A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Public Diplomacy section at the U.S. Embassy in Harare announces an open competition for public and private Zimbabwean higher education institutions to submit applications to carry out a program (or programs) to strengthen ties between the United States and Zimbabwe’s academic libraries in supporting Faculty educational, learning and research activities. Program Objectives: The program shall improve access to educational resources and use of technology for learning and research to academic libraries working with Faculty in the following subject areas: One Health, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in Agriculture, and Peace and Conflict Resolution. By the end of the program, faculty and students will have access to relevant publications, online research databases and digital educational resources to improve their access to information, research methodologies and overall learning outcomes. The program may also include the purchase of equipment to adequately access the internet for a host institution; these requests should be reasonable and explicitly explained in the budget. Program Goals The goal of this program is to strengthen ties between the United States and Zimbabwe’s academic libraries to support higher education partnerships through the provision of educational resources and promote access to digital educational resources that support One Health, STEM fields in Agriculture and Peace and Conflict resolution for Zimbabwean higher education. Proposals must promote increased access to U.S educational resources (both digital and physical). Project themes must include some or all the following components. Only proposals that relate to the stated program objectives, in partnership with the relevant faculty departments will be considered: · Access to Academic Journal Databases: programs that promote access to academic journals database subscriptions that cover One Health, STEM in Agriculture and Peace and Conflict resolution. · Higher Education Collections: Programs collaborating with faculty in One Health fields, STEM in Agriculture and Peace and Conflict resolution to source the relevant materials and enhance student access to higher education resources. · Access to Internet: Programs that enhance access to online research databases and digital content to support higher education research and development of faculty staff through collaborative research opportunities. NOTE: All educational materials must be obtained from U.S. sources. Participants and Audiences: Proposals must engage with university faculty in the priority subject areas and academic library staff. All materials funded by this program must ensure open access to all students and faculty. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less. The following documents required: 1. Mandatory application forms · SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) at the U.S. Embassy Harare website · SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) at the U.S. Embassy Harare website · SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) at the U.S. Embassy Harare website (note: the SF-424B is only required for individuals and for organizations not registered in SAM.gov) 2. Summary Page: Cover sheet stating the applicant name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program. 3. Proposal (10 pages maximum): The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. You may use your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below. · Proposal Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed program, including program objectives and anticipated impact. Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. government agencies. Problem Statement: Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed Program Goals and Objectives: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable. Program Activities: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives. Program Methods and Design: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. Include a logic model as appropriate. Proposed Program Schedule and Timeline: The proposed timeline for the program activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events. Key Personnel: Names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program. What proportion of their time will be used in support of this program? Program Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees. Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful grants. Throughout the time-frame of the grant, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant? Future Funding or Sustainability Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable. 4. Budget Justification Narrative: After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use a separate sheet of paper to describe each of the budget expenses in detail. See section H. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information. 5. Attachments : · 1-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program · Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner · If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be included as a PDF file. · Official permission letters, if required for program activities · Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Required Registrations: Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) in the System for Award Management (SAM) is not eligible to apply for an assistance award in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.” Additionally, no entity listed on the EPLS can participate in any activities under an award. All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the EPLS in SAM to ensure that no ineligible entity is included. All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations. All are free of charge: · Unique entity identifier from Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS number) · NCAGE/CAGE code · www.SAM.gov registration Step 1: Apply for a DUNS number and an NCAGE number (these can be completed simultaneously) DUNS application: Organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet. If your organization does not have one already, you may obtain one by calling 1-866-705-5711 or visiting http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform NCAGE application: Application page here: https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx Instructions for the NCAGE application process: https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCAGE.pdf For NCAGE help from within the U.S., call 1-888-227-2423 For NCAGE help from outside the U.S., call 1-269-961-7766 Email
[email protected] for any problems in getting an NCAGE code. Step 2: After receiving the NCAGE Code, proceed to register in SAM.gov by logging onto: https://www.sam.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION 1. Criteria: Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below. Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea – 25 points: The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline. Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants – 25 points: The organization has expertise in its stated field and has the internal controls in place to manage federal funds. This includes a financial management system and a bank account. Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 15 points: Goals and objectives are clearly stated, and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results. Budget – 10 points: The budget justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities. Monitoring and evaluation plan – 15 points: Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators and shows how and when those will be measured. Sustainability – 10 points: Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program. Other Submission Requirements All application materials must be submitted by email to:
[email protected] If you are unable to email your application, please deliver your application to: U. S. Embassy Harare Attn: Public Diplomacy Grants 2 Lorraine Drive Bluffhill Harare, Zimbabwe Submission deadline is March 15, 2022.