration will be organized (for example, shared supervision, joint labs or fieldwork, co-authored publications, or research-to-practice pathways) and how results might be disseminated to relevant communities, policymakers, or industry partners.
In addition, the program supports training and skills transfer across university education through subject matter exchange programs. This can cover professional development for faculty, curriculum design support, pedagogy and instructional technology, research methods, academic leadership, student services, career development, and institutional management practices. The intent is to improve capacity within partner institutions by enabling practical knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning between U.S. and Senegalese/Bissau-Guinean counterparts.
Finally, the initiative encourages exploration of public-private partnerships, with an emphasis on commercialization, technology transfer, and job creation. This suggests that proposals can incorporate links between universities and the private sector, such as industry advisory boards, startup incubation support, applied research partnerships with companies, intellectual property and tech-transfer training, or workforce-aligned programs that connect students to internships and employment pathways. Projects that demonstrate how academic collaboration can translate into real economic and employment outcomes are well aligned with this priority.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity from the Department of State (U.S. Mission to Senegal), listed under CFDA 19.040. The funding opportunity number is PDS DKR NOFO UPI FY23 02. The opportunity was posted on January 11, 2023, with an original closing date of March 13, 2023. The award ceiling is $50,000, and the program anticipated making up to 15 awards. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" (with additional eligibility details referenced in the full notice), which typically signals that a range of organization types may apply depending on the specific criteria in the complete announcement.Apply for PDS DKR NOFO UPI FY23 02
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Senegal in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "University Partnership Initiative" 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 Jan 11, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 13, 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 $50,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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University Partnership Initiative (U.S. Embassy Dakar) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the University Partnership Initiative?
The University Partnership Initiative is a U.S. Department of State grant opportunity run by the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Dakar. Its purpose is to deepen existing relationships and spark new collaborations between U.S. universities and higher education institutions in Africa, with a specific emphasis on Senegal and Guinea-Bissau.
Who runs this grant opportunity?
The program is administered by the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Dakar under the U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to Senegal).
What countries does the program focus on?
The initiative specifically emphasizes Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, while supporting partnerships between institutions in those countries and U.S. universities.
Where must project activities take place?
Funded projects are expected to operate in both locations. Activities must take place in Senegal or Guinea-Bissau and in the United States.
Who are the intended beneficiaries and participants?
The primary beneficiaries and participants should be Senegalese and Bissau-Guinean audiences. Examples mentioned include students, faculty, researchers, and university administrators.
Is the program intended to fund one-time events?
No. A central expectation is long-term impact rather than one-off events. Proposals are expected to show how partnerships will continue after U.S. government funding ends.
What does "sustainability" mean for this program?
Applicants are expected to describe realistic sustainability plans that keep the partnership active beyond the grant period. The opportunity description gives examples such as formal institutional agreements, joint curricula or research agendas that persist beyond the grant, continuing virtual collaboration structures, shared resource platforms, or external funding strategies to maintain exchanges and joint work.
What are the priority focus areas for proposals?
The opportunity outlines several priority focus areas, including: (1) building and expanding formal partnerships with U.S. higher education institutions, (2) student and faculty exchanges for Senegalese or Bissau-Guinean participants (in-person and/or virtual), (3) joint research in highlighted fields, (4) training and skills transfer across university education, and (5) exploration of public-private partnerships tied to commercialization, technology transfer, and job creation.
Does the program support formal partnerships between universities?
Yes. One major priority area is building and expanding formal partnerships with U.S. higher education institutions, including collaborative programming, institutional linkages, and structured cooperation between departments or research centers.
Are student and faculty exchanges allowed?
Yes. Establishing student and faculty exchanges for Senegalese or Bissau-Guinean participants is a stated priority.
Can exchanges be virtual, or do they have to be in person?
Both formats are allowed. The program explicitly allows in-person and virtual exchange formats, which supports hybrid models that can broaden access, reduce costs, and keep collaboration going even when travel is limited.
What kinds of joint research are encouraged?
The initiative emphasizes joint research, especially in areas aligned with development and innovation goals. Highlighted themes include agriculture, entrepreneurship, creative industries, food security, and STEM.
What makes a joint research approach more competitive under this program?
Based on the opportunity description, stronger proposals typically explain how research collaboration will be organized (for example, shared supervision, joint labs or fieldwork, co-authored publications, or research-to-practice pathways) and how results will be disseminated to relevant communities, policymakers, or industry partners.
What kinds of training and skills transfer activities does the program support?
The program supports subject matter exchange programs and practical skills transfer across university education. Examples include professional development for faculty, curriculum design support, pedagogy and instructional technology, research methods, academic leadership, student services, career development, and institutional management practices.
What is the purpose of training and skills transfer within the initiative?
The intent is to improve capacity within partner institutions by enabling practical knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning between U.S. and Senegalese/Bissau-Guinean counterparts.
Does the grant opportunity encourage partnerships with the private sector?
Yes. The initiative encourages exploration of public-private partnerships, emphasizing commercialization, technology transfer, and job creation.
What are examples of public-private partnership activities that fit this program?
Examples mentioned include industry advisory boards, startup incubation support, applied research partnerships with companies, intellectual property and tech-transfer training, and workforce-aligned programs that connect students to internships and employment pathways.
How much funding is available per award?
The award ceiling is $50,000.
How many awards were anticipated?
The program anticipated making up to 15 awards.
What type of grant is this?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the Department of State (U.S. Mission to Senegal).
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.040.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is PDS DKR NOFO UPI FY23 02.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on January 11, 2023.
What was the original application closing date?
The original closing date was March 13, 2023.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full notice. This generally signals that a range of organization types may be eligible, depending on the specific criteria in the complete announcement.
What is the overall program goal applicants should keep in mind when designing a proposal?
Projects should be designed to build durable university partnerships between U.S. institutions and institutions in Senegal and/or Guinea-Bissau, with tangible benefits for Senegalese and Bissau-Guinean participants and a clear plan for continuing collaboration after U.S. government funding ends.
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