University Research Program (University Capacity Building Program, UCBP) | DOS GEO 21 007 052521

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS GEO 21 007 052521

The University Research Program, also referred to as the University Capacity Building Program (UCBP), is a U.S. Embassy Tbilisi (Public Affairs Section) funding opportunity designed to strengthen how Georgian universities plan, fund, manage, and translate research into real economic and innovation outcomes. The program focuses on the "knowledge exchange" space where universities, government, and the private sector are supposed to work together, often described as the university-business-government "knowledge triangle." The underlying premise is that Georgian higher education institutions can play a much stronger role in national innovation and growth if university leadership and research support offices are better equipped to build partnerships, compete for grants, manage research projects, and create pathways for commercialization and applied research.

The award supports a 12-to-18-month professional development program aimed at Georgian university administrators, research development and grant officers, and higher education decision-makers or government officials connected to knowledge exchange policies. A central feature is a two-week intensive study tour in the United States for up to 12 participants. Proposals are expected to build a well-structured itinerary that exposes participants to multiple U.S. universities and other organizations known for effective knowledge transfer and collaboration with industry and government. The opportunity specifically encourages engagement with U.S. governmental and higher education advocacy entities (examples mentioned include the National Science Foundation), using site visits and demonstrations of successful programs so participants can see how research funding, innovation infrastructure, and university-industry partnerships operate in practice.

A major program goal is to improve the entrepreneurial capacity of Georgian universities by upgrading strategic skills, institutional structures, and day-to-day practices that support research development. The announcement highlights existing gaps such as academic programs that do not align well with market needs and universities being a weaker link in the knowledge triangle compared with government and the private sector. In response, the UCBP is meant to strengthen the organizational environment in universities, including the effective operation of research development offices and grant support functions. Emphasis is placed on practical capabilities: building strong grant teams, improving project management for funded research, increasing competitiveness for external grant funding, and aligning research agendas with institutional goals and national needs. Another key theme is creating a culture and infrastructure that helps move research outputs toward industry development, including clearer processes for applied research, commercialization, and partnerships.

Beyond the U.S. study tour, the program design is expected to include follow-on and sustainability measures that help participants apply what they learned once they return to Georgia. The announcement references a micro fund that should be included within the award as part of these sustainability efforts, intended to help beneficiaries produce concrete outputs (for example, piloting improved processes, launching internal initiatives, or implementing tools and training that reinforce research development capacity). The award also supports reciprocal engagement: American experts will travel to Georgia to deliver workshops and hands-on support in areas such as research development, grant writing, and project management, reinforcing the learning from the study tour and helping institutions implement changes locally. The grant recipient will coordinate closely with the Public Affairs Section throughout the period of performance, including collaborating on identifying and selecting appropriate Georgian participants.

Funding is provided as a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates substantial involvement by the U.S. government partner during implementation. The award ceiling is $200,000, with funds intended to cover the study tour costs and related program components described in the announcement. Applicants must plan for practical participant needs, including provisions for non-English-speaking participants and international travel insurance for the full duration of the U.S. tour.

Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based entities: U.S. non-profit, non-governmental organizations and accredited American higher education institutions (including public, private, and state-controlled institutions, as well as nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status). Direct funding to non-U.S. entities is not available under this competition. Administrative requirements include having a unique entity identifier (noted in the opportunity as DUNS) and an active registration in SAM.gov. Cost sharing is not required, but in-kind contributions are viewed favorably. The opportunity was issued by the U.S. Mission to Georgia under funding opportunity number DOS GEO 21 007 052521, categorized under education assistance (CFDA 19.900), with an original closing date of July 30, 2021.

• The U.S. Mission to Georgia in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "University Research Program (University Capacity Building Program, UCBP)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.900.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-05-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-07-30. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
• 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.

Apply for DOS GEO 21 007 052521

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