Administrative Programmatic Support, American Corner Jaffna

The U.S. Embassy in Colombo’s Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), under the U.S. Department of State, is offering a cooperative agreement grant to provide both administrative and programmatic support for American Corner Jaffna (ACJ) in Sri Lanka. This opportunity falls within the Public Diplomacy Grants Program aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between the United States and Sri Lanka. The grant seeks a single grantee to manage both award components over a performance period of 24 to 30 months, beginning January 1, 2026. The total funding available is $150,000, divided between two cooperative agreements, with each award ranging from $15,000 to approximately $100,000. The funding source includes FY25 Public Diplomacy (PD) funds and FY25 American Spaces Support Funds from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). The grant’s primary objective is to identify a host institution for American Corner Jaffna that can facilitate a comprehensive program supporting English language proficiency, cultural exchange, leadership development, and increased understanding of U.S. policies and culture. Applicants must be not-for-profit organizations, civil society groups, think tanks, or public/private educational institutions that are registered in Sri Lanka. For-profit entities, international organizations, government entities, and individuals are ineligible. Only one application per organization is allowed, and cost sharing is not required, though encouraged. The funding will be delivered through cooperative agreements, entailing substantial involvement from PDS, which includes approving programming content, selecting key personnel, and overseeing activities. The selected grantee will manage human resources, maintain the venue and equipment, and ensure consistent program delivery. Specific expectations include organizing 12 to 16 unique programs per month, maintaining updated IT infrastructure, providing logistical support during utility outages, submitting regular performance and expenditure reports, and adhering to monitoring and evaluation requirements. Applications must be submitted by July 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Colombo Time, to colombopdgrants@state.gov, and must include all required documents: SF-424 and SF-424A forms, a 12-page proposal, a detailed line-item budget and justification, key personnel resumes, letters of support from program partners, proof of nonprofit status and registration, and potentially a NICRA if indirect costs are claimed. Questions about the grant must be submitted by June 13, 2025, and answers will be publicly posted on June 17, 2025, at www.lk.usembassy.gov. Proposals will be evaluated based on program idea quality (40 points), organizational capacity (25 points), monitoring and evaluation plan (20 points), and budget narrative (15 points). Successful applicants must meet federal regulations outlined in 2 CFR parts 200, 600, and others, and will be required to submit quarterly narrative and financial reports. The grant excludes support for construction, direct social services, lobbying, or religious activities. This opportunity emphasizes youth between ages 17 and 35 and aims to promote American values, leadership, democratic ideals, and regional stability in Sri Lanka.

Use the provided templates for PMP and budget for best results; include all documentation as listed to avoid disqualification; clearly define roles of sub-contractors if used.