Advancing Secure Digital Connectivity in Paraguay

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Office of Policy Planning and Coordination (WHA/PPC), has announced a new cooperative agreement funding opportunity titled "Advancing Secure Digital Connectivity in Paraguay" (Funding Opportunity Number: OFOP0002130). This opportunity is funded by FY24 Economic Support Funds and authorized under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended. The Department intends to make one award of up to $6,000,000, with the project expected to begin on September 30, 2025, and last for 54 months. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. EST on August 6, 2025. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, and individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible to apply. This initiative seeks to strengthen Paraguay’s digital infrastructure by expanding internet connectivity in rural regions, bolstering institutional capacity to maintain digital access systems, and improving digital literacy. The program supports up to 3,600 new internet access points across the country using secure, trusted vendor equipment, selected in collaboration with Paraguay’s Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (MITIC) and the National Telecommunications Commission (CONATEL). In addition to infrastructure, the program aims to train public institutions to manage connectivity systems post-award and to deliver digital literacy education to local communities. The grantee is required to create an institutionalization plan with MITIC for long-term monitoring, servicing, and sustainability. The selected grantee will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Paraguay to formalize technical cooperation. Coordination with U.S. Embassy Asuncion is mandatory for significant project modifications, including budget reallocations and changes to key personnel. The awardee will also lead public awareness campaigns reaching up to 100,000 individuals and conduct 200 "training of trainers" sessions in rural communities by September 2027. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, Paraguayan-based NGOs, overseas-based NGOs with similar status under Paraguayan law or other applicable jurisdiction, institutions of higher education, and public international organizations (PIOs). Paraguayan NGOs are particularly encouraged to apply. Only one application per organization is permitted. Applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and be registered in SAM.gov to be eligible. Applications must follow the detailed instructions provided in the NOFO and include required components such as the SF-424 forms, project narrative, budget narrative, performance monitoring plan, timeline, and resumes or bios for key personnel. The evaluation process will consider project design, feasibility, organizational capacity, cost-effectiveness, monitoring and evaluation plans, and long-term sustainability. All required documents must be uploaded to Grants.gov before the deadline. Technical assistance for submission issues is available through the Grants.gov Helpdesk (1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov). Content-related questions must be submitted by July 18, 2025. Queries should be emailed to AsuncionEmbassyGrants@state.gov with the subject “Advancing Secure Digital Connectivity in Paraguay.” Questions and their responses will be posted to the NOFO page. The Department reserves the right to fund any, all, or none of the submitted applications.

Ensure all SF forms are accurately completed. Submit all required components in the correct format, observe file limits, and avoid last-minute submissions due to Grants.gov processing issues.