Culture of Research and University Exchanges Prep program (CRUX) in One Health and Agricultural STEM

<p><span style="color: black;">The Public Diplomacy section of the Embassy of the United States in Harare announces an open competition for United States Institutes of Higher Education (HEIs) to submit applications for the </span><strong style="color: black;">Culture of Research and University Exchanges Prep program (CRUX Program).&nbsp;</strong><span style="color: black;">We anticipate funding approximately one to two grants in the following subject and research areas: 1) One Health </span><a target="_blank" style="color: black;">[1]</a><span style="color: black;">and 2) Agricultural STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math)</span><a target="_blank" style="color: black;">[2]</a><span style="color: black;">.&nbsp;Proposals can be submitted for both focus areas or one individually. </span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">We seek proposals that build the research capacity of faculty and students at Zimbabwean academic institutions and cultivate university partnerships between these institutions and their U.S. counterparts.&nbsp;Proposals should be submitted to </span><a target="_blank" style="color: black;">[email protected]</a><span style="color: black;"> </span><strong style="color: black;">by July 15, 2021.</strong><span style="color: black;"> </span></p> <p><strong style="color: black;"><u>&nbsp;</u></strong></p> <p><span style="color: black;">This program will focus on building cultures of research at Zimbabwean universities and establishing research methods that adhere to international standards; building or expanding research capacity; connecting Zimbabwean researchers with their U.S. counterparts and catalyzing university partnerships.&nbsp;This program supports the U.S.

Department of State, Bureau of Africa Affairs’ University Partnership Initiative (UPI) to galvanize efforts to expand partnerships between U.S. and African higher education institutions.&nbsp;The UPI acknowledges that, “expanding existing links and promoting new partnerships at the university level will strengthen Africa’s educational institutions as instruments of national development – enhancing regional prosperity, security, and stability.”</span></p> <p><strong style="color: black;"><u>&nbsp;</u></strong></p> <p><u style="color: black;">Theory of Change</u><span style="color: black;">: </span><em style="color: black;">If universities in Zimbabwe increase their ability to collaborate and improve their research capacity; and if these universities develop a campus-wide culture of research, then Zimbabwe will be better positioned to build comprehensive university partnerships with U.S. counterparts and better position higher education to contribute to national development strategies in Zimbabwe.</em></p> <p><strong style="color: black;"><em>&nbsp;</em></strong></p> <p><strong style="color: black;"><em>Key Deliverables:</em></strong><em style="color: black;"> </em><span style="color: black;">The 18-month CRUX program seeks to accomplish the program’s goals through the completion of the following deliverables: </span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;</span></p> <ol> <li><strong>Online Capacity-Building sessions</strong> on research methodologies, grant applications and compliance for Zimbabwean university faculty and staff (approximately 25).&nbsp;Additional topics could include (but not limited to) market-based research, private-sector integrations, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, important characteristics of a productive research environment and building up under-graduate student research capacities.</li> </ol> <p><span style="color: black;">Proposals should include a wide range of topics that focus on how to foster a culture of research, including:</span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Value and importance of a culture of research, including leadership support for a campus-wide strategic vision; </span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Main characteristics of a productive research environment, including professional development prioritization;</span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Critical policy components and successful steps for implementing a culture of research;</span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Case studies of successful university research development programs and initiatives that lead to achieving international standards in research methods and administrative support;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Structured Networking sessions with multiple U.S.

HEI counterparts to build professional connections and catalyze; and </span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Other key areas that support this effort.</span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><strong style="color: black;">Professional Networking Activities</strong><span style="color: black;"> that support new academic collaborations and university partnership opportunities in the focus subject areas (One Health and Agricultural STEM).&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><u style="color: black;">NOTE</u><span style="color: black;">:</span><strong style="color: black;"> </strong><span style="color: black;">Proposals that present a broad group of U.S.

HEIs and innovative/creative online networking strategies efforts will be prioritized.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><strong style="color: black;">Virtual Study Tour</strong><span style="color: black;"> of multiple U.S.

HEIs for up to ten Zimbabwean university academics and administrators from the 25 selected for Online Capacity-Building sessions participants (if budgets allow, an in-person program is also an option).&nbsp;These interactions should address potential research priority areas and focus on building academic research partnerships and other potential international programs. </span></p> <p><strong style="color: black;"><u>&nbsp;&nbsp;</u></strong></p> <p><strong style="color: black;"><u>Program Participants and Beneficiaries</u></strong></p> <p><span style="color: black;">In partnership with the Public Diplomacy section at the U.S.

Embassy in Zimbabwe and local educational counterparts, the program will target up to 25 Zimbabwean academics and administrators in each subject focus area (One Health and Agricultural STEM).&nbsp;Recruitment and selection will be jointly conducted by the grantee and the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe. In consultation with the U.S.

Embassy in Zimbabwe, the number of participants in each program component may change depending on local conditions and budget considerations.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><strong style="color: black;">FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION</strong></p> <p><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">Length of performance period: up to 18 months</span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">Number of awards anticipated: 1-2 awards (either individually or jointly in one proposal) </span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">Award amounts: approximately US$ 75,000.00</span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">Total available funding: approximately US$ 150,000</span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">Type of Funding: Public Diplomacy Funds – Smith Mundt</span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">Anticipated program start date: September 15, 2021</span></p> <p><strong style="color: black;">This notice is subject to availability of funding.</strong></p> <p><strong style="color: black;">Funding Instrument Type:</strong><span style="color: black;"> Cooperative Agreement.&nbsp;The target audience and beneficiaries will be identified by the Public Diplomacy Section at the U.S.

Embassy in Zimbabwe.</span></p> <p><strong style="color: black;">Program Performance Period</strong><span style="color: black;">: Proposed programs should be completed in 18 months or less.</span></p> <p><strong style="color: black;">&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><br></p>