Purpose of Small Grants: PD Harare invites proposals for projects that strengthen networks between the people of the United States and the people of Zimbabwe through exchanges highlighting our ideas and values. All programs MUST include an American component, such as an American expert engagement (physical or virtual) in Zimbabwe or Zimbabweans traveling to the United States to collaborate and exchange best practices in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. perspectives. Projects that correspond to this year’s specific Notices Of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) and incorporate a strong American component into their design will be prioritized over other proposals. Priority Program Areas: PD Harare strongly encourages applicants to apply directly to 2023’s specific NOFOs to increase their chances of selection. Other projects must tie into the following themes: · Promote democratic principles including freedom of speech; particularly if they share best practices for citizen advocacy or explore the challenges modern media houses face in a digital economy and the ethical standards needed to gain public confidence. · Progress an inclusive economy; particularly connecting social entrepreneurs and the creative community with emerging digital markets. · Deepen U.S.-Zimbabwean university partnerships; particularly if they bolster stronger research capacity and explore the challenges university administrations face in today’s market. · Deepen U.S.-Zimbabwean professional networks through participation in conferences and rekindling alumni exchange partnerships to solve new problems. · Foster social inclusion of underserved communities, such as disabled persons, minority ethnic groups, LGBTQI+, and those in remote rural areas. The following types of programs are not eligible for funding: · Programs relating to partisan political activity; · Charitable or development activities; · Construction programs; · Programs that support specific religious activities; · Fund-raising campaigns; · Lobbying for specific legislation or programs · Scientific research; · Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; or · Programs that duplicate existing programs. Authorizing legislation, type and year of funding: Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt. The source of funding is FY2023 Public Diplomacy Funding. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 2-18 months Award amounts: · Awards may range from a minimum of US$2,500 to a maximum of US$75,000*. · Awards for travel to participate in U.S. conferences may not exceed $5,000. · Awards for festivals looking to bring American talent must have free events. *Awards proposals for a higher amount must be extraordinary. Funding Instrument Types: 1. Grant, 2. Fixed Amount Award (award amount cannot be amended), or 3. Cooperative Agreement (The PD is more extensively and actively involved in the project implementation that a grant of Fixed Amount Award). THIS NOTICE IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION Other Eligibility Requirements: Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding. Registrations: In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov. Cost Sharing and Matching: Cost sharing is not required but encouraged. Financial capacity: Pressures on Zimbabwe’s financial systems may affect the selected applicant’s ability to follow through with the grant agreement. PD Harare does not infuse additional funds into a grant agreement to compensate for currency fluctuations or for unforeseen work. To guard against non-compliance owing to cash shortages borne of banking complications, it is strongly suggested that applicants have a Foreign Currency Account in addition to a local currency account. Applicants should be aware of their banking institution’s policies and fees regarding electronic deposits, transfers and withdrawals of U.S. dollars. Applicants should ensure their bank has a corresponding relationship with U.S. banks. You will only be asked to supply banking information if your proposal is selected for funding. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1. To Request Application Package: Email
[email protected]; an automatic reply with the Application forms will be sent. Forms are also available at www.grants.gov 2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Content of Application – the proposal should: · Clearly serve the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity; · Be specific and concise in describing the who, what, why, when, where, how and cost aspects of the project; · Provide all documents in English; and · Include a budget narrative and a budget table in U.S. dollars breaking down costs per unit rates, quantities as well as totals. Application Forms required: · Completed application (form attached) · Detailed projected budget (form attached) · SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – Organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance – Individuals) · SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) · SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) Attachments · 1-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program (for projects over $50,000) · 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. If you do not have a NICRA indirect and overhead costs can’t be over 10 percent of the budget. · Official permission letters, if required for program activities. 3. Required Registrations: All organizations (not individuals) applying for grants must obtain these registrations. All are free of charge: · www.SAM.gov registration which will generate a unique entity identifier (UEI) · NCAGE/CAGE code 4. Submission Dates and Times PD Harare will accept proposals starting November 1, 2022. All serious applicants should submit their proposals prior to January 31, 2023 to be given the fullest of consideration. Applications may be submitted for consideration at any time before the closing date of August 31, 2023, but without guarantee of full review, must be brilliant, and will be subject to availability of funds. No applications will be accepted after that date. 5. Other Submission Requirements All application materials may be emailed to
[email protected] (with “Annual PD Program Statement Grant Proposal” in the subject line). E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION Review and Selection Process Applications are reviewed on a competitive, annual basis by the Public Diplomacy Grants Committee, depending on availability of funds, on the technical and substantive criteria above. Organizations whose applications are not selected for funding will be notified via email no later than September 30, 2023. All qualified proposals will remain on file for up to 12 months for the committee for consideration at any time, if funds become available. If you wish to receive an update on the status of your proposal, please email
[email protected] with the Subject line: “Request for Update on my Submitted Proposal [Title/Date of submission].” G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact PD Harare at
[email protected] . Note: Once an application has been submitted, State Department officials and staff — both in the Department and at embassies overseas — may not discuss this competition with applicants until the entire proposal review process is completed.