University Library Resources Program (ULRP) | AF HAR FY22 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for AF HAR FY22 01

The University Library Resources Program (ULRP) is a U.S. Department of State grant opportunity run through the Public Diplomacy Section at the U.S. Embassy in Harare. It is an open competition for Zimbabwean public and private higher education institutions that want to strengthen working ties between U.S. and Zimbabwean academic libraries, specifically in ways that support faculty teaching, student learning, and research. The core idea is to help university libraries and relevant faculty departments work together to improve access to high-quality educational and research materials, while also expanding the practical ability to use technology and internet-based resources for academic work.

The program is focused on three priority subject areas: One Health, STEM in Agriculture (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics applied to agriculture), and Peace and Conflict Resolution. Projects are expected to result in tangible improvements for both faculty and students, such as better access to relevant publications, online research databases, and digital educational resources. The intent is not only to add more resources, but to improve research capacity and learning outcomes by making it easier to find credible information, strengthen research methods, and support coursework and scholarly activity in these fields.

ULRP proposals must clearly increase access to U.S. educational resources, and these resources can be digital, physical, or a mix of both. The opportunity highlights three main project components that applicants can include (some or all), as long as they match the objectives and are developed in partnership with the appropriate faculty departments. First, applicants may propose subscriptions or access programs for academic journal databases covering the priority subject areas. Second, applicants may propose higher education collections work, meaning the targeted sourcing of books, reference works, and other learning materials aligned with faculty needs to improve student access to core and advanced resources. Third, applicants may propose activities that improve internet access so students and faculty can reliably use online databases and digital content, and so faculty can better participate in collaborative research opportunities. If equipment purchases are included to support internet access, they must be reasonable, directly connected to the project, and carefully justified in the budget narrative. A key rule is that all educational materials purchased with grant funds must be obtained from U.S. sources.

The primary participants and audiences are university faculty in the priority disciplines and academic library staff, with the broader beneficiaries being the student and faculty community that uses the library. A major access requirement is that materials supported by the grant must be openly available to all students and faculty, rather than restricted to a small group or a single department. The expected project performance period is 12 months or less, so proposals should be designed for implementation within a one-year timeframe with clear milestones.

Applications require standard federal assistance forms and a structured proposal package. Mandatory forms include the SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance), SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction), and SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction), with the note that SF-424B is required for individuals and for organizations not registered in SAM.gov. Applicants must also include a summary cover sheet with basic identifying details (applicant and organization name, date, title, period of performance, start and end dates, and a brief purpose statement). The main proposal is limited to 10 pages and must be written so that someone unfamiliar with the institution or project can clearly understand what will be done and why. Required proposal sections include a short program summary with objectives and anticipated impact; an introduction describing organizational background and ability to implement the project (including any prior U.S. Embassy or U.S. government grants); a clear problem statement; measurable goals and objectives; planned activities; methods and design (a logic model is encouraged where appropriate); a schedule and timeline with dates and locations; key personnel roles, qualifications, and level of effort; partner organizations and any sub-awardees with their roles; a monitoring and evaluation plan with output and outcome indicators and measurement timing; and a sustainability plan describing how benefits will continue after the grant ends.

A detailed budget package is required. In addition to completing the SF-424A, applicants must provide a separate budget justification narrative explaining each cost in detail and demonstrating that expenses are reasonable and aligned with proposed activities. Required attachments include one-page CVs or resumes for key personnel, letters of support from program partners that spell out responsibilities, and (if applicable) the organization’s current Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) if indirect costs are charged. Any official permission letters needed for implementation should also be included, along with evidence of the required entity identifiers and registrations.

On eligibility and compliance, organizations cannot apply or participate if they appear on the Excluded Parties List System in SAM, consistent with federal debarment and suspension rules. Most organizational applicants must have the standard federal registrations, including a Unique Entity Identifier (referenced in the notice through DUNS), an NCAGE/CAGE code, and an active SAM.gov registration (renewed annually). The opportunity materials provide a step-by-step outline for obtaining these identifiers and where to seek help if applicants run into issues.

Applications are scored using a points-based review framework. The largest weights go to the quality and feasibility of the program idea (25 points) and organizational capacity plus track record managing grants (25 points), including the ability to manage federal funds with appropriate controls, a functioning financial system, and a bank account. Additional scoring considers planning and likelihood of achieving objectives (15 points), the monitoring and evaluation approach with indicators and milestones (15 points), budget quality and realism (10 points), and sustainability beyond the grant period (10 points). Strong applications therefore need to show a clear, practical plan; credible institutional capacity; a tight, well-explained budget; and a realistic approach to measuring results and maintaining impact after the award period.

Administratively, applications must be submitted by email to PublicDiplomacyGrants-Zim@state.gov, with a physical delivery option to the U.S. Embassy in Harare if email submission is not possible. The opportunity was published under Funding Opportunity Number AF HAR FY22 01 with CFDA 19.040, an award ceiling of $10,000, and an expectation of up to five awards. The posted deadline for submission was March 15, 2022, and proposed projects were expected to be completed within 12 months or less.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "University Library Resources Program (ULRP)" 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 Jan 14, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 15, 2022. (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 $10,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for AF HAR FY22 01

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