Culture of Research and University Exchanges Prep program (CRUX) in One Health and Agricultural STEM
🏛 U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for U.S. institutions of higher education (HEIs) seeking to build research partnerships with Zimbabwean universities. Eligible applicants must be U.S. colleges or universities with capacity to collaborate internationally. The program focuses on two subject areas: One Health and Agricultural STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
Proposals can address one or both focus areas. The 18-month program emphasizes capacity-building for Zimbabwean faculty and students, establishing research collaborations, and developing cultures of research aligned with international standards.
Geographic scope is international, with U.S. HEIs partnering with institutions in Zimbabwe. Funding supports online capacity-building sessions, research methodologies training, and university exchange activities.
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Key dates
- Jun 10, 2021 Applications open
- Jul 15, 2021 Application deadline
- Aug 15, 2021 Award announced
- Sep 15, 2021 Project start
Program description
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 Culture of Research and University Exchanges Prep program (CRUX Program). We anticipate funding approximately one to two grants in the following subject and research areas: 1) One Health [1]and 2) Agricultural STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math)[2]. Proposals can be submitted for both focus areas or one individually.
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. Proposals should be submitted to PublicDiplomacyGrants-ZIM@state.gov by July 15, 2021.
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. 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. 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.”
Theory of Change: 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.
Key Deliverables: The 18-month CRUX program seeks to accomplish the program’s goals through the completion of the following deliverables:
- Online Capacity-Building sessions on research methodologies, grant applications and compliance for Zimbabwean university faculty and staff (approximately 25). 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.
Proposals should include a wide range of topics that focus on how to foster a culture of research, including:
· Value and importance of a culture of research, including leadership support for a campus-wide strategic vision;
· Main characteristics of a productive research environment, including professional development prioritization;
· Critical policy components and successful steps for implementing a culture of research;
· Case studies of successful university research development programs and initiatives that lead to achieving international standards in research methods and administrative support;
· Structured Networking sessions with multiple U.S. HEI counterparts to build professional connections and catalyze; and
· Other key areas that support this effort.
2. Professional Networking Activities that support new academic collaborations and university partnership opportunities in the focus subject areas (One Health and Agricultural STEM).
NOTE: Proposals that present a broad group of U.S. HEIs and innovative/creative online networking strategies efforts will be prioritized.
3. Virtual Study Tour 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). These interactions should address potential research priority areas and focus on building academic research partnerships and other potential international programs.
Program Participants and Beneficiaries
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). 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.
FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION
Length of performance period: up to 18 months
Number of awards anticipated: 1-2 awards (either individually or jointly in one proposal)
Award amounts: approximately US$ 75,000.00
Total available funding: approximately US$ 150,000
Type of Funding: Public Diplomacy Funds – Smith Mundt
Anticipated program start date: September 15, 2021
This notice is subject to availability of funding.
Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement. The target audience and beneficiaries will be identified by the Public Diplomacy Section at the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe.
Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 18 months or less.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Project narrative/proposal
- Budget and budget narrative
- Institutional commitment letter(s) from U.S. HEI
- Letters of support from Zimbabwean partner institutions
- Evidence of institutional capacity for international collaboration
- Curriculum/topic outlines for capacity-building sessions
- Timeline and work plan for 18-month period
Program contact
- 👤 John Hishmeh Grantor
- 📧 hishmehjo@state.gov
- 📞 +263 242 867 701 1000
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 19.040 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$4,682,072
-
$3,371,312
-
$2,650,000
-
$2,446,525
-
$2,050,500
-
$1,861,451
-
$1,700,000
-
$1,565,795
-
$1,500,000
-
$1,480,000
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 19.040). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2018 | $129,428,262 | |
| 2019 est. | $34,549,598 | |
| 2020 | $129,979,440 | |
| 2021 | $128,999,999 |
FAQ
Who can apply for the CRUX program?
U.S. institutions of higher education (universities and colleges) are eligible. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to collaborate with Zimbabwean academic institutions. International partnerships are required.
What are the focus areas for this grant?
The program supports two areas: One Health and Agricultural STEM. Proposals can address either focus area individually or both together.
What should proposals include?
Proposals should outline capacity-building activities for Zimbabwean faculty and students. Online training sessions on research methodologies, grant writing, and compliance are key deliverables. Include plans for establishing partnerships between U.S. and Zimbabwean institutions.
What is the project timeline?
The CRUX program runs for 18 months. Applications were due July 15, 2021 (fixed deadline).
How much funding is available?
Approximately $150,000 total funding pool for one to two grants. Individual award amounts were not specified. No cost-sharing is required.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your U.S. institution's existing relationships or readiness to partner with Zimbabwean universities. Strong institutional commitment strengthens applications.
- Design capacity-building activities for approximately 25 Zimbabwean faculty and staff. Include topics like research methodologies, grant applications, compliance, and research culture development.
- Align your proposal with the State Department's University Partnership Initiative (UPI). Frame outcomes as supporting Zimbabwe's national development and regional stability.
- Build in flexibility for online delivery. The program supports virtual training sessions and remote collaboration given the international context.
- Clearly articulate measurable outcomes and deliverables over the 18-month period. Show how partnerships will persist beyond the grant term.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak institutional commitment: Applicants fail to demonstrate their U.S. institution's genuine capacity and commitment to sustained partnership with Zimbabwean counterparts. Partner letters of support are essential.
Vague capacity-building plans: Proposals lack specific, measurable training activities or unclear how deliverables advance research culture at partner institutions.
Missing international development lens: Applicants don't connect their work to Zimbabwe's national development priorities or the State Department's broader diplomatic and educational goals in Africa.
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