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The mission of the Smith Richardson Foundation in Westport, Connecticut, is to contribute to important public debates and address serious public policy challenges at home and assist with the development of effective policies that help the United States advance its interests and values abroad. To that end, the foundation sponsors an annual Strategy and Policy Fellows grant competition to support young scholars and policy thinkers on American foreign policy, international relations, international security, military policy, and diplomatic and military history.

The Smith Richardson Foundation seeks to contribute to important public debates and to address serious public policy challenges facing the United States as well as help ensure the vitality of social, economic, and governmental institutions, and assist with the development of effective policies that enable the United States to compete internationally and advance U.S. interests and values abroad. To that end, the foundation is accepting applications for its annual Strategy and Policy Fellows grant competition. Through the program, at least research grants of $60,000 will be awarded in support of research by young scholars and policy thinkers working in the area(s) of American foreign policy, international relations, international security, military policy, and diplomatic and military history that leads to the writing of a book.

MENA governments - especially in Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia - have undertaken important reform initiatives to modernize their public administrations and pass access to information laws. Several have applied to join the Open Government Partnership (OGP), an international initiative that aims to leverage capabilities of new technologies to strengthen participatory governance and fight corruption. Further actions are required to sustain this progress and implement open government principles that foster civil society collaboration with government. This project will assist governments in developing action plans to improve management and governance activities such as: budgeting, human resources management, regulatory practices, public integrity, public procurement, digital government, open government and data, risk management, and innovations. By focusing on public governance areas and creating inclusive economies and societies, this project will guide governments to benchmark their countries' progress on public sector reforms at the national and regional levels, and to compare them against international standards. Additionally, it will create the first MENA long-term strategic partnership and governance network for policy dialogue and exchange of good practices. Finally, it will deliver ad hoc policy recommendations to advance public sector reform agendas in specific sectors at the national or regional level with a focus on policies pertaining to women and youth.

Mercator-IPC Fellows work at Istanbul Policy Center (IPC), an independent policy research institute with global outreach located in the center of Istanbul. IPC's mission is to foster academic research and its application to policy making. The Center is firmly committed to providing decision makers, opinion leaders, academics and the general public with innovative and objective analyses of key domestic and foreign policy issues. IPC offers the Mercator-IPC Fellows access to a broad network of academics, civil society activists and decision makers as well as a unique platform for sound academic research to shape hands-on policy work. Likewise, fellows profit from Sabancı University's exceptional intellectual capital and vast reserves of scientific knowledge. Mercator-IPC Fellowships are available to outstanding academics and professionals who work in one of three thematic areas: | EU/German-Turkish relations | Climate change | Education In the 2014/15 round, at least six Mercator-IPC Fellowships are available for outstanding young academics and professionals who have significant prior work experience. The fellows will be expected to work on academic or practical projects at IPC. A Master's degree (or equivalent) is required for this position, but a PhD degree is strongly preferred. Projects which focus on the German-Turkish nexus are likewise preferred.  The 2014/15 fellowships begin September 1, 2014 and the deadline for applications is April 1, 2014.

The Academy welcomes emerging as well as established scholars, writers, and professionals who wish to engage in independent study in Berlin. Around two dozen Berlin Prizes are conferred annually. Past Berlin Prize recipients have included historians, economists, poets, art historians, journalists, legal scholars, anthropologists, musicologists, public policy experts, and writers, among others. The Academy does not accept project proposals in mathematics and the hard sciences. In addition to placing a high priority on the independent work of its fellows, the Academy is in a unique position to aid fellows in establishing professional and general networks both in Berlin and beyond. The Academy's public outreach, which facilitates the introduction of a fellow's work to a wider audience, serves its mission of fostering transatlantic ties through cultural exchange. Fellowships are typically awarded for an academic semester or, in some cases, for an entire academic year. Only the Bosch Fellowships in Public Policy may be for shorter stays of six to eight weeks. Fellowship benefits include round-trip airfare, housing at the Academy, partial board, and a stipend of $5,000 per month. The Academy's furnished apartments at the Hans Arnhold Center are suitable for individuals and couples; accommodations are available for families with children at the Hans Arnhold Center or at nearby apartments. All fellows are expected to reside at the Hans Arnhold Center during the entire term of the award. Fellowships are restricted to candidates based permanently in the US. US citizenship is not required, and American expatriates are not eligible.

USAID/Cambodia seeks to make a five-year award focused on the goal of improving the quality of public and private health services in Cambodia in a sustainable manner through technical assistance to national and sub-national health systems. The activity will achieve this goal through four objectives: 1) improved policies, guidelines and standards for streamlined quality assurance; 2) increased efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery; 3) strengthened regulatory framework, implementation, and enforcement; and 4) strengthened pre-service public health training. Under these objectives, the award will support the Ministry of Health, Provincial Health Departments, Operational District Offices and Referral Hospital Management to improve the quality of health services through targeted technical assistance and limited introduction of new techniques, approaches, and technologies that improve quality of health services in both the public and private sector. The award will build upon existing, effective quality assurance systems and ensure that they incorporate a focus on USAID/Cambodia's technical priorities (maternal and child health, family planning, nutrition, tuberculosis, HIV and malaria). In addition, a major focus of the award will be ensuring quality of health services provided in the private sector. This will include, but is not limited to, strengthening licensing and regulation of service providers and monitoring of service quality in the private sector toward the development of an accreditation system for both public and private providers.

The Office of the Public Affairs Advisor (PAA) at the U.S. Department of State's U.S. Mission to NATO (USNATO) invites not-for-profit, non-governmental organizations and think-tanks that focus on international affairs, defense and security issues, and U.S. and European relations to submit project proposals which encourage public discussions and creative public engagements in Europe on the major theme of "Turning NATO's Words into Action After the Brussels Meeting. USNATO seeks proposals that illustrate how to adapt NATO's strategic focus on deterrence and defense, and projecting stability with specific emphasis on burden sharing, counterterrorism, cyber security, and other outcomes from the Brussels May Meeting. To successfully communicate these policies, the alliance and its stakeholders will need to explain and debate these issues with policymakers, media, and their public in the coming period. USNATO is seeking proposals that will outline how the alliance can transform intent into actions and programs that NATO and its member states can implement. Specifically, we are referring to initiatives that relate to the strategic direction coming from the Brussels meeting; as well as how member states can honor their defense investment pledges, ways the alliance can support counterterrorism efforts, and novel methods to support cyber defense commitments including ways to blunt disinformation. We look forward to reviewing proposals from partner institutions that discuss some or all of these important NATO-related topics.

The U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section in Brasilia is soliciting proposals for a cooperative agreement that falls into the area specified from non-governmental organizations and other legally-recognized non-profit institutions that meet U.S. and, for Brazilian organizations, Brazilian technical and legal requirements to develop and implement educational and cultural programs. Information about the Public Affairs Section can be found at: http://br.usembassy.gov/This program will connect U.S. experts (U.S. citizens only) with Brazilian audiences and institutions. The U.S. Speaker and Specialist Program will send American experts to Brazil to engage with audiences through lectures, workshops, and seminars as well as through appearances in foreign media. The U.S. Speaker and Specialist Program will promote an understanding of U.S. strategic priorities, policies and institutions; and build linkages between U.S. and Brazilian experts and institutions.

The U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section in Brasilia is soliciting proposals for a cooperative agreement that falls into the area specified from non-governmental organizations and other legally-recognized non-profit institutions that meet U.S. and, for Brazilian organizations, Brazilian technical and legal requirements to develop and implement educational and cultural programs. Information about the Public Affairs Section can be found at: http://br.usembassy.gov/This program will connect U.S. experts (U.S. citizens only) with Brazilian audiences and institutions. The U.S. Speaker and Specialist Program will send American experts to Brazil to engage with audiences through lectures, workshops, and seminars as well as through appearances in foreign media. The U.S. Speaker and Specialist Program will promote an understanding of U.S. strategic priorities, policies and institutions; and build linkages between U.S. and Brazilian experts and institutions.

The U.S. Embassy Baku Public Affairs Section (PAS) is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Annual Program Statement. U.S. Embassy Baku's Annual Program Statement solicits proposals for projects that further the U.S. Mission's public diplomacy goals of expanding and strengthening people-to-people ties between Azerbaijan and the United States, engaging with local media, and building and strengthening local partners through the specific objectives listed. Public diplomacy programming includes cultural programming, educational exchanges, workshops and training for entrepreneurs, English-language programming, innovation in and improvement of education systems, promoting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, and promoting professional journalism. All programs must include a connection with American culture, expert(s), organization(s), or institution(s) in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policies and perspectives.

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia invites U.S. and Georgian universities, educational institutes and non-profit/non-governmental organizations to submit proposals for a one- to two-year project to improve the standards of Georgian academic research in Georgian universities and educational institutes, and to encourage greater interaction between Georgian academic researchers, civil society, and government policy-makers. The project is meant to strengthen the quantitative and qualitative research skills and the academic writing of young Georgian scholars; raise Georgian scholarship to an international standard; and encourage the publication of Georgian scholarly research in Western academic and/or in Georgian peer reviewed journals in areas directly related to: domestic policy issues (i.e. health care, education, environment, civil service/personnel issues, local government, etc.) and comparative analyses (U.S.-Georgian). The proposal may also include teaching academic English and updating Georgian research library capacities and resources.

The purpose of this FOA is to provide technical assistance (TA) to the Government of Kenya (GOK) and implementing partners in strengthening their capacity to design and implement systems to collect, analyze, interpret and disseminate high quality HIV data. To achieve this, the awardee(s) will complete activities under the following program areas: Program Area A - Surveillance and Epidemiology: Support the GOK and its partners in strengthening their capacity to design, implement, analyze, disseminate, and use data from epidemiologic studies to adequately and accurately measure outcomes and impact, while informing decision making and policy in the national and sub-national HIV response. Epidemiologic studies will include surveillance, surveys, operations research/implementation science and public health impact evaluations. Program Area B - Monitoring and Evaluation: Strengthen the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) capacity of health workers in program data collection, analysis and reporting as well as cohort analysis and program evaluation. The support will also include review, revision and roll out of M&E framework, tools, policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs), M&E coordination and collaboration at national and sub-national levels and support strengthening quality of HIV data through training and mentorship. Program Area C - mHealth: The third component will entail supporting the GOK units such as the National AIDS and STI Control Program (NASCOP), National Public Health Laboratory Services (NPHLS) and Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) in mobile technology innovations (mHealth) projects that leverage mobile technologies to enhance efficiencies in the delivery of prevention, care and treatment of HIV.

This award will support efforts in at least two of four target countries (select among: Argentina, Ecuador, Panama, and Peru) to identify priority substantive anti-corruption measures and assist in implementation of reform actions related to them. The substantive measures will be determined in reference to the international and regional standards to which these countries have agreed, and the recommendations of the peer review bodies associated with them. Several anti-corruption mechanisms and fora promote action on these standards by facilitating peer recommendations or encouraging country commitments. Exemplar mechanisms and fora include UNCAC and MESICIC (primary) and the Anti-Bribery Convention, Open Government Partnership, Summit of the Americas and related policy (secondary). Each of the target countries has engaged in at least one of these entities and has received recommendations or made commitments to address corruption in various ways. INL intends for this project to initiate a multi-stakeholder process in each country selected for this project to prioritize two to three peer review body recommendations addressed to - or political commitments made by -- the country. The project should then support the development of action plans and targeted follow-up action (i.e. technical assistance, advocacy, and coordination) to help governments implement the action plans. Suggested focus areas in which to develop priorities, action plans, and follow-up measures include judicial integrity/independence, criminalizing foreign bribery, public procurement, public sector ethics, and international legal cooperation. Supporting action in these areas would aid the criminal justice sector and civil society in making tangible steps to adopt laws, policies, or procedures that either prevent or combat corruption.

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia is pleased to announce an open competition for assistance award through this Request for Proposals (RFP) for the International Affairs Partnership Program with the School of Law and Politics (SLP) at the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA). The Public Affairs Section (PAS) invites U.S. academic institutions (U.S. University International Relations/Political Science/Foreign Policy programs) to submit proposals for a three-year partnership project to improve the standard of International Relations instruction and assist in the long-term institutional development of the School of Law and Politics (SLP). The means for achieving this goal may include: faculty development, curricula and materials development, program development (to include joint long-distance MA degree program), professor and student exchanges, and joint research. PAS will award approximately $495,000 for a three year long project.

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the Embassy of the United States of America in South Africa invites interested non-profit organizations, public international organizations, and private, public, or state institutions of higher education in South Africa and the United States to submit abstracts for Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation projects in accordance with the specifications outlined in the full program description, which is attached to this notice (click on the "Related Documents" tab). The Department of State established the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural preservation (AFCP) at the request of the Congress in Conference Report 106-1005 accompanying H.R. 4942 (October 26, 2000). The projects recommended for funding under this program shall advance U.S. foreign policy goals and demonstrate American leadership in the preservation and protection of cultural heritage in support of prosperity and stability around the world.

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the Embassy of the United States of America in South Africa invites interested non-profit organizations, public international organizations, and private, public, or state institutions of higher education in South Africa and the United States to submit abstracts for Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation projects in accordance with the specifications outlined in the full program description, which is attached to this notice (click on the "Related Documents" tab). The Department of State established the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural preservation (AFCP) at the request of the Congress in Conference Report 106-1005 accompanying H.R. 4942 (October 26, 2000). The projects recommended for funding under this program shall advance U.S. foreign policy goals and demonstrate American leadership in the preservation and protection of cultural heritage in support of prosperity and stability around the world.

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of East Asia Pacific Affairs (EAP) announces an open competition for an environmental award of up to 246,850 to support a local and regional small-scale public health project in the Lower Mekong countries of Southeast Asia. Under the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) EAP and the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) work together to improve human health thereby promoting economic growth throughout the region. Guided by the specific objectives from the LMI 2016-2020 Master Plan of Action, this project seeks to combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) through the development of National AMR Resistance Action Plans. In addition to demonstrating expert knowledge of health challenges, existing programs, and topics related to AMR in the Lower Mekong Region, project applications should address three or more of the following environmental areas of focus: * National AMR programs * Antimicrobial resistance * Public Health: infectious diseases and/or Antimicrobial resistance * Sustainable economic development * Adaptation to changing public health conditions, e.g., endemic and epidemic pathogens * Supporting the One Health Initiative by improving the understanding of disease ecology and the connectedness between human health and the larger ecosystem, strengthening surveillance systems, and bolstering national communication across animal, human, and environmental health sectors. * Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) * World Health Organization's Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance * WHO's International Health Regulations. * Risk management * Evidence-based policy development * Development of new technology for application to environmental health issues Proposed project activities may take place only in following countries: Burma; Cambodia; Laos; Thailand; or Vietnam.

This mechanism will provide high quality technical assistance to strengthen individual and institutional capacity within key units of the health system in Namibia for the development and execution of high-impact, evidenced-based public health interventions in line with national plans, policies, and priorities. The ultimate goal of this enhanced capacity is an increased ability of national public health institutions to provide high quality and accessible health services in the country.

The U.S. Embassy Budapest Public Affairs Section of the Department of State announces an open competition for organizations and individuals to submit applications to carry out a program or project with funding 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. Purpose of Small Grants: PAS Budapest invites proposals for projects that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Hungary through cultural programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

The DAAD/AICGS Research Fellowship Program, funded by a generous grant from the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), is designed to bring scholars and specialists working on Germany, Europe, and/or transatlantic relations to AICGS for research stays of two months each. Fellowships include a monthly stipend of up to $4,725, depending on the seniority of the applicant; transportation to and from Washington; and office space at the Institute. Please note that the DAAD/AICGS Research Fellowship supports fellows conducting research at AICGS in Washington DC. We are unable to support research in Germany/Europe. DAAD/AICGS Research Fellows will be expected to produce a short analytical essay that will be published on the AICGS website and distributed via the Institute's targeted analysis newsletter, The AICGS Advisor. For fellows producing research output of exceptional quality and interest, AICGS will provide opportunities for public presentations to the broader Washington policy community. Project proposals should address a topic closely related to one or more of the Institute's three research and programming areas: Business and Economics Foreign and Domestic Policy Society, Culture & Politics

The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Youth Programs Division, of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) invites proposals for the FY 2018 On-Demand Youth Leadership Program. The On-Demand Youth Leadership Program builds upon current and past On-Demand Youth Leadership Programs. This exchange program supports U.S. foreign policy goals by empowering the U.S. State Department to quickly respond to evolving foreign policy priorities. U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to provide approximately five exchange projects in the United States from three to four weeks in duration. Applicants may submit only one proposal under this competition. If multiple proposals are received from the same applicant, all submissions will be declared ineligible and receive no further consideration in the review process.