U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program 2024 | DOS MSU SSH FY24

FAQs: U.S. Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program 2024 (U.S. Embassy Maseru)

1) What is the U.S. Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program 2024?

It is a small-grants program run by the U.S. Embassy Maseru under the U.S. Department of State (Bureau of African Affairs). It funds practical, community-initiated projects in Lesotho that can be completed in a short timeframe (generally one year) and that measurably improve basic economic and social conditions at the village or community level.

2) What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?

The program is intended to support grass-roots, locally identified priorities that communities can realistically manage, operate, and maintain after the grant ends. Projects should be high-impact, quick to implement, and deliver benefits to a meaningful number of people during the grant period without needing repeat funding from this same program.

3) Where must the project take place?

Projects are intended for communities in Lesotho and should deliver measurable improvements at the village or community level.

4) How long should a project take to complete?

Projects are expected to be completed within a short timeframe, generally one year.

5) How much funding is available per award?

The award ceiling is USD 10,000.

6) How many awards will be made?

The Embassy anticipates making around eight awards, subject to available funding.

7) Is cost sharing required?

Yes. A 10 percent cost share (match) is required. The match can be provided through cash, materials, and/or labor, reflecting a community contribution.

8) What kinds of projects are prioritized?

Priority is given to proposals that clearly come from the community's own initiative, match local aspirations, and are not framed as technical assistance. The notice also highlights a strong interest in community-level water and sanitation improvements that are broadly accessible, reliable, and economically sustainable, supporting health, security, and prosperity (and not focused on household-level or agriculture-focused water issues).

9) Are projects serving vulnerable or at-risk populations encouraged?

Yes. The program welcomes projects that provide social assistance or serve vulnerable or at-risk populations, including people with disabilities, orphans, children and at-risk youth, ethnic minorities, older adults, female-headed households, and other socially excluded groups.

10) What types of costs and activities can the grant pay for?

The funding supports tangible, durable inputs and small-scale infrastructure that communities can use and maintain. Examples listed include:

• Selected agricultural inputs like seeds and supplies (excluding fertilizers and chemical products such as pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides)
• Water-related infrastructure such as wells, latrines, pumps, boreholes, water tanks, and fish ponds
• School-related items such as desks, chairs, laboratory equipment, and library items
• Communal equipment used for construction or local production (for example, brick-making machines)
• Durable goods for schools and health facilities (such as stoves, refrigerators, or clinic washing machines)
• Small construction projects such as building classrooms or community centers

11) Does the program fund water and sanitation projects?

Yes. The notice expresses strong interest in community-level water and sanitation improvements that are broadly accessible, reliable, and economically sustainable, with an emphasis on services that support health, security, and prosperity.

12) Are household water connections or agriculture-focused water projects a fit?

The notice emphasizes community-level services and specifically notes that its water and sanitation interest is not focused on household-level or agriculture-focused water issues.

13) What types of projects are not eligible?

The program includes multiple restrictions. It will not support:

• Renovations of facilities that have fallen into disrepair due to neglect or lack of funding
• Activities with unmitigated negative environmental impacts (examples provided include dams or roads through forest lands)
• Purely religious or church-centered projects
• Military and law enforcement related activities (including police, prisons, or similar functions)
• Pesticides, fungicides, or herbicides
• National-level sports or arts uniforms and instruments
• Student bursaries
• Salaries for existing positions
• Recurring education or training needs
• Vehicles or tractors
• Routine office supplies and office equipment like computers or photocopiers
• Support to private businesses

14) Can faith-based organizations apply or be involved?

Faith-based organizations are listed among eligible applicants. However, purely religious or church-centered projects are not eligible. Projects affiliated with faith groups may be funded if they genuinely serve the broader community without discrimination based on religion.

15) Are technical assistance or training programs eligible?

The notice states the grant is not intended to start, continue, or supplement ongoing technical assistance programs. It also lists recurring education or training needs as not supported.

16) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, schools, NGOs, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, orphanages, and health facilities.

17) What is the CFDA number for this program?

Awards are issued as grants under CFDA 19.220 (community development).

18) When did the application window open and close?

The application window opened January 8, 2024. Applications are accepted until April 8, 2024. The source listing also shows an original closing date of April 19, 2024, but applicants are advised to follow the Embassy's stated submission deadline in the notice and confirm if needed.

19) What happens if an application is submitted late or is missing documents?

Applications must be complete and on time. Late submissions, incomplete packages, or missing documents will be rejected. Applications missing any required elements are considered technically ineligible.

20) How can applicants get the application guidelines?

Guidelines can be requested by emailing grantsmaseru@state.gov or collected at the U.S. Embassy Maseru main gate.

21) What language must the application be written in?

All materials must be in English.

22) What currency should be used for the budget?

Budgets must be in U.S. dollars (USD). The notice also requires costs to be estimated in Maloti using an exchange rate of 1 USD to 16 Maloti.

23) What formatting requirements are mentioned?

Pages must be numbered. The notice references a page limit and notes the review panel will only read up to the stated limit.

24) Which federal application forms are required?

A complete package must include SF-424 plus either:

• Construction set: SF-424C and SF-424D, or
• Non-construction set: SF-424A and SF-424B

25) What must be included in the proposal package besides the SF forms?

The package must include a cover page, table of contents, and a proposal narrative that directly addresses the opportunity's goals and objectives.

26) What should the proposal narrative cover?

The narrative should be detailed enough for someone unfamiliar with the community to understand what will be done and how it will be carried out. It should include:

• Organizational background and relevant experience
• Project methods and design
• Clear goals and SMART objectives (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound)
• Activities tied to each objective
• A management plan (roles, reporting lines, communication)
• Partners
• Sustainability plan (how results will be sustained after the grant ends)
• Risk analysis (likelihood, impact, mitigation actions)
• Monitoring and evaluation plan (tracking outputs and outcomes, data collection tools such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, and whether an external evaluation will be used)

27) Is a timeline required?

Yes. A one-page timeline is required and can be monthly or quarterly.

28) What budget documents are required?

A detailed budget and a budget justification narrative explaining each cost are required.

29) What attachments are required for the application to be considered eligible?

Required attachments include:

• Required SF forms
• Detailed budget and budget justification narrative
• CVs/resumes for key personnel
• Price quotations for items or services the grant would pay for
• The organization's constitution
• List of committee or board members with contact information
• A simple map/directions to the project site from a major road
• Project bank account details
• Proof of land ownership or formal permission to use the project land (for example, a lease agreement or land deed)

30) Can the Embassy request additional documentation?

Yes. The Special Projects Office may request additional documentation beyond what is listed.

31) What pre-award steps should selected applicants be ready for?

Selected applicants should be prepared for steps such as a site visit, revisions responding to review panel conditions, and providing bank account and other administrative details before a federal award is finalized.

32) Are federal registrations required before applying?

Yes. Every prime applicant organization must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM.gov. The Embassy may not review or award funds to applicants without these registrations.

33) How long can SAM.gov registration take?

The notice states SAM registration can take 4 to 8 weeks, so organizations are urged to start early.

34) Is a DUNS number required?

No. A DUNS number is not required anymore.

35) Do non-U.S. organizations need an EIN from the IRS?

The notice states organizations outside the U.S. that do not employ staff in the U.S. do not need an EIN from the IRS, but they still must obtain a UEI to register in SAM.gov.