Description
U.S. Department of State U.S. Embassy Lebanon - Public Affairs Section Notice of Funding Opportunity Funding Opportunity Title: U.S. Embassy Lebanon PAS Small Grants Annual Program Statement Funding Opportunity Number: LBN-PAS-20-001 Deadline for Applications: Rolling basis through the fiscal year subject to availability CFDA Number: 19.040 - Public Diplomacy Programs Total Amount Available: $200,000 Maximum for Each Award: $50,000 A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State 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, the strategic themes we focus on,and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Purpose of Small Grants: PAS Lebanon invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the United States and Lebanon through cultural and exchange programming that highlights engaging youth and empowering women. All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/sin a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. Examples of PAS Small Grants Program opportunities include, but are not limited to, the following: Academic and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs; Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions; Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs; and Professional and academic exchanges and programs. Priority Program Areas: The U.S. Embassy Beirut seeks proposals that address the following priority program areas: Enhance the role of women in society through programs focused on civic participation (such as social entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and community engagement); economic empowerment; and increased access to education Foster youth empowerment through various programs [examples of which include but are not limited to: science, technology, engineering, architecture, and math (STEAM); entrepreneurship; and inclusive citizenship] Develop media literacy and promote freedom of speech Participants and Audiences: U.S. Embassy Beirut puts special emphasis on programs that are able to engage individuals outside of the capital. For youth-focused proposals, audiences are generally between the ages of 14 and 30. Women audiences have no specific age range, and may include youth or community members. Priority will be given to proposals that target a large number of beneficiaries The following types of programs are not eligible for funding: Programs relating to partisan political activity; Charitable or developmental activities; Construction programs; Programs that support specific religious activities; Fundraising campaigns; Lobbying for specific legislation or programs; Scientific research; Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; and/or Programs that duplicate existing programs. Authorizing Legislation, Type, and Year of Funding: FY20 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 3 to 24 months Number of awards anticipated: 5-10 awards (dependent on amounts) Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $50,000 Total available funding: $250,000 Type of Funding: Fiscal Year 2020 Public Diplomacy Funding Anticipated program start date: December 2019 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Grant, Fixed Amount Award,or Cooperative agreement. Grants and fixed amount awards have specific reporting requirements from the recipient during the award period and at the conclusion of the award. Cooperative agreements include active involvement by Embassy staff in the grant implementation with substantial involvement, such as: Active participation or collaboration with the recipient in the implementation of the award; Review and approval of one stage of work before another can begin; Joint preparation and/or presentation of results with the recipient; Review and approval of substantive provisions of proposed sub-awards or contracts beyond existing Federal policy; and/or Involvement where the Embassy requires specific programmatic oversight over the award beyond normal monitoring. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 24 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. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION Eligible Applicants: PAS encourages applications from the United States and Lebanon, including: Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience; Individuals; and/or Non-profit or governmental education institutions. For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing is not required but highly encouraged. Additional considerations will be given to proposals that include a cost share component. Other Eligibility Requirements: Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization per quarter. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding. MORE INFORMATION: Please see our "Related Documents" for specifics about application and submission information, application review information, federal award administration information, federal awarding agency contacts, and other information.