Grants for Exclusive - see details - Federal

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE U.S. EMBASSY Vienna, Austria, PUBLIC DIPLOMACY SECTION Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Funding Opportunity Title: Austrian-American Partnership Fund Funding Opportunity Number: SAU90024GR0099 Deadline for Applications: 08/31/2024 CFDA Number: 19.040 Public Diplomacy Programs Total Amount Available: $200,000 Maximum for Each Award: $25,000 A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Vienna, Austria, Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Purpose of Small Grants: The Austrian-American Partnership Fund (AAPF) is organized to fund projects advancing collaboration and dialogue and expand cooperation between Austria and the United States. AAPF accepts applications for funding for innovative projects that seek to bring American perspectives to Austria or connect Americans and Austrians in the following priority areas: Reinforcing the role of U.S.-Austrian and transatlantic ties in addressing shared challenges Promoting common democratic values and civic engagement Combating disinformation and building media literacy Addressing climate change together Fostering partnerships between U.S. and Austrian educational institutions Engaging youth around shared values Advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility Guidelines While requests for support typically range between $1,000 and $10,000, the maximum Embassy support is $25,000 total. Cosponsoring from additional funding sources is strongly encouraged. All proposed programs must include a U.S. component (such as the showcasing of an American expert or involvement of a U.S. organization) and aim to increase understanding of U.S. policies and perspectives among audiences within Austria. Primary audience should be non-Americans in Austria. Special consideration will be given to programs that reach youth and/or engage geographically or otherwise diverse communities in Austria. Proposals will also be evaluated based on their anticipated short and long-term impact, and on the ability to reach audiences using both traditional and innovative outreach tools. Submission deadlines and selection procedures Deadlines for submission of project proposals are February 15, May 15, July 15, and November 15. Since the selection process can take up to two months, applicants should plan accordingly. Evaluation Criteria Proposals will be evaluated by the U.S. Embassy Vienna Grants committee, based on feasibility of the project and whether it aligns with the Embassys priorities, the committee will select eligible and qualified applications based on the following criteria: Program areas addressed are aligned with stated priorities. Objectives and expected outcomes are clear. Target audience is identified and aligns with program objectives and outcomes. Detailed budget and timelines included. Budget cannot include budget items for miscellaneous expenses or requests for funding food, alcoholic beverages, or entertainment. Proposal is viable, reasonable, and executable. Compliance with required information and documents. The project clearly states how applicants will amplify outreach with audiences and evaluate and measure outputs and results during the project implementation period by way of quantitative and qualitative assessment tools. Authorizing legislation, type and year of funding: Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt-Act. The source of funding is FY2024 Public Diplomacy Funding. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 1 to 12 months Number of awards anticipated: 10-40 awards (dependent on amounts) Award amounts: awards may range from $1,000 to $25,000 Total available funding: $200,000 Type of Funding: Fiscal Year 2024 Public Diplomacy Funding Anticipated program start date: 2024 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Grant, Fixed Amount Award (FAAs), or Cooperative Agreement. C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION 1.Eligible Applicants We welcome applications from qualified individuals and organizations based in Austria or abroad. Registered non-profit/not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, think tanks, civil society and non-governmental organizations, and associations with programming experience are eligible to apply. Please note that for-profit or commercial entities are not (not) eligible to apply. The following types of programs are not eligible for funding: The AAPF does not sponsor individual requests for scholarships or travel for educational purposes. Applications from organizations and individuals that do not meet the above criteria for eligibility. Projects related to humanitarian or charitable activities, or activities related to party politics. Construction programs. Programs that support specific religious activities. Conferences outside of Austria and personal trips abroad. Lobbying for specific legislation or programs. Commercial projects and activities. Fundraising and fundraising events. Conducting or publishing scientific research. Projects primarily serving the institutional development of the organization applying. 2.Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing is not required. 3.Other Eligibility Requirements In order 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. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1.Address to Request Application Package Application forms required below are available at www.grants.gov. 2.Content and Form of Application Submission Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible. The following documents are required: 1. Mandatory application forms SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance --individuals) at grants.gov SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) at grants.gov SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) at grants.gov 2. Summary Coversheet: Cover sheet stating the applicants name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program. 3. Proposal (3 pages maximum): The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants 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. Please include times and locations of planned events. Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program. Include organization/individual name, address, email address, phone number(s), key personnel involved in project. 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 Austria will be improved? The objectives refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable. Please identify the target audience and how it aligns with program objectives. Program Activities, Methods and Design: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives, 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. Program Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees, as well as co-sponsors. Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful grants. Throughout the time-frame 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? 4. Budget Justification Narrative: After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use a separate file to describe each of the budget expenses in detail. For an evaluation, applicants must submit a detailed and complete project budget including the cost shares borne by co-sponsors and recipients of the grant. The budget statement is logical and sufficiently detailed so that the individual items and how they came about can be traced exactly when the application is examined. Budgets must be calculated in U.S. Dollars. 3. 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. The 2 CFR 200 requires that sub-grantees obtain a UEI number. 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. 4. Submission process The project application, including the SF-424 forms, and any other required information listed above must be submitted via email to [email protected]; applications in hard copy/snail mail will not be accepted. Applications for funding cannot be considered until all required information has been received. Applications and project proposals must be in English. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact [email protected]. E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION 1.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 and record on previous grants: 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 detail about how program activities will be carried out, and a reasonable implementation timeline. Goals and objectives: Goals and objectives are clearly stated. Embassy priorities: Applicant has clearly described how stated goals are related to and support U.S. Embassy Vienna, Austrias priority areas or target audiences. Budget: The budget justification is detailed, reasonable and realistic, and accounts for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities. Monitoring and evaluation plan: 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. 2.Review and Selection Process A Grants Review Committee will evaluate all eligible applications. F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION 1.Federal Award Notices The grant award or cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. 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. 2.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: 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. 3.Reporting Reporting Requirements: The awarding of government grants under the Austrian-American Partnership Fund requires at least a final activity report within 30 days of the completion of the project to be submitted in writing to the Grants Officer. The report(s) should include details about impact on audiences reached, amplification of messages about the project, and any media reporting. G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact PDS at: [email protected] Note: We do not provide any pre-consultation for application related questions that are addressed in the NOFO. Once an application has been submitted, State Department officials and staff may not discuss this competition with applicants until the entire proposal review process is completed. H. OTHER INFORMATION Alcoholic Beverages: Please note that award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.

The International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Kyiv is inviting non-for-profit organizations to submit proposals for programs aimed at providing critical support to Ukraine's law enforcement and criminal justice agencies in their pursuit of investigating, prosecuting and adjudicating war crimes committed by Russian federation and bringing perpetrators of the grave atrocities to accountability. This may include providing expert and mentoring assistance to prosecutors and investigators of Ukraine, offering specialized training modules to enhance their skills in handling complex cases, conducting activities aimed at advancing the rule of law and fair trial in the newly de-occupied territories and increasing societys awareness about adjudication of the war criminals. The initiative also seeks to foster international cooperation by facilitating partnerships with relevant agencies and organizations, encouraging the exchange of best practices and collaborative strategies in the pursuit of justice. Additionally, the program also seeks assistance in documenting efforts, employing cutting-edge open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques and IT solutions to gather and analyze information crucial for building strong legal cases. Through these comprehensive activities, the program aims to fortify Ukraine's legal infrastructure, empowering its authorities to pursue accountability for war crimes and uphold the principles of international humanitarian law. All programs should be drafted in close coordination with respective GOU stakeholders.

To support research complementary to USGS program efforts in classification of the public lands and examination of the geological structure, water, mineral, and biological resources, and products of the national domain. This entry covers a variety of USGS assistance awards not covered by any other CFDA program entries. Awards are typically supported by funding from internal projects and programs, and funds are not separately budgeted or reserved for external projects or proposals under this entry.

The FDA seeks an application to continue to maintain, manage existing consortia groups convened and established by the Critical Path Institute. This is a renewal of the cooperative agreement #5U18FD005320 as part of the Critical Path Initiative. This is in support of Critical Path Initiative introduced in Section 566 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This includes developing innovative, collaborative projects in research, education, and outreach for fostering drug product innovation, enabling the acceleration of development, manufacturing, and translational therapeutics, enhancing safety, efficacy, quality, and performance. This funding opportunity will provide support, depending on availability of FDA funding.

The Long Term Resource Monitoring (LTRM) Element Cooperative Agreement Program.LTRM is the monitoring and research element of the UMRR Program. Overall guidance, funding, and UMRR program responsibility is provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides the scientific leadership for LTRM and the long term monitoring and research within LTRM is implemented in collaboration with the five Upper Mississippi River System states (Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin). A directive outlining the mode of operation and the respective roles of each agency is embodied in a 1988 Memorandum of Agreement. The authority to enter into a cooperative agreement is stipulated in the Water Resources Development Act of 1986. Congress recognized the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS) as both a nationally significant ecosystem and a nationally significant commercial navigation system. The Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) is the USGS facility which administers the LTRM element of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Upper Mississippi River Restoration program (UMRR). Five Upper Mississippi River System states which house six state-operated field stations provide data collection for water quality, sediment, fish, vegetation, and invertebrates, and land cover/use, and participate in numerous research projects based on these data. This work directly addresses the Secretarial Priority of working to restore and conserve at least 30% of our lands and waters by 2030.\This program announcement, with its support of UMRR, contributes to science that will enhance and inform the implementation of the Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Project element (HREP) of the UMRR. The UMRR HREP element provides substantial economic benefit to local and regional economies bordering the Mississippi River by increasing consumptive and nonconsumptive recreational opportunities. Research and information developed through this agreement will inform HREP planning, thereby indirectly supporting the Secretarial Priority of Advancing President Bidens Investing in America agenda by providing the sound science on which local and regional managers depend.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to states, local governments, and Tribal entities to reduce flood risks and enhance resilience in communities affected by flooding, particularly those participating in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Purpose of Public Diplomacy Grants: The PDS invites proposals for programs that strengthen ties between the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic and support a priority program area (see below) in order to highlight shared values and promote bilateral cooperation. All proposed programs must include an American element, either through a connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s, usage of American educational/informational resources, or any other activities that promote or contribute to increased mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of the Kyrgyz Republic. Competitive proposals will promote continued/sustainable cooperation between the people of the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic even after the project concludes.Special consideration will be given to proposals which include partnership with Kyrgyz governmental bodies, and to organizations that have a demonstrated track record of implementing these types of partnerships.PDS invites proposals for programs that support one of the following U.S. Embassy priority program areas:Sustainable Economic GrowthAccountable Governance and StabilityEnglish Language ProgrammingClimate Change Resilience and Environmental ProtectionCombating Transnational Threats.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania is publishing this Request for Information (RFI) to obtain information and inputs from all capable and interested entities for the anticipated USAID Malaria Vector Control Activity designed to identify and implement proven, evidence-based vector control approaches in Tanzania, in support of reducing the overall malaria burden, and moving Tanzania closer to malaria elimination. The purpose of the activity is to identify and implement proven, evidence-based vector control approaches in Tanzania, in support of reducing the overall malaria burden, and moving Tanzania closer to malaria elimination. This activity does not include implementation of indoor residual spraying (IRS) or larval source management. The activity has three primary components: (1) Insecticide-treated mosquito net (ITN) distribution, (2) Social and behavior change (SBC) for ITN use and other vector control interventions, and (3) Entomology Monitoring, and use of data to provide quality technical expertise to the Government of Tanzania and malaria partners on technical guidance concerning new developments in vector control, and as appropriate, develop plans for implementation of modified or new vector control approaches in Tanzania.

The United States Agency for International Development, Regional Development Mission for Asia (RDMA) is gathering information for the anticipated Resilience of Ethnic Tibetans (ResET) Activity. The purpose of this forecasted Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and Request for Information is to: Share the eligibility information for prospective Applicant(s). Request for feedback on the draft Activity Description. Request for feedback on cost share. Confirm interest from organizations in submitting the application. PRE-APPLICATION NOTICE Share the eligibility information for prospective Applicant(s) interested in submitting an application in response to the ResET activity Notice of Funding Opportunity. Eligibility will be restricted to Applicants who meet the requirements found in the Consolidated Appropriation Act 2023, which are: This funding opportunity is restricted to nongovernmental organizations with experience working with Tibetan communities to support activities which preserve cultural traditions and promote sustainable development, education, and environmental conservation in Tibetan communities in the Tibet Autonomous Region and in other Tibetan communities in China. Organizations eligible to apply under this NOFO include, but are not necessarily limited to, U.S. and non-U.S. non-profit or for-profit non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private voluntary organizations, foundations, colleges and universities, civic groups, faith-based and community institutions, private businesses and associations, regional organizations, philanthropic organizations, and advocacy groups. For-profit applicants should note that USAID policy prohibits the payment of fee/profit to the prime Recipient under grants and cooperative agreements. The Applicant will be required to submit evidence of such prior experience (as prime Contractor/Recipient or subcontractor/subawardee) as part of the application. For example, the contract or agreement number with a short description of the activity and donors information, the relevant project information, the organizations legal status in China, etc. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION 2. Offer the opportunity for the interested organization(s) to provide feedback on the draft Activity Description as detailed in Attachment A of this document. 3. Request feedback on the appropriate cost share contribution from the Recipient of the ResET activity in accordance with ADS 303.3.10.1 Cost Share Determination and 2 CFR 200.306. Please provide answers on the following questions: Is cost share contribution appropriate for this type of activity? Why and why not? If so, what is the realistic amount of the cost share? 4. Request for response whether your organization is interested in submitting an application in response to the Notice of Funding Opportunity expected to be posted in Grants.gov in approximately December 2023 January 2024. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING RESPONSES/COMMENTS: Please send all responses to this forecasted NOFO/RFI via email to Suthicha Chussananalin, Acquisition and Assistance Specialist, at [email protected] with a copy to Deborah Rakowski, Regional Agreement Officer, at [email protected] by the date and time indicated above with the title RFI no. 72048624RFI00001, Resilience of Ethnic Tibetans (ResET) Activity. Responses to this forecasted NOFO/RFI are voluntary and respondents are welcome to address any or all of the items listed above as well as provide any additional relevant information. You will only receive an electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt of your response but will not receive individualized feedback on any suggestions. No basis for claims against the U.S. Government shall arise as a result of a response to this request for information or from the Governments use of such information. Specific questions about this RFI should be directed only to the email addresses identified above. The submitted response should include the following information: Reference Number: RFI no. 72048624RFI00001, Resilience of Ethnic Tibetans (ResET) Activity Date: Name/Position: Affiliation/Organization: Email Address: Please note that issuance of this forecasted NOFO/RFI does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the US Government, nor does it commit the Government to pay for any costs incurred in the preparation of the response. Thank you for your assistance and interest in the USAID program. Sincerely, /s/ Deborah Rakowski Regional Agreement Officer Attachment A: Draft Activity Description

The "Enhancing Biomedical Engineering, Imaging, and Technology Acceleration (BEITA) at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)" grant aims to develop and improve biomedical engineering departments, technology centers, and academic programs at HBCUs, with a focus on supporting research, education, faculty recruitment, curriculum development, and innovation programs.

The Cooperative Research Units (CRU) Program is a unique collaborative relationship between States, Universities, the Federal government and a non-profit organization. The program is comprised of 440 states. Since the original nine Units were established in the 1930s, additional Units were established by Congress at specified universities. The 41 units in the program are jointly supported by the US Geological Survey, Host Universities, State Natural Resource Agencies, Wildlife Management Institute, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

To support research complementary to USGS program efforts in classification of the public lands and examination of the geological structure, water, mineral, and biological resources, and products of the national domain. As required by Section 70914 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), P.L. 117-58, on or after May 14, 2022, none of the funds under a federal award that are part of Federal financial assistance program for infrastructure may be obligated for a project unless all of the iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in the project are produced in the United States, unless subject to an approved waiver. The requirements of this section must be included in all subawards, including all contracts and purchase orders for work or products under this program.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations and educational institutions in engaging young people and veterans in conservation projects across national parks, promoting job skills and environmental stewardship.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local water agencies for large-scale water recycling projects that aim to create sustainable and drought-resistant water supplies in the Western United States.

The Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) awards Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB) to recent recipients of the doctoral degree for research and training inselectedareas supported by BIO and with special goals for human resource development in biology. For proposals under this solicitation, these areas are(1) Broadening Participation of Groups Underrepresented in Biology, (2) Integrative Research Investigating the Rules of Life Governing Interactions Between Genomes, Environment and Phenotypes, and (3) Plant Genome Postdoctoral Research Fellowships. The fellowships encourage independence at an early stage of the research career to permit Fellows to pursue their research and training goals in the most appropriate research locations in collaboration with sponsoring scientists. It is expected that the sponsoring scientists will actively mentor the Fellows and will greatly benefit from collaborating with these talented early-career scientists and incorporating them into their research groups. The research and training plan of each fellowship must address important scientific questions within the scope of BIO and the specific guidelines in this fellowship program solicitation. Because the fellowships are offered to postdoctoral scientists only early in their careers, NSF encourages doctoral students to discuss the availability of these postdoctoral fellowships with their doctoral mentors and potential postdoctoral sponsors early in their doctoral programs to take full advantage of this funding opportunity. Fellowships are awards to individuals, not institutions, and are administered by the Fellows.

The U.S Agency for International Development Mission in Burma (USAID/Burma) is in the process of designing a new activity to strengthen the foundational literacy, numeracy, livelihoods, and life skills of targeted vulnerable youth in Burma, enabling them to become positive change agents as individuals, within their families and communities, and to the benefit of the larger society. Subject to availability of funds, it is anticipated that this activity, entitled All Youth Learning, will be implemented over a period of five years. To that end, USAID is seeking information about the interests and capabilities of potential implementers and sector information responding to a set of specific questions in this Request for Information (RFI) to inform the design.

The multi-agency Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases program supports research on the ecological, evolutionary, organismal, and social drivers that influence the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases. The central theme of submitted projects must be the quantitative, mathematical, or computational understanding of pathogen transmission dynamics. The intent is discovery of principles of infectious disease (re)emergence and transmission and testing mathematical or computational models that elucidate infectious disease systems. Projects should be broad, interdisciplinary efforts that go beyond the scope of typical studies. They should focus on the determinants and interactions of (re)emergence and transmission among any host species, including but not limited to humans, non-human animals, and/or plants. This includes, for example, the spread of pathogens; the influence of environmental factors such as climate; the population dynamics and genetics of vectors and reservoir species or hosts; how the physiology or behavior of the pathogen, vector, or host species biology affects transmission dynamics; the feedback between ecological transmission and evolutionary dynamics; and the cultural, social, behavioral, and economic dimensions of pathogen transmission and disease. Research may be on zoonotic, environmentally-borne, vector-borne, enteric, or respiratory pathogens of either terrestrial, aquatic, or marine systems and organisms, including diseases of animals and plants, at any scale from specific pathogens to inclusive environmental systems. Proposals for research on disease systems of public health concern toLow- or Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) are strongly encouraged, as are disease systems of concern in agricultural systems. Investigators are encouraged to develop the appropriate multidisciplinary team, including for example, anthropologists, modelers, ecologists, bioinformaticians, genomics researchers, social scientists, economists, oceanographers, mathematical scientists, behaviorists, epidemiologists, evolutionary biologists, entomologists, immunologists, parasitologists, microbiologists, bacteriologists, virologists, pathologists or veterinarians, with the goal of integrating knowledge across disciplines to enhance our ability to predict and control infectious diseases.

This announcement is modified. Under section Step 4 Criteria: Bonus Points Project located in a geographically underserved community, both the state of Mississippi and Idaho were listed in error as not having an active CED job creation project. After further review, it is acknowledged that the states of Mississippi and Idaho have an active CED project located in those states; therefore, those states are removed from the bonus points list. Applicants who submit applications from those states will not be considered for the additional points based on State or territory without an active CED grant. However, they can be considered for bonus points under being persistent poverty county or Native American community. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS) will solicit applications to award approximately $15.2 million in Community Economic Development (CED) discretionary award funds to Community Development Corporations (CDC) for well-planned, financially viable, and innovative projects to enhance job creation and business development for individuals with low income. CED awards will be made as part of a broader strategy to address objectives such as decreasing dependency on federal programs, chronic unemployment, and community deterioration in urban and rural areas. CED projects are expected to actively recruit individuals with low income to fill the positions created by CED-funded development activities, to assist those individuals in successfully maintaining employment, and to ensure that the businesses and jobs created remain viable for at least one year after the award project period. CED projects can be non-construction or construction projects, however, short-term construction jobs associated with preparing for business startup or expansion are not counted when determining the number of jobs created under the CED program as those jobs are temporary in nature. OCS encourages applicants to target rural and underserved areas in states with current projects.

This is a Notice of Intent only. The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), intends to award a Cooperative Agreement to the International Labor Organization for a global project to generate and mobilize knowledge for the elimination of child labor and forced labor. The project will conduct research activities, improve research methods, strengthen research capacity, and make research results more actionable for policy makers. Authority: DLMS 2-836 G.3: Services are available from only one responsible source and no substitute will suffice; or the recipient has unique qualifications to perform the type of activity to be funded.

The National Quantum Initiative (NQI) Act1 aims to ensure the continuing leadership of the United States (U.S.) in quantum information science and technology. In conformance with the NQI goals, an argument2-5 was set forth for a renewed emphasis on identifying and fostering early adoption of quantum technologies to transform the field of Quantum Information Science and Engineering (QISE) and to accelerate broader impacts on society. A systematic approach to maturing quantum technology platforms by integrating end-users and potential customers from other fields of science and engineering and other sectors of the economy into cycles of research, development, and demonstration should result in lowering the barriers for end-users to pioneer new applications. NSF support for use-inspired and translational research in QISE, combined with its existing strength in support of the underlying foundational research, is anticipated to accelerate development of a market for quantum technologies. With this program solicitation, the Foundation is introducing the National Quantum Virtual Laboratory (NQVL) concept as an overarching shared infrastructure designed to facilitate the translation from basic science and engineering to the resultant technology, while at the same time emphasizing and advancing its scientific and technical value. The NQVL aims to develop and utilize use-inspired and application-oriented quantum technologies. In the process, NQVL researchers will explore quantum frontiers6, foster QISE workforce education and training, engage in outreach activities at all levels, and promote broadening participation, diversity, equity, and inclusion in QISE, thereby lowering barriers at all entry points of the research enterprise. The engagement of the entire United States (U.S.) QISE community will be necessary for this initiative to succeed, and, indeed, the project is designed to include participation from a full spectrum of organizations who have expertise to contribute. In particular, NSF recognizes that the involvement of industry partners is essential and will welcome these to be a part of the overall structure. Partnerships with other U.S. Federal agencies under the NQI umbrella are also encouraged. This solicitation lays out a vision for the entire NQVL program that includes Quantum Science and Technology Demonstration (QSTD) projects, support for enabling technologies through Transformative Advances in Quantum Systems (TAQS), as well as a central coordination hub. Proposals for Pilot phase QSTDs are solicited at this time. It is required that prospective PIs contact the NQVL Program Officer(s) as soon as possible, but not later than two weeks before submitting a proposal in response to this solicitation, to ascertain that the focus and budget of their proposal is appropriate for this solicitation. H.R.6227 - National Quantum Initiative Act, https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/6227 Accelerating Progress Towards Practical Quantum Advantage, A National Science Foundation Project Scoping Workshop (2022), https://arxiv.org/abs/2210.14757 Quantum Computer Systems for Scientific Discovery, PRX Quantum 2, 017001 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1103/PRXQuantum.2.017001 Development of Quantum InterConnects for Next-Generation Information Technologies, PRX Quantum 2, 017002 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1103/PRXQuantum.2.017002 Quantum Simulators: Architectures and Opportunities, PRX Quantum 2, 017003 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1103/PRXQuantum.2.017003 Quantum Frontiers: Report on Community Input to the Nation's Strategy for Quantum Information Science, https://www.quantum.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/QuantumFrontiers.pdf