Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund (ASSHF) | DOS RWANDA PE 2024 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS RWANDA PE 2024 01

The Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund (ASSHF) is a small-grants opportunity offered by the U.S. Embassy in Kigali to support community-driven development projects in Rwanda. The program is designed to reduce poverty and hunger by improving basic economic and social conditions at the grassroots level. It prioritizes projects that are locally initiated, led by community members, and structured to build long-term self-reliance rather than ongoing dependency. A major theme throughout the opportunity is sustainability: proposals are expected to show clear local buy-in and the practical ability of the community to operate and maintain whatever is put in place after the grant ends. Projects that specifically support women, children, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged, and the work must benefit a broad group of people (for example, a rainwater catchment system for a school is considered eligible, while a household system for a single home is not).

Funding is provided as a grant, with individual awards generally ranging from USD 1,000 up to USD 15,000 (the source data also notes an award ceiling of USD 10,000, so applicants should be prepared for embassy-level adjustments depending on available funds and internal caps). The number of awards is expected to be roughly 4 to 7, depending on total funding and the sizes of recommended projects. The performance period is 12 months or less, and selected projects are expected to be completed within that window. The anticipated start date listed is September 30, 2024, and the overall availability of funds is not guaranteed, meaning the embassy can make fewer awards or none if funding conditions change.

Eligibility is limited to Rwanda-based entities that are formally registered: (1) cooperatives registered with the Rwanda Cooperative Agency, and (2) non-governmental organizations (NGOs) registered with the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB). While formal cost sharing or matching funds are not required and will not be scored during review, the program does require real community contribution in some form, such as cash, donated materials, volunteer time, or "sweat equity" labor. In other words, even though it is not treated as a formal match requirement, the project must still demonstrate that the community is investing in and owning the activity.

The opportunity includes several strict funding restrictions. Grant funds cannot be used to pay Rwandan taxes, construct a building, support religious activities conducted by religious organizations, support military activities, or support police/prison/law enforcement-related work. The grant also cannot be used for toxic or unsafe products (including pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, or hazardous chemicals), revolving loans, seed money for new enterprises, or alcohol. Applicants are expected to budget realistically for allowable project costs they want the embassy to cover, which may include equipment and materials, labor, installation, applicable fees, and any environmental assessments that may be necessary for the activity.

Applications must be complete and submitted in English, with budgets presented in U.S. dollars. The core narrative proposal is limited to five pages and should be written clearly enough that someone unfamiliar with the community or the idea can understand exactly what will be done, who will benefit, why it matters, and how it will be sustained. The budget section should break costs into standard categories such as personnel/fringe, travel, equipment (typically items costing USD 5,000 or more per unit and lasting more than a year), supplies, contractual costs (vendors and any sub-awards), other direct costs (itemized, not lumped as "miscellaneous"), and indirect costs. Indirect costs can be charged using an existing negotiated indirect cost rate (NICRA) if the organization has one (a copy must be attached), or up to 10% of modified total direct costs for organizations without a NICRA, consistent with 2 CFR 200.68.

Required attachments include proof of registration with the Rwanda Cooperative Agency or RGB, a one-page CV or resume for each key staff member overseeing implementation, letters of support from partners if applicable (with clear roles and responsibilities), and any official permission letters needed to carry out the activities. The application package must be emailed to KigaliASGP@state.gov by 12:00 PM Kigali time on May 31, 2024, with the subject line "Proposal for ASSH Funds." Late submissions are not considered, and a review committee will evaluate eligible applications based on how well they meet the opportunity's objectives and requirements.

If selected, awards are formally issued and administered by a Grants Officer, and recipients may only begin incurring costs on or after the official start date shown in the signed award document. The U.S. government is not obligated to provide future or additional funding beyond the award, and it also does not reimburse costs incurred to prepare an application. Payment, if awarded, is requested using an SF-270 and disbursed by electronic funds transfer (EFT), typically tied to submission of required reporting. Recipients must submit quarterly financial reports (using SF-425) and quarterly program reports describing progress, challenges, next steps, and the number of beneficiaries reached. Additional compliance steps also apply, including a requirement that organizations be registered in SAM.gov and have an active Unique Entity ID (UEI) before a grant can be awarded, as well as the expectation that final proposals include measurable results and indicators because the embassy will monitor implementation.

• The U.S. Mission to Rwanda in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund (ASSHF)" 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 2024-04-16.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-31. (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 4 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for DOS RWANDA PE 2024 01

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