Through this competition, USIP seeks proposals for projects that include:

• Working with local civil society groups and/or government stakeholders to reduce the potentially negative impacts of Chinese involvement (economic, political, or security) in conflict-affected communities; or
• Creating new, innovative, and strategic platforms for locally-led bilateral and multilateral dialogues that will allow U.S., Chinese, and third-country experts and policymakers to discuss conflict dynamics and conflict resolution strategies, and craft policy recommendations for respective governments.

Priority will be given to projects based in or engaging actors in Afghanistan, Burma, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and/or Yemen. Preference will also be given to projects that address USIP key issue areas.

Subject to available funding, current plans for this solicitation are as follows:

• Number of projects funded: 1-3
• Grant range: $15,000 (minimum) to $75,000 (maximum)

How to Apply

To register for this competition, please visit the USIP online Grants management system (FLUXX) and complete the registration form. Be sure to select Asia Center for the center to which you are applying. USIP will contact applicants directly to provide access to the concept note application form in the system. Please allow up to 3 business days for the registration to be approved. All applicants seeking consideration for this competition must register by Friday, April 20, 2018 at 5 pm U.S. Eastern Time.

The deadline for submitting concept notes is Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at 9 am U.S. Eastern Time. Those submitting concept notes will be notified on or around May 7, 2018 as to whether they will be invited to submit full applications. Selected applicants will have until May 28, 2017 at 9 am U.S. Eastern Time to develop and submit full applications. Concept notes or applications submitted after the respective deadlines will not be considered. Please send questions about this competition or usage of USIP’s online grants management system to ChinaProgram@usip.org.

Eligibility and Guidance

• Non-profit and academic institutions are eligible to apply for funding, provided they are duly registered organizations with demonstrated capacity to manage U.S. government funding. Private sector for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply. USIP does not make grants to individuals.
• Support cannot be provided to government agencies or to employees thereof.
• Support cannot be provided to non-governmental organizations for a formal evaluation of their own programming unless otherwise indicated. USIP will, however, consider applications that propose an NGO research or evaluation consortium for the purposes of conducting a comparative study.
• USIP does not provide funds for the creation of a new organization, the construction or maintenance of an office, direct social services, or micro-enterprise projects.
• Grant funds are not available for degree-related work. Requests for dissertation research support should be directed to USIP’s Jennings Randolph Peace Scholarship Dissertation Program.
• Applications that list as participants, consultants, or project personnel any members of USIP’s Board of Directors, staff or fellows will not be accepted, nor will applications that list USIP as a collaborator in the project’s activities.
• Please review the Grant Application Process and Frequently Asked Questions “FAQ” sections of the website.

Notice to Applicants

Please follow the system registration instructions detailed in this document and on USIP’s website. If you do not hear from USIP after registering, please contact ChinaProgram@usip.org to confirm the status of your registration. Registration via the online system is a requirement for consideration in this competition. The Institute is unable to retroactively review incorrectly submitted registrations, concept notes, or applications after the relevant deadline. Please do not hesitate to contact ChinaProgram@usip.org with any questions about the system or registration process.