U.S. Embassy Nouakchott Public Affairs Section: Request for Statements of Interest | PAS NOUAKCHOTT RSOI FY 2022

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS NOUAKCHOTT RSOI FY 2022

The U.S. Embassy Nouakchott Public Affairs Section (PAS), part of the U.S. Department of State, issued this Notice of Funding Opportunity as a Request for Statements of Interest (SOIs) for FY 2022 public diplomacy programming in Mauritania (CFDA 19.040). The overall aim is to strengthen cultural ties and bilateral cooperation between the United States and Mauritania through education, entrepreneurship, cultural, and environmental programming that highlights shared values and increases understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. A core requirement is that every proposed program includes a clear American cultural element or an explicit connection to American experts, organizations, or institutions in the relevant field.

This opportunity uses a two-step application process. First, organizations submit a short SOI that functions as a concept note (about 3 to 5 pages) so PAS can evaluate the idea before asking for a full proposal. After reviewing eligible SOIs, PAS will invite selected applicants to expand their concepts into full proposal applications. Submissions were accepted until May 20, 2022 at 12:00 noon UTC/GMT, and the embassy noted that applications would be accepted on a rolling basis. A grant committee made up of U.S. Embassy employees reviews submissions, and the review/selection timeline is estimated at roughly six weeks from the deadline.

Funding is provided as grants under FY 2022 Public Diplomacy funding, authorized by the Smith-Mundt Act, and is explicitly subject to the availability of funds. The total estimated funding available is $300,000, with an expected 5 to 10 awards depending on award sizes. Individual awards must fall between $30,000 (minimum) and $100,000 (maximum); requests above $100,000 are not considered. The performance period can range from 1 to 12 months, with anticipated start dates during Fiscal Year 2022. Cost sharing is not required, but if an applicant proposes cost sharing, they are expected to deliver it as stated.

PAS is looking for proposals that align with one or more embassy priority areas. The first is strengthened security for Americans and Mauritanians, with example topics such as crime and safety awareness and countering violent extremism. The second is increased opportunity and reduced poverty, with example topics including entrepreneurship, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), and environmental protection. The third is promoting an inclusive society, with example topics such as social inclusion, reducing discrimination, advocacy for an inclusive national identity, cross-cultural dialogue and understanding, human rights, and cultural and ethnic diversity. Target participants and audiences should center on youth, women, culturally or ethnically diverse communities, and/or marginalized groups.

The notice provides examples of activities that have been funded in the past to illustrate the range of eligible public diplomacy programming. These include U.S. experts delivering lectures, seminars, or speaking tours; artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions; cultural heritage conservation and preservation efforts; professional and academic exchanges; support to libraries or community centers interested in becoming an American Space; alumni-led programming tied to U.S.-sponsored exchange experiences; and initiatives that promote English language teaching skills or expand access to books and information resources about the United States.

It also clearly lists activities that are not eligible. PAS will not fund partisan political activity, charitable or development work, construction, programs supporting specific religious activities, fundraising campaigns, lobbying for specific legislation or government programs, scientific research, projects mainly aimed at organizational growth or institutional development, programs that are not Mauritania-specific, submissions on behalf of individuals, proposals that duplicate existing programs, or other concepts that do not fit the public diplomacy purpose described.

Eligibility is limited to non-profit and educational entities in the United States and Mauritania, including registered not-for-profit organizations (such as NGOs, civil society organizations, and think tanks) with relevant programming experience, as well as educational institutions and non-profit or governmental educational institutions. For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible. A strict rule applies that each organization may submit only one proposal; if more than one is submitted, all submissions from that organization are deemed ineligible.

SOIs must be submitted by email to PASNouakchott@state.gov and must follow formatting and content rules closely. All materials must be in English, budgets must be in U.S. dollars, and Microsoft Word documents must be single-spaced in 12-point Times New Roman with at least one-inch margins. The SOI should clearly present a brief project description that summarizes goals, objectives, outcomes, performance indicators, beneficiaries, and a proposed timeline, along with a clear statement demonstrating the applicant’s capacity to implement the activity and manage U.S. government funds. The program statement (3 to 5 pages) should include the organization name, target country or countries, the amount requested from PAS, any cost share amount (if applicable), the total program amount, the program length, a short synopsis explaining expected impact and stakeholder engagement, an explicit objectives-activities-results breakdown, and a concise description of expertise and grant management capability.

SOIs are scored using three criteria: quality of the program idea (50 points), organizational capacity and record managing previous grants (35 points), and program planning/ability to achieve objectives (15 points). Creative approaches that still fit the program framework are encouraged, and feasibility and a reasonable timeline are emphasized. If a local partner is included, the SOI should briefly explain the partner’s role and experience.

Finally, the embassy notes that applicants do not need a UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) or active SAM.gov registration at the SOI stage. However, if PAS invites an applicant to submit a full proposal, the organization must obtain a UEI and have an active SAM.gov registration before submitting that full application, and applicants are encouraged to start the SAM.gov process early because it can take several weeks and there is no fee.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Mauritania in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), community development, education, employment, labor and training, environment, health, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda), information and statistics, law, justice and legal services, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Nouakchott Public Affairs Section: Request for Statements of Interest" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 20, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 20, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for PAS NOUAKCHOTT RSOI FY 2022

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