Leadership Academy for Disability Empowerment | PAS CMR FY21 11

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS CMR FY21 11

The Leadership Academy for Disability Empowerment is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Embassy in Cameroon (U.S. Mission to Cameroon) to support a comprehensive leadership development program for young people with disabilities in Cameroon. The project is designed as a blended program that combines virtual and in-person activities, including coaching, workshops, webinars, and a culminating in-person leadership boot camp featuring debates, presentations, practical exercises, and structured opportunities to connect participants with useful resources and pathways for further growth. The overall intent is to help youth living with disabilities strengthen leadership capacity, build self-esteem, expand professional and peer networks, and translate training into tangible improvements in their personal lives and communities.

A central requirement is that applicants demonstrate a strong understanding of the realities facing youth with disabilities in Cameroon and present a clear, realistic strategy for recruiting and convening participants from across all regions of the country. The program’s core objectives include recruiting at least 50 youth with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 25, providing repeated chances for participants to practice leadership in supportive settings, and delivering an in-depth leadership boot camp as a high-impact component of the training. The opportunity also emphasizes exposure to role models and mentors, plus direct connections to resources and opportunities that can help participants advance beyond the program. Another specific goal is to introduce the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Network to youth with disabilities nationwide, positioning YALI as a longer-term platform for learning, networking, and civic engagement.

The Embassy expects the selected grantee to design and implement all aspects of the project rather than simply host a single event. Proposals should lay out the full program plan in detail, including training content, a clear timeline, recruitment and selection methods, and accessibility considerations. Activities are expected to be interactive and skills-based, using formats such as case studies, discussion groups, peer learning, presentations, and other hands-on or applied exercises. Because the program was conceived under COVID-19 constraints, activities should be delivered in a way that complies with relevant prevention measures while still ensuring meaningful engagement both online and in person.

Needs assessment and evaluation are not optional add-ons in this opportunity; they are built into the required program design. Applicants must include needs analysis activities to identify participant priorities and tailor the curriculum appropriately, and they must also include monitoring and evaluation measures such as pre- and post-assessments to demonstrate impact. In addition, proposals must include follow-up or reinforcement activities after initial training sessions so participants are supported in applying what they learned, pursuing concrete leadership goals, and staying engaged long enough to generate real change. By the end of the project, participants should be able to set and actively pursue personal and professional leadership goals and be equipped to mentor other youth in their communities, extending the program’s benefits beyond the initial cohort.

A distinctive feature of the grant is the requirement to incorporate an American element. Proposals must include American resource materials (explicitly including the YALI Network) and/or U.S.-origin models, ideas, or frameworks, and may also involve American experts or Cameroonian alumni of U.S. government exchange programs. This component should be integrated in a way that promotes greater understanding of U.S. values, culture, perspectives, and approaches relevant to leadership and civic or professional development, rather than being treated as a superficial reference.

The budget is expected to reflect the practical realities of bringing together a geographically diverse and accessibility-needs-diverse group. Applicants should plan for participant travel to the boot camp location, lodging when necessary, and essential working materials. Proposals must also budget for interpretation and translation so the program is fully accessible, including English/French and sign language interpretation during all workshop sessions, along with any other translation costs needed to ensure equitable access to content. Budgets may include speaker honoraria and reasonable administrative costs for the implementing organization.

Eligible applicants include nonprofits (both those with and without U.S. 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education) and individuals. The funding opportunity number is PAS CMR FY21 11, and it falls under CFDA 19.040. The maximum award amount is $25,000. The original closing date listed for applications was July 21, 2021, and the opportunity was created on June 25, 2021. The primary target audience is motivated young people with disabilities ages 18 to 25, recruited from all regions of Cameroon with an explicit expectation of inclusiveness, diversity, and gender equity in participant selection.

• The U.S. Mission to Cameroon in the education, employment, labor and training sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Leadership Academy for Disability Empowerment" 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 2021-06-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-07-21. (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 $25,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Individuals.

Apply for PAS CMR FY21 11

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: