USAID announces new funding opportunities

Karachi: The US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced new funding opportunities from the Ambassador’s Fund Grant Program. During the current five-year cycle, running from 2017-2022, this program will award approximately 200 grants in support of high impact efforts by Pakistani organizations working to improve the economic and social conditions of the people of Pakistan. “Large-scale investments, through some of our other programs, are important.  But we also know that much of the most impactful assistance happens on a smaller scale, when people are empowered locally,” Michael Hryshchshyn, USAID Director for Sindh and Balochistan told those gathered for the event. “For this reason, the Ambassador’s Fund Grant Program remains an important part of the United States’ partnership with Pakistan.” The Ambassador’s Fund supports initiatives focused on priority areas identified by the United States Ambassador to Pakistan.  During the current program grant cycle, USAID will support initiatives to promote culture and the arts, improve disaster preparedness, develop small-scale energy solutions, encourage social entrepreneurship, and empower vulnerable populations. Private sector organizations, non-governmental organizations, and non-government academic research and training institutions ? including those led by women – are eligible to apply.  During the previous grant cycle, the Fund awarded 346 grants benefitting more than two million Pakistanis.