Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0008000
The Air Quality Management Community of Practice in West Africa grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0008000) is a U.S. Department of State initiative run through the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. It is structured as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning the selected recipient would not just receive funding but would also work closely with the U.S. government on planning, coordination, and delivery. The opportunity was created on April 9, 2021 and originally closed on June 16, 2021. It anticipated making a single award, with a maximum award amount (ceiling) of $440,440.
At its core, the grant is designed to strengthen and operationalize Regional Framework Agreements (RFAs) on Air Pollution in Africa, with this specific award concentrating on West Africa. Rather than funding isolated studies or one-off trainings, the emphasis is on building a durable regional "community of practice" that brings together the people and institutions needed to actually improve air quality outcomes. The project aims to convene a broad mix of stakeholders, including air quality technical experts, government decision-makers, community and civil society groups, private sector actors, and other practitioners who influence monitoring, policy, implementation, and public engagement. The idea is that regular collaboration across these groups can help align priorities, share methods and tools, and reduce duplication across countries and institutions in the region.
The expected work under the award focuses heavily on strengthening the practical backbone of air quality management. That includes improving air quality monitoring systems, expanding and refining modeling and forecasting capacity, and advancing data management practices so that information is easier to collect, quality-check, analyze, and share. Alongside the technical goals, the community of practice is also intended to raise awareness and deepen understanding of air pollution issues among decision-makers and the broader public. In other words, it is meant to help translate technical data into actionable knowledge that can guide policy choices, investment decisions, and on-the-ground interventions.
Another major theme of the opportunity is developing and implementing air quality management frameworks and clean air solutions "across scales." In practice, this points to action at multiple levels, such as local cities or communities dealing with pollution hotspots, national ministries setting standards and enforcement approaches, and regional coordination that supports consistent methods, shared learning, and joint strategies. By building best practices through a regional network, the project aims to help West African partners move from fragmented efforts toward more coordinated and sustainable systems for measuring air pollution, understanding where it comes from, predicting episodes, and designing interventions that reduce exposure and improve public health.
The grant is categorized under the environment funding activity area (CFDA 19.017). Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional clarification expected in the full eligibility section of the official notice. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a capacity-building and coordination effort that uses a community of practice model to create shared expertise, improve technical and governance systems, and accelerate practical clean air solutions across West Africa.Apply for SFOP0008000
- The Department of State, Bureau of Oceans - Int. Environmental - Scientific in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Air Quality Management Community of Practice in West Africa" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.017.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 09, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 16, 2021. (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 $440,440.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled the Air Quality Management Community of Practice in West Africa grant opportunity.
What is the funding opportunity number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SFOP0008000.
Which U.S. government agency is offering this opportunity?
This is a U.S. Department of State initiative, run through the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.
What type of award is this?
It is a discretionary cooperative agreement. This means the selected recipient would not only receive funding, but would also work closely with the U.S. government on planning, coordination, and delivery of the project.
How is a cooperative agreement different from a standard grant (based on this notice)?
Based on the description provided, a cooperative agreement involves substantial involvement by the U.S. government in the project, especially around planning, coordination, and delivery, rather than the recipient operating fully independently.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on April 9, 2021.
When did the opportunity close?
The opportunity originally closed on June 16, 2021.
How many awards were expected to be made?
The opportunity anticipated making a single award.
What was the maximum award amount?
The maximum award amount (ceiling) was $440,440.
What is the main purpose of this grant?
The core purpose is to strengthen and operationalize Regional Framework Agreements (RFAs) on Air Pollution in Africa, with this specific award focused on West Africa, by building a durable regional community of practice to improve air quality outcomes.
What region is the project focused on?
This award concentrates specifically on West Africa.
What are Regional Framework Agreements (RFAs) in this context?
In this opportunity, RFAs refer to Regional Framework Agreements on Air Pollution in Africa. The grant is intended to help strengthen and put these agreements into practice through regional collaboration and capacity building.
What does "community of practice" mean in this opportunity?
Here, a community of practice refers to a durable, ongoing regional network that brings together the people and institutions needed to improve air quality outcomes, emphasizing regular collaboration rather than isolated activities.
Is this grant meant to fund isolated studies or one-off trainings?
No. The emphasis is on building a durable regional community of practice and strengthening the systems and coordination needed for sustained air quality management, rather than funding stand-alone studies or single trainings.
Who is the project expected to convene?
The project is expected to convene a broad mix of stakeholders, including:
- Air quality technical experts
- Government decision-makers
- Community and civil society groups
- Private sector actors
- Other practitioners influencing monitoring, policy, implementation, and public engagement
Why bring together such a broad group of stakeholders?
The goal is that regular collaboration across technical, governmental, civil society, and private sector groups can help align priorities, share methods and tools, and reduce duplication across countries and institutions in West Africa.
What technical areas are emphasized in the expected work?
The expected work focuses on strengthening the practical backbone of air quality management, including:
- Improving air quality monitoring systems
- Expanding and refining modeling and forecasting capacity
- Advancing data management practices to make data easier to collect, quality-check, analyze, and share
What is meant by improving air quality monitoring systems?
Based on the information provided, it refers to strengthening systems used to measure and track air pollution as part of a more operational, regionally coordinated approach.
What is meant by modeling and forecasting in this program?
Modeling and forecasting refers to building capacity to analyze air pollution patterns and predict pollution episodes, supporting better planning and interventions.
What data management improvements are expected?
The opportunity highlights data practices that make air quality information easier to:
- Collect
- Quality-check
- Analyze
- Share
Does the opportunity include public awareness or decision-maker engagement?
Yes. Alongside technical goals, the community of practice is intended to raise awareness and deepen understanding of air pollution issues among decision-makers and the broader public.
How is technical information expected to be used?
The opportunity emphasizes translating technical data into actionable knowledge that can guide:
- Policy choices
- Investment decisions
- On-the-ground interventions
What does "developing and implementing air quality management frameworks and clean air solutions across scales" mean?
It points to action at multiple levels, such as:
- Local (cities or communities addressing pollution hotspots)
- National (ministries setting standards and enforcement approaches)
- Regional (coordination on consistent methods, shared learning, and joint strategies)
What kinds of outcomes is the program trying to enable in West Africa?
The program aims to help partners move from fragmented efforts toward more coordinated and sustainable systems for:
- Measuring air pollution
- Understanding pollution sources
- Predicting pollution episodes
- Designing interventions that reduce exposure and improve public health
How is this opportunity categorized?
The grant is categorized under the environment funding activity area.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 19.017.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others", with additional clarification expected in the full eligibility section of the official notice.
Does the information provided specify exactly what "Others" includes?
No. The details here indicate that further clarification would be found in the full eligibility section of the official notice, but those specifics are not included in the information provided.
What is the overall approach of this opportunity?
Overall, it is best understood as a capacity-building and coordination effort using a community of practice model to create shared expertise, improve technical and governance systems, and accelerate practical clean air solutions across West Africa.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Environment
Next opportunity: DOD Alcohol and Substance Abuse Disorders Consortium Award
Previous opportunity: Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP), pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Section 4007
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for SFOP0008000
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (SFOP0008000) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Natural Resources and Endangered Species Research and Support at Fort Hood, Texas Apply for W81EWF 21 SOI 0015 Funding Number: W81EWF 21 SOI 0015 Agency: Department of Defense, CEERD-CERL Category: Environment Funding Amount: $977,000 |
| Sustainable Materials Management Grants Apply for EPA R5 LCRD 2021 Funding Number: EPA R5 LCRD 2021 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| Improve the oversight functions of key stakeholders in the mining sector Apply for AF MWI FY21 01 Funding Number: AF MWI FY21 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Malawi Category: Environment Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Conservation Works Apply for 72066921RFA00001 Funding Number: 72066921RFA00001 Agency: Agency for International Development, Liberia USAID-Monrovia Category: Environment Funding Amount: $19,500,000 |
| 2021 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Tribal and Insular Area Grants Apply for EPA OAR OTAQ 21 04 Funding Number: EPA OAR OTAQ 21 04 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| 2021 Targeted Airshed Grant Program Apply for EPA OAR OAQPS 21 03 Funding Number: EPA OAR OAQPS 21 03 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $8,000,000 |
| Public outreach to address demand for endangered and protected species in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Apply for SFOP0008107 Funding Number: SFOP0008107 Agency: Department of State, Office of Acquisitions Management Category: Environment Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS MANAGEMENT GRANTS Apply for EPA LCRD SMMS 2021 1 Funding Number: EPA LCRD SMMS 2021 1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $85,000 |
| Region 2 Wetland Program Development Grants Apply for EPA REG2 WPDG 21 22 Funding Number: EPA REG2 WPDG 21 22 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Region 8 Sustainable Materials Management Grants Apply for EPA R8 2021 SMM Funding Number: EPA R8 2021 SMM Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Region 3 Wetland Program Development Grants Apply for EPA R3 WPDG 21 05 Funding Number: EPA R3 WPDG 21 05 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Region 6 Wetland Program Development Grants Apply for EPA REG6 WPDG 2021 2022 Funding Number: EPA REG6 WPDG 2021 2022 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $550,000 |
| Region 10 Wetland Program Development Grants Apply for EPA REG10 WPDG 21 01 Funding Number: EPA REG10 WPDG 21 01 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Region 7 Wetland Program Development Grants Apply for EPA REG7 WPDG 21 01 Funding Number: EPA REG7 WPDG 21 01 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY21 and FY22 Region 4 Wetland Program Development Grants Apply for EPA REG4 WPDG 21 01 Funding Number: EPA REG4 WPDG 21 01 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cultural Resources On-Site Technical Support Hawaii Apply for W9126G 21 2 SOI 3864 Funding Number: W9126G 21 2 SOI 3864 Agency: Department of Defense, Fort Worth District Category: Environment Funding Amount: $631,950 |
| Region IX Wetland Program Development Grants Apply for EPA REGIX WPDG 21 22 Funding Number: EPA REGIX WPDG 21 22 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program Grants Apply for EPA HQ OCSPP 2021 001 Funding Number: EPA HQ OCSPP 2021 001 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY21 and FY22 Region 5 Wetland Program Development Grants Apply for EPA R5 WPDG 2021 Funding Number: EPA R5 WPDG 2021 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ARNG ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP SUPPORT Apply for W911KB 21 1 0006 Funding Number: W911KB 21 1 0006 Agency: Department of Defense, Alaska District Category: Environment Funding Amount: $3,305,106 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "SFOP0008000", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.