Southern Iraqi Universities Initiative | DOS BAGHDAD PD 2022 003

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS BAGHDAD PD 2022 003

The Southern Iraqi Universities Initiative is a U.S. Department of State grant competition run by the U.S. Mission to Iraq (U.S. Embassy Baghdad) to strengthen higher education capacity in southern Iraq. The program is designed to support four public universities: the University of Basrah, Maysan University, Al-Muthanna University, and the University of Dhi Qar. Through one anticipated award, the initiative aims to build durable academic and institutional partnerships that help these universities modernize programs, expand practical training opportunities for students, and connect more directly with U.S. academic expertise.

The grant focuses on two core program pillars. First, applicants are expected to support the establishment of an Environment Research Center at the University of Basrah. While the notice does not prescribe a single model for the center, it implies a comprehensive set of activities typically associated with launching an applied research unit, such as developing research priorities, training faculty and staff, setting up operational procedures, creating or updating curriculum content tied to environmental research, and acquiring the equipment and educational materials needed to make the center functional and credible. Second, applicants must design a renewable energy project that can be adapted and implemented at each of the four universities. This suggests a scalable design that can be tailored to different campus contexts while still following a shared approach, such as common training modules, standardized lab or demonstration components, and replicable implementation steps.

Proposals are expected to include detailed work plans for each of the four universities, not just a general regional plan. The work plans should emphasize capacity building, which in this context means strengthening the ability of the universities to teach, research, and manage programs in the environmental and renewable energy areas over the long term. The Embassy specifically calls for linkages with American universities, which signals that competitive proposals will include clearly defined U.S. partner institutions and a realistic plan for collaboration. That collaboration can include co-developed curricula, joint research activities, mentoring, guest lectures, and other structured engagements that bring U.S. academic practices to Iraqi faculty and students. Budgets may also cover the purchase of related equipment and educational materials, implying that the program is not limited to training and workshops but can also invest in tangible resources that support instruction and research.

A notable required element is faculty exchange programming to promote collaboration and information sharing with American partner universities. In practice, that means proposals should lay out how Iraqi faculty and U.S. faculty will engage, the goals of those exchanges, what skills or outputs are expected (for example, revised course syllabi, new lab exercises, joint publications, or research proposals), and how the exchanges will translate into benefits for students and the institutions as a whole. The overall thrust is to create sustained institutional relationships rather than one-off events.

Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with U.S. 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education as direct applicants. The opportunity is a discretionary grant under CFDA 19.021 and was posted with an award ceiling of $1,000,000 and an expectation of one award. Applicants are expected to have a demonstrated track record partnering with both Iraqi and American higher education institutions and must show they can implement complex programs in post-conflict environments, which typically involves strong compliance systems, security-aware operational planning, and experience delivering results amid logistical and administrative constraints.

In terms of how proposals will be prioritized, the Embassy indicates several clear preference signals. Strong proposals should show exactly how American academic expertise will be introduced and embedded within the target universities, rather than remaining a superficial partnership. They should also emphasize workforce readiness by preparing Iraqi students for the marketplace, particularly through internships and practical skills development. That points to designs that integrate hands-on training, applied projects, industry engagement, and pathways from classroom learning to employment-relevant experience. Finally, proposals that include meaningful efforts to foster national reconciliation and minority inclusion will receive more favorable consideration, so competitive submissions would be expected to describe how activities will be inclusive, how participation will be broadened, and how collaboration may help bridge social or regional divides within the higher education setting.

Administrative details in the announcement include the funding opportunity number DOS BAGHDAD PD 2022 003, a creation date of February 24, 2022, and an original closing date of April 1, 2022. Overall, the initiative is structured as a single, substantial award intended to combine institutional development, U.S.-Iraq university collaboration, and applied projects in environmental research and renewable energy, with a strong emphasis on practical outcomes for students and lasting capacity for the four southern Iraqi universities.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Iraq in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Southern Iraqi Universities Initiative" 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 Feb 24, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 01, 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 $1,000,000.00 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 2022 003

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