Opportunity Information: Apply for AF HAR FY26 03
The U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe, through its Public Diplomacy Section, is offering funding under its Annual Program Statement (Funding Opportunity Number: AF HAR FY26 03) to support public diplomacy programs that advance U.S. Embassy priorities in Zimbabwe. The opportunity is discretionary and will be awarded as a cooperative agreement, meaning the Embassy expects to remain actively involved in shaping or supporting the project during implementation. The Embassy is looking for proposals that align with one or more priority areas, and it especially encourages projects that are collaborative and intentionally integrate multiple themes rather than operating in isolation.
Program concepts should connect to one (or more) of the Embassy's key priority program areas: commercial diplomacy and U.S.-Zimbabwe trade, artificial intelligence for improved prosperity, cybersecurity, technology literacy and resilience, free speech, and American excellence in areas such as education, media, sports, creative industries, and civil society. Applicants are expected to design activities that clearly support measurable outcomes tied to these priorities, while still having room to propose additional objectives if they make sense for Zimbabwe and align with U.S. policy goals.
The first major goal area focuses on free speech and open expression. The Embassy is interested in programs that promote democratic principles like freedom of speech and civic participation, including efforts that share best practices for citizen advocacy and address how modern media organizations can survive in a digital economy while maintaining ethical standards. The desired outcome is a more informed and media-literate Zimbabwean public that can recognize and resist disinformation, alongside stronger independent media institutions that operate transparently and ethically. The rationale is explicitly strategic: strengthening independent media is framed as supporting open and stable societies in Africa, which aligns with broader U.S. interests.
The second goal area targets U.S.-Zimbabwe commercial ties and economic prosperity. Proposals in this space should advance economic opportunity, with a particular emphasis on helping social entrepreneurs and the creative sector use online marketing tools and digital platforms. The intended outcome is increased bilateral trade activity, expanded market access for U.S. goods and services, and a growing cohort of Zimbabwean entrepreneurs who have direct ties to U.S. businesses and platforms. The Embassy positions this as a way to create new markets for American exports, expand U.S. economic influence, and reduce Zimbabwe's reliance on adversarial economic partners.
The third goal area centers on emerging technology and artificial intelligence for development. The Embassy wants programs that equip Zimbabweans to leverage American innovations in technology, AI, and digital tools to drive growth, improve livelihoods, and expand digital trade opportunities between Zimbabwe and the United States. The target outcome is a stronger base of Zimbabwean professionals and institutions that can adopt, adapt, and deploy emerging U.S.-developed technologies and frameworks for economic and social development. A key emphasis is promoting U.S. technology standards and platforms to build a digital ecosystem aligned with U.S. values such as openness, security, and innovation.
The fourth goal area aims to expand U.S.-Zimbabwe professional networks and people-to-people ties. Projects might include targeted workshops, alumni engagement, and exchange partnerships that create shared solutions while reinforcing American values and influence. The desired result is stronger alumni networks and new professional cohorts that remain engaged with U.S. counterparts over time, leading to collaborative projects, cross-sector partnerships, and sustained dialogue. The Embassy highlights exchange alumni as particularly influential because they often remain connected to U.S. institutions and can serve as credible advocates for American values and commercial or professional partnerships.
Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs), public and private educational institutions, individuals, and public international organizations or governmental institutions. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply as prime recipients under this announcement, even if they otherwise resemble eligible categories. Subcontracting is allowed, but only one non-profit, non-governmental entity may serve as the prime award recipient, and proposals must clearly define roles and responsibilities for any partners. The announcement also points applicants to federal guidance (2 CFR 200.331) for the distinction between a subcontractor and a subrecipient.
There are also basic compliance requirements. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM.gov; individuals do not need a UEI or SAM registration. Funding is capped at $15,000 per award (award ceiling), with an anticipated three awards. The closing date listed is September 13, 2026, and the awarding agency is the U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe (CFDA/Assistance Listing: 19.040).
Finally, the Embassy sets clear boundaries on what it will not fund. Prohibited activities include partisan political projects; direct charitable or development services (such as medical, psychological, or humanitarian support); construction; projects supporting specific religious activities; fundraising campaigns; lobbying; scientific research or surveys; commercial projects; activities primarily aimed at growing the applicant organization itself; duplicative projects; or anything illegal. In practical terms, successful proposals should be framed as public diplomacy initiatives with strong educational, skills-building, networking, or institutional strengthening components that connect directly to the stated goals and produce visible, credible outcomes for participants and communities.Apply for AF HAR FY26 03
- The U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Annual Program Statement" 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 2026-08-27.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-13. (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 $15,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is this funding opportunity?
This is a U.S. government public diplomacy funding opportunity offered by the U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe through its Public Diplomacy Section under its Annual Program Statement. It is listed as Funding Opportunity Number AF HAR FY26 03 and supports programs that advance U.S. Embassy priorities in Zimbabwe.
2. Who is the awarding agency?
The awarding agency is the U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe. The Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA) number provided is 19.040.
3. What type of award will be made?
Awards will be made as a cooperative agreement. This means the opportunity is discretionary and the Embassy expects to remain actively involved in shaping and/or supporting the project during implementation.
4. How much funding is available per award?
The award ceiling is $15,000 per award.
5. How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?
The Embassy anticipates making three awards.
6. When is the application deadline?
The closing date listed is September 13, 2026.
7. What is the overall purpose of the grant?
The purpose is to support public diplomacy programs that advance U.S. Embassy priorities in Zimbabwe. Proposals are expected to align with one or more Embassy priority areas and produce measurable outcomes tied to those priorities.
8. Does a project have to focus on only one theme?
No. The Embassy especially encourages projects that are collaborative and intentionally integrate multiple themes rather than operating in isolation, as long as they align with one or more priority areas.
9. What are the Embassy's priority program areas for this opportunity?
Program concepts should connect to one or more of the following areas: commercial diplomacy and U.S.-Zimbabwe trade; artificial intelligence for improved prosperity; cybersecurity; technology literacy and resilience; free speech; and American excellence in areas such as education, media, sports, creative industries, and civil society.
10. Are applicants allowed to propose additional objectives beyond the listed priorities?
Yes. Applicants are expected to design activities that clearly support measurable outcomes tied to the stated priorities, while still having room to propose additional objectives if they make sense for Zimbabwe and align with U.S. policy goals.
11. What kinds of projects fit the "free speech and open expression" goal area?
The Embassy is interested in programs that promote democratic principles such as freedom of speech and civic participation. Examples described include sharing best practices for citizen advocacy and addressing how modern media organizations can survive in a digital economy while maintaining ethical standards.
12. What outcomes is the Embassy looking for under the free speech goal area?
The desired outcome is a more informed and media-literate Zimbabwean public that can recognize and resist disinformation, alongside stronger independent media institutions that operate transparently and ethically.
13. Why does the Embassy emphasize strengthening independent media?
The rationale stated is strategic: strengthening independent media is framed as supporting open and stable societies in Africa, which aligns with broader U.S. interests.
14. What kinds of projects fit the "commercial ties and economic prosperity" goal area?
Proposals should advance economic opportunity, with particular emphasis on helping social entrepreneurs and the creative sector use online marketing tools and digital platforms.
15. What outcomes is the Embassy looking for under the commercial ties goal area?
The intended outcome includes increased bilateral trade activity, expanded market access for U.S. goods and services, and a growing cohort of Zimbabwean entrepreneurs who have direct ties to U.S. businesses and platforms.
16. How does the Embassy describe the strategic intent of the commercial ties goal area?
The Embassy positions this work as a way to create new markets for American exports, expand U.S. economic influence, and reduce Zimbabwe's reliance on adversarial economic partners.
17. What kinds of projects fit the "emerging technology and AI for development" goal area?
The Embassy wants programs that equip Zimbabweans to leverage American innovations in technology, artificial intelligence, and digital tools to drive growth, improve livelihoods, and expand digital trade opportunities between Zimbabwe and the United States.
18. What outcomes is the Embassy looking for under the emerging technology and AI goal area?
The target outcome is a stronger base of Zimbabwean professionals and institutions that can adopt, adapt, and deploy emerging U.S.-developed technologies and frameworks for economic and social development.
19. Is there an emphasis on U.S. technology standards or platforms?
Yes. A key emphasis is promoting U.S. technology standards and platforms to build a digital ecosystem aligned with U.S. values such as openness, security, and innovation.
20. What kinds of projects fit the "professional networks and people-to-people ties" goal area?
Projects might include targeted workshops, alumni engagement, and exchange partnerships that create shared solutions while reinforcing American values and influence.
21. What outcomes is the Embassy looking for under the professional networks goal area?
The desired result is stronger alumni networks and new professional cohorts that remain engaged with U.S. counterparts over time, leading to collaborative projects, cross-sector partnerships, and sustained dialogue.
22. Why are exchange alumni highlighted in this opportunity?
The Embassy highlights exchange alumni as particularly influential because they often remain connected to U.S. institutions and can serve as credible advocates for American values and commercial or professional partnerships.
23. Who is eligible to apply as a prime recipient?
Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs), public and private educational institutions, individuals, and public international organizations or governmental institutions.
24. Are for-profit entities eligible to apply?
No. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply as prime recipients under this announcement, even if they otherwise resemble eligible categories.
25. Can an organization subcontract parts of the project?
Yes. Subcontracting is allowed, but proposals must clearly define roles and responsibilities for any partners.
26. How many prime recipients can there be for a single proposal?
The opportunity specifies that only one non-profit, non-governmental entity may serve as the prime award recipient.
27. What guidance is referenced for distinguishing a subcontractor from a subrecipient?
The announcement points applicants to federal guidance at 2 CFR 200.331 for the distinction between a subcontractor and a subrecipient.
28. Do organizations need a UEI to apply?
Yes. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
29. Do organizations need to be registered in SAM.gov?
Yes. Organizations must have an active registration in SAM.gov.
30. Do individuals need a UEI and SAM.gov registration?
No. Individuals do not need a UEI or SAM registration.
31. What types of activities are explicitly prohibited?
The Embassy will not fund: partisan political projects; direct charitable or development services (such as medical, psychological, or humanitarian support); construction; projects supporting specific religious activities; fundraising campaigns; lobbying; scientific research or surveys; commercial projects; activities primarily aimed at growing the applicant organization itself; duplicative projects; anything illegal.
32. Are charitable or humanitarian services allowed if they are part of a broader program?
The announcement states that direct charitable or development services (including medical, psychological, or humanitarian support) are prohibited activities under this opportunity.
33. Are construction costs allowable under this opportunity?
No. Construction is listed as a prohibited activity.
34. Can projects include religious activities?
Projects supporting specific religious activities are listed as prohibited.
35. Can the grant be used for fundraising or lobbying?
No. Fundraising campaigns and lobbying are specifically listed as prohibited activities.
36. Does the Embassy fund scientific research or surveys under this opportunity?
No. Scientific research or surveys are listed as prohibited activities.
37. Can a proposal be primarily commercial in nature?
No. Commercial projects are listed as prohibited activities.
38. Can this funding be used mainly to expand the applicant organization?
No. Activities primarily aimed at growing the applicant organization itself are prohibited.
39. Will the Embassy fund a project that duplicates existing work?
No. Duplicative projects are listed as prohibited.
40. What kind of framing is most consistent with what the Embassy wants to fund?
The announcement indicates that successful proposals should be framed as public diplomacy initiatives with strong educational, skills-building, networking, or institutional strengthening components that connect directly to the stated goals and produce visible, credible outcomes for participants and communities.
41. What does "measurable outcomes" mean in the context of this opportunity?
The announcement states that applicants are expected to design activities that clearly support measurable outcomes tied to the Embassy's priority areas. (Specific metrics are not provided in the text.)
42. Is this funding guaranteed if a proposal aligns with the priorities?
No. The opportunity is described as discretionary, meaning awards are not guaranteed.
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