U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program 2023 | DOS MSU SSH FY23

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS MSU SSH FY23

The U.S. Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program 2023 is a small-grants opportunity run by the U.S. Embassy Maseru (U.S. Department of State, Bureau of African Affairs) to fund practical, community-initiated development projects in Lesotho. The core idea is to support grassroots efforts that quickly improve basic economic and social conditions at the village or community level. Projects are meant to be short-term and achievable within about one year, with grants designed to help communities address priority needs without creating long-running dependency on continued funding.

The program is especially interested in proposals that deliver high impact within a single year, benefit a large number of people, and can be maintained and operated by the community after the grant ends. Preference is given to projects that clearly originate from local initiative and reflect what the community itself has identified as important. The opportunity also emphasizes sustainability and practical upkeep, and it discourages projects that function as technical assistance programs or that extend or supplement ongoing technical assistance efforts. Another highlighted priority area is water and sanitation: projects that expand broadly accessible, reliable, and economically sustainable water and sanitation services are encouraged, with the note that the focus is not on agriculture or household-level issues. Proposals that support vulnerable or at-risk populations (such as people with disabilities, orphans, children and at-risk youth, ethnic minorities, the elderly, and female-headed households) and projects providing social assistance are also given special consideration.

Funding can be used for a defined set of tangible, community-benefiting items and small-scale works. Eligible uses include certain agricultural inputs like seeds and supplies, but explicitly exclude fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. The fund can also cover water-related infrastructure and equipment such as wells, latrines, pumps, boreholes, tanks, and fish ponds. Education-related purchases are allowed, including school equipment and supplies like desks, chairs, laboratory equipment, and library items. Communities may also request communal construction equipment (for example, brick-making machines) and other durable goods that directly support institutions like schools and clinics (such as a stove or refrigerator for a school or hospital, or a washing machine for a clinic). In addition, the program can support small construction projects, such as building classrooms or community centers, as long as they align with the program's community-driven and sustainability expectations.

Eligible applicants are organizations that work directly with communities, including registered non-profit organizations, cooperatives, orphanages, schools, and health facilities. The award instrument is a grant, and the award ceiling is listed as $10,000, with an expectation of around eight awards. Proposed projects must be completed by September 29, 2024 or earlier, reinforcing the program's short-term, quick-implementation approach. A cost share is required: applicants must contribute 10 percent in cost sharing, matching, or cost participation, which can include cash, materials, and/or labor (including in-kind contributions like volunteer time or donated space).

Applications for the 2023 cycle were accepted from January 1, 2023 through March 31, 2023, with the deadline set as no later than March 31, 2023. Application guidelines could be requested by emailing grantsmaseru@state.gov or obtained at the U.S. Embassy Maseru main gate. Completed application packages could be submitted by email to grantsmaseru@state.gov or delivered/mailed to the U.S. Embassy Maseru Special Projects Office at 254 Kingsway, P.O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho.

The application itself has several required components and formatting rules. Proposals must clearly address the opportunity's objectives, be written in English, present budgets in U.S. dollars, and include page numbering. Applicants must submit the required federal forms: SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) plus the appropriate budget and assurances forms depending on whether the project is construction or non-construction (for construction: SF-424C and SF-424D; for non-construction: SF-424A and SF-424B). A summary cover sheet is required with basic identification details (applicant/organization name, proposal date, program title, proposed start and end dates, and a short statement of purpose). The main proposal is limited to 20 pages and must be detailed enough that a reader unfamiliar with the community or project can understand exactly what will be done, why it matters, and how it will be delivered. Required narrative sections include a proposal summary with anticipated impact, an organizational background and past performance (including any prior U.S. Embassy/U.S. government funding), a clear problem statement, measurable goals and objectives, planned activities, methods and design (including a logic model if appropriate), a schedule and timeline, key personnel roles and time allocations, partners and sub-awardees (if any), a monitoring and evaluation plan, and a sustainability plan for what happens after the grant period.

Applicants must also include a budget justification narrative that explains each cost in detail, aligned with the SF-424 budget forms. The opportunity provides specific guidance on how to present major budget categories such as personnel and fringe benefits, travel, equipment (generally defined here as items costing at least $5,000 per unit and lasting more than a year), supplies, contractual costs (including vendors and sub-awards), other direct costs (which must be itemized, not lumped under vague "miscellaneous" lines), and indirect costs. Indirect costs may be charged using an existing negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA) if available, or otherwise up to 10 percent of modified total direct costs under federal rules (2 CFR 200.68) for organizations without a NICRA. The guidance also clarifies that cost sharing includes both cash and in-kind contributions, and it explicitly states that grant funds may not be used to purchase alcoholic beverages.

Several attachments are required to support credibility, governance, and readiness to implement. These include one-page CVs/resumes of key personnel, price quotations for services/equipment/supplies to be covered, the organization's constitution, a list of committee/board members with names and addresses, a map showing how to reach the project site from a major road, project bank account details, and proof of land ownership or documented permission to occupy the land where the project will take place (such as a signed lease agreement or land deed). Finally, organizational applicants must complete required registrations, including obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier and registering in SAM.gov (renewed annually). The notice also references obtaining an NCAGE/CAGE code first through the NATO NSPA portal, then completing SAM registration afterward; these registrations are described as free of charge.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Lesotho in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program 2023" 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 Jan 09, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 31, 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 $10,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for DOS MSU SSH FY23

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