Southern Africa Philanthropy Foundation (SAPF), formerly known as CAF Southern Africa (SAPF), has been represented in South Africa, since 1997, and was formally registered in 2000.

SAPF is a registered non-profit organisation (NPO) with Public-Benefit Organisation (PBO) status. SAPF is a civil society infrastructure organisation which operates as an intermediary at the intersection of philanthropy and civil society.

The primary goal of this funding opportunity is to foster stronger ties and build relationships between the United States of America and South Africa through activities at American Spaces in Gauteng, that increase understanding, connections, and the sharing of information and ideas between Americans and South Africans at the people-to-people level.

SAPF has been awarded a grant by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria to manage youth development programming at their American Spaces.

SAPF is pleased to announce this call for proposals from organizations, institutions, and individuals with experience in delivering Virtual Reality for young people. The program will be implemented at the Mae Jemison U.S. Science Reading Room as part of a larger focus on STEM programming for youth.

Goals and Objectives:

We are calling for proposals to deliver an introductory educational virtual reality workshops for high school learners who attend Mae Jemison U.S. Science Reading Room located at the University of Pretoria Mamelodi Campus. The program aims to expose high school learners to new innovative technology, educate them about the possibilities of the technology, as well as offer them an immersive educational experience. The program should aid in fostering understanding of American culture and therefore could include a virtual tour of an American museum. Please see the following toolkit for some ideas https://americanspaces.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/292/Virtual-Reality-Toolkit.pdf.

Mae J is equipped with 15 virtual reality headsets (BOBOVR Z6 Foldable Wireless VR Headset) which should be utilised for the program.

Objectives:

• Expose learners to new technology.
• Offer learners an experience of how VR can be used to connect with other spaces and places.
• Educate learners about the applications of VR, as well as the career options and subject choice, in order to pursue a career in technology based sciences.
• Expose learners to U.S. Universities/ museums/ similar, through the VR medium.

The proposal must:

• include how the program will promote SA and U.S. Linkages, for instance include curriculum or links to American content/ speakers/ applications/ resources.
• include references and evidence to prior programming to be supplied.

Candidates should preferably be Pretoria based or at the least, Gauteng based.

Length of performance period:

The program or activities should be made up of a series of activities/events taking place over the course of several days or weeks, or following an ongoing schedule – such as every Monday afternoon for a month – for up to 3 months.

The timetable would need to take into account the likelihood of participants' availability, what would achieve the greatest outcomes for the participants, and how the timetable aligns with the space and other programming.

The program would begin in June 2024 and would need to be completed by no later than mid September 2023.

Award amounts:

The total available for this program is R50 000.

Project costs should be aligned with project scope and budgets must be realistic.

Proposal Submission Process:

Applicants should complete the form downloadable from this link – APPLICATION FORM LINK.docx including the detailed budget plan, and providing all requested supporting documents and information. Completed applications and attached supporting documents should be emailed to procurement@sa-pf.org.za using the following email subject line: ACP Virtual Reality Application – [name of applicant]. Incomplete applications – including those missing mandatory supporting documentation – will not be considered.

Deadline for Submissions:

Applications are due by midnight on 9 June 2024. Late applications will not be considered.

Selection Process and Criteria:

Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee made up of representatives of SAPF and the U.S. Embassy and evaluated based on all of the following criteria:

• the clarity of the proposed program or activities and the realistic nature of the timeline for those activities; 
• the clarity of the proposed audience for engagement and the likelihood that said audience can realistically be engaged and effected as proposed by the program activities;
• the likelihood that those activities will achieve the stated goals and objectives of the project within the timeline; 
• the likelihood that the program/activities will achieve the stated goals and objectives of this call for proposals (see “Goals and Objectives” section above);
• the relevance of the program to the priority areas noted above;
• the reasonableness and relevance of the proposed budget;
• the alignment of the proposal with all restrictions and requirements described in this call for proposals and in the Sub-Grantee Application Form.

Supplier Documents

Prospective implementing partners are required to submit the following documents, where applicable together with the application form:

• VAT Registration Certificate.
• Company Registration documents.
• Directors IDs.
• B-BBEE Certificate.
• Valid Tax Clearance Certificate.
• Website and social media links.
• Representative contact Details (Name / Telephone Number / Email Address).

The selection committee will meet as needed to evaluate received proposals and will inform applicants as soon as possible if their proposal was selected for funding or not and at what level.  Questions about the application process or the details of this call for proposal should be submitted by email to procurement@sa-pf.org.zawith the subject line: Mae J Virtual Reality Application – QUESTIONS.