Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS NBO PAS FY19 013
The "5 Ws of Cybersecurity" grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: DOS NBO PAS FY19 013) is a discretionary grant offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Kenya, with the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi leading the effort. It was created on July 19, 2019, originally closed on August 19, 2019, and planned to fund one award with a maximum (ceiling) amount of $50,000 under CFDA 19.040. The opportunity calls for organizations (with eligibility described broadly as "others") to propose and run a program in Nairobi focused on improving public understanding of cybersecurity and building practical capacity to prevent and respond to cyber threats, especially among vulnerable youth.
The central idea is a public-facing cybersecurity education and awareness initiative built around the "5 Ws" framework: what cybersecurity is, when cybersecurity is breached and what the consequences are, who is at risk, why cybersecurity matters, and where victims can go for help or legal redress. The Embassy is looking for a project that does more than general awareness by helping participants recognize common online dangers, understand scams and risky behaviors, and learn concrete steps to reduce their vulnerability. The program is also meant to connect cybersecurity to broader national outcomes, showing how cyber threats can affect public health, economic prosperity, and the democratic space, rather than treating cybersecurity as only a technical issue.
In terms of activities, the program is expected to combine multiple channels. A major component is a cybersecurity public awareness campaign delivered through SMS text messaging and social media, including not just launching messages but also implementing and analyzing the campaign to understand reach and impact. In addition, the grant anticipates a series of cybersecurity lectures hosted at American Spaces in Nairobi, using these venues to spark dialogue and provide structured learning. The project should also include engagements with U.S. cybersecurity experts and leverage Embassy speakers as well as alumni of U.S. Government-sponsored programs. If additional funding becomes available, there is an intention to scale the effort later using traditional media, but the initial design is clearly centered on mobile and social platforms paired with in-person programming.
The primary target audience is at least 500 vulnerable, mixed-gender youth between 15 and 35 years old, specifically in Nairobi, which is the designated priority region. The implementer is expected to identify youth who are considered at risk and tailor outreach and training so it is accessible, relevant, and actionable for that group. While the campaign elements are public-facing and designed to reach broader audiences, the training and lecture components are meant to directly strengthen the capabilities of those youth participants so they can recognize threats, navigate online spaces safely, and respond appropriately when incidents occur.
Strategically, the opportunity is framed as supporting Embassy goals tied to security and resilience. It aligns cybersecurity capacity-building with strengthening the ability to prevent and respond to crime, countering violent extremism, and contributing to regional peace and security, with a particular emphasis on at-risk youth. The grant also emphasizes the role of American Spaces as hubs for civic dialogue and learning, suggesting that the program should not only deliver information but also help normalize ongoing discussions about cybersecurity risks, responsibilities, and support pathways. Ideal partners are described as organizations that are strong at messaging and amplification using technology, which signals a preference for applicants with demonstrated experience running effective communications campaigns and using digital tools to reach and engage large audiences.Apply for DOS NBO PAS FY19 013
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kenya in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "5 Ws of Cybersecurity" 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 Jul 19, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 19, 2019. (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 $50,000.00 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).
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FAQs: "5 Ws of Cybersecurity" Grant Opportunity (DOS NBO PAS FY19 013)
1) What is the "5 Ws of Cybersecurity" grant opportunity?
It is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, issued through the U.S. Mission to Kenya. The program is designed to fund a public-facing cybersecurity education and awareness initiative in Nairobi that improves public understanding of cybersecurity and builds practical capacity to prevent and respond to cyber threats, especially among vulnerable youth.
2) Who is offering and leading this grant?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Kenya, and it is led by the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.
3) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DOS NBO PAS FY19 013.
4) When was this opportunity created and when did it close?
The opportunity was created on July 19, 2019, and it originally closed on August 19, 2019.
5) How many awards were planned under this opportunity?
The opportunity planned to fund one award.
6) What is the maximum funding amount (ceiling) for the award?
The maximum (ceiling) amount is $50,000.
7) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.040.
8) What is the core concept behind the "5 Ws" framework?
The program is built around a "5 Ws" approach to cybersecurity awareness and action, covering:
- What cybersecurity is
- When cybersecurity is breached and what the consequences are
- Who is at risk
- Why cybersecurity matters
- Where victims can go for help or legal redress
9) What outcomes is the program trying to achieve beyond general awareness?
The opportunity emphasizes practical capability-building, not just broad messaging. Proposed projects are expected to help participants recognize common online dangers, understand scams and risky behaviors, and learn concrete steps to reduce vulnerability and respond appropriately when incidents occur.
10) Where must the program take place?
The priority region is Nairobi, and the opportunity calls for proposing and running a program in Nairobi.
11) Who is the primary target audience?
The primary target audience is at least 500 vulnerable, mixed-gender youth aged 15 to 35 years old in Nairobi.
12) What does "vulnerable" or "at-risk" youth mean in this opportunity?
The opportunity expects the implementer to identify youth who are considered at risk and tailor outreach and training so it is accessible, relevant, and actionable for that group. The specific criteria for identifying at-risk youth is not defined in the provided information and is left to the implementer to determine and apply.
13) What types of activities are expected under the grant?
The opportunity anticipates a mix of digital and in-person activities, including:
- A cybersecurity public awareness campaign delivered through SMS text messaging and social media
- Implementation and analysis of the campaign to understand reach and impact
- A series of cybersecurity lectures hosted at American Spaces in Nairobi
- Engagements with U.S. cybersecurity experts
- Use of Embassy speakers and alumni of U.S. Government-sponsored programs
14) Is the program expected to include a communications campaign?
Yes. A major component is a public awareness campaign delivered via SMS text messaging and social media. The project is expected not only to launch messages but also to implement and analyze the campaign to assess reach and impact.
15) Does the opportunity require measurement or evaluation of campaign results?
Yes. The grant description explicitly calls for implementing and analyzing the SMS and social media campaign to understand its reach and impact.
16) What role do American Spaces play in the proposed project?
American Spaces in Nairobi are expected to host a series of cybersecurity lectures. These venues are framed as hubs for civic dialogue and learning, so the program is meant to spark dialogue and provide structured learning in addition to disseminating information.
17) Are in-person events required, or can it be fully online?
Based on the information provided, the program is expected to pair digital outreach (SMS and social media) with in-person programming through a lecture series at American Spaces in Nairobi.
18) Is there an expectation to involve U.S. experts or U.S.-affiliated speakers?
Yes. The project should include engagements with U.S. cybersecurity experts and leverage Embassy speakers as well as alumni of U.S. Government-sponsored programs.
19) Is traditional media (radio/TV/print) part of the initial scope?
The initial design is centered on mobile (SMS) and social platforms paired with in-person programming. The description notes that if additional funding becomes available, there is an intention to scale later using traditional media, but traditional media is not described as the core initial approach.
20) How does the opportunity connect cybersecurity to broader societal outcomes?
The opportunity frames cybersecurity as more than a technical issue and encourages linking cyber threats to national outcomes such as public health, economic prosperity, and the democratic space.
21) What kinds of cybersecurity topics should participants learn about?
The opportunity highlights common online dangers, scams, risky behaviors, practical steps to reduce vulnerability, and knowing where to go for help or legal redress. It also emphasizes understanding when breaches happen and what the consequences are, and recognizing who is at risk and why cybersecurity matters.
22) What is meant by "where victims can go for help or legal redress"?
Within the "5 Ws" framework, the program should inform participants about pathways for help and potential legal redress when cybersecurity incidents occur. The specific institutions or channels are not listed in the provided information; the project design is expected to address this in a Nairobi-relevant way.
23) What strategic goals does the grant support?
The opportunity is framed as supporting Embassy goals tied to security and resilience. It aligns cybersecurity capacity-building with strengthening the ability to prevent and respond to crime, countering violent extremism, and contributing to regional peace and security, with a particular emphasis on at-risk youth.
24) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described broadly as "others" in the provided information. No additional eligibility constraints or applicant types are specified beyond that description.
25) What types of organizations appear to be ideal partners for this opportunity?
Ideal partners are described as organizations that are strong at messaging and amplification using technology. This suggests a preference for applicants with demonstrated experience running effective communications campaigns and using digital tools to reach and engage large audiences, alongside the ability to deliver in-person learning activities.
26) Is the project expected to reach audiences beyond the 500 targeted youth?
Yes. The SMS and social media components are described as public-facing and designed to reach broader audiences, while the training and lecture components are intended to directly strengthen the capabilities of the at least 500 vulnerable youth participants.
27) What is the expected geographic focus for participant recruitment and programming?
The designated priority region is Nairobi, and the program is expected to focus on vulnerable youth in Nairobi, with lectures hosted at American Spaces in Nairobi.
28) Does the opportunity specify gender requirements for participants?
It specifies that the primary audience should be mixed-gender youth.
29) What is the overall format of the program being requested?
The requested format is a blended model: a technology-enabled public awareness campaign (SMS and social media) combined with structured in-person learning (lectures at American Spaces), plus engagements with U.S. experts and Embassy/alumni speakers, and analysis of campaign performance.
30) What is the main difference between the campaign component and the lecture/training component?
The campaign is meant to be public-facing and broadly reach people through SMS and social media. The lecture/training component is meant to directly build practical skills and confidence among targeted at-risk youth so they can recognize threats, behave more safely online, and respond appropriately when problems occur.
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