FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
U.S. MISSION IN MOROCCO PUBLIC DIPLOMACY GRANT PROGRAM
Annual Program Statement (APS) for Fiscal Year 2023
Funding Opportunity Title: U.S. Mission in Morocco
Funding Opportunity Number: PAS-MOROCCO-FY23-01
CFDA Number: 19.040 – Public Diplomacy Programs
Deadline for Applications: March 15, 2023
Email: Rabatgrants@state.gov
We are pleased to announce that U.S. Mission Morocco is considering proposals for the Public Diplomacy Grants Program for projects ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 USD. New this year, Public Affairs will solicit a Concept Paper and a budget summary, only, for the first-phase submission. If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to participate in the second phase of the APS and submit a full proposal. This announcement outlines funding priorities, key strategic themes, and the new procedure for submitting a proposal for the Mission’s Annual Program Statement (APS). Please read this document carefully and follow all instructions. Projects for lesser or greater values will be considered on a case-by-case basis. This notice is subject to the availability of funding.
A. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
Public Diplomacy’s primary audiences include non-governmental organizations (NGO’s), associations, foundations, think tanks, national and regional media, cultural and educational leaders; underserved communities; disadvantaged populations; next generation leaders (e.g., innovators, digital influencers, content creators); and academic institutions. We encourage organizations working with special needs communities (visual, hearing, or speech impaired, physical disability, etc.) to apply. Awards to individuals will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. We encourage proposals for activities that engage geographically and demographically diverse audiences within Morocco. While U.S. NGOs and individuals may apply, preference is given to Moroccan NGOs or to partnerships that develop capacity with Moroccan NGOs. All grantees must provide proof of their non-profit status if shortlisted for Phase II submission.
US Mission Morocco encourages not only diverse applicants to apply to our grants programs but would also like to see diverse target audiences and trainers. Diversity can be defined by different geographic regions, ethnicities, religious orientations, gender, physical disabilities including visual, hearing, speech, and other physically handicapping conditions, etc.
B. OBJECTIVES AND PROJECT OUTCOMES
The objectives of the Public Diplomacy Grant Program are to promote positive relations between Morocco and the United States; to reinforce shared values; and to connect Morocco’s emerging leaders to the American people. We fund projects that:
- Help Moroccan youth build and develop skills to improve their potential through innovative science (especially environmental and health awareness), technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) programs, as well as through entrepreneurship programs and vocational training.
- Focus on educating youth and publics about current environmental issues, including crafting creative solutions to environmental challenges, green energy initiatives and energy conservation, climate change adaptation strategies, as well as action plans to deal with water scarcity exacerbated by climate change and urbanization.
- Encourage Moroccan youth to participate in civic life through social entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and community engagement.
- Strengthen understanding of U.S. values and institutions; highlight US culture, including American Studies, English language teaching/learning, and study in the United States; as well as support diversity through the acceptance of minority groups, including individuals with special needs or handicapping conditions, and other areas of mutual interest.
C. U.S. CONTENT
To be eligible for funding consideration, your Concept Paper must have U.S. content which can include: 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 U.S. content; they will not be considered for funding.
Activities that are typically 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 change education, environmental protection, or sustainability
Activities that are not typically funded include, but are not limited to:
- Fees and travel costs to attend conferences or activities in the United States
- Ongoing salary costs and office equipment
- Paying to complete activities that were 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.
Inviting U.S. Experts
The Public Affairs Section will also support inviting U.S. citizen experts to Morocco in support of the above Program objectives. The travel costs may include economy class airfare of a U.S. flag carrier, stipend for meals, daily honorarium, lodging, and local transportation. The request should include a proposed daily schedule for the expert (minimum of two program days excluding travel time). If participation in a conference is expected, please provide its description (organizer, topics, goals and objectives, audience, other sponsors and other expected speakers and participants).
When possible, Public Affairs prefers to provide support to U.S. experts who are available to participate in multiple events. The Public Affairs Office is willing to work with grantees to identify additional programming opportunities for U.S. experts traveling to Morocco.
D. APPLICATION SUBMISSION AND REVIEW
This opportunity consists of two application phases:
- Phase I: Project Ideas and Concept Note Submission
- Phase II: Full Proposal Submissions
Phase I Submission
To have a complete grants package for the Phase I submission, the Concept Paper and a Budget Summary Estimate must be submitted together electronically in English, via e-mail, as a PDF to: Rabatgrants@state.gov, by Wednesday, March 15, 2023 (Subject: APS 2023 Grants Competition).
Please use the concept note and the budget templates available in the “Docs and Forms for Applicants” information box on our website:
Budget Summary Estimate Template
An organization or individual may submit only one application during the four-month open-application period. All applicants will receive confirmation of received proposals. Proposals will only be considered if accompanied by a budget summary estimate.
Technical Eligibility Requirements
All organizations applying for grants must obtain the free registrations below. Information about obtaining the registrations is available under the Additional Resources box on our website.:
- NCAGE/CAGE code
- SAM.gov registration
Phase II Submission
If your project is selected for Phase II submission, you will be notified by March 31, 2023, and asked to submit additional forms by Monday, May 1, 2023. The additional forms will be provided to you. Following the Phase II Submission, you will be notified by May 31, 2023, of your grant status.
E. APPLICATION REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS
- 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.
- Acknowledgement of receipt. Applicants will receive acknowledgment of receipt of their proposal.
- 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.
- Follow up notification. Applicants will generally be notified within 90-120 days after the Round II Submission deadline, regarding the results of the review panel.
F. PHASE I APPLICATION EVALUATION CRITERIA
- Organization history and mission, leadership initiatives, and prior grant history
- Project Description should include the length of project.
- Description of activities to achieve goals and objectives and how they will help to achieve impact.
- American Connection to increase understanding of U.S. policies and perspectives.
- Monitoring and Evaluation indicates how project success will be monitored.
- Budget Summary Estimate should provide basic program costs.
G. PHASE II APPLICATION EVALUATION CRITERIA
The criteria will be provided to you if you are invited to submit a full application.
H. ANNOUNCING AWARD DECISIONS
The Public Affairs Section seeks to notify applicants of funding decisions within 90-120 days from the Phase II submission 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 three 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.
I. 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 Kickoff meeting and 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.
J. 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.
K. 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 or 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.
L. 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.
