This RFA is designed to support U.S. academic institutions that seek to engage with the Tunisian Diplomatic institute. (Eligible Applicants: regionally accredited, degree-granting, U.S. higher education institutions). Applicant institutions with previous project or exchange experience in Tunisia and/or in North Africa are preferred. Selected awardee will be responsible for ensuring achievement of program objectives that enhance mutual, fully collaborative relationships between Tunisian and U.S. education/diplomatic institutions and their public and private sector partners in both countries. It is USG policy not to award profit under assistance instruments. However, all reasonable, allocable, and allowable expenses, both direct and indirect, which are related to the program and are in accordance with applicable cost standards (22 CFR 226, OMB Circular A-21 for universities, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 31 for for-profit organizations), may be paid under the award.Subject to the availability of funds, US Embassy Tunis plans to provide up to $350,000 in Economic Support Funds (ESF) for the partnership stated above not to exceed two years, but with the possibility of no-cost limited extensions. The US Embassy reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted. For the purposes of this program, this RFA is being issued and consists of this cover letter and the Full Application including following: 1. Section A - Application Format; 2. Section B - Selection Criteria; 3. Section C - Program Description; 4. Section D - Certifications, Assurances, and Other Statements of Applicant/Recipient 5. Section E - Attachments to Program Description (attachments 1, 2, and 3)To be eligible for an award, the applicant must provide all required information in its application, including the requirements found in any attachments. Applicants must submit the full application package in compliance with the method indicated in this cover letter and in Section A of this RFA.For the purposes of this RFA, the term "Grant" is synonymous with "Cooperative Agreement"; "Grantee" is synonymous with "Recipient"; and "Grant Officer" is synonymous with "Agreement Officer".Any questions concerning this RFA should be submitted in writing via email to Kaouthar Ben Mohamed
[email protected] . Applications must be received by the closing date and time indicated at the top of this cover letter. Faxed proposals will not be accepted. Applicants should submit their applications by e-mail attachment formatted in Microsoft Word (up to 2MB limit per email. PDF files are acceptable). Applicants will be informed that their electronic submissions (via email) were successfully received by the required due date. Awards will be made to that responsible applicant(s) whose application(s) best meets the requirements of this RFA and the selection criteria contained herein.Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of US Embassy Tunis, nor does it commit the Embassy to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. Further, US Embassy Tunis reserves the right to reject any or all applications received. In addition, final award of any resultant cooperative agreement(s) cannot be made until funds have been fully appropriated, allocated, and committed through internal procedures. While it is anticipated that these procedures will be successfully completed, potential applicants are hereby notified of these requirements and conditions for award. All preparation and submission costs are at the applicant's expense. Applicants should retain for their records one copy of all enclosures which accompany their application.