Investing in the Liberated Universities of Ninewa | DOS BAGHDAD PD 2021 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS BAGHDAD PD 2021 001

The grant opportunity titled "Investing in the Liberated Universities of Ninewa" is a U.S. Department of State-funded program run by the U.S. Mission to Iraq (U.S. Embassy Baghdad) aimed at helping three higher education institutions in northern Iraq recover and rebuild after conflict: the Universities of Ninewa, Tel Afar, and Hamdaniya. The core purpose is to restore and revitalize basic university operations and strengthen these institutions so they can once again serve students and surrounding communities, especially minority populations in areas around Mosul and the Ninewa Plain that endured extreme violence and genocide. The opportunity is positioned as part of the broader Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) between the United States and the Republic of Iraq, where education, academic exchanges, and research collaboration are treated as central pillars for longer-term cooperation and stability.

Funding is offered as a discretionary grant with an award ceiling of up to USD 1,200,000 for a two-year project, with the expectation of making one award. The program is designed to move beyond short-term relief by investing in institutional capacity and practical educational pathways that translate into economic opportunities. In other words, the embassy is looking for proposals that do not only repair gaps in resources, but also help these universities build stronger systems, improve the quality and relevance of instruction, and create clearer connections between academic training and employment outcomes for students in post-conflict communities.

A competitive proposal is expected to include a structured plan to work directly with each of the three universities, starting with a needs assessment tailored to their specific challenges. From there, applicants should propose capacity-building activities that could include administrative strengthening, academic department support, teaching and learning improvements, or other institutional development efforts. The opportunity strongly emphasizes creating linkages with American universities, both to bring in U.S. academic expertise and to embed longer-term collaboration through partnerships. Alongside institutional support, proposals are expected to address curriculum development, with a clear focus on aligning programs of study to the needs of the Iraqi economy so graduates are better prepared for real jobs and local market demands.

The grant also allows for the purchase of equipment and educational materials that directly support the project goals. This suggests the embassy anticipates practical constraints on the ground, such as missing or outdated instructional resources, lab or classroom needs, or other academic tools required to re-establish functional learning environments. At the same time, the funding is not framed as a simple procurement program; equipment and materials are meant to support broader reforms like improved curricula, upgraded training, and stronger teaching capacity.

Faculty exchange and collaboration are another key feature. Proposals should include exchange programs that enable faculty engagement with American partner universities, with the intent of building professional relationships, sharing methods and knowledge, and strengthening academic standards. English language education is also specifically called out, reflecting a goal of increasing access to international academic resources and improving the ability of students and faculty to participate in global academic networks. Taken together, these elements point to a program that is meant to reconnect these universities to international higher education norms and opportunities while strengthening their local relevance.

Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education as direct applicants). The embassy signals that it is looking for implementers with a demonstrated track record working with both Iraqi and American higher education institutions, and with the operational capacity to run complex projects in post-conflict environments. That requirement implies attention to security, logistics, stakeholder coordination, and the ability to adapt programming to fragile settings where institutions may still be rebuilding governance, staffing, infrastructure, and student services.

In terms of what will likely make an application more competitive, priority is given to proposals that clearly show how American academic expertise will be introduced to the target universities in concrete ways, rather than as a vague partnership label. The embassy also favors proposals that directly prepare students to enter the labor market, especially through internships and practical skills development that connect learning to workplace experience. Finally, proposals that intentionally support national reconciliation and minority inclusion are viewed more favorably, reinforcing the program's broader stabilization and social cohesion goals in communities that were heavily targeted and displaced during the conflict period.

Key administrative details from the listing include the funding opportunity number DOS BAGHDAD PD 2021 001, CFDA 19.021, and an original closing date of July 31, 2021 (with a creation date of June 24, 2021). Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a two-year, high-impact higher education recovery and modernization initiative that combines capacity building, U.S.-Iraq academic partnerships, workforce-oriented curriculum and training, and inclusive community stabilization objectives centered on the liberated areas of Ninewa.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Iraq in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Investing in the Liberated Universities of Ninewa" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.021.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 24, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 31, 2021. (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 $1,200,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for DOS BAGHDAD PD 2021 001

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