U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
MISSION MOROCCO AMERICAN SPACES
Notice of Funding Opportunity
Funding Opportunity Title: American Spaces Grant Funding 2022
Funding Opportunity Number: PAS-MOROCCO-FY22-03
CDFA Number: 19.441
Deadline for Applications: May 31, 2022
Total Amount Available: $114,000 Email: Rabatgrants@state.gov
We are pleased to announce the American Spaces Grant Funding 2022, with a total of $114,000 available. Funding will be for projects and programming that will take place in Morocco’s two American Spaces: Dar America in Casablanca and the American Space in Oujda for the 2022-2023 programming season (September 2022 through July 2023). The funding will be divided between the two spaces. Please read this document carefully and follow all instructions.
A. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
Mission Morocco American Spaces’ primary audiences are students and young professionals, ages 15 – 30 in the Casablanca and Oujda regions. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), foundations, think tanks, and academic institutions may apply for funding. Grantees must have non-profit status. Awards to individuals will be considered on a case-by-case basis. As noted above, we seek proposals for activities that will engage audiences at our two American Spaces. While U.S.-based NGOs and individuals may apply, preference is given to local Moroccan NGOs.
Notice: For Fiscal Year 2022 all proposals submitted in response to this announcement must include a contingency plan describing in detail: 1) how the proposed activity would be implemented if health restrictions are in place during the anticipated period of performance, and 2) the applicant’s capacity to conduct programs virtually.
B. OBJECTIVES AND PROGRAM OUTCOMES
The objectives of this round of American Spaces grant funding is to create and produce strategic programming for the American Spaces network in Morocco. All proposals must have a clear American component and seek to address the following themes and strategic objectives:
· Professional Development for Moroccan Youth: Promote professional and soft skills development, entrepreneurship and innovation through mentoring and training to promote positive community engagement and increase employability.
· Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Programming: Create creative STEM programs to engage youth at Morocco’s American Spaces.
· American-inspired Cultural Programming that highlights diversity and inclusion: Engage audiences through American-inspired cultural programming, including film, music, literature, history, or art, with a focus on themes of diversity and inclusion.
· Environment and Climate Programming: Expand understanding of environmental and climate change challenges through innovative programming.
· Countering Disinformation: Promote media literacy and other skills to help young people effectively identify online disinformation.
Please note, the U.S. Mission in Morocco will only consider proposals where a majority of proposed programming takes place inside one of our two American Spaces. Any outside programming (at schools, in other cultural institutions, at NGOs, etc.) will only be considered if it is directly tied to a larger program taking place within an American Space.
Participants and Audiences:
Moroccan youth and young professionals (15-30 years of age) addressing the above objectives
C. U.S. CONTENT
To be eligible for funding consideration, proposals must demonstrate significant U.S. content. U.S. content can include, for example, the participation of U.S. experts, the application or adaptation of U.S. models and best practices, or pedagogical materials related to American history, society, culture, government, or institutions. Please do not submit proposals without significant U.S. content, as they will not be considered for funding.
Activities that could be funded include, but are not limited to:
· Programs that reinforce and amplify lessons learned by alumni of State Department-funded exchange programs (both American and Moroccan alumni)
· Youth engagement, leadership, and educational programs
· Workshops, seminars, trainings, and master classes on American themes or issues of mutual interest mentioned in the above goals of the program
· Cultural programs that target youth and underserved communities
· Programs to empower women and girls
· Radio, television, and social media training and programming in support of the above program objectives
· Programs that focus on climate crisis education, nature conservation, or clean energy innovation
Activities that are not typically funded include, but are not limited to:
· fees and travel costs to attend conferences in the United States
· ongoing salary costs and office equipment
· paying to complete activities begun with other funds
· projects that are inherently political in nature or that contain the appearance of partisanship/support to individual or single party electoral campaigns
· social welfare projects
· political party activities
· projects that support specific religious activities
· trade activities; fundraising campaigns; commercial projects; scientific research; construction projects; projects whose primary aim is the institutional development of the organization itself
D. APPLICATION PROCESS
Application Deadlines
Applications are due by midnight Morocco time on Friday, May 31, 2022. Completed applications should be sent as soon as they are complete. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL MAY 20TH.
Proposal Format
To have a complete grants package, all forms listed below must be submitted together electronically in English, via e-mail to: Rabatgrants@state.gov
1. Applicant Organizational Information Form
2. Project Narrative
3. Budget Proposal (in USD)
4. SF424 (Application for Federal Assistance – Must be signed)
5. SF424A (Budget Information)
6. SF424B (Assurances – Must be signed)
7. CVs for Director and key project personnel
An organization or individual may submit only one application for American Spaces grant funding. All applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of proposals. Proposals will not be considered until all information is received. Please note that the last day to submit proposals is by May 31, 2022 by midnight Moroccan time.
Technical Eligibility Requirements
For your SAM.gov registration you must complete a multi-registration process. Go to https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration and follow the instructions. The Legal Organization’s name and address must MATCH EXACTLY when entering it into the SAM.gov website – this includes spaces, parentheses, capitalization, small letters, punctuation, etc. Self-registration for a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) at SAM.gov and NCAGE registration at (https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/Codification/CageTool/home) is free of charge.
All organizations are required to register for UEI identification codes with SAM.gov and NCAGE. (Note: This requirement does NOT apply to individuals). (Please use either the Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox web browser)
E. APPLICATION REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS
1. Criteria. Each application submitted under this announcement will be evaluated and rated based on the criteria enumerated in Section F below. The criteria are designed to assess the quality of the proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of its success.
2. Acknowledgement of receipt. Applicants will receive acknowledgment of receipt of their proposal.
3. Review. A panel will review the proposal based upon the criteria noted in Part F (see below). A determination will be made regarding the proposed area of activity and the US Mission’s strategic goals. Proposals that are the best fit will be given additional consideration.
4. Follow up notification. Applicants will generally be notified within 90 days after the submission deadline regarding the results of the review panel.
F. APPLICATION EVALUATION CRITERIA
1. Professional capacity and record on previous grants: The organization or individual has expertise in its stated field and has demonstrated its ability to implement the program, including strong financial management and appropriate personnel. (10 points)
2. Quality, feasibility, and clear American connection: The program idea is well developed with details about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline. The proposal includes an American cultural element or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policies and perspectives. (20 points)
3. Goals and objectives: Goals and objectives are clearly stated, and the program’s approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results. (20 points)
4. American Spaces priorities: Applicant has clearly described how stated goals are related to and support American Spaces priority areas or target audiences noted in Section B above. (20 points)
5. Budget: The budget justification details reasonable and appropriate costs in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed goals and objectives. (10 points)
6. Monitoring and evaluation plan: Applicant demonstrates ability to measure program success against key indicators and provide milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators and shows how and when they will be measured. (10 points)
7. Sustainability: Program activities will continue to have a positive impact after the end of the program. (10 points)
D. ANNOUNCING AWARD DECISIONS
The Public Affairs Section seeks to notify applicants of funding decisions within six to twelve weeks following an application deadline. The timing of approvals is subject to the availability of funds.
Please note: Funding for approved proposals will not be available immediately. The allocation of funds can take up to two months once all award paperwork has been completed. Applicants should, therefore, submit proposals well in advance of the intended project start date.
Applicants selected for further consideration will receive official written notification and detailed information on the process of finalizing awards. Applicants selected for further consideration must provide official copies of all registrations outlined in the eligibility requirements. Failure to provide these documents will result in disqualification.
Awards are contingent upon availability of U.S. Government funds and the signing of official award documents. Verbal or other informal communications cannot be considered official notification of an award, and applicants may not obligate expenses for a proposed project until all required administrative procedures have been completed.
H. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
Once a proposal is selected, and negotiations completed, the grant award will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer (GO) and Grants Officer Representative (GOR). The recipient may only start incurring program expenses after the start date shown on the grant award document signed by the GO. After an award agreement is signed by both parties, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State represented by the GOR. Issuance of this funding opportunity 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 and schedules will also be negotiated during the pre-award phase. If amounts and schedules need to be changed for the needs of the program, early communication with the GOR is encouraged. Urgent payment requests are to be avoided.
Organizations whose applications will not be funded will also be notified via e-mail.
I. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
All awards require both program and financial reports on a frequency specified in the award agreement. The disbursement of funds may be tied to submission of these reports in a timely manner. All other details related to award administration will be specified in the award agreement.
J. 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 property that is required to implement 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 is more than $5,000 per unit, 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 document. Organizations that have never had a NICRA may request indirect costs of 10% of the modified total direct costs.
Cost Sharing: “Cost Sharing” refers to contributions from the organization or entities other than the U.S. Embassy. It also includes in-kind contributions such as volunteers’ time and donated venues.
FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS
If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact RabatGrants@state.gov
Note: We do not provide any pre-consultation for application-related questions. Once an application has been submitted, staff will not discuss the competition until the entire proposal review process is completed.
