Opportunity Information: Apply for AFKAM FY22 02
The Power of Creativity: Professional Development in Ugandan Creative Industries grant is a U.S. Mission to Uganda (Department of State) funding opportunity run through the Embassy's Public Affairs Office. It supports projects that strengthen Uganda's creative sector by building practical, career-focused business and management capacity for young professionals working in fields such as visual arts, performing arts, music and music production, film, and fashion design. The program is positioned as a professionalization effort for the creative economy, aiming to help creative talent translate skills into sustainable work, stronger organizations, and broader opportunities for youth self-expression and income generation.
Funding is generally available for projects between $20,000 and $50,000, with larger budgets considered only in special cases. The award type is a grant, and the program anticipated making around five awards under this call. Projects are expected to be time-bound and typically completed within one year or less, which means proposals need a clear, realistic workplan with achievable outcomes in a relatively short implementation window.
The core goals are centered on professional development and sector strengthening. Priority is given to projects that help early to mid-career Ugandan creatives ages 21 to 39 improve business skills, financial management, and workplace professionalism, while also increasing the sustainability of local creative companies, NGOs, and associations. Another major emphasis is building bridges to U.S. counterparts by connecting Ugandan creatives with American mentors, experts, institutions, or proven U.S. approaches, so participants gain exposure to market-tested practices and longer-term networks.
Proposed activities can take several forms, as long as they include a clear learning or training component. Competitive examples include workshops, seminars, master classes, and structured training programs focused on arts entrepreneurship, marketing and promotion, project management, leadership and teambuilding, financial literacy, business plan development, social media strategy, professional communications, networking, intellectual property rights, and fundraising. The opportunity can also support public-facing events such as concerts, performances, conferences, or exhibitions when they are designed to teach skills, build professional connections, or transfer knowledge rather than simply stage a show. Programs that amplify the work of U.S. government exchange alumni (Ugandan or American) are explicitly encouraged, and proposals built as partnerships between Ugandan and U.S. organizations are a strong fit. Cost share or leveraging existing programs is recommended for public events, which signals the funder prefers projects that bring additional resources or collaboration rather than relying solely on grant funds.
A strict eligibility requirement is that applicants and grantees must have non-profit status. The call is aimed at non-profit organizations in the creative industries, NGOs, cultural institutions, and academic institutions, with awards to individuals possible but only on a case-by-case basis and still tied to non-profit status requirements. While the program is Uganda-focused, U.S. NGOs, international NGOs, and individuals may apply, and the funder encourages joint applications or co-designed projects that pair U.S. and Ugandan organizations or practitioners. Proposals are also expected to reach geographically and demographically diverse audiences within Uganda, not just one city or one narrow group.
A defining feature of this opportunity is the requirement for significant U.S. content. Applications must clearly show meaningful American involvement or connection, otherwise they will not be considered. Acceptable U.S. content can include substantial participation of U.S. experts, engagement of alumni from U.S. government exchange programs, partnerships with U.S. organizations or educational institutions, collaboration with U.S. organizations operating in Uganda, or the application and adaptation of U.S. models and best practices. The funder also signals that it values programs that continue building U.S.-Uganda cooperation after the grant ends, so proposals that create durable mentorship ties, professional networks, or ongoing collaboration pathways are likely to align well.
The program allows and even welcomes proposals that bring in U.S. citizen experts to participate virtually or in person. Budgets may include typical expert-related travel and participation costs for Uganda-based programming, such as economy airfare on a U.S. flag carrier, lodging, local transport, a meals stipend, and a daily honorarium. Requests involving U.S. experts need to be specific, including a proposed daily schedule with at least two program days (not counting travel), and if an expert is tied to a conference, the proposal should describe the conference organizer, themes, target audience, goals, other sponsors, and other expected speakers.
Because the opportunity was released during the COVID-19 period, proposals are required to include a contingency plan explaining how activities would continue if health restrictions affect gatherings, travel, or in-person training. The expectation is that applicants will show they can adapt smoothly to changing conditions, for example by shifting to hybrid or virtual delivery, breaking cohorts into smaller groups, or re-sequencing activities without losing core outcomes.
The funder also draws clear lines around what it generally will not support. Proposals focused on social welfare, community development, or infrastructure are not a fit, and neither are requests to pay fees and travel to attend conferences in the United States. The program typically does not fund ongoing salary expenses or office equipment purchases, does not backfill or complete activities already started with other funds, and will not support partisan political activity or anything that appears to endorse a party or candidate. Projects centered on specific religious activities are excluded, as are trade activities, fundraising campaigns, purely commercial ventures, scientific research, construction, or projects primarily aimed at building the applicant organization's internal institutional capacity rather than delivering training and sector-wide professional development.
In short, this grant is designed for non-profit-led, skills-forward programs that make Uganda's creative industries more professional, sustainable, and economically viable for young practitioners, while embedding substantial U.S. engagement through expertise, partnerships, alumni involvement, or adapted best practices. Competitive proposals are the ones that combine practical training with credible implementation planning, clear outcomes for participants and the wider sector, a strong U.S.-Uganda collaboration component, and a realistic approach to delivery even under changing public health conditions.Apply for AFKAM FY22 02
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Uganda in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Power of Creativity: Professional Development in Ugandan Creative Industries" 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 Dec 20, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 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 $50,000.00 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).
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FAQs: The Power of Creativity: Professional Development in Ugandan Creative Industries (U.S. Mission to Uganda)
1) What is this grant opportunity?
This is a U.S. Mission to Uganda (U.S. Department of State) funding opportunity managed by the U.S. Embassy's Public Affairs Office. It funds projects that strengthen Uganda's creative sector through practical, career-focused professional development for young creative professionals.
2) What is the main purpose of the program?
The program is a professionalization effort for Uganda's creative economy. It aims to help creative talent translate artistic skills into sustainable work, stronger organizations, and broader opportunities for youth self-expression and income generation.
3) Which creative fields are supported?
The call supports Uganda's creative industries, including visual arts, performing arts, music and music production, film, and fashion design.
4) What kinds of outcomes is the funder looking for?
Projects should build practical business and management capacity, strengthen workplace professionalism, improve financial management skills, and increase the sustainability of local creative companies, NGOs, and associations. The opportunity also emphasizes building longer-term U.S.-Uganda professional links.
5) Who are the intended participants or beneficiaries?
Priority is given to programs serving early to mid-career Ugandan creatives ages 21 to 39, and reaching geographically and demographically diverse audiences in Uganda.
6) How much funding is available per project?
Funding is generally available for projects between $20,000 and $50,000. Larger budgets may be considered only in special cases.
7) What type of award is this?
The award type is a grant.
8) How many awards are expected to be made?
The funder anticipates making around five awards under this call.
9) How long should projects last?
Projects are expected to be time-bound and typically completed within one year or less. Proposals should include a clear, realistic workplan with achievable outcomes within that window.
10) Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants and grantees must have non-profit status. The call is aimed at non-profit organizations in the creative industries, NGOs, cultural institutions, and academic institutions.
11) Can individuals apply?
Awards to individuals are possible only on a case-by-case basis and still tied to the non-profit status requirement.
12) Can non-Ugandan organizations apply?
Yes. While the program is Uganda-focused, U.S. NGOs, international NGOs, and individuals may apply.
13) Are partnerships encouraged?
Yes. Joint applications and co-designed projects that pair U.S. and Ugandan organizations or practitioners are encouraged, and partnerships between Ugandan and U.S. organizations are described as a strong fit.
14) What does "significant U.S. content" mean, and is it required?
Significant U.S. content is a defining requirement. Applications must clearly demonstrate meaningful American involvement or connection, or they will not be considered.
15) What are examples of acceptable U.S. content?
Acceptable U.S. content can include substantial participation by U.S. experts, engagement of alumni from U.S. government exchange programs, partnerships with U.S. organizations or educational institutions, collaboration with U.S. organizations operating in Uganda, or applying/adapting U.S. models and best practices.
16) Does the program encourage involvement of U.S. government exchange alumni?
Yes. Programs that amplify the work of U.S. government exchange alumni (Ugandan or American) are explicitly encouraged.
17) What types of activities are considered competitive?
Competitive activities include workshops, seminars, master classes, and structured training programs focused on professional and business skills for creatives.
18) What training topics are specifically mentioned as a good fit?
Examples include arts entrepreneurship, marketing and promotion, project management, leadership and teambuilding, financial literacy, business plan development, social media strategy, professional communications, networking, intellectual property rights, and fundraising.
19) Are public-facing events allowed (concerts, performances, conferences, exhibitions)?
Yes, public-facing events can be supported when they are designed to teach skills, build professional connections, or transfer knowledge rather than simply stage a show.
20) Is cost share or leveraging other resources required?
Cost share is recommended (especially for public events) and leveraging existing programs is encouraged. This signals a preference for projects that bring additional resources or collaboration rather than relying only on grant funds.
21) Can proposals include U.S. citizen experts as trainers or mentors?
Yes. The opportunity allows and welcomes proposals that bring in U.S. citizen experts to participate virtually or in person.
22) What expert-related costs can be included in the budget?
Budgets may include typical expert-related travel and participation costs for Uganda-based programming, such as economy airfare on a U.S. flag carrier, lodging, local transport, a meals stipend, and a daily honorarium.
23) If we request a U.S. expert, what details must we include?
Requests should be specific and include a proposed daily schedule with at least two program days (not counting travel). If the expert is tied to a conference, the proposal should describe the organizer, themes, target audience, goals, other sponsors, and other expected speakers.
24) Do proposals need to include a COVID-19 contingency plan?
Yes. Proposals must include a contingency plan explaining how activities would continue if health restrictions affect gatherings, travel, or in-person training.
25) What kinds of contingency approaches are expected?
Examples include shifting to hybrid or virtual delivery, breaking cohorts into smaller groups, or re-sequencing activities while keeping core outcomes intact.
26) Are projects required to reach audiences beyond one location?
Yes. Proposals are expected to reach geographically and demographically diverse audiences within Uganda, not only one city or a narrow group.
27) What kinds of projects are not a good fit for this grant?
The funder indicates that proposals focused on social welfare, community development, or infrastructure are not a fit. The program is centered on professional development and sector strengthening for the creative industries.
28) Does the grant fund travel to attend conferences in the United States?
No. Requests to pay fees and travel to attend conferences in the United States are not supported.
29) Will the grant pay for ongoing salaries or office equipment?
Typically no. The program generally does not fund ongoing salary expenses or office equipment purchases.
30) Can the grant be used to backfill or finish activities that already started with other funds?
No. The program does not backfill or complete activities already started with other funds.
31) Are political activities allowed?
No. The program will not support partisan political activity or anything that appears to endorse a party or candidate.
32) Are religious activities allowed?
No. Projects centered on specific religious activities are excluded.
33) Are trade activities, fundraising campaigns, or purely commercial ventures eligible?
No. The call excludes trade activities, fundraising campaigns, and purely commercial ventures.
34) Does the grant support scientific research or construction?
No. Scientific research and construction are listed among activities the program will not support.
35) Can a proposal focus mainly on strengthening the applicant organization's internal capacity?
No. Projects primarily aimed at building the applicant organization's internal institutional capacity (instead of delivering training and sector-wide professional development) are not supported.
36) What makes a proposal align strongly with this opportunity?
Strong proposals combine skills-forward training, credible implementation planning, clear outcomes for participants and the wider sector, meaningful U.S.-Uganda collaboration (or other significant U.S. content), and a realistic delivery approach that can adapt to changing public health conditions.
37) Does the funder care about long-term collaboration after the grant ends?
Yes. The funder signals it values programs that continue building U.S.-Uganda cooperation after the grant ends, such as durable mentorship ties, professional networks, or ongoing collaboration pathways.
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