The U.S. Embassy in Botswana’s Public Diplomacy (PD) Section is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please download the full document here.

The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce the 2024-25 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program competition.  The application deadline is Friday, June 23, 2023, at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time (5:59 AM Central Africa Time).  Applications must be submitted online at  https://apply.iie.org/huberthhumphrey

Program Overview:  The Hubert H. Humphrey (HHH) Fellowship is a one-year non-degree graduate-level study and professional development program for accomplished young and mid-career professionals with proven track record in leadership, public service commitment, and the capacity to take full advantage of a self-defined program of independent study. Throughout the year, fellows pursue individual program goals through university coursework, conferences, networking, and practical work experiences. Unlike a typical graduate school experience, the HHH encourages fellows to travel away from their host campus to learn more about American culture and network with their peers.

Fields of Study: Human and Institutional Capacity; Rights and Freedoms; Sustainable Lands; and Thriving Communities.  For more information on the fields of study and the program, please refer to www.humphreyfellowship.org.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Individuals must have a first university degree (equivalent of a bachelor’s or undergraduate degree).
• Individuals must have at least five years of full-time professional experience beyond attainment of a first university/undergraduate degree, and prior to August 2024.
• University teachers must have management or policy responsibilities, except for teachers of English as a foreign language, and specialists in substance abuse prevention and treatment.
• Individuals with dual U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent resident status may not apply to the program as they are ineligible for a J visa.
• Individuals must hold a passport (or be eligible to hold a passport) of the country nominating them.
• Have not attended a graduate school in the United States for one academic year or more during the seven years prior to August 2024
• Have not had more than six months of U.S. experience during the five years prior to August 2024
• Have not participated in a State Department exchange programs within the last three years.
• And is not an employee or relative of an employee of any U.S. Government agency in Botswana.

Additionally, candidates MUST demonstrate:

• Leadership Ability – Successful candidates should have achieved positions of significant responsibility at the national, regional, or local level and show clear promise to assume greater future leadership roles.
• Commitment to Public Service – Candidates’ careers must reflect a present and future commitment to public service, broadly defined, in the public, NGO, or private sector of their home country.
• Candidate’s Objectives and Program Plan – The candidate’s stated objectives should be consistent with the overarching goals of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program. This program is not designed for applicants wishing to complete a degree or pursue research within traditional academic disciplines.
• Professional Qualifications – The nature and quality of the candidate’s professional experience should be commensurate with the type of training and study experience they seeks. Candidates should be policy makers, managers, and/or administrators, not technicians (except for substance abuse candidates) or researchers.
• Capacity to Benefit from the Program – Candidates must have a minimum of five years of full-time professional experience beyond the university degree and a record of superior performance.
• Need for the Program – Candidates should indicate how they can benefit from the program in ways that they have not already experienced.
• English Language Proficiency – Candidates are expected to be proficient in English as measured by the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT). Candidates with insufficient testing scores may be brought to the United States for English language training prior to beginning the program at their host university. If necessary, testing alternatives such as International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test can be utilized. Below is a table for guidance on the minimum scores required:

• Leave of Absence and Employer Support: A written indication from the employer to approve leave of absence allowing selectees to participate in the program.

Fellowship Provisions:

• Payment of tuition and fees at the assigned host university
• Pre-academic English language training, if required
• A living allowance, including a one-time settling-in allowance.
• Accident and sickness coverage
• A book allowance.
• A one-time computer subsidy
• Air travel (international travel to and from the U.S. for the Program and domestic travel to required program events)
• Professional Development allowance for professional activities

Complete and submit electronically the online application at https://apply.iie.org/huberthhumphrey The Embassy will consider only complete applications submitted by the deadline.

Questions and further information:  Please e-mail queries to FulbrightBotswana@state.gov or follow the Embassy’s Facebook page to join recurring scheduled virtual information sessions.

Small Grant Program – The Ambassador’s Special Self‐Help Fund

If you have a good idea how to improve life in your community, we may be able to help!  In the past five years, we awarded over 1 million US dollars, or approximately 11 million Pula, to support over 90 community-based projects throughout Botswana. Please see information below about the Ambassador’s Special Self Help Program to see if your organization can be funded and instructions how to apply.

Basic Information

• Our funding has strict criteria for application. When submitting an application, ensure that you comply with all the requirements, otherwise your application will not be considered.
• All applicants must be registered not-for-profit groups, associations, non-governmental organizations, faith or community based organizations.  The groups must be well established, operating for at least one year, and have a history of accomplishments.
• We cannot fund or sponsor government schools, including prizes for school competitions.
• We cannot fund or sponsor individuals.
• We cannot fund private, for profit businesses or provide start-up costs.
• We cannot fund one-time events, only events that are part of a long-term project.
• We receive many requests for funding and can only fund a small number of projects. However, we take every request seriously.

1. Read Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the program you are applying for carefully. Download the NOFO here.

2. Fill out mandatory application forms

• SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations)
• SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) 
• SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs)

3. Prepare a Summary Coversheet – details in the NOFO

4. Prepare a Proposal – details in the above NOFO (5 pages maximum) including:

• Proposal Summary
• Introduction to the Organization applying
• Problem Statement
• Program Goals and Objectives
• Program Activities
• Program Methods and Design
• Proposed Program Schedule
• Key Personnel
• Program Partners
• Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan
• Future Funding or Sustainability

5. Budget Justification Narrative – details in the NOFO

6. Attachments – details in the NOFO

7. Required registrations:

All organizations applying for grants must obtain these registrations before sending in their applications.  All are free of charge:

• Unique Entity ID (UEI) Number  (Issued via www.sam.gov)
• SAM.gov registration

See more details in the NOFO for the requirements.

8. Submit all above documentation to Small Grants Office – details in the above NOFO