Notice of Funding Opportunity
ALUMNI SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM
U.S. Department of State
Embassy of the United States of America in Chisinau
Opportunity Title: ALUMNI SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM
Opportunity Number: PAS-CHISINAU-FY19-03-OUTREACH
CFDA Number: 19.900
CFDA Title: AEECA PD Programs
Program: Alumni Program (AEECA)
Announcement Type: Open Competition
Announcement Date: Friday, February 15, 2019
Submission Deadline: Friday, March 29, 2019
Anticipated Award Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Agency Contact: Andrei Cusnir, CusnirAM@state.gov
Program Description
The Alumni Small Grants program supports alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs in implementing best practices and experiences gained during their U.S. exchange program. Ranging from professional to community development, these are a wide range of programs that contribute to mutual understanding between U.S. and Moldovan citizens. Alumni small grants generally range from $5,000-$20,000.
Objectives:
Grant proposals must support projects that address a tangible need in a community and have measurable outcomes. Extra consideration will be given to projects that address the current needs of rural communities and projects implemented by groups of alumni of at least two different U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs.
The themes for the competition are:
- Supporting Independent Voices in Media and Arts
- Entrepreneurship and Economic Competitiveness
- American Values
- Accountable Governance
Applicants are encouraged to develop partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including the public and/or private sector as well as local organizations, where applicable. All proposals must include an evidence-based description of: (i) the problem the applicant seeks to address; (ii) the implementation context, including any relevant details and the target beneficiaries of the project; and (iii) the project’s theory of change, i.e., how the proposed project will achieve the program objectives.
Strong proposals will also define how their programs are innovative, which could include one or more of the following elements:
- Demonstrates strong potential for sustainability and positive impact regardless of future funding or lack thereof.
- Presents a new model or a creative way of scaling and building upon successful approaches;
- Responds to a current challenge;
- Organizes alumni in a novel way that allows them to make a measurable change;
- Involves people from underserved communities or groups in activities that relate to American values.
In identifying the specific target populations, proposals must demonstrate a commitment towards the support and inclusion of marginalized communities (including disability status, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, whether they live in a rural or urban setting, etc.).
It is encouraged to plan at least one activity from your project at the America House from Chisinau or at an American Corner in Balti, Ceadir Lunga, Tiraspol, or Ungheni. These spaces offers excellent resources for alumni to engage with their own audiences. For more information visit the America House website at www.americahouse.md
Award Information
Funding Instrument Type: Grants or Fixed Amount Awards
Funding per grant: up to $20,000
Expected number of awards: 5-10
Expected award date is April 15, 2019.
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 24 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
Eligibility is limited to Moldovan non-profit organizations where at least one alumnus or alumna of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs, who are citizens or residents of the Republic of Moldova play a leading role in project implementation.
Organizations without Moldovan registration can apply only as partners through an eligible organization.
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 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 Alumni Small Grants Program cannot fund:
- Individuals
- 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
