U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
U.S. EMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
Notice of Funding Opportunity
Funding Opportunity Title: Youth outreach and the Ethiopian elections
Funding Opportunity Number: PASNOFOFY1901
Deadline for Applications: July 5, 2019
CFDA Number: 19.040
Total Amount Available: $10,000 to $25,000
- PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa’s American Spaces Ethiopia (ASE) program of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for non-governmental and non-profit organizations to submit applications to carry out a youth voters and elections program.
Priority Region:
Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Dire Dawa, Jimma and Mekelle.
Program Objectives:
The U.S. Embassy manages five public engagement venues called “American Spaces” in Ethiopia. Located in Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Dire Dawa and Jimma – these spaces are modern, high-technology developmental platforms of engagement that welcome and invite the public to connect, explore and be inspired by people, new ideas, skills and opportunities that have the power to bring positive change.
With Ethiopia’s elections on the horizon, now scheduled for less than a year from today in May 2020, the ASE’s main objective for this cooperative grant is to encourage and support youth to participate in the upcoming elections. ASE is interested in awarding grants to organizations with concrete, feasible and measurable approaches that focus on the following but not limited to:
- Youth voter education and outreach
- Voter registration drives
- Counter elections-related disinformation
Program activities must be held in the American Spaces.
Interested organizations must be able to demonstrate their capacity to receive and manage grant funding, plan and facilitate training and events, and successfully engage with youth. ASE also requires that all programming to be non-discriminatory and expects implementers to include strategies for integration of individuals/organizations regardless of religion, gender, disability, race and ethnicity.
A grant committee will select the implementing partner based on the merits of each proposal, assessing organizational capacity, and prior grant experience. The selected implementing partner will be announced in August- September.
Participants and Audiences:
The target audience is youth aged 18-35, especially first time voters, residing in the cities specified.
- FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION
Number of awards anticipated: One to two awards (dependent on amounts)
Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $25,000
Total available funding: $25,000
Type of Funding: FY18-Public Diplomacy Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds
Anticipated program start date: September 2019
This notice is subject to availability of funding.
Funding Instrument Type: This is a Cooperative Grant Agreement. It requires the involvement of the Public Affairs Section/American Spaces Ethiopia program team of the Embassy. The Embassy will be involved in the coordination and planning schedule of the activities and their implementation.
Program Performance Period: One year: September 2019-September 2020
The Department of State 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.
- ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
- Eligible Applicants
The following U.S. or Ethiopian organizations are eligible to apply:
- Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
- Public and private educational institutions
- Public International Organizations
Successful applicants must be able to obtain the necessary entity codes (a Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS number), a Commercial and Government Entity (“CAGE”) Code) and a contractor registration on www. SAM.gov to be awarded contracts by the U.S. Federal Government
- Cost Sharing or Matching
Not essential but welcomed
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.
- APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION
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 Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.
Proposal (3-5 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: 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.
- 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.
Budget Justification Narrative: use a separate sheet of paper to describe each of the budget expenses in detail.
Submission Information
- Applications are due no later than July 5, 2019
- All application materials must be submitted by email to AddisAmericanSpace@state.gov with subject line “NOFO Application: Youth outreach and the Ethiopian elections
– XXX Name of Company”
- APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION
- Criteria
Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below.
Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea – 25 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 – 25 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 – 10 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.
BONUS points:
Cost Share – 5 points: Organizations who can share the financial burden of the project will be given extra points.
- Review and Selection Process
A Grants Review Committee will evaluate all eligible applications.
- FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
- Federal Award Notices
The grant 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 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: Payment will be effected on installment basis. First installment will be processed once the grant agreement is signed. Succeeding installments will be based on proposed activities timeline and/or completed milestones.
- 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.statebuy.state.gov/fa/pages/home.aspx
Note the U.S Flag branding and marking requirements in the Standard Terms and Conditions.
- 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.
Grantee is required to submit program and financial reports within 30 days of completion of the overall program.
- FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS
If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact: PASAddisGrants@state.gov
- 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.
- Alcoholic Beverages: Please note that award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.
