The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Mission to Pakistan is pleased to announce an open competition for grant proposals contingent on funding availability, through the Public Diplomacy Grants Program.
Under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), PAS seeks proposals for a two-year project to develop a civic leadership program at the Karakuram International University (KIU), Hunza in support of U.S. goals to support and promote human rights. Specifically, PAS envisions a project linking an accredited, four-year Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and a Pakistani higher education institution in the northern Hunza district of GilgitBaltistan, home to the Ismaili minority sect, which will promote inclusivity and create a sustainable program that will continue to support human rights for disadvantaged communities in Pakistan.
The Ismailis in Pakistan’s northern Hunza region of Gilgit-Baltistan are a moderate minority sect of Shia Islam. While their community receives significant external aid and is known for its prodevelopment stance and support for girls’ education, the Ismailis still face structural discrimination and economic barriers.
Project Goals
The project seeks to promote human rights by developing a civic leadership program at the Karakuram International University (KIU) Hunza campus and promote minority inclusion and civic engagement through a partnership between an American university and a Pakistani university in the northern Hunza region of Gilgit-Baltistan, home to the Ismaili minority sect.
To reach this goal, program proposals must include curriculum development and professional development for faculty. Proposals may also include one or more of the following: implementation of faculty and student exchange programs; collaborative research; academic collaboration; exchange of resource materials and publications of mutual interest; and exchange of research journals.
Project Objectives
This project seeks to develop a civic leadership program, and strengthen the human rights curriculum at the Karakuram International University (KIU), Hunza. The program will also promote understanding of American history and culture through exposure to the role of HBCUs in serving minority populations in the United States, enhance democratic values, and promote civic participation and leadership on issues affecting minority communities.
All proposed projects must address the following objectives:
Equip students with the tools, skills, and strategies to navigate societal challenges and be engaged civic leaders;
Inform and promote scholarship on civic participation at the Pakistani university; and
Enhance the capacity of approximately 10-20 faculty in curriculum development and pedagogy on civic engagement and leadership.
Funding Information
Estimated Total Project Funding: $350,000
Estimated Award Ceiling: $350,000
Estimated Award Floor: $250,000
Length of Project Period: 24 Months
Project Audience(s): The primary audience for this project will be students and faculty at the selected U.S. and Pakistani universities. The secondary audience for this project will be the wider group of Ismailis in the Gilgit-Baltistan region.
Eligibility Criteria
The following non-profit only organizations are eligible to apply:
Non-governmental organizations
Civil society organizations
Think tanks
Public and private educational institutions
For-profit entities, even those that may fall into the categories, are not eligible to apply for this funding opportunity.
Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, nongovernmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.
Cost sharing or matching is not required for this funding opportunity.
Pre-award costs are not an allowable expense for this funding opportunity.
Deadline: May 5, 2022
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
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