U.S. Mission in Morocco - APS

Funding Opportunity Title: U.S. Mission in Morocco - APS Funding Opportunity Number: PAS-MOROCCO-FY24-03 CFDA Number: 19.040 Public Diplomacy Programs Deadline for Applications: Friday May 31, 2024 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. This announcement outlines funding priorities, key strategic themes, and the new procedure for submitting a proposal for the Missions 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 Diplomacys primary audiences include non-governmental organizations (NGOs), 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. U.S. 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 Moroccos emerging leaders to the American people. We fund projects that: Promote entrepreneurship and economic inclusion. Promote engagement between local government and Moroccan NGOs/Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). Are oriented towards climate change mitigation. All projects should have a direct connection to community engagement and a diversity and inclusion component. 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. 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 rounds: 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, Organization information form, and a Budget Summary Estimate must be submitted together electronically in English, via e-mail, to: Rabatgrants@state.gov, by Friday May 31, 2024 (Subject: APS 2024 Grants Competition). Please use the templates below: 1- Concept Paper template 2- Budget Summary Template 3- Applicant Organizational Information form An organization or individual may submit only one application during the three -month open-application period. All applicants will receive confirmation of received proposals. Proposals will only be considered for review if accompanied by a budget summary estimate and the organizational information form. Technical Eligibility Requirements All organizations applying for grants must have a Non-Profit status and obtain the free registration below. Information about obtaining SAM.gov registration is available under the Additional Resources box on our website. SAM.gov registration Phase II Submission If your project is selected for Phase II submission, you will be notified by Monday July 01, 2024, and asked to submit the full proposal and additional forms by Monday August 05, 2024. The additional forms will be provided to you. Following the Phase II Submission, you will be notified by September 15, 2024, of your grant status. E. APPLICATION REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS 1. 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. 2. Acknowledgement of receipt. Applicants will receive acknowledgment of receipt of their proposal. 3. 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 U.S. Missions strategic goals. Proposals that are the best fit will be given additional consideration. 4. 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 1. Organization history and mission, leadership initiatives, and prior grant history. 2. Project Description should include the length of project. 3. Description of activities to achieve goals and objectives and how they will help to achieve impact. 4. American Connection to increase understanding of U.S. policies and perspectives. 5. Monitoring and Evaluation indicates how project success will be monitored. 6. 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 and do not plan any activity before January 2025. 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. 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.