U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE U.S. EMBASSY IN ISRAEL, PUBLIC DIPLOMACY … · 2018. 9. 16. · Page 1 of...
Transcript of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE U.S. EMBASSY IN ISRAEL, PUBLIC DIPLOMACY … · 2018. 9. 16. · Page 1 of...
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
U.S. EMBASSY IN ISRAEL, PUBLIC DIPLOMACY SECTION
Notice of Funding Opportunity
Funding Opportunity Title: U.S. Embassy in Israel Public Diplomacy FY19 Annual
Program Statement (“APS”)
Funding Opportunity Number: PD-TLV-2019-001
Deadline for Applications: Various; see Section D.4, Submission Dates and Times
CFDA Number: 19.021 – Public Diplomacy Programs
Total Amount Available: Approximately $300,000 anticipated to be available in each
funding cycle, subject to confirmation of availability of
funds
Amount for Each Award: Generally up to a maximum of $25,000
A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The U.S. Embassy Jerusalem, Branch Office Tel Aviv’s Public Diplomacy Section (“PD”) 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 (“APS”), outlining our
program priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests
for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below.
Purpose of PD Small Grants Program:
PD invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Israel
through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral
cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with
American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased
understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.
PD small grants are focused on projects that clearly support our mission priorities: (1)
foster conditions more conducive to a lasting peace, (2) deepen U.S.-Israel economic ties
and open doors of economic opportunity, and (3) foster Israeli understanding of U.S.
policy.
By issuing this solicitation, PD seeks to promote competition and encourage a higher quality of
applications and projects.
Examples of the kinds of activities that can be funded under the PD Small Grants Program
include but are not limited to:
Academic and professional lectures, seminars and speaker programs;
Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances and exhibitions;
Workshops, training and competition that improve science and technology education;
Sports workshops, joint competitions and friendly games;
Programs that strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Israel;
Training programs designed to train the trainer;
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Discussions and encounters among key audiences.
Priority Program Areas:
Priority will be given to proposals that address one or more of the following priority program
areas, and which clearly connect the proposed program to at least one of the overarching goals
stated above.
Programs that help create conditions more conducive to a peace agreement between
Israelis and Palestinians.
Programs that strengthen the entrepreneurship and economic development ecosystem in
Israel, and expand access to that ecosystem among minority communities, women, and
disadvantaged communities. Please note, however, that pitching or similar events that
involve fund-raising or are designed to encourage direct investment in for-profit or non-
profit enterprises are not eligible.
Programs that promote greater understanding of U.S. policy, best practices, and culture
among Israeli audiences.
Programs that improve instruction and student academic achievement in English
language proficiency and/or science, technology, environment, architecture/art, and math
subjects (STEAM).
Programs that improve connections between Israel’s various minority communities,
and/or between peripheral communities and the center, and/or that strength social
cohesion and reconciliation among all diverse communities of the Israeli society.
Programs that engage alumni of U.S. Embassy-sponsored cultural exchange programs.
Programs that promote women’s empowerment and gender inclusivity, especially linked
to the three main goals stated above.
Programs that increase public understanding of the U.S.-Israel security partnership.
Target Audiences: The Embassy strongly encourages proposals that bring together diverse groups from across
Israeli society who customarily have little to no interaction. Proposals should describe both
the primary and secondary audiences for the program, including numbers anticipated to be
reached. Primary audiences are those who will participate directly in the program, while
secondary audiences are those who will be reached by the project’s primary audiences, as a result
of their participation. For example, in a teacher training program, the primary audience would be
the teachers who will be trained, while the secondary audience would be their students. In
addition to the high priority that will be given to proposals that bring together diverse groups,
specific audiences who are considered a priority for grants funded under this APS are:
Minority, peripheral and/or marginalized communities
Young leaders, in either the 13-18 year old or the 18-45 year old age ranges
Entrepreneurs, and those involved in strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem in
Israel
Women and girls
Alumni of U.S. Embassy-sponsored cultural exchange programs
Leading decision-makers in various sectors of Israeli society
English language teachers and educators
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Math and science teachers
Religious communities (but please note that activities that promote any one particular
religion are ineligible)
Please note that all proposals must address at least one of the audiences listed above in order to
be eligible. Proposals may additionally address audiences not listed above; however, they must
clearly indicate how the proposed activities will also directly engage one or more of the target
audiences.
Program Partners:
Partnerships with other organizations are not required for eligibility under this APS. However,
to the degree that cooperation with key partners, multipliers, and influencers will enhance the
effectiveness of the project, such partnerships are encouraged.
The following types of projects are not eligible for funding: Projects relating to partisan political activity;
Charitable, development, or social welfare activities;
Construction projects;
Projects that support specific religious activities;
Fund-raising campaigns;
Lobbying for specific legislation, policies, or projects;
Academic research;
Projects that serve to promote only one faith or religion (though activities that are
clearly designed to foster dialogue among adherents of many different faiths,
including no faith, are encouraged);
Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development or
maintenance of the applicant organization or its partner organizations that are
involved in the proposal; and/or
Projects that duplicate existing projects.
Authorizing legislation, type and year of funding:
Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt Act. The source of funding is FY2019 Public
Diplomacy Funding.
B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION
Length of project performance period: depending on the needs of the project, performance
periods may be as short as one day but up to as long as two years.
Number of awards anticipated: Because the amounts requested for each project may vary and
funding is subject to confirmation of availability, it is not possible to predict how many awards
will be made.
Award amounts: awards generally do not exceed $25,000.
Total available funding: approximately $300,000 is anticipated to be available in each of the
three funding cycles, pending availability of funds.
Type of Funding: Fiscal Year 2019 Public Diplomacy Funding
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Anticipated project start date: Projects must start sometime during Fiscal Year (FY) 2019
(October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019), and the proposed start date should make sense for the
purposes of the project. Keep in mind that costs incurred in preparing the application or prior to
the award being made are not eligible for funding.
This notice is subject to availability of funding. The Embassy reserves the right to reject
any or all proposals received.
Funding Instrument Type: Grant, Fixed Amount Award, or Cooperative agreement.
Cooperative agreements are different from grants in that PD staff are more actively involved in
the grant implementation. The appropriate instrument may vary depending on the nature of the
project proposed, and will be determined during pre-award negotiations with successful
applicants.
C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION
1. Eligible Applicants
The Public Affairs Section encourages applications from U.S. and Israeli:
Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-
governmental organizations, or individuals, with programming experience
Non-profit or governmental educational institutions
Please note that coalitions of non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply as the impact of
their projects may go further than that of projects conducted by one non-profit organization.
Please also note that while applications from these kinds of organizations based in the United
States are eligible, preference will be given to Israeli organizations and U.S.-based organizations
that have a clear, long-standing, effective presence in Israel itself.
Please also note that governmental institutions within Israel (for example, government ministries
or local authorities) are eligible to apply under this APS, but awards to such organizations will be
rare.
For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Cost sharing is not required. However, cost sharing is encouraged and will make applications
more competitive. Please note that funds from any other federal U.S. government source may
not be used to match funds applied for under this funding program, nor vice-versa.
3. Other Eligibility Requirements
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Applicants are strongly discouraged from submitting more than one application per cycle.
Applicants are likewise strongly discouraged from bundling several separate projects into one
application. Only one award for one project can be made to any particular applicant in a given
grant cycle. As a consequence, applicants that submit more than one application during the same
cycle, or bundle more than one project into a single application, will be required to choose only
one project for consideration during that cycle. Failure to do so upon request from the Embassy
will result in all applications from that applicant being considered ineligible during that grant
cycle.
In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet, as well as a valid registration on
www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for information on how to obtain these registrations.
As noted above, all projects must include an American component in order to be eligible for
funding. While “American component” can be defined broadly, there can be no exceptions to
the requirement that an American component be included. An American component can mean
any of the following:
An American citizen who is an expert, speaker, artist, athlete, or other visitor to Israel
who will lead or present some key component of the project. In extremely rare cases, the
project could involve an extraordinarily highly accomplished person who is not an
American citizen, but who has strong ties to an American institution of major importance
– for example, the full-time, lead artistic director of an American performance venue of
worldwide renown.
The use of an American cultural product as a major touchstone for key elements of the
program. Cultural products could include books, music, curricula, films, dance, other art
forms, or technology created entirely or primarily by American artists and innovators and
clearly associated with American culture. For example, the reading and discussion of an
American novel as part of a program to enhance English language learning would
qualify.
Engaging audiences in learning about or practicing a major American topic, such as U.S.
policy, U.S. history, American values (such as civil rights, freedom of expression, or
shared society), or American social models (such as democracy or the rule of law) as a
significant focus of the program.
If you are unsure whether your proposed American component would qualify, please email
[email protected] to request clarification.
D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION
1. Requesting Application Package
Application forms required below are available here.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
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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 are in English
All budgets are in U.S. dollars
All pages are numbered
All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper, and
All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, with
a minimum of 1-inch margins. Forms obtained from the Embassy are not required to
comply with the 1-inch margin requirement
Required Forms
The following documents are required:
a. Mandatory application forms:
For individuals:
SF-424I (Application for Federal Assistance – individuals) here.
For organizations:
SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) here.
SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) here.
SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) here.
b. Summary Coversheet: Cover sheet stating the applicant name and organization, proposal
date, project title, project period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the project.
Proposals that use the optional application form available from the Embassy at this link are
allowed to eliminate the Summary Coversheet requirement, as this information is requested in
the optional form.
c. Proposal (4 pages maximum, not including budget sheets or CVs): 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. Alternatively, you may use the optional application form available here.
Proposal Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed project, including project
objectives and anticipated impact.
Introduction to the Organization applying: A description of past and present
operations, showing ability to carry out the project, 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 project is needed.
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Project Goals and Objectives: The “goals” describe what the project is intended to
achieve. For example, what aspect of the relationship between the U.S. and Israel, or
among Israel’s diverse communities, will be improved? The “objectives” refer to the
intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and
measurable.
Project Activities: Describe the project activities and how they will help achieve the
objectives.
Program Methods and Design: A description of how the project is expected to work to
solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. Include information about what makes the
project particularly important, interesting, and likely to succeed.
Proposed Project Schedule: The proposed timeline for the project 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 project. What proportion of their time will be used in support of this
project?
Project Audiences: Key audiences who will be reached by the project, both primary and
secondary. Primary audiences are those who will participate directly in the program,
while secondary audiences are those who will be reached by the project's primary
audiences, as a result of their participation. Include approximately how many people will
be reached by your project, including a breakdown of numbers of people reached in
different project activities.
Project Partners: List the names and type of involvement of any key partner
organizations and sub-awardees, if any. Include a description of their roles in
implementing the project.
Media Plan and Visibility: Provide a description of the program’s media strategy,
including via social media and traditional media as appropriate. The media plan should
illustrate how the program`s activities, outcomes and accomplishments will be made
visible and create a larger impact by reaching indirect audiences as well program
participants. Include how the project will ensure that U.S. government support for the
project is visible to the participants and to indirect audiences. If the project involves any
cultural or political sensitivities that may affect or compromise the program or the
participants, then the proposal may include a request to waive this requirement, but such
requests must be clearly justified.
Project 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?
Future Funding or Sustainability Applicant’s plan for continuing the program and its
positive impacts beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if
applicable. Address any potential pitfalls of the project strategy and how the project will
overcome them.
d. 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 Justification below for further information. This information
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is also requested in the optional application form available here, so applicants using this form do
not need to submit this information as a separate document.
e. Attachments:
1-page CV or resume for each of the key personnel who are proposed for the project;
Letters of support from project partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each
partner;
Official permission letters, if required for project activities;
Other attachments are permitted if the applicant feels they are appropriate and necessary
outside of the description of the proposed activities.
3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)
Required Registrations: All organizations applying for grants must obtain these registrations. All are free of charge:
Unique Identifier Number from Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS number)
NCAGE/CAGE code
www.SAM.gov registration
Step 1: Apply for a DUNS number and an NCAGE number (these can be completed
simultaneously).
DUNS application: Organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
number from Dun & Bradstreet. If your organization does not have one already, you may obtain
one by calling 1-866-705-5711 or visiting
http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do;jsessionid=81407B1F03F2BDB123DD47
D19158B75F. http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform
For DUNS help in Israel call +972-3-733-0330.
NCAGE application: Application page here:
https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx
Instructions for the NCAGE application process:
https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCA
GE.pdf
For help from within the U.S., call 1-888-227-2423
For help from outside the U.S., call 1-269-961-7766
Email [email protected] for any problems in getting an NCAGE code.
Step 2: After receiving the NCAGE Code, proceed to register in SAM by logging onto:
https://www.sam.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually.
4. Submission Dates and Times
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The Public Affairs Section will accept proposals throughout most of the year and will review
proposals according to the following schedule. Please note that while the deadlines for
submission of applications are firm, all of the review and response dates are approximate and are
subject to change, based on availability of funds. All funding decisions are also subject to
availability of funds at all times. Any application submitted after June 13, 2019, will need to
conform to the requirements of the FY2020 APS, which will be published as soon as possible
after September 30, 2019.
Cycle A: Proposals received from the date when the APS is published on the Embassy
web site to Thursday, November 15, 2018, will be reviewed by December 14,
2018, with responses going out by December 21, 2018.
Cycle B: Proposals received from November 16, 2018 to Thursday, February 14, 2019,
will be reviewed by March 15, 2019, with responses going out by March 22,
2019.
Cycle C: Proposals received from February 15, 2019 to Thursday, June 13, 2019, will
be reviewed by July 19, 2019, with responses going out by July 26, 2019.
Generally, the Embassy recommends that applicants submit proposals 3-6 months in advance of
the intended project start date. Projects submitted too far in advance of or too close to the project
start date run a greater risk that funding will not be available when sought.
Please note that PD plans to conduct public information sessions about this APS. The first is
scheduled for October 15, 2018. The others are tentatively scheduled for January 2019, and May
2019. Please watch the Embassy website for announcements about the exact dates, times, and
locations.
5. Funding Restrictions
Please note that although projects promoting cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians living
in East Jerusalem, The West Bank and Gaza were eligible for consideration under the FY18
APS, such projects will no longer be eligible under the PD Embassy Jerusalem, Branch Office
Tel Aviv’s Annual Program Statement as of FY19. The reason for this change is that PD
Embassy Jerusalem, Branch Office Tel Aviv and the Consulate General have now established an
effective mechanism for jointly considering such proposals. These kinds of activities remain a
high priority for both posts, and interested applicants are advised to watch the Embassy and
Consulate General websites for announcements about the “P2P NOFO” (Notice of Funding
Opportunity for people-to-people projects involving cooperation between Israelis and
Palestinians) for details on how to submit such proposals for funding consideration.
6. Other Submission Requirements
All application materials must be submitted by email to [email protected]
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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. Because they will be considered as a whole, there is no priority order
for these criteria.
Organizational capacity and record on previous grants: The organization has expertise in its
stated field and PD Jerusalem is confident of the applicant’s ability to undertake the
project. This includes a financial management system and a bank account. The organization
shows how it uses its capabilities effectively to reach the broadest audience that makes sense for
the purpose of the project, noting that some projects may be more suited to large audiences while
others may be more suited to small audiences.
Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea: The program idea is well developed, with detail
about how project activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable
implementation timeline. Intended project start date is not so close to or so far removed from the
expected decision date for the cycle during which the proposal is submitted as to put project
feasibility into question.
Goals and objectives: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and project approach is likely to
provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.
Embassy priorities: Applicant has clearly described how stated goals are related to and support
the U.S. Embassy in Israel’s goals, priority program areas and target audiences as described in
Section A, and clearly address the requirements of this APS. Applicant also clearly identifies the
American component to be included in the program.
Budget: The budget justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed
activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to
achieve proposed activities. Clear justification is provided as to why Embassy funding makes
sense in lieu of or in conjunction with funding from other sources.
Monitoring and evaluation plan: Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success
against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the
proposal. The project includes output and outcome indicators, and shows how and when those
will be measured.
Media outreach plan: Applicant describes a clear plan for how the program will be shared with
secondary audiences through traditional and/or social media. Applicant describes clearly how
the partnership with the U.S. government will be made visible to the participants and to
secondary audiences. Applicant describes the outreach tools to be used and demonstrates
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capacity to implement visibility through traditional and/or social media, taking into
consideration, however, any cultural and political sensitivities that may affect or compromise the
program or the participants. Branding waivers will only be granted on a rare basis and with a
strong justification of why one is needed in order for the project to be successful.
Sustainability: Project activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the
project.
2. Review and Selection Process
A Grants Review Committee will evaluate all eligible applications requesting funding amounts
equal to or over $10,000. Proposals requesting less than $10,000 will be evaluated by the Public
Diplomacy Section.
F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
1. Federal Award Notices
The award (fixed amount award, cooperative agreement, or standard grant as appropriate) 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 project 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 future 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 APS 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 normally and customarily be made by electronic funds transfer
or check in at least two installments, as needed to carry out the project activities. Payment
schedules will be determined by the Grants Officer and specified in the award document,
according to program’s milestones and as needed to carry out the project activities. Exceptions
to the method of payment or to the minimum of two installments will be rare and at the
discretion of the Grants Officer.
Organizations whose applications will not be funded will also be notified via email.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
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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, and the Certifications and Assurances
found in form SF-424B, which can be found here. They also include the Department of State
Standard Terms and Conditions, which are available here. Please note that additional terms and
conditions may apply, depending on the type of award, and these will be discussed with
successful applicants during the award phase. If you need assistance finding these materials,
please email your inquiry to [email protected]. Please note the U.S. Flag branding and
marking requirements in the Standard Terms and Conditions.
3. Reporting
Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program
reports. The award document will specify how often these reports must be submitted.
G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS
If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact PD Embassy
Jerusalem, Branch Office Tel Aviv at: [email protected].
Note: We do not provide pre-consultation for application-related questions that are addressed in
the APS. Once an application has been submitted, State Department officials and staff — both in
the Department and at embassies overseas — may not discuss this competition with applicants
until the entire proposal review and selection process is completed. If you have questions about
this APS, you may email them to [email protected]. Periodic updates and clarifications
in relation to this APS, including questions received at this email address and the appropriate
answers, will be periodically published on the Embassy website at
https://il.usembassy.gov/education-culture/grant-programs/.
H. OTHER INFORMATION
Guidelines for Budget Justification
Personnel: Describe the wages, salaries, and benefits of temporary or permanent staff who will
be working directly for the applicant on the project, and the percentage of their time that will be
spent on the project.
Travel: Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for this project. If the project 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
project, which has a useful life of more than one year (or a life longer than the duration of the
project), and costs at least $5,000 per unit.
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Supplies: List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are
needed for the project. 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 project, 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 project activities, such as
overhead costs needed to help keep the organization operating. If your organization has a
Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, attach a
copy of your latest NICRA. Organizations that have never had a NICRA may request indirect
costs of 10% of the modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68.
“Cost Sharing” refers to contributions from the organization or other entities other than the U.S.
Embassy. It also includes in-kind contributions such as volunteers’ time and donated venues.
Alcoholic Beverages: Please note that award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.