Grants for Small businesses - Federal

This funding opportunity provides financial support to small businesses for projects that strengthen U.S.-African Union relations through cultural exchange, economic cooperation, and shared values.

The DoD Reconstructive Transplant Research Investigator-Initiated Research Award is a funding opportunity aimed at supporting innovative and impactful research projects that contribute to reconstructive transplant science, improve patient care, and enhance the quality of life, with a particular focus on addressing the healthcare needs of military service members, veterans, and their families.

Proposers must retrieve the instructions document (zip file) associated with the application package for this opportunity as there is at least one required form that must be attached to the submitted proposal package. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) released its annual omnibus Research Announcement (NRA), Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2024 (OMB Approval Number 2700-0092, CFDA Number 43.001) on February 14, 2024. In this case "omnibus" means that this NRA has many individual program elements, each with its own due dates and topics. All together these cover the wide range of basic and applied supporting research and technology in space and Earth sciences supported by SMD. Awards will be made as grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers, depending on the nature of the work proposed, the proposing organization, and/or program requirements. However, most extramural research awards deriving from ROSES will be grants, and many program elements of ROSES specifically exclude contracts, because contracts would not be appropriate for the nature of the work solicited. The typical period of performance for an award is three years, but some programs may allow up to five years and others specify shorter periods. In most cases, organizations of every type, Government and private, for profit and not-for-profit, domestic and foreign (with some caveats), may submit proposals without restriction on teaming arrangements. Tables listing the program elements and due dates (Tables 2 and 3), a table that provides a very top level summary of proposal contents (Table 1), and the full text of the ROSES-2024 "Summary of Solicitation", may all be found NSPIRES at http://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2024. This synopsis is associated with one of the individual program elements within ROSES, but this is a generic summary that is posted for all ROSES elements. For specific information on this particular program element download and read the PDF of the text of this program element by going to Tables 2 or 3 of this NRA at http://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2024table2 and http://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2024table3, respectively, click the title of the program element of interest, a hypertext link will take you to a page for that particular program element. On that page, on the right side under "Announcement Documents" the link on the bottom will be to the PDF of the text of the call for proposals. For example, if one were interested in The Lunar Data Analysis Program (NNH24ZDA001N-LDAP) one would follow the link to the NSPIRES page for that program element and then to read the text of the call one would click on C.8 Lunar Data Analysis Program (.pdf) to download the text of the call. If one wanted to set it into the context of the goals, objectives and know the default rules for all elements within Appendix C, the planetary science division, one might download and read C.1 Planetary Science Research Program Overview (.pdf) from that same page. While the letters and numbers are different for each element within ROSES (A.12, B.7, etc.) the basic configuration is always the same, e.g., the letter indicates the Science Division (A is Earth Science, B is Heliophysics etc.) and whatever the letter, #1 is always the division overview. Frequently asked questions for ROSES are posted at http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/faqs. Questions concerning general ROSES-2024 policies and procedures may be directed to Max Bernstein, Lead for Research, Science Mission Directorate, at [email protected], but technical questions concerning specific program elements should be directed to the point(s) of contact for that particular element, who may be found either at the end of the individual program element in the summary table of key information or on the web list of topics and points of contact at: http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/program-officers-list. Not all program elements are known at the time of the release of ROSES. To be informed of new program elements or amendments to this NRA, proposers may subscribe to: (1) The SMD mailing lists (by logging in at http://nspires.nasaprs.com and checking the appropriate boxes under "Account Management" and "Email Subscriptions"), (2) The ROSES-2024 blog feed for amendments, clarifications, and corrections to at https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/solicitations/roses-2024/, and (3) The ROSES-2024 due date Google calendars (one for each science division). Instructions are at https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/library-and-useful-links (link from the words due date calendar).

This funding opportunity supports research initiatives focused on non-communicable diseases related to HIV at institutions in low- and middle-income countries, encouraging innovative projects and collaborations to improve health outcomes for people living with HIV.

The intent of the FY24 Transforming Care Award (TrCA) is to support research that provides answers and solutions in critical areas to improve quality of life, reduce caregiver burden and stress, reduce health disparities, and increase support for the individual with a diagnosis of Alzheimers disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD), their care partner/caregiver, and/or both, as well as the impact on families and/or communities. For this mechanism, family is broadly defined as the family of choice and/or the family of origin. Additionally, the TrCA definition of care does not include medical care (such as medical interventions administered by a physician), as the care landscape extends beyond that of medical interventions to be inclusive of research into integration, education, and support. The PRARP requires projects to ensure strategies maintain the dignity of the individual living with a dementia diagnosis and their family/care/social communities. All applications submitted to this funding opportunity must clearly indicate how the project addresses a critical unmet need, explain how the research will be representative of the population it intends to benefit, and demonstrate cultural competence. Culturally competent research factors the cultural background and diversity of the intended beneficiaries of the research outcomes when developing research ideas, conducting research, and implementing the research findings. Cultural competency in research is critical in reducing health disparities and enhancing the quality and impact of research by ensuring inclusivity, understanding, and responsiveness to the needs of diverse populations. The TrCA targets research that includes, but is not limited to, improvements in long-term care, quality of life, psychosocial wellness, and supporting aging-in-place, belonging, and community living for individuals, care partners, and families living with a dementia diagnosis. Studies may include, but are not limited to, topics such as considerations for dementia care that are specific to military Service Members and/or Veterans and their Families, navigating the AD/ADRD diagnosis and care path, and overcoming care partner/caregiver stress. Projects may address knowledge gaps, interventions, strategies, technologies, and/or tools. Clinical research and clinical trials are allowed, however, clinical trials solely testing or evaluating pharmacological interventions do not meet the intent of this funding opportunity. Key elements of this award mechanism are: Person-centered research: All applications to the FY24 PRARP TrCA should be person- centered. This mechanism is intended to provide answers and solutions in critical areas to improve quality of life, reduce burden and stress, and increase support for individuals living with a diagnosis, their families, and their care partners (hereafter referred to as Community(ies) in this Funding Opportunity). The research should have near-immediate impact on the intended beneficiaries. To facilitate success, the TrCA requires Community collaboration for all projects. Focus on outcomes: The intent of the TrCA is to advance knowledge and capacity in the AD/ADRD care field. As such, applicants should clearly articulate outcomes, clearly demonstrate a pathway of feasibility, and identify realistic approaches to scaling and Community level implementation for widespread use. Additionally, applications should plan for and describe how the research will be manualized (i.e., compiled in a manual) and fed back into the research, lived experience, and care communities. See Attachment 6, Research Manual and Progression Plan. Representation: Awards supported by the PRARP are expected to address gaps in representative AD/ADRD data sets. Applicants must prioritize diversity and equity in clinical study populations including, but not limited to, social and structural determinants of health such as sex, gender, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, geography, and health care access, are expected. Projects supported by this mechanism must represent a non-incremental advance in the care field. Preliminary data are required. For this mechanism, studies utilizing animal models do not meet the intent of the mechanism and are not allowed. Milestone meeting: The Principal Investigator (PI) will be required to present an update on progress toward accomplishing the goals of the award at a Milestone Meeting to be held in the National Capital Area during years 2-4 of the period of performance. The PI may bring up to three additional members of the research team, including their Community partner, to the meeting. The Milestone Meeting will be attended by members of the PRARP Programmatic Panel, CDMRP staff, the USAMRAA Grants/Contracts Officer, and other stakeholders. Optimizing research impact through Community collaboration: Research funded by the FY24 PRARP should be responsive to the needs of Communities in the remainder of the Funding Opportunity, maximizes the translational and impact potential of the proposed research. Establishing and utilizing effective and equitable collaborations and partnerships with members of the AD/ADRD lived experience Communities is essential to maximize the translational and impact potential of the proposed research. Collaborative research approaches feature shared responsibility and ownership for the research project to ensure fully integrated involvement of Community members within the research team. Collaborative research approaches such as Community-based participatory research, participatory action research, and integrated knowledge transition, generate partnerships between scientific researchers and Community members to create knowledge useable by both sets of stakeholders. Recognizing the strengths of each partner, scientific researchers and Community members must collaborate and contribute their expertise equitably on all aspects of the project, which may include needs assessment, planning, research intervention design, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination. Research results are jointly interpreted, disseminated, fed back to affected communities, and may be translated into interventions or policy. These methods are critically important for Community-level interventions and can also augment the potential impact of a research program on people living with dementia, their families, and/or their care partners. These collaborative relationships are often established through integrating Community members into research teams as co-researchers, advisors, and consultants. Some examples for Community collaborations include: Lived Experience Consultation: The research team includes at least one project advisor with AD/ADRD lived experience who will integrate with the research team to provide consultation throughout the planning, implementation, and dissemination of the research project. Lived experience consultants (LECs) may include individuals with an AD/ADRD diagnosis, their family members, care partners, or others as appropriate. Partnership with a Community-Based Organization: The research team establishes partnerships with at least one Community-based organization that provides consultation throughout the planning, implementation, and dissemination of the research project. Community-based organizations may include advocacy groups, service providers, policymakers, or other formal organizational stakeholders. Community Advisory Board (CAB): A CAB is composed of multiple Community stakeholders and can take many forms, from a board of LECs to a coalition of Community-based organizations, or any combination thereof. As with LECs and organizational partners, the CAB provides consultation throughout the planning, implementation, and dissemination of the research project. Career Initiation or Transition (CIT) Partnership Option: The FY24 PRARP encourages applications that include meaningful and productive collaborations between two principal investigators. To promote enhanced research capacity within the AD/ADRD field, the FY24 TrCA includes an option for a CIT Principal Investigator (PI) to partner with an experienced investigator to jointly address a research question. The CIT PI must have nominal, if any, research support in the field and may be either one of the following: The Career Initiation PI must be an early-career researcher, at least 3 years post their terminal degree but no more than 7 years into their independent position. Both PIs may have similar or disparate expertise, but each PI is expected to bring distinct and complimentary contributions to the application. The Career Transition PI must be an investigator (at any stage) who is new to the military health, TBI, or AD/ADRD field(s). New to the field is defined as having only nominal, if any, publications in the field. The other partnering investigator must have complimentary experience (as evidenced by publications) in military health, TBI, and/or AD/ADRD field(s). The CIT is structured to accommodate two PIs. One PI will be identified as the Initiating PI and will be responsible for most of the administrative tasks associated with application submission. The other will be identified as a Partnering PI. Either PI can be the CIT PI. Both PIs should contribute significantly to the development of the proposed research project, including the Project Narrative, Statement of Work (SOW), and other required components. Both PIs may have experience in similar or disparate scientific disciplines, but each PI is expected to bring distinct and complimentary contributions to the application. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named to an individual award within the recipient organization(s). For individual submission requirements for the Initiating and Partnering PI, refer to Section II.D.2, Content and Form of the Application Submission.

This grant provides funding for researchers and organizations to conduct observations and studies related to the solar system, supporting a wide range of scientific investigations in space and planetary sciences.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that assist jails in improving safety, security, and operations while addressing challenges like high inmate turnover and mental health issues.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations working in Malawi to improve health information systems and enhance care for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS.

The "DoD Multiple Sclerosis, Clinical Trial Award" is a grant that funds the implementation of clinical trials aimed at significantly impacting the treatment or management of multiple sclerosis, ranging from small proof-of-concept trials to large-scale trials, with the expectation that the proposed trial will begin within 12 to 18 months after the award date.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations working in Lesotho to strengthen health systems and improve services for HIV and TB prevention, treatment, and care, with a focus on achieving health equity and sustainability.

This funding opportunity is designed to support research centers that focus on improving the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of intellectual and developmental disabilities through collaborative and interdisciplinary research efforts.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to U.S.-based small businesses that have previously received NIH Phase II or Phase IIB awards, helping them advance their research projects toward commercialization through technical assistance and late-stage development activities.

This grant provides funding for early stage investigators to pursue innovative and high-risk research projects involving human participants, without the need for preliminary data.

This funding opportunity provides $6.4 million to organizations that support family engagement and community partnerships in early childhood education, specifically targeting programs that assist children and families in Head Start and Early Head Start.

The FY24 Transformative Breast Cancer Consortium Award is designed to support collaborations and ideas that will transform the lives of individuals with, and/or at risk for, breast cancer and will significantly accelerate progress toward ending breast cancer. Applicants must bring together different perspectives to develop new paradigms that will solve fundamental yet overarching problems in breast cancer. This award requires a team-based approach by a consortium of exceptional researchers and advocates, whose collaborative efforts will make a transformative impact in breast cancer. The transformation intended by the consortium must be in peoples lives, and not in the healthcare or research system.This funding opportunity is a separate mechanism from the Transformative Breast Cancer Consortium Development Award, which is intended to provide successful applicants the time and resources needed to bring investigators and breast cancer advocates together to establish a consortium framework and conduct preliminary research to support application to a future, full Transformative Breast Cancer Consortium Award (pending availability of funds). For FY24, investigators may be named as Consortium Director on an application submitted to either (but not both) of these mechanisms. It is not necessary to receive a development award in order to apply for the current funding opportunity or anticipated full consortium awards in the future. Detailed information on the FY24 Transformative Breast Cancer Consortium Development Award is available under a separate program announcement (HT942524BCRPTBCCDA).For the FY24 Transformative Breast Cancer Consortium Award, the consortium should have at least four, but no more than five, project teams, each investigating different projects under a central hypothesis. No more than two project teams may be based at one institution. Each teams work must be integrated within the consortium so that every component is working toward the consortiums central hypothesis. Note: This award is not intended to replace, supplement, duplicate, or compete with other collaborative research efforts, such as the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs), and it should not represent a collection of related Program Project grants or subprojects.The proposed consortiums overall work is expected to be innovative. In addition, the Transformative Breast Cancer Consortium Award will include funds for seed projects to pursue brand-new, high-risk/high-reward concepts that arise from the work, during the award period.DOD FY24 Transformative Breast Cancer Consortium Award 5The Breast Cancer Landscape describes the reality of breast cancer and identifies overarching challenges to progress the field. Research funded under this award mechanism should result in answers that will fundamentally and significantly transform and disrupt the present landscape.Applications submitted to the Transformative Breast Cancer Consortium Award must include the following: Research that includes truly innovative and brand-new, paradigm-shifting work in breast cancer that will address vital issues in a unique way. The issues may be one (or more) of the FY24 BCRP Overarching Challenges or, with justification, may be a different issue that meets the intent of the award mechanism and addresses the mission of ending breast cancer. If the application identifies a different fundamental issue, it must be coupled with at least one of the FY24 BCRP Overarching Challenges. Research that includes different disciplines that come together to address ending breast cancer with an ecologic approach. The consortiums proposed research must look at all aspects of the disease and bring together these different perspectives into one overarching plan for a deep, definitive dive into the FY24 BCRP Overarching Challenge(s) or other fundamental issue identified in the application. The plan also should include issues related to the hypothesis that have not been previously addressed or answered. A plan that describes in detail the integration across the consortium in all aspects, including administration, logistics, and substance. Applications must describe the substantive integration across and among teams that are necessary for the work. The required communication plan and administrative management plan will not suffice to show integration, nor will identifying individual team members who will cross teams. A detailed explanation of the substantive research processes that will be integrated is required.Synergistic, highly integrated, multidisciplinary, and multi-institutional research teams of leading scientists, clinicians, and consumer advocates must be assembled into a consortium to address a major problem in a way that could not be accomplished by a single investigator or group. While the project teams are made up of different groups, each with its own Principal Investigator (PI), the teams must be working on the major problem identified in the Transformative Breast Cancer Consortium Award application and under the leadership of the Consortium Director. The research proposed in Transformative Breast Cancer Consortium Award applications may include phase 1 clinical trials and collaborations with pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry scientists and/or companies, as appropriate. However, a clinical trial is not required, and the primary thrust of the application should not be a clinical trial.Although not all-inclusive, applications that propose the following as the primary effort(s) or central hypothesis of the consortium will not meet the intent of this award mechanism: NCI Program Project or SPORE grants or applications Conducting drug screens or testing a cocktail of therapeutics Targeting a single gene or protein Developing a new derivative or formulation of an old drug Conducting genomic landscape mapping analyses Seeking to improve existing technologies (e.g., mammography or magnetic resonance imaging screening)All applications submitted to the Transformative Breast Cancer Consortium Award must address the following key features:1. IMPACTDemonstrate potential to transform or improve the lives of individuals with, and/or at risk for, breast cancer. The time to the final impact may vary, but the outcomes of the effort must be transformative and significantly advance the BCRPs mission of ending breast cancer. A clear and compelling presentation of how the effort will be transformative for individuals with, and/or at risk for, breast cancer must be provided. Applications proposing research that represents an incremental advance in breast cancer do not meet the intent of this award mechanism.2. INNOVATIONPursue innovative, high-risk/high-reward research that has the potential to change existing paradigms, or develop new paradigms. Innovative research may introduce a new paradigm, look at existing problems from new perspectives, or exhibit other highly creative qualities. In addition to the requirement that the consortiums overall research be innovative, applications must describe a plan to support the pursuit of innovative concepts through seed projects, i.e., the development of new concepts that emerge during the course of the award. These seed projects should enable the research team to explore new avenues of high-risk/high-reward ideas that were not part of the original application, but that develop during the project and are within the scope of the overall vision of the research. A portion of the total direct budget costs (no more than 5%) must be reserved to support the seed projects, and these funds may not be used for equipment or travel.3. CONSORTIUMIntegrate project teams consisting of preeminent investigators and advocates from appropriate disciplines and institutions. Applications should include a robust consortium of researchers with the combined backgrounds and breast cancer-related expertise to enable successful conduct of the proposed research. Emphasis must be placed on integrating the most highly qualified investigators and advocates to focus on the research problem, regardless of their location. These investigators must include highly accomplished scientists, clinicians, and promising young investigators in the targeted areas of research who collectively represent the best team to solve the problem(s) identified. The proposed research effort should be broad enough to require a multidisciplinary approach that is reflected in the composition of the consortium team. Inclusion of scientists from nontraditional disciplines is encouraged.The award mechanism is structured with a Consortium Director and at least three, but no more than four, Project Team PIs representing at least two institutions. The Consortium Director is responsible for the day-to-day management of the consortium, as well as for leading their own project team. The Consortium Director, together with the Project Team PIs, are jointly responsible for leading and executing the proposed research projects that are integrated into a central hypothesis and will result in answers that will fundamentally and significantly transform and disrupt the present breast cancer landscape. Please see the top of this section, Section II.B, Award Information, for more details.Incorporate breast cancer consumer advocates into every aspect of the proposed consortiums activities. Applications are required to include consumer advocate involvement. The consortium team must include at least one breast cancer consumer advocate per project team. The consumer advocates are expected to represent the perspective of the patient population(s) that are most relevant to the consortiums proposed research. Breast cancer consumer advocates must have an active role in every aspect of the proposed consortiums work including consortium conception and design, ongoing discussion, decisions and oversight, program evaluation, and dissemination of information to the public. Consumer advocates must be integrated into and play an active role in the leadership and decision-making committees for the consortium at each participating institution. Examples of appropriate integration include membership on the advisory board(s) and steering committee(s), participation in each project team, and attendance at all consortium-related meetings. As lay representatives, the consumer advocates must be individuals who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, they should be part of a breast cancer advocacy organization, and their role in the project should be independent of their employment. They cannot be employees of any of the institutions participating in the application. They must have a high level of familiarity and training involving science and current issues in breast cancer research.4. INTEGRATIONProvide a plan that describes in detail the integration across the consortium in all aspects, including administration, logistics, and substance. Applications must demonstrate the substantive integration across and among teams that are necessary for the work. The integration plan must provide a detailed explanation of the substantive research processes that will be integrated.5. IMPLEMENTATIONProvide a strategy for implementation. Projects must demonstrate solid scientific rationale, and applications must include published and/or preliminary data that support the feasibility of their hypotheses and/or approaches. The application must include a detailed research management plan that identifies critical milestones, outlines the innovations and technical solutions that will be implemented to accomplish the milestones, and explains how these solutions will ultimately be translated to individuals with, and/or at risk for, breast cancer. It is expected that the proposed plan will present an exceptional level of innovation and creativity.Accelerate research progress through communication. Communication between and among consortium team members is essential to the success of the consortium. Applications must include a strategy for sharing data in real time and using information technologies to facilitate timely and effective communication and cooperation. The communication plan should specify the processes and tools to be used for regular and structured communication. The consortium should take full advantage of state-of-the-art communication and data sharing tools in addition to formal and informal meetings. The framework for the communication plan must be part of the application and the individual(s) who will maintain the data sharing and communications technologies must be identified.Provide an effective, coordinated administrative management plan that integrates and optimizes the research and collaborations. The Consortium Director is required to commit a minimum level of time and effort of 25% to direct and manage an initiative of this magnitude, as well as lead their own project team. The Consortium Director must have the scientific ability and proven administrative ability to oversee large research programs and a proven record of leadership, including experience in the effective use of communication tools and the management of multifaceted and multidisciplinary projects. The administrative management plan must explain how the consortium will be organized and managed, and specify the processes and tools to be used for project meeting scheduling, reviews of research findings, ensuring multidisciplinary authorship of all publications arising from the consortiums work, and other issues of common concern to the consortium and its investigators. The administrative management plan also must describe procedures and processes that will be used to maximize the resources (e.g., databases, animal models) and products (e.g., antibodies) generated by the consortium and how these resources and products will be made available to the scientific community. A portion of the total direct budget costs must be reserved for a program manager.Award Structure: The Transformative Breast Cancer Consortium Award is structured to accommodate up to five PIs (the Consortium Director and three or four Project Team PIs). The Consortium Director will be responsible for the majority of the administrative tasks associated with application submission and the day-to-day management of the consortium. In addition, the Consortium Director will be responsible for leading their own project team. The Consortium Director and Project Team PIs each have different submission requirements; however, all PIs should contribute significantly to the development of the proposed research project, including the Project Narrative, Statement of Work (SOW), and other required components. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on separate awards to the recipient organizations. For individual submission requirements for the Consortium Director and Project Team PIs, refer to Section II.D.2, Content and Form of the Application Submission.The Consortium Director, Project Team PIs, and consumer advocates will be required to present an update on progress toward accomplishing research milestones and goals of the consortium and each project at an annual In-Progress Review (IPR) Meeting for the Transformative Breast Cancer Consortium Award. The intent of the IPR Meeting is to assess research progress, address problems, and define future directions. Annual IPR Meetings will be held at the conclusion of year 1 and every subsequent year in the period of performance and will be attended by members of the BCRP Programmatic Panel, CDMRP staff, and the USAMRAA Grants Officer to facilitate oversight and provide feedback to the consortium. IPR Meetings will either be held in person in the National Capital Region or virtually, at the discretion of the government. Continued funding may be contingent upon the successful completion of specific research milestones and goals. Research milestones from the approved SOW will be determined during the award negotiation process.In addition to IPR Meetings, each consortium must hold biannual workshops, which may be held at the PIs institutions or virtually, to facilitate ongoing communication and exchange of information within the consortium, as well as with advisory board(s) and/or steering committee(s).

This funding opportunity supports U.S. institutions in establishing a national center to coordinate and enhance research on Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias through data collection, integration, and collaboration efforts.

This grant provides funding for innovative research and development of advanced quantum computing systems that integrate various architectural approaches to significantly improve performance, targeting a wide range of organizations including universities, businesses, and research centers.

This funding opportunity supports the establishment of a center to coordinate research on cellular senescence, aiming to improve health outcomes by identifying tissue-specific markers and developing new therapeutic strategies, targeting a wide range of eligible applicants including educational institutions, nonprofits, and businesses.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to U.S.-based organizations, including universities, nonprofits, and businesses, to help outsourcing facilities produce critical medications that are in short supply and vulnerable to fraud.

The Ports for the Future Partnerships grant, managed by the Bureau of Counterterrorism under the U.S. Department of State, is a discretionary funding opportunity designed to support initiatives in the transportation sector, specifically targeting port infrastructure development. This program will coordinate with the Quad (Australia, India, Japan, and the United States) to hold the first Quad Ports and Transportation Conference in Mumbai, India, in 2025. The grant's objective is to partner with organizations that have substantial experience and established networks in port infrastructure and management within the region. A primary focus will be on coordinating technical assistance and capacity-building efforts that meet the extensive infrastructure needs of regional ports, aligning with the strategic priorities of the Quad countries. The grant will be awarded as a cooperative agreement, enabling a close collaboration between the U.S. Department of State and the recipient to ensure the alignment of program activities with the initiative's strategic objectives. The total funding available for this award is $1,275,904, which also serves as both the maximum and minimum funding level for this grant, meaning only one award is anticipated. The program does not require cost-sharing or matching funds from the awardee, allowing for full coverage of approved project costs by the grant. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities such as U.S.-based and foreign nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations, public and private educational institutions, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. This broad eligibility requirement ensures that organizations with relevant expertise in port management, transportation, and infrastructure, regardless of their legal structure or location, can apply if they meet the program's criteria and objectives. Applicants interested in this opportunity must submit their applications by December 6, 2024. The application materials will likely need to include detailed descriptions of proposed activities, expertise in the sector, and strategies for aligning efforts with Quad priorities. While the full application requirements are not detailed here, interested applicants are encouraged to consult the full announcement on MyGrants for specific application guidelines. Evaluation criteria may involve the applicant's experience, access to networks in the region's ports sector, and their proposed approach to capacity-building and technical assistance coordination. Successful applicants will need to demonstrate their ability to contribute to the infrastructure goals of the Quad partnership and effectively engage with international partners to maximize the program's impact. For additional questions or difficulties accessing the application materials, applicants are advised to contact the grant officer at [email protected]. This opportunity represents a chance to play a pivotal role in advancing infrastructure efforts in South and Central Asia in alignment with the shared security and economic goals of the Quad nations.