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The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy Dakar is seeking proposals to carry out a program focused on strengthening existing ties and fostering new collaborations between U.S. and African universities. Project activities must take place in Senegal or Guinea Bissau and the United States and be directed primarily at Senegalese and Bissau Guinean audiences/participants.Proposals should address how relationships between institutions will be sustained after U.S. government funded efforts are concluded.Focus areas:• Promote partnerships with U.S. higher education institutions• Establish Senegalese or Bissau Guinean student and faculty exchanges, including in-person and virtual exchange opportunities• Facilitate joint research, especially in agriculture, entrepreneurship, creative industries, food security, and STEM• Provide training and transfer skills in all aspects of university education through subject matter exchange programs• Explore public-private partnerships, with an emphasis on commercialization, technology transfer, and job creation.

The U.S. Embassy Dakar Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State announces a Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI) from organizations interested in applying for funding for program proposals that strengthen cultural ties between the United States and Senegal or between the United States and Guinea-Bissau through cultural, educational, capacity building and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. PDS invites organizations interested in potential funding to submit SOI applications outlining program concepts that reflect this goal. Please carefully follow all instructions below. The submission of a Statement of Interest (SOI) is the first step in a two-part process. Applicants must first submit a SOI, which is a concise concept note (maximum two-pages) designed to clearly communicate a program idea and its objectives before the development of a full proposal application. The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants the opportunity to submit program ideas for PDS to evaluate prior to requiring the development of full proposal applications. Upon review of eligible SOIs, PDS will invite selected applicants to expand their ideas into full proposal applications. Purpose: PDS Dakar invites SOIs for programs that strengthen cultural, educational, or professional ties between the people of Senegal and the United States or between the United States and Guinea-Bissau. Programs must highlight shared values and promote bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. This can also include the involvement of Senegalese or Bissau-Guinean alumni of U.S. government exchange programs. Examples of PDS-funded programs include, but are not limited to: · Academic and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs; · Capacity-building workshops and programs; · Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions; · Professional and academic exchanges, partnerships, and programs; · Existing American Spaces and those partner institutions that are seeking to establish an American Space. · English language programs · Journalism training Priority program areas include, but are not limited to: · Advancing democratic values through the promotion of human rights, civil society, and good governance; · Promoting inclusive economic growth through innovation and entrepreneurship: Promote shared economic growth through proposals that reinforce shared values of entrepreneurship and innovation, promote economic opportunities and empowerment of underserved communities and youth, and explore the benefits of expanded trading opportunities between the United States and Senegal and/or the United States and Guinea Bissau. · Advancing the study of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM); promote critical learning through workshops, demonstrations, and hands-on activities aimed at youth ranging between elementary to university level of studies. · Increasing opportunities for youth; · Promoting awareness of the global climate crisis; including amplifying strong U.S. leadership to increase global climate ambition, and combatting climate change using U.S. models. · Promoting women’s empowerment and economic inclusion; · Celebrating 60 years of U.S.-Senegalese diplomatic relations: Reinforce U.S. - Senegal shared values through proposals that explore, expand, and reflect on historical and contemporary connections between U.S. and Senegalese cultural and educational institutions and groups