A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Venezuela Affairs Unit (VAU) Public Affairs Section (PAS) is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, our strategic themes, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Purpose of Small Grants: VAU PAS invites proposals for cultural and educational programs that support democratic initiatives and economic empowerment in Venezuela, highlight shared values, and promote bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an U.S. cultural element, or connection with U.S.-based expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. Examples of PAS Small Grants Program programs include,but are not limited to: · Subject-matter expert sand academic lectures andseminars; · Training and programs promoting economic empowerment and citizen participation; · Professional and academic exchanges and programs. Participants and Audiences: Programs should focus on Venezuelan populations between the ages of 16-35, with a goal of at least 50% of programming taking place outside of Caracas. 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; · Programs that duplicate existing programs; · Funding of charitable activity and humanitarian aid,commercial projects, or fund-raising campaigns; · Complete salaries for personnel. Authorizing legislation, type and year of funding: Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt Act of 1948. The source of funding is FY2020 Public Diplomacy Funding. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 3 to 9 months Anticipated program start date: January 15, 2020 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Although project budgets should be within the minimum and maximum set in this document,the VAU reserves the right to award less or more than the funds requested as it deems to be in the best interest of the U.S.Government. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less. PAS will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State. Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal perorganization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding. Funding Instrument Type: Grant and/or Cooperative Agreement Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less. PAS will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State. C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION Cost Sharing or Matching is not required. 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. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION Address to Request Application Package: · Application forms required below are available at
[email protected] Content and Form of Application Submission Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible. Content of Application Please ensure: · The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity · All documents are in English · All budgets are in U.S. dollars · All pages are numbered · All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper, and · All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins. The following documents are required: 1. Mandatory application forms · SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance --individuals). · SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs). · SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) or SF-424B-I (Assurances for Nn-Construction programs –individuals). 2. Summary Coversheet: 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 (5 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. What aspect of the relationship between the United States and Venezuela will be improved? What outcomes would indicate or demonstrate a positive impact? 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 goals and objectives. · Program Methods and Design: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. · Proposed Program Schedule: 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), separately describe each of the budget expenses in detail. See section H below for further information. 5. Additional 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 · Official permission letters, if required for program activities 6. Submission Dates and Times: PAS will accept proposals throughout the year and will review proposals monthly, with responses sent out by the 15th of the month after receiving the proposal. 8. Other Submission Requirements All application materials must be submitted by email to:
[email protected] E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION Criteria Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below. Organizational capacity and record on previous grants Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea Goals and objectives Embassy priorities Budget Monitoring and evaluation plan Sustainability 2. Review and Selection Process A Grants Review Committee will evaluate all eligible applications. The Committee’s decision is final. F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION a. Federal Award Notices The grant award or cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document and it will be provided to the recipient for review and signature by email. The recipient may only start incurring program expenses beginning on the start date shown on the grant award document signed by the Grants Officer. If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State Issuance of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the U.S. government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received Payment Method: Payments will be made in at least two installments, as needed to carry out the program activities. Organizations whose applications will not be funded will also be notified via email b. Administrative and National Policy Requirements Terms and Conditions: Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply These include: 2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 600, Certifications and Assurances, and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, all of which are available at: https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm. Note the U.S Flag branding and marking requirements in the Standard Terms and Conditions c. Reporting Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports. The award document will specify how often these reports must be submitted. G.FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact PAS at:
[email protected]. Note: We do not provide any pre-consultation for application related questions that are addressed in the NOFO. 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. H. OTHER INFORMATION Guidelines for Budget Justification Personnel: 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. If the program involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel Equipment: Describe any machinery, furniture, or other personal property that is required for the program, which has a useful life of more than one year (or a life longer than the duration of the program), 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. 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. If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, attach a copy of your latest NICRA. Organizations that have never had a NICRA may request indirect costs of 10% of the modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68. “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. Alcoholic Beverages: Please note that award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages