Federal Arts Grants

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION This project seeks U.S. and Dominican organizations to bring U.S. artists to conduct visual storytelling workshops for at-risk youth. These workshops aim to promote human rights and empower disadvantaged communities through the arts. The workshops must include modules on human rights history, advocacy, and examples of human rights movements in both the U.S. and the Dominican Republic. Additionally, participants will engage in modules focused on story development and comic creation (books, graphic novels, and/or comic strips). The program will feature a competition where participants will develop their stories and publish them on an online platform for the audience to read and vote for their favorites. The top stories will be printed and distributed at the binational centers and Dominican universities, with at least 1,000 print copies. These publications will also include information on how to access EducationUSA resources, providing participants with more information about arts education in the U.S. Through this program, at least 50 Dominican youth ages 16-30, should acquire storytelling skills and exposure to U.S. arts education, deepening their understanding of human rights and associated movements in both the U.S. and the Dominican Republic. Additionally, the competition should impact youth in the Dominican Republic by fostering alignment with U.S. positions on issues like equality, diversity, and inclusion through alumni-shared stories. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of Performance Period: 12-18 months Program Performance Period: Must be completed in 18 months or less. This notice is subject to funding availability. C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION Eligible Applicants: Individuals and the following organizations are eligible to apply: U.S. and Dominican not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations; U.S. and Dominican public and private educational institutions; U.S. and Dominican organizations related to arts and/or human rights advocacy; U.S. artists. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing is desired but not required for this award competition. Other Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have an active registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.6 for information on how to obtain these registrations. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION Address to Request Application Package: Application forms required below are available on the U.S. Embassy website. Content and Form of Application Submission: Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible. Content of Application: Please ensure the proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity. All documents must be in English, all budgets in U.S. dollars, all pages numbered, all documents formatted to 8 x 11 paper, and all Microsoft Word documents single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins. The following documents are required: Mandatory application forms: SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance organizations), SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs), SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs). Summary Page: Cover sheet stating the applicant name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program. Proposal (10 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: A short narrative that outlines the proposed program, including program objectives and anticipated impact. Introduction to the Organization applying: A description of past and present operations, showing the ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. government agencies. 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. The objectives refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable. Program Activities: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives. Program Methods and Design: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. Include a logic model as appropriate. Proposed Program Schedule and Timeline: 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. What proportion of their time will be used in support of this program? Program Partners: List the names and types of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees. 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 promptly, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant? Future Funding or Sustainability Applicants plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable. Budget Justification Narrative: After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use a separate sheet of paper to describe each of the budget expenses in detail. See section H. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information. Attachments: 1-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program. Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner. If your organization has a NICRA and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be included as a PDF file. Official permission letters, if required for program activities. Required Registrations: All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations. All are free of charge: www.SAM.gov registration which will generate an UEI, NCAGE/CAGE code. Any applicant with an exclusion in the System for Award Management (SAM) is not eligible to apply for an assistance award in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235), "Debarment and Suspension". The Unique Entity Identifier (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. SAM.gov is the Federal government's primary database for complying with FFATA reporting requirements. OMB designated SAM.gov as the central repository to facilitate applicant and recipient use of a single public website that consolidates data on all federal financial assistance. Under the law, it is mandatory to register on SAM.gov. Starting April 2022, the UEI will be assigned when an organization registers or renews its registration in SAM.gov at www.sam.gov. To access SAM.gov an organization is required to have a Login.gov account. Organizations can create an account at https://login.gov. As a reminder, organizations need to renew their sam.gov registration annually. Foreign-based organizations must apply for an NCAGE code before registering on SAM.gov. To register, go to: https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/CageTool/home to apply for a CAGE code. NCAGE codes must be renewed every 5 years. It is in the organization's best interest to check if their CAGE/or NCAGE codes are active. Organizations are required to register/or renew their CAGE or NCAGE codes prior to registering or renewing www.sam.gov. Both registration and renewals for both CAGE and NCAGE can take up to 10 days. The organization's legal address in NCAGE/CAGE must mirror www. sam.gov. Organizations are required to register/or renew their CAGE or NCAGE codes prior to registering or renewing www.sam.gov. Both registration and renewals for both CAGE and NCAGE can take up to 10 days. The organization's legal address in NCAGE/CAGE must mirror www. sam.gov. www.sam.gov requires all entities to renew their registration once a year in order to maintain an active registration status in SAM.gov. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure it has an active registration in SAM.gov. Submission Dates and Times: Applications are due no later than August 15, 2024. Other Submission Requirements: All application materials must be submitted by email to [email protected]. E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION Criteria: Each application will be evaluated and rated based on the evaluation criteria outlined below. Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea 25 points: The program idea is well developed, with details about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline. Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants 25 points: The organization has expertise in its stated field and has internal controls in place to manage federal funds. This includes a financial management system and a bank account. Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives 15 points: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and the program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results. Budget 10 points: The budget justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable for the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities. Monitoring and evaluation plan 15 points: Applicant demonstrates it can measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators and shows how and when those will be measured. Sustainability 10 points: Program activities will continue to have a positive impact after the end of the program. Review and Selection Process: A Grants Review Committee will evaluate all eligible applications. F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION Federal Award Notices: The grant award or cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document and it will be provided to the recipient for review and signature by email. The recipient may only start incurring program expenses beginning on the start date shown on the grant award document signed by the Grants Officer. If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State. 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: According to the U.S. governments federal assistance policy, recipients do not receive advance payments over their immediate cash needs. Generally, up to 20% of the grant total is withheld as a final payment to ensure that final reports are submitted by grantees. All successful applicants will be provided with this information upon award of funds. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: Applicants should review all terms and conditions and required certifications that will apply to this award, 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. Reporting: Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports. The award document will specify how often these reports must be submitted. Please find links to the documents below. Narrative Report Instructions SF-PPR [PDF, 269 kB], Federal Financial Report SF-425 [PDF, 575 kB], Instructions for the Federal Financial Report [PDF, 160 kB]. G. OTHER INFORMATION Guidelines for Budget Justification Personnel and Fringe Benefits: Describe the wages, salaries, and benefits of temporary or permanent staff who will be working directly for the applicant on the program, and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the program. Travel: Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for this program, for program staff, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries. If the program involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel. Equipment: Describe any machinery, furniture, or other personal property that is required for the program, which has a useful life of more than one year (or a life longer than the duration of the program), and costs at least $5,000 per unit. Supplies: List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are needed for the program. If an item costs more than $5,000 per unit, then put it in the budget under Equipment. Contractual: Describe goods and services that the applicant plans to acquire through a contract with a vendor. Also, describe any sub-awards to non-profit partners that will help carry out the project activities. Other Direct Costs: Describe other costs directly associated with the program, which do not fit in the other categories. For example, shipping costs for materials and equipment or applicable taxes. All Other or Miscellaneous expenses must be itemized and explained. Indirect Costs: These are costs that cannot be linked directly to the program activities, such as overhead costs needed to run the organization. If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) with the U.S. government, include a copy with your proposal. If your organization does not have a NICRA, you may claim indirect costs at a de minimis rate of 10% of the modified total direct costs. Cost Sharing: Explain contributions (both cash and in-kind) that your organization and other partner organizations will make towards the cost of the program. It also includes in-kind contributions such as volunteers time and donated venues. Cost sharing is not required for this NOFO but is encouraged. Alcoholic Beverages: Please note that award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages. For further guidance on the federal budget and federal grant policies, please review the Federal Standard Terms and Conditions and the OMB Uniform Guidance at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/information-for-agencies/circulars/. H. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact [email protected].

The U.S. Embassy Beirut, Lebanons Public Diplomacy Section (PDS Beirut) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations or individuals to submit a statement of interest (SOI) to carry out a program to advance arts and culture, climate action, human rights and freedom of expression, sports, and experiential learning (learning by doing). Please carefully follow all instructions below. The submission of the SOI is the first step in a two-step process. Applicants must first submit a concise three-page statement of interest designed to clearly communicate program idea, objectives, and budget. This is not a full proposal. The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants to submit program ideas for evaluation prior to requiring the development of a full proposal application. Upon a merit review of eligible SOIs, selected applicants will be invited to expand on their program idea(s) by submitting a full proposal application. Full proposals will go through a second merit review before final funding decision(s) are made. Program Objectives: PDS Beirut seeks proposals that advance partnerships and connections between American and Lebanese organizations and communities. All proposals should include diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility components. Thematic priorities for this SOI are: Arts and culture. Climate action. Human rights and freedom of expression. Sports. Experiential learning (learning by doing).

This funding opportunity supports research projects that investigate the impact and value of the arts in American life, targeting nonprofit organizations, state or local governments, and federally recognized tribes.

The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to support Ukrainian arts by fostering Ukrainian American collaborations and/or presenting American content in theatrical plays, musical and dance performances, and visual arts projects, such as exhibits. Please follow all instructions below. Priority Region: Ukraine. Program Objectives: Russias war against Ukraine targets not only its territory and people but also Ukraines very identity as a nation. Culture nurtures that identity, particularly the performing arts and visual art projects which gather Ukrainians together even during wartime. To support Ukrainian performing and visual arts in these challenging times of Russian aggression against Ukraine the U.S. Embassy Kyiv Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) invites Ukrainian registered non-profit, non-governmental organizations to apply for funding to support theatrical, music, dance or literary performances and visual arts projects that (a) present American content to Ukrainian audiences with or without American participation, (b) create new art through American-Ukrainian collaboration between organizations or individuals, or (c) establish programs supporting American mentoring for Ukrainian artists. The grant from the U.S. Embassy will cover costs associated with developing such projects and with concluding presentation or series of presentations of created works. The following types of programs are not eligible for funding: Projects in Film. Cultural festivals and conventions, including music and film festivals. Projects in creative industries. Programs relating to partisan political activity. Charitable events. Construction. Programs that support specific religious activities. Fund-raising campaigns. Lobbying for specific legislation or programs. Scientific research. Programs that duplicate existing programs Participants and Audiences: The project must be tailored towards Ukrainian audiences, and all project activities supported by the U.S. Embassy grant should take place in Ukraine and incorporate a substantive U.S. component. Projects tailored towards minorities, underserved groups and IDPs are encouraged. Taking into consideration current limitations related to bringing Americans to Ukraine, the project can include virtual interaction between participants and stakeholders. For additional information, please see attached.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and individuals in Bulgaria and beyond to develop projects that strengthen U.S.-Bulgarian ties through public diplomacy initiatives in areas like education, culture, and technology.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to locally-led Nigerian organizations to implement projects that address key development priorities in health, education, economic growth, governance, and conflict mitigation.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for U.S. and Japanese organizations, educational institutions, and individuals to develop projects that strengthen U.S.-Japan relations through cultural, educational, and strategic initiatives.

This program provides funding for cultural and educational projects that strengthen ties between the U.S. and Türkiye, encouraging collaboration in areas like security, innovation, democratic values, and cultural exchange.

This grant provides funding for projects that strengthen U.S.-Netherlands relations through cultural, educational, and collaborative initiatives, with a focus on transatlantic security and democracy.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and local governments in enhancing public engagement and education in the arts across diverse communities through various artistic disciplines.

This grant provides funding for U.S.-based nonprofit organizations to facilitate international cultural exchange programs featuring American artists and arts professionals across various artistic disciplines.

This competition provides funding to companies and coalitions developing innovative technologies that improve the integration of energy storage systems with the electricity grid, promoting a more efficient and sustainable energy future.

This funding opportunity supports U.S.-based nonprofit organizations, local governments, and tribal communities in creating arts projects that engage the public and promote health and well-being through various artistic disciplines.

This funding opportunity is designed to support individuals and organizations in fostering cultural and educational exchanges between the United States and Egypt, promoting mutual understanding through various projects in the arts and education sectors.