Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0019574
The grant opportunity titled "Supporting Implementation of the REIF in the Great Lakes Region of Africa" (Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0019574) is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of African Affairs funding program designed to support the rollout of the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF) across the Great Lakes region, specifically Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Uganda. The core focus is the critical minerals sector and how stronger, more predictable governance and regulatory systems can help unlock market-based, private sector-led growth. In practical terms, the program is framed around advancing U.S. national interests by helping create an investment climate where legitimate companies, including American businesses, can compete fairly and operate under clear rules.
A central aim of the project is to strengthen governance and regulation in and around the mining industry. The opportunity highlights persistent problems that undermine growth in the region, including corrupt and unfair practices that distort markets, weaken competition, and place rule-of-law-oriented firms at a disadvantage. The program is intended to counter those dynamics by improving the institutional and regulatory environment that shapes how mining is governed, how decisions are made, and how industry oversight is carried out. While the opportunity is not written as a direct infrastructure or extraction finance initiative, it is structured to influence the enabling environment that determines whether responsible investment can take hold and scale.
The expected approach is targeted technical and advisory support delivered to relevant host-country institutions and individuals involved in the mining industries of the four countries. This suggests hands-on assistance such as regulatory and policy advising, institutional capacity building, technical training, guidance on governance best practices, and other forms of expert support that help public institutions function more transparently and effectively. The underlying theory is that better-functioning regulatory systems and institutions will reduce space for corrupt behavior, improve predictability for investors, and make the sector more attractive to private investment that follows international norms.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary opportunity using a Cooperative Agreement, which typically implies substantial involvement by the U.S. government in guiding, coordinating, or collaborating on execution compared with a standard grant. The activity category is listed as Business and Commerce, and the CFDA number is 19.989. The program anticipates making a single award (Expected Awards: 1) with an award ceiling of $14,490,000, indicating a large, centralized implementation structure rather than multiple smaller subawards.
Eligibility is broad and includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. This range signals that applicants could include universities with governance or extractives expertise, nonprofit implementers experienced in public-sector reform, or private firms that provide technical advisory services in mining governance, compliance, and regulatory systems.
Key dates included in the notice are a creation date of 2026-08-10 and an original closing date of 2026-09-09, which sets the application deadline window. Overall, the opportunity is positioned as a regionally focused governance and technical assistance effort tied to critical minerals, with the explicit intent of strengthening fair competition, improving regulatory conditions, and supporting an investment environment aligned with rule-of-law standards across Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda.Apply for DFOP0019574
- The Bureau of African Affairs in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Supporting Implementation of the REIF in the Great Lakes Region of Africa" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.989.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-08-10.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-09. (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 $14,490,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, 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, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Supporting Implementation of the REIF in the Great Lakes Region of Africa."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DFOP0019574.
Which U.S. government agency is offering this funding?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of African Affairs.
What is the program trying to accomplish at a high level?
The program is designed to support the rollout of the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF) across the Great Lakes region of Africa by strengthening governance and regulatory systems connected to the critical minerals sector, with the goal of creating a more predictable, rules-based investment climate.
Which countries are covered by the project?
The opportunity is specifically focused on Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Uganda.
What sector is the core focus of the work?
The core focus is the critical minerals sector, particularly the governance and regulatory environment that shapes how mining is managed and overseen.
Is this funding meant to pay for mining operations or extraction activities?
Based on the description provided, the opportunity is not framed as a direct infrastructure or extraction finance initiative. It is structured to influence the enabling environment for responsible, market-based investment by improving governance, regulation, and institutional performance around mining.
What problem is the program trying to address in the region?
The opportunity highlights persistent problems such as corrupt and unfair practices that distort markets, weaken competition, and disadvantage firms that try to operate under rule-of-law standards. The program intends to reduce space for those practices by strengthening institutional and regulatory systems.
What kinds of activities are expected under this award?
The expected approach is targeted technical and advisory support to host-country institutions and individuals involved in the mining industries of the four countries. Examples described include regulatory and policy advising, institutional capacity building, technical training, guidance on governance best practices, and other expert support to help public institutions operate more transparently and effectively.
Who are the likely recipients of the technical assistance?
The description indicates the assistance is intended for relevant host-country institutions and individuals involved in the mining industries in Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda.
How does the program connect to private sector growth?
The underlying theory described is that stronger, more predictable governance and regulatory systems can improve investor confidence, reduce opportunities for corruption, and make the sector more attractive to private investment that follows international norms, enabling legitimate companies to compete fairly.
How does the opportunity describe its alignment with U.S. interests?
The opportunity is framed around advancing U.S. national interests by supporting an investment climate where legitimate companies, including American businesses, can compete fairly and operate under clear rules.
What type of award instrument will be used?
This is a discretionary opportunity using a Cooperative Agreement.
What does it mean that the award is a Cooperative Agreement?
The description notes that a Cooperative Agreement typically implies substantial involvement by the U.S. government in guiding, coordinating, or collaborating on execution compared with a standard grant.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is listed as Business and Commerce.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The CFDA number is 19.989.
How many awards does the program expect to make?
The notice anticipates making a single award (Expected Awards: 1).
What is the maximum funding amount available (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $14,490,000.
Does the program structure suggest one centralized implementer or multiple smaller awards?
Because the program anticipates a single award with a relatively high ceiling, the description suggests a large, centralized implementation structure rather than multiple smaller awards.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes:
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3))
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
What types of organizations might be competitive applicants based on the program description?
Based on the information provided, potential applicants could include universities with governance or extractives expertise, nonprofit implementers experienced in public-sector reform, or private firms that provide technical advisory services related to mining governance, compliance, and regulatory systems.
What is the application deadline?
The original closing date listed is 2026-09-09.
When was the opportunity created or posted?
The creation date listed is 2026-08-10.
What is the main geographic region targeted by the program?
The project targets the Great Lakes region of Africa, specifically Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda.
What is the REIF referenced in the opportunity?
REIF refers to the Regional Economic Integration Framework. The opportunity is focused on supporting its implementation across the specified Great Lakes countries, particularly as it relates to governance and regulation in the critical minerals/mining context.
Is the opportunity focused on policy and governance rather than physical infrastructure?
Yes. The description emphasizes strengthening governance, regulation, and institutional capacity, rather than directly financing infrastructure projects or extraction operations.
What outcomes does the opportunity associate with improved regulatory systems?
The opportunity associates improved regulatory systems with reduced space for corrupt behavior, improved predictability for investors, fairer competition, and a more attractive environment for private sector investment aligned with international norms.
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