U.S. Department of State
Embassy of the United States of America in Chisinau
Opportunity Title: CULTURAL SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM
Opportunity Number: PAS-CHISINAU-FY20-04-CULTURAL
CFDA Number: 19.040
CFDA Title: Public Diplomacy Programs
Program: Cultural Programs Post
Announcement Type: Open Competition
Announcement Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Submission Deadline: February 20, 2020 18:00
Anticipated Award Date: Friday, May 15, 2020
Agency Contact: Alexandru Leanca, LeancaAI@state.gov
Program Description
The Cultural Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Moldova works to build mutual understanding between Moldovans and Americans. We do this through establishing cultural, professional, and academic networking and partnerships involving Moldovan and American professionals in music, sports, and the arts. Our program aims to a) encourage Moldova’s European trajectory by supporting real reforms and tangible economic development for the Moldovan people; b) bridge divides in Moldovan society by promoting civic engagement and demand for accountable governance; and c) support a whole and secure Moldova. We offer small grants for programs and activities that support these goals in music, sports, and the arts. Small grants generally range from $5,000 to $25,000.
Strategic Priorities:
Strategic Priorities for the 2020 financial year are:
- Supporting Independent Voices
- Promoting American values
- Reaching regional audiences
- Encouraging Accountable Governance
Applicants are encouraged to look at ways of using cultural programs (music, sports, arts, literature, etc.) to support one of the above priorities.
Examples may include, but are not limited to, how sports can contribute to effective governance, using theater or art to address the social impact of economic issues, or creative writing classes to help bring to light fresh and independent voices. These are just suggestions of how cultural programs can support broader themes that are important to the U.S. Mission. We encourage applicants to carefully consider and clearly explain how their proposal advances our goals.
The Cultural Small Grants Fund is available for projects that promote mutual understanding and strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Moldova through programs in music, sports, and the arts.
Programs and activities may include, but are not limited to: coaching workshops, exhibits, performances, and creative collaborations. There should be a distinctly U.S. component to the program.
Covered Costs: The U.S. Embassy will cover economy-class airfare ticket (approx. $2,000), per diem ($73 per full day, $55 per travel days), lodging costs (up to $161), and honoraria ($200 per work day) for travelers from the United States. Please include these numbers in your budget outline. It is the applicant’s responsibility to identify the relevant American expert and ensure that he/she agrees to these conditions and states this in their letter of intent. Allowable costs are limited to immediate program needs, such as translation services, in-country transportation, conference room rentals, relevant supplies, and meals. The program cannot cover overhead or staff salaries.
Award Information:
Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreements, Grants or Fixed Amount Awards
Funding per grant: up to $25,000
Expected number of awards: 5-10
Expected award date is May 15, 2020
The Department also reserves the right to award more or less funding as deemed in the best interest of the U.S. Government. The performance period for funded projects will generally be for up to 12 months. Recipients of funding under this announcement will be subject to the Department of State terms and conditions and the terms set forth in this announcement. Additional terms and conditions may apply as warranted. Quarterly or Semi-annual technical and financial reports may be required during the term of the project. A final assessment at the end of the project is mandatory for all grants.
Award recipients must comply with Executive Order 13224, Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions with Persons who Commit, Threaten to commit, or Support Terrorism. Information about this Executive Order can be found at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2001-09-25/pdf/01-24205.pdf.
Cost Sharing or Matching
Applicants are not required to include funding from other donors. However, applications that include additional in-kind and/or cash contributions from non-U.S. Government sources will be given extra consideration, as cost-sharing demonstrates a strong commitment to the planned activities and greater cost effectiveness.
Cost sharing may be in a certain percentage or amount, or may take the form of contributions of specified items or activities (e.g., provision of equipment).
Eligibility
Eligible applicants: Moldovan non-profit NGOs, American non-profit NGOs which will partner with a Moldovan NGO or will benefit the Moldovan audience, Moldovan public institutions.
Other general criteria:
Organizations should have, or demonstrate the capacity to develop, active partnerships with in-country entities and relevant stakeholders, including the public sector, private sector, and civil society, as relevant to the proposed program objectives.
Organizations may form consortia and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant.
Organizations should not submit multiple grant proposals unless the scope, goal, and substance of the proposals vary significantly.
The U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Section reserves the right to request additional background information on applicants that do not have previous experience administering federal grant awards, and these applicants may be subject to limited funding on a pilot basis.
Please note: The Department of State prohibits profit under its assistance awards to for profit or commercial organizations. No funds will be paid as profit to any recipient. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The permissibility of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR Part 31, Cost Accounting Standards, and Part 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures. Program income earned by the recipient must be deducted from the total project or program allowable cost in determining the net allowable costs on which the federal share of costs is based.
Please note: No entity listed on the Excluded Parties List System in the System for Award Management (SAM) is eligible for any assistance or can participate in any activities under an award in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR Part 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR C.3 Part 1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.”
All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Excluded Parties List System in SAM (www.sam.gov) to ensure that no ineligible entity is included.
The Cultural Small Grants Program cannot fund:
- Individuals
- Commercial organizations.
- Organizations with affiliation to elected officials, political parties, or religious groups;
- Humanitarian or charitable activities, including direct social services to populations;
- Fundraising campaigns;
- Career development activities;
- Political or partisan activities;
- Scientific research;
- Costs for meals and refreshments above 10% of the total funding;
- Staff salaries above 15% of the total funding (including fringe benefits);
- Transatlantic travel; or
- Purchase or lease of land and/or buildings
Click here for APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION
