U.S. Embassy in Liberia

The U.S. Embassy does not accept unsolicited funding proposals.  All Embassy funding is in response to open, publicly competed funding opportunities.  Current opportunities are listed below.

Annual Program Statement

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
U.S. EMBASSY MONROVIA, PUBLIC DIPLOMACY SECTION
Notice of Funding Opportunity

 

Funding Opportunity Title:    U.S. Embassy Monrovia PDS Annual Program Statement
Funding Opportunity Number:         PAS-MON-FY23-01
Deadline for Applications:                      April 30, 2023
CFDA Number:                                    19.040 – Public Diplomacy Programs
Maximum for Each Award:    $24,999, subject to funds availability

1. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
   

The U.S. Embassy Monrovia Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce the Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program.  This Annual Program Statement outlines our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding.  Please carefully follow all instructions below.

PDAS Monrovia is soliciting proposals from Liberian non-profit institutions, non-governmental organizations, or non-profit private or public academic institutions for funding to support programs that strengthen U.S.-Liberian ties.  These proposals must focus on one or more of the priority areas specified below.

Purpose of Small Grants 

PDS Monrovia invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Liberia through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation.  All programs must include 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.  policy and perspectives.

Examples of PDS Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to:

• Academic and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs
• Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions
• Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs
• Professional and academic exchanges and programs
• Programs developed by alumni of a U.S. Government-sponsored educational or professional exchange program
• Programs that expand PDS American Spaces activities
• Roundtables, panels, and workshops
• Media training
• Election reporting training for community radio journalists in rural Liberia.
• Training editors and talk show hosts on countering disinformation and propaganda.
• Training social media content creators on posting accurate information.

Priority Program Areas

Effective rule of law and human rights protections

Program topic examples:

• Voter education and supporting free, fair, and peaceful elections
• leading anti-corruption efforts
• increasing access to justice
• improving community dispute resolution mechanisms
• reducing sexual- and gender-based violence
• increasing transparency in the public sector
• promoting democratic values and governance
• professionalization of media
• increasing media literacy
• encouraging volunteerism
• improving citizen engagement

Inclusive economic development and mutually beneficial trade and investment

Program topic examples:

• promoting entrepreneurship
• enabling an investment environment
• encouraging sustainable development
• increasing expertise for SME business owners

Human development

Program topic examples:

• increasing access to education for all
• improving reading and math comprehension among youth
• creating opportunities for teacher training
• creating opportunities for academic exchange
• developing leadership and life skills

Participants and Audiences

Programs may target a variety of audiences, depending on the topic, though generally PDS Monrovia’s intended participants and target audiences are emerging leaders in high schools and university as well as government, business, and civil society professionals in Liberia.  Proposals will be evaluated on a well-reasoned strategy for the intended audience, as well as appropriate inclusivity, whether based on gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, or disability.

The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:

• Programs relating to partisan political activity
• Charitable or development activities
• Construction programs
• Programs that support specific religious activities
• Fundraising campaigns
• Lobbying for specific legislation or programs
• Scientific research
• Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization
• Programs that duplicate existing programs

Authorizing legislation, type, and year of funding

Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt and Fulbright-Hayes Acts.  The source of funding is FY2023 Public Diplomacy Funding.

1. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION
   

Length of performance period:  1 – 12 months

Number of awards anticipated:  Up to 5 awards (dependent on amounts)

Award amounts:  Awards may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $24,999.  Applications are encouraged to include sub-grants that develop the capacity of local implementing partners who have not previously directly benefitted from U.S. Embassy grant programs.  The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy reserves the right to award less or more than the amount of funds requested in each application or under such other circumstances as they may deem to be in the best interest of the U.S. government.

Total available funding: $24,999

Type of Funding:  Fiscal Year 2023 Public Diplomacy Funding

Anticipated program start date:  On or before September 30, 2023

This notice is subject to availability of funding and can be withdrawn at the discretion of the U.S. Embassy Monrovia.

Funding Instrument Type: Grant, Fixed Amount Award (FAAs), or Cooperative Agreement.

Program Performance Period:  Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less.

Optional:  PAS 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.

1. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

Eligible Applicants

PDS Monrovia encourages applications from the United States and Liberia, although all activities must take place in Liberia:

• Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience
• Individuals, including alumni of U.S. Department of State exchange programs
• Non-profit or governmental educational institutions
• Non-profit media organizations
• Professional trade organizations

For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.  

Cost-Sharing or Matching

Cost-sharing is not required.

Other Eligibility Requirements

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.

To be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

1. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Address to Request Application Package

Application forms required below are available at www.grants.gov.

Content and Form of Application Submission

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 pages are numbered
• All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper, and
• All documents are single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

The following documents are required:

Mandatory application forms

• SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance –individuals) at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html.

SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)

SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs)

These forms can be found at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html.

Summary Coversheet

Cover sheet stating the applicant’s name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program.

Proposal

(7 pages maximum) The proposal should contain sufficient information such that non-specialists can understand exactly what the applicant intends 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 or Individual applying: 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.
• Problem Statement: Clear, concise, and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed
• Program Goals and Objectives: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve.  What aspect of the relationship between the U.S. and Liberia will be improved?  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.
• Proposed Program Schedule: 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 timeframe 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

After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use a separate sheet of paper to describe each of the budget expenses in detail.  See section H. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information.

Attachments (suggested examples)

• 1-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program
• Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner
• Official permission letters, if required for program activities

Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

Required Registrations:

All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration with the SAM.gov. A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards.

Note:  As of April 2022, a DUNS number is no longer required for federal assistance applications.

The 2 CFR 200 requires that sub-grantees obtain a UEI number.  Please note the UEI for sub-grantees is not required at the time of application but will be required before an award is processed and/or directed to a sub-grantee.

 Note:  The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks.  Please begin your registration as early as possible.

1. Organizations based in the United States or that pay employees within the United States will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and a UEI number prior to registering in SAM.gov.
2. Organizations based outside of the United States and that do not pay employees within the United States do not need an EIN from the IRS but do need a UEI number prior to registering in SAM.gov.
3. Please note that as of November 2022 and February 2022 respectively, organizations based outside of the United States that do not intend to apply for U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awards are no longer required to have a NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) code or CAGE code to apply for non-DoD foreign assistance funding opportunities. If an applicant organization is mid-registration and wishes to remove a CAGE or NCAGE code from their SAM.gov registration, the applicant should submit a help desk ticket (“incident”) with the Federal Service Desk (FSD) online at fsd.gov using the following language: “I do not intend to seek financial assistance from the Department of Defense. I do not wish to obtain a CAGE or NCAGE code. I understand that I will need to submit my registration after this incident is resolved in order to have my registration activated.”

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO NOT plan to do business with the DoD should follow the below instructions:

Step 1:  Proceed to SAM.gov to obtain a UEI and complete the SAM.gov registration process.  SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually.

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO plan to do business with the DoD in addition to Department of State should follow the below instructions:

Step 1:  Apply for an NCAGE code by following the instructions on the NSPA NATO website linked below:

NCAGE Homepage:

https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/sc/CageList.aspx

NCAGE Code Request Tool (NCRT):

Exemptions

An exemption from the UEI and sam.gov registration requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis if:

• An applicant’s identity must be protected due to potential endangerment of their mission, their organization’s status, their employees, or individuals being served by the applicant.
• For an applicant, if the Federal awarding agency makes a determination that there are exigent circumstances that prohibit the applicant from receiving a unique entity identifier and completing SAM registration prior to receiving a Federal award. In these instances, Federal awarding agencies must require the recipient to obtain a unique entity identifier and complete SAM registration within 30 days of the Federal award date.

Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or SAM.gov requirements must email the point of contact listed in the NOFO at least two weeks prior to the deadline in the NOFO providing a justification of their request. Approval for a SAM.gov exemption must come from the warranted Grants Officer before the application can be deemed eligible for review.

Submission Dates and Times

The Public Diplomacy Section will accept proposals throughout the year and will review proposals according to the following schedule:

• Proposals received between March 1 and April 30 will be reviewed by May 31, with responses going out by June 16

All application materials must be submitted by email to MonroviaPD@state.gov.

1. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Criteria

Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below.  The criteria listed are closely related and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application.

Organizational capacity:  The organization has expertise in its stated field and PDS is confident of its ability to undertake the program.  This includes a financial management system and a bank account.

Quality and feasibility of the program idea:  The program idea is well developed with details about how program activities will be carried out.  The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline.

Goals and objectives:  Goals and objectives are clearly stated, and the program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.

Embassy priorities:  Applicant has clearly described how stated goals are related to and support U.S. Embassy Monrovia’s priority areas or target audiences.

Budget:  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:  Applicant demonstrates it can 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 those will be measured.

Sustainability:  Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program.

Review and Selection Process

A Grants Review Committee will evaluate all eligible applications.

FAPIIS

For any Federal award under a notice of funding opportunity, if the Federal awarding agency anticipates that the total Federal share will be greater than the simplified acquisition threshold on any Federal award under a notice of funding opportunity may include, over the period of performance (see §200.01 Simplified Acquisition Threshold), this section must also inform applicants:

1. That the Federal awarding agency, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313);
2. That an applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM;

• That the Federal awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in §200.205 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.

1. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

Federal Award Notices

The grant award or 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:  Payments will be made in at least two installments, as needed to carry out the program activities.

Organizations whose applications will not be funded will also be notified via email.

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 the 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.state.gov/about-us-office-of-the-procurement-executive/.  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.

1. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact PDS Monrovia at MonroviaPD@state.gov.

Note:  We do not provide any pre-consultation for application related questions that are addressed in the notice of funding opportunity.  Once an application has been submitted, State Department officials and staff — both in the Department and at embassies overseas — may not discuss this competition with applicants until the entire proposal review process is completed.

1. 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 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.