PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE GRANTS PROGRAM 2018

Home Naslovna | Education & Culture | Grants & Assistance | PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE GRANTS PROGRAM 2018

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
U.S. EMBASSY PODGORICA

Notice of Funding Opportunity

 

Funding Opportunity Title:             Public Affairs Office Grants Program 2018

Deadline for Applications:               June 22, 2018

CFDA Number:                                19.040

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION


The U.S. Embassy Podgorica / Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to address one of the priority areas stated below.  Please carefully follow all instructions below.

 Program Objectives:

The United States Embassy in Podgorica supports specific projects and initiatives on the topics listed below through awards ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.

This year’s topics should include the following:

  • U. S. Alumni Outreach
  • Youth Advocacy and Empowerment
  • Women’s Empowerment
  • Promotion of Civic Engagement, Education, and Tolerance Through Arts
  • Cultural Preservation and Promotion of Arts
  • Strengthening Media Integrity
  • Support to Development of Digital Literacy

Grants are awarded to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), media, and to U.S. alumni.  Preference will be given to local applicants that have demonstrated the capacity to implement the proposed activity.

 B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

 

Length of performance period:  6 to 12 months

Award amounts:  Awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $10,000

Funding Instrument Type:  Grant

 C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

  1. Eligible Applicants

The following foreign organizations are eligible to apply:  

  • Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
  • Media
  • S. Alumni
  1. Other Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a unique entity identifier (Data Universal Numbering System/DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet), as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.5 for information on how to obtain these registrations.

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

 

Application form required below can downloaded from the Embassy’s website.

 1. 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 one or more of the topics of this funding opportunity
  • All documents are in English
  • All budgets are in U.S. dollars

The following documents are required: 

  1. Summary Page: 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.
  2. Proposal: 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 Applying Organization: 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.  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 objectives.
  • Program Methods and Design: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal.  Include a logic model as appropriate.
  • Proposed Program Schedule and Timeline:  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.
  1. Budget Justification Narrative: In addition to a project’s budget proposal, use a separate sheet of paper to describe each of the budget expenses in detail. See section H. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information.
  2. Attachments:
  • 1-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program
  • Organization registration papers
  1. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

Required Registrations:

Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) in the System for Award Management (SAM) is not eligible to apply for an assistance award in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.” Additionally, no entity listed on the EPLS can participate in any activities under an award.  All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the EPLS in SAM to ensure that no ineligible entity is included.

All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain a DUNS number and an NGAGE number and must also register with SAM.gov.  Prior to submitting a grant application, organizations must apply for a DUNS number and an NGAGE number.

Unique entity identifier from Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS number)

  • NCAGE/CAGE code
  • SAM.gov registration

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 calling 1-866-705-5711 or visiting http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform

NCAGE application: Application page here: 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

Email NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil for any problems in getting an NCAGE code.

Step 2: After receiving the NCAGE Code, proceed to register in SAM.gov by logging onto: https://www.sam.gov.  SAM registration must be renewed annually.

  1. Submission Dates and Times

 Applications are due no later than June 22, 2018. 

  1. Funding Restrictions

Funds may not be used for alcohol, entertainment, or “miscellaneous” costs;

Funds may only be used for food expenses under special circumstances.  When these costs cannot be supported by cost share, they should be clearly justified and limited to a maximum of five percent of the total award amount.  This includes expenses associated with individual per diems for grant-related activities;

Salaries, overhead, equipment, and other administrative expenses are allowable only as they relate to specific project activities.  Salary or honoraria should be listed according to rate of pay and percentage of time spent on program-related activities.  While salary expenses are permissible for indigenous personnel, payment of honoraria and other expenses for foreign experts will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis;

More than one proposal submitted by an organization;

Projects relating to partisan political activity;

Conferences and individual trips abroad;

Charitable activity and humanitarian aid;

Fund-raising campaigns;

Direct social services to populations;

Commercial projects;

Scientific research;

Those that duplicate existing projects. 

All application materials must be submitted by email to PodgoricaGrants@state.gov.

 

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

 

  1. Criteria

Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below.

Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea – 20 points:  The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline.

Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants – 10 points: The organization has expertise in its stated field and has the internal controls in place to manage federal funds.  This includes a financial management system and a bank account.

Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 15 points: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.

Budget – 15 points: 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 – 15 points: Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators, and shows how and when those will be measured.

Sustainability – 10 points: Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program.

Impact – 15 points: The extent to which the project will produce  an impact in MNE, it’s institutions, legislation, education, disadvantaged groups of society, and environment.

  1. Review and Selection Process

A Grants Review Committee will evaluate all eligible applications and will contact the applicants in case of any follow up questions.

Applicants will receive e-mail notification when and if selected for the final review.

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

 

  1. Federal Award Notices

The grant award 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 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: Dynamics of grant payments would be discussed with grant recipients individually, and once agreed upon they will be stated in the award document. 

  1. 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: PodgoricaGrants@state.gov.

H. OTHER INFORMATION

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 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. Any cost-sharing should be flagged in the project and budget proposal.

Alcoholic Beverages:  Please note that award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.

 

Footer Disclaimer

This is the official website of the U.S. Embassy in Montenegro. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

American Flag