Opportunity Information: Apply for AF PDPA FY23 01
The Africa Regional Services Paris Annual Program Statement (ARS Speaker Program) is a U.S. Department of State (Bureau of African Affairs, Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs) opportunity that recruits U.S. citizen individuals to serve as guest speakers, artists, STEAM experts, or athletes/coaches for public diplomacy programs across sub-Saharan Africa. The core purpose is outreach that strengthens understanding of the United States by engaging audiences through professional lectures, seminars, trainings, artistic and cultural workshops or masterclasses, and sports camps or coaching activities. Programs may be delivered virtually and, when conditions allow, in person, and they must be led in English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish. The program emphasizes people-to-people ties and cultural cooperation, highlighting a strong transatlantic relationship between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa.
The application is intentionally structured as a two-step pipeline rather than a single full proposal upfront. Step one is submitting a concise, one-page Statement of Interest (SOI) in English, plus an attached CV or resume. The SOI is meant to quickly show what you can deliver and why you are credible. It should clearly describe your expertise and credentials, any foreign language ability, your presentation or facilitation style, the audiences you work best with, and the topics you can cover, including a short outline of a typical talk, workshop, training, masterclass, or clinic. Applicants are also encouraged to include brief testimonials or endorsements, prior speaking or training experience, and links to videos of past presentations if available. This SOI is used to decide whether you will be placed on the ARS roster of potential speakers who can be matched with U.S. embassies and consulates when specific programming needs arise in-country.
Step two begins after eligibility and merit review. A Grants Review Committee evaluates SOIs on a rolling basis, with eligible submissions reviewed monthly. The evaluation focuses on three main factors: depth of subject-matter expertise, demonstrated experience as a speaker/trainer (or comparable public-facing practitioner), and language capability. Importantly, SOIs are reviewed against the published criteria rather than competitively ranked against each other. Applicants who are judged strong fits are invited to an interview with the speaker team. After a successful interview, individuals are added to the roster, and then contacted later when an Africa-based U.S. embassy requests a speaker whose skills align with a particular program concept or target audience.
The program’s thematic priorities are broad, but clearly organized into four main areas. The first priority area is fostering openness and open societies, with topics such as good governance, rule of law, transparency and accountability, journalism skills and press freedom, media business management, freedom of expression and citizen journalism, NGO and civic leadership, public management, youth empowerment, women’s leadership, disability rights and inclusion, and racial and ethnic diversity and inclusion. The second area centers on delivering democratic and security dividends, including anti-trafficking work, human rights and LGBTQI issues, countering gender-based violence, countering disinformation, cybersecurity, and countering violent extremism. The third area focuses on pandemic recovery and economic opportunity, including health, food safety, entrepreneurship and innovation, arts entrepreneurship and management, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). The fourth area supports conservation, climate adaptation, and a just energy transition, covering climate change, environmental and waste management, energy security, wildlife protection and illegal fishing (including judicial aspects of wildlife trafficking), and space policy.
Target audiences are those U.S. embassies and consulates identify as key to public engagement and influence, including general public audiences as well as decision-makers, civil society leaders, and opinion-shapers at multiple levels. The overall intent is to broaden support for and understanding of U.S. policies, culture, history, society, and values by pairing relevant American expertise with local interests and embassy priorities.
Eligibility is limited to individuals rather than organizations. Applicants must be American citizens who can lead programs within their expertise in English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish, and they may be based in the United States, Africa, Brazil, or Europe. Proof of U.S. citizenship is required via U.S. passport, and U.S. green card holders may participate only if they are part of a performing artist group. For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible. Applicants may submit only one SOI, and individuals must have a Social Security Number to meet IRS reporting requirements. Cost sharing is not required.
To apply, applicants email their one-page SOI and CV or resume to arsspeaker@state.gov. The opportunity is administered as a discretionary grant program (Funding Opportunity Number AF PDPA FY23 01; CFDA 19.040) with an award ceiling of $10,000 and an anticipated 75 awards during the posted cycle. Anyone considering participation is expected to be able to comply with U.S. federal grant rules and required certifications if later invited to submit a full proposal and receive an award, including relevant provisions in 2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 600, and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions. For process questions, the same program email (arsspeaker@state.gov) is the official point of contact.Apply for AF PDPA FY23 01
- The Department of State, Africa Regional Services in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), business and commerce, community development, education, energy, environment, food and nutrition, health, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda), information and statistics, law, justice and legal services, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Africa Regional Services Paris Annual Program Statement: ARS Speaker Program" 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 Oct 14, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 30, 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 75 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Individuals.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Africa Regional Services Paris Annual Program Statement (ARS Speaker Program)
1) What is the ARS Speaker Program?
The Africa Regional Services Paris Annual Program Statement (ARS Speaker Program) is a U.S. Department of State opportunity (Bureau of African Affairs, Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs) that recruits U.S. citizen individuals to serve as guest speakers, artists, STEAM experts, or athletes/coaches for public diplomacy programs across sub-Saharan Africa.
2) What is the main goal of this opportunity?
The core purpose is outreach that strengthens understanding of the United States by engaging audiences through professional lectures, seminars, trainings, artistic and cultural workshops or masterclasses, and sports camps or coaching activities. The program emphasizes people-to-people ties and cultural cooperation, and highlights a strong transatlantic relationship between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa.
3) Where do ARS Speaker Program activities take place?
Programs support public diplomacy activities across sub-Saharan Africa. Speakers are matched to programming needs requested by U.S. embassies and consulates in Africa.
4) Are programs virtual or in person?
Programs may be delivered virtually and, when conditions allow, in person.
5) What languages must speakers be able to use?
Programs must be led in English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish. Language capability is also one of the review factors for Statements of Interest.
6) Who can apply?
Eligibility is limited to individuals (not organizations). Applicants must be American citizens who can lead programs within their expertise in English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish. Applicants may be based in the United States, Africa, Brazil, or Europe.
7) Can an organization, nonprofit, or company apply?
No. Eligibility is limited to individuals rather than organizations. For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible.
8) Are U.S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders) eligible?
U.S. green card holders may participate only if they are part of a performing artist group. Proof of U.S. citizenship is required via a U.S. passport for applicants applying as U.S. citizens.
9) What proof of citizenship is required?
Proof of U.S. citizenship is required via a U.S. passport.
10) Is there a two-step application process?
Yes. The opportunity is intentionally structured as a two-step pipeline rather than requiring a full proposal upfront.
11) What is Step One of the process?
Step one is submitting a concise, one-page Statement of Interest (SOI) in English, plus an attached CV or resume. The SOI is used to determine whether an applicant will be placed on the ARS roster of potential speakers.
12) What should the one-page Statement of Interest (SOI) include?
The SOI should clearly describe your expertise and credentials, any foreign language ability, your presentation or facilitation style, the audiences you work best with, and the topics you can cover. It should also include a short outline of a typical talk, workshop, training, masterclass, or clinic you could deliver.
13) Can I include testimonials or video links in my SOI?
Yes. Applicants are encouraged to include brief testimonials or endorsements, prior speaking or training experience, and links to videos of past presentations if available.
14) How do I submit my application materials?
Email your one-page SOI and your CV or resume to arsspeaker@state.gov.
15) Can I submit more than one Statement of Interest?
No. Applicants may submit only one SOI.
16) What happens after I submit the SOI?
After eligibility and merit review, a Grants Review Committee evaluates SOIs on a rolling basis. Eligible submissions are reviewed monthly.
17) Is this a competitive ranking process?
SOIs are reviewed against the published criteria rather than being competitively ranked against each other.
18) What criteria are used to evaluate SOIs?
The evaluation focuses on three main factors: (1) depth of subject-matter expertise, (2) demonstrated experience as a speaker/trainer (or comparable public-facing practitioner), and (3) language capability.
19) What is Step Two of the process?
Step two begins after eligibility and merit review. Applicants who are judged strong fits may be invited to an interview with the speaker team.
20) What happens if I pass the interview?
After a successful interview, individuals are added to the roster of potential speakers and may be contacted later when an Africa-based U.S. embassy requests a speaker whose skills match a specific program concept or target audience.
21) Does being on the roster guarantee an assignment or award?
No guarantee is stated. Being added to the roster means you may be contacted later when an embassy request aligns with your skills and experience.
22) What topics does the program prioritize?
The thematic priorities are organized into four main areas: (1) fostering openness and open societies, (2) delivering democratic and security dividends, (3) pandemic recovery and economic opportunity, and (4) conservation, climate adaptation, and a just energy transition.
23) What are examples of topics under "openness and open societies"?
Examples include good governance, rule of law, transparency and accountability, journalism skills and press freedom, media business management, freedom of expression and citizen journalism, NGO and civic leadership, public management, youth empowerment, women’s leadership, disability rights and inclusion, and racial and ethnic diversity and inclusion.
24) What are examples of topics under "democratic and security dividends"?
Examples include anti-trafficking work, human rights and LGBTQI issues, countering gender-based violence, countering disinformation, cybersecurity, and countering violent extremism.
25) What are examples of topics under "pandemic recovery and economic opportunity"?
Examples include health, food safety, entrepreneurship and innovation, arts entrepreneurship and management, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math).
26) What are examples of topics under "conservation, climate adaptation, and a just energy transition"?
Examples include climate change, environmental and waste management, energy security, wildlife protection and illegal fishing (including judicial aspects of wildlife trafficking), and space policy.
27) Who are the intended audiences for these programs?
Target audiences are those U.S. embassies and consulates identify as key to public engagement and influence. This can include general public audiences as well as decision-makers, civil society leaders, and opinion-shapers at multiple levels.
28) What is the broader public diplomacy intent?
The intent is to broaden support for and understanding of U.S. policies, culture, history, society, and values by pairing relevant American expertise with local interests and embassy priorities.
29) Is cost sharing required?
No. Cost sharing is not required.
30) What is the award ceiling?
The award ceiling is $10,000.
31) How many awards are anticipated?
The posted cycle anticipates 75 awards.
32) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) and CFDA number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is AF PDPA FY23 01 and the CFDA number is 19.040.
33) What kind of funding mechanism is this?
It is administered as a discretionary grant program.
34) Do applicants need a Social Security Number (SSN)?
Yes. Individuals must have a Social Security Number to meet IRS reporting requirements.
35) Are there federal grant compliance requirements if selected?
Yes. Anyone considering participation is expected to be able to comply with U.S. federal grant rules and required certifications if later invited to submit a full proposal and receive an award, including relevant provisions in 2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 600, and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions.
36) Who should I contact with questions about the process?
The official point of contact for process questions is arsspeaker@state.gov.
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