PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Zagreb Public Affairs Section is pleased to announce funding for projects with clearly defined goals and outcomes to advance the following key themes: Economic Prosperity · Innovative projects to develop STEM/STEAM skills among elementary and high school students helping make STEM/STEAM engagement more accessible and appealing to Croatian youth. · Educational initiatives addressing corruption, promoting transparency in government and business, and improving Croatia’s overall investment climate. · Projects that nurture business development skills and opportunities for women, minority communities, and rural residents across Croatia. Holocaust Education · Projects for teachers and/or students that improve the quality of Holocaust education and strengthen citizens’ understanding of the Holocaust by incorporating new resources, innovative pedagogy, and engaging activities and workshops. Educators for grade seven and above, including university professors, may propose projects that address Holocaust-related issues including anti-Semitism, law and justice, and genocide prevention. Projects that engage U.S. experts for joint activities are preferred. Culture · Artistic projects that deepen the U.S.-Croatian partnership and promote our shared values. Projects should include a strong American cultural element (for example, a popular performing artist, author, innovator, fine artist, inventor, director, etc.) and engage Croatians in a dynamic exchange that showcases the richness and diversity of American experiences, successes, and achievements in the face of adversity. English-Language Education · Projects that improve English-language through critical thinking (understanding complex factors within problems, comparing different interpretations, assessing cultural differences), communication (writing concisely, drafting documents including college applications and CVs, reading critically, summarizing, and presenting information, and public speaking); and research (defining problems, gathering, and interpreting information, interpreting data, evaluating results, etc.). American Studies · Projects that enhance American Studies content and curricula in Croatian high schools and universities. · Projects that expand student access to accurate information about the U.S. economy, U.S. history, literature, society, culture and values, and U.S. democracy; · Projects that engage U.S. experts to share the richness and diversity of American values and support a U.S.-Croatian cultural dialogue through virtual or in-person conferences, workshops, research, art exchanges, performances, lectures, or other initiatives. ELIGIBILITY Grants are awarded to Croatian non-profit organizations and institutions including educational institutions. Applicants are limited to submitting one proposal per organization. Organizations with active grants are not eligible to apply. Financial guidelines: · Grants range from $10,000 to $25,000. · Grants must be used to fund activities that take place in Croatia; · Budgets must be submitted in U.S. dollars. The committee will not review projects with budgets written in Croatian kuna or other currencies · Budgets must include line items clearly broken down (example: instead of “$400 for accommodation,” your budget should specify “X nights’ accommodation at $Y per night for Z number of U.S. speakers”); · Embassy grants cannot be used to fund religious or political activity; humanitarian or charitable activities; trade activities; construction programs, fundraising campaigns or commercial projects. · The Embassy reserves the right to offer partial funding for any project. · Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports. Guidelines for Budget Justification: · Personnel and Fringe Benefits: Describe the wages, salaries, and benefits of temporary or permanent staff who will be working directly for the applicant on the program, and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the program. · Travel: Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for this program, for program staff, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries. If the program involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel. · Equipment: Describe any equipment required for the program, which will last more than one year and costs at least $5,000 per unit. · Supplies: List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are needed for the program. If an item costs more than $5,000 per unit, then put it in the budget under Equipment. Equipment and supplies may not be given as a gift, prize or sub-grant. · Contractual: Describe goods and services that the applicant plans to acquire through a contract with a vendor. Also describe any sub-awards to non-profit partners that will help carry out the program activities. · Other Direct Costs: Describe other costs directly associated with the program, which do not fit in the other categories. For example, shipping costs for materials and equipment or applicable taxes. All “Other” or “Miscellaneous” expenses must be itemized and explained. · Indirect Costs: These are costs that cannot be linked directly to the program activities, such as overhead costs needed to help keep the organization operating. · “Cost Sharing” refers to contributions from the organization or other entities other than the U.S. Embassy. It also includes in-kind contributions such as volunteers’ time and donated venues. · Entertainment and Refreshments: Refreshment costs must be integral to the program and kept to a minimum. Entertainment costs (amusement, diversion, social activities, ceremonials, alcoholic beverages, cocktail parties) are not allowable expenses. APPLICATION SPECIFIC REQURIMENTS: Project proposals must be written in English and must include: SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance – attached SF- 424 Instructions – attached SF-424A Budget Information for Non-Construction programs – attached SF-424A Instructions – attached Application Form (please do not exceed four pages) - attached; CV for project leader(s) and U.S. guests, if applicable; Letter of support from potential partners or hosts; Confirmation of successful SAM.gov registration; Registration letter for NGOs confirming NGO status; Other than required PDF forms, please send documents in Microsoft Word/Excel. IMPORTANT – SAM.gov REGISTRATION In order to apply and receive an award from U.S. Embassy Zagreb, all organizations must have a unique entity identifier (Data Universal Numbering System/DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet), as well as a valid registration on https://www.sam.gov/SAM/. The registration is online and free of charge, but it can take several weeks to finalize. We strongly recommend that you begin the registration process immediately. 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 registering at https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform · NCAGE application: 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 Step 2: After receiving the NCAGE Code, proceed to register in SAM.gov by logging onto: https://www.sam.gov . Please note that obtaining your username and password does not complete the registration. This only allows you to enter the database and register your organization. SAM registration must be renewed annually and is free of charge. Please visit https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ for help with registration. We cannot provide support related to the SAM.gov registration. SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS: Proposals must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. (Noon) on May 14, 2021 via e-mail to
[email protected] with clearly written subject line: EV NOFO FY21. Late submissions will not be considered. You should receive an auto-reply stating that your email has been received. If you do not receive such a reply within 1 day, please contact us. Applicants will receive emails regarding the results by June 4, 2021. Funding is provided for projects starting after July 1, 2021 and no later than July 1, 2022. The Embassy cannot reimburse costs incurred before the grant is signed. Application Review and Notifications Proposals will be reviewed by a committee for the below review criteria: · Quality and feasibility: The program idea is well developed and includes details on how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline. · Organizational capacity and record on previous grants: The organization has expertise in its stated field and has the ability to manage a grant program. · Program planning/ability to achieve objectives: Goals and objectives are clearly stated, and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results. · Budget: 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: Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. · Sustainability: Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program. Project proposals should include all the information requested in the application guidelines. Proposals must be in English but supporting documents may be in Croatian. Questions about the program can be addressed to
[email protected]. No inquires will be accepted by phone, social media, or any other method.