Ukraine: USG Exchange Alumni Small Grants Program

Description

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE US Embassy Kyiv Notice of Funding Opportunity Funding Opportunity Title: Ukraine: USG Exchange Alumni Small Grants Program Funding Opportunity Number: PAS-Ukraine-2024-02 Deadline for Applications: April 8, 2024 Assistance Listing Number: 19.900 Total Amount Available: $350,000 A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Kyiv /Bureau of EUR of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations and individuals to submit applications to carry out a program to support USG alumni initiatives in Ukraine. Please follow all instructions below. Priority Region: Ukraine Program Objectives: The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv announces the 2024 Alumni Small Grants Program. Subject to availability of funds, the Embassy will award small grants as described below to alumni of U.S. Government-funded exchanges and training programs. The program seeks to encourage alumni civic involvement, networking, and professional development by supporting alumni-initiated projects that enhance civil society involvement in Ukraine’s reform efforts, encourage tolerance and integration of marginalized or displaced populations, and celebrate the strong links between the people of the United States and the people of Ukraine. With funding from the Alumni Small Grants Program, the U.S. government seeks to support alumni initiatives that assist Ukraine to win its future by recovering from the war, fighting corruption, deepening rule of law, and integrating into Euro-Atlantic institutions. Specific thematic priorities are described in detail below. Alumni may apply for grants for the following purposes: · To support stabilization and reintegration of newly liberated areas by providing assistance to vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, youth, returnees, and displaced persons. · To strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as an integral part of Ukraine’s economy · To support victims of war-related atrocities in seeking justice. · To foster veterans’ rehabilitation and reintegration into civilian life. · To expand inclusive, transparent, and accountable democratic institutions that function with integrity · To foster greater adherence to the rule of law, strengthen anti-corruption bodies, and combat systemic corruption. · To enhance the sense of national unity and cohesion, as well as promote conflict resolution. · To counter Russian propaganda, and disinformation and increase citizen resilience to propaganda and disinformation. · To conduct projects that enhance reforms in education to facilitate Ukraine’s transition to a prosperous, unified, and democratic state, and support European integration. · To support alumni association events or alumni networking opportunities. · To organize training programs or conferences in Ukraine for professional colleagues and/or other alumni. Participants and Audiences: Individual Ukrainian citizens and Ukrainian registered non-profit, non-governmental organizations are eligible to apply if they meet the criteria listed in paragraph C. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: up to 12 months. Proposed projects should have a proposed start date no earlier than May 25, 2024, and no later than September 25, 2024. Number of awards anticipated: depends on amount and quality of proposals. Award amounts: maximum of $5,000 for individuals and $40,000 for organization (average amount of funding $ 25,000 - $30,000 for organizations) Total available funding: $350,000 Type of Funding: FY24/Foreign Assistance Act Anticipated program start date: February 12, 2024 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Grant, fixed amount award, or cooperative agreement. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 2024-2025. C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants The following organizations and individuals are eligible to apply: Individuals: Any Ukrainian citizen, with permanent residency in Ukraine, who is an alumnus or alumna of one or more of the following U.S. Government-funded exchange and training programs is eligible to apply. · Programs funded by the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, including the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX), Global UGRAD, Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Exchange Program, Fulbright Exchanges, Teacher Exchanges, International Visitor Leadership Exchange Program, Professional Fellows Program, the Ukrainian Business Leaders (UBL/PIE), and others. · Participants of other State Department-funded programs, such as press tours and tech camps. · Exchange and training programs funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (such as the Faculty Exchange Program), and the Department of Commerce, including SABIT training, others. · The Open World Leadership Program funded by the U.S. Library of Congress. Organizations: A registered Ukrainian non-governmental, non-profit organization is eligible if: 1) An individual U.S. government exchange program alumnus or alumna is a member, and 2) That exchange program participant will have a significant role in the planning and implementation of the project to be supported with Alumni Small Grant Program funds. 3) Groups with a clear connection to U.S. government alumni networking, such as alumni associations, are also eligible. Collaboration of two or more alumni of various exchange programs is highly encouraged. Individuals and Organizations Not Eligible to Apply: U.S. and third-country organizations or individuals are not eligible. Ukrainian citizens who are U.S. exchange alumni but who are not permanent residents of Ukraine are not eligible. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing is encouraged; however, it is not a requirement of an application in response to this funding announcement. Applicants may provide in-kind contributions and/or coordinate funding with other donors. 3. Other Eligibility Requirements In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1. Address to Request Application Package Application forms required below are available at https://ua.usembassy.gov/education-culture/ 2. 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 are in English · All budgets are in U.S. dollars · All pages are numbered The following documents are required: 1. Mandatory application forms/will be sent additionally: · SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance – individuals) · SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) · SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) (note: the SF-424B is only required for individuals and for organizations not registered in SAM.gov) 2. Proposal: The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. Proposal Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed program, including program objectives and anticipated impact. Section 1: Provide information about the individual or organization applying, including prior grants received, personal experience, and/or organizational capacity. Section 2: Provide the name of the U.S. government funded exchange program in which the applicant participated, and the program year. Section 3: Provide information on individual or organizational project partners, if any. Section 4: Summarize the project and its intended impact. Section 5: Provide project dates. Section 6: Describe the project in detail, linking project activities to intended results. Explain why the project is important, and how and why the audience and project location were selected. Clearly define the project goals (describe what the program is intended to achieve) and its objectives (refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable). Include a description of how project managers will measure results and evaluate the project, and your plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable. Include a detailed timeline that explains how the project will be implemented, when, and by whom. If the project is linked to a specific event or date, please note it here. If the project can be implemented earlier or later than indicated, please note it here (6f). Section 7: Provide a detailed budget, using the template provided. Expenses incurred before the project begins will not be reimbursed. 3. 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 All application materials must be submitted by email to KyivAlumniGrants@state.gov The subject line of submission emails should follow this format: Alumni Small Grants Application: Project Title, Name of Individual or Organization.

Eligibility

Grants.gov lists this opportunity under eligibility category code 25. These codes correspond to applicant types (state/local government, tribal organization, nonprofit, educational institution, individual, small business, etc.) defined in Grants.gov's own eligibility reference. See the current Grants.gov eligibility categories or check the official listing below for this opportunity's exact eligibility statement.

Agency Contact

Key Dates