PROGRAME DE GRANTURI ANUNȚATE DE AMBASADA SUA ÎN MOLDOVA: 2) U.S. Embassy Cultural Small Grants Program

Opportunity Title: CULTURAL SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM

Opportunity Number: PAS-CHISINAU-FY19-06-CULTURAL

CFDA Number: 19.040

CFDA Title: Public Diplomacy Programs

Program: Cultural Programs Post

Announcement Type: Open Competition

Announcement Date: Friday, February 15, 2019

Submission Deadline: Monday, March 18, 2019

Anticipated Award Date: Wednesday, May 01, 2019

Agency Contact: Alexandru Leanca, LeancaAI@state.gov

Program Description

The Cultural Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Moldova works to build mutual understanding between Moldovans and Americans.  We do this through establishing cultural professional and academic networking and partnerships involving Moldovan and American professionals in music, sports, and the arts.  

We offer small grants for programs and activities that support these goals in music, sports, and the arts. Small grants generally range from $10,000 to $25,000.

Strategic Priorities:

Strategic Priorities for the 2019 financial year are:

  1. Supporting Independent Voices
  2. Economic Empowerment
  3. American Culture and Values
  4. Accountable Governance

Applicants are encouraged to look at ways of using cultural programs (music, sports, arts, literature, etc…) to support one of these themes.

Examples may include, but are not limited to, how sports can contribute to effective governance, using theater or art to address the social impact of economic issues, or creative writing classes to help bring to light fresh and independent voices. These are just suggestions of how cultural programs can support broader themes that are important to the U.S. Mission.

The Cultural Small Grants Fund is available for projects that promote mutual understanding and strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Moldova through programs in music, sports, and the arts.

Programs and activities may include, but are not limited to: coaching workshops, exhibits, performances, and creative collaborations. There should be a distinctly U.S. component to the program.

Covered Costs for Participation of U.S. Coach/Speaker/Artist: The U.S. Embassy will cover economy-class airfare ticket (approx. $2,000, Fly America Act applies), per diem ($73 per full day, $55 per travel days), lodging costs (up to $161), and honoraria ($250 per program day).  Please include these numbers in your budget outline. It is the applicant’s responsibility to identify the relevant expert and ensure that he/she agrees to these conditions and states this in their letter of intent. Allowable costs are limited to immediate program needs, such as honoraria, salaries, translation services, in-country transportation, conference room rentals, relevant supplies, and meals.  

Award Information

Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreements, Grants or Fixed Amount Awards

Funding per grant: up to $25,000

Expected number of awards: 5-10

Expected award date is May 1, 2019.

The Department also reserves the right to award more or less funding as deemed in the best interest of the U.S. Government. The performance period for funded projects will generally be for up to 12 months. Recipients of funding under this announcement will be subject to the Department of State terms and conditions and the terms set forth in this announcement. Additional terms and conditions may apply as warranted. Quarterly or Semi-annual technical and financial reports may be required during the term of the project. A final assessment at the end of the project is mandatory for all grants.

Award recipients must comply with Executive Order 13224, Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions with Persons who Commit, Threaten to commit, or Support Terrorism. Information about this Executive Order can be found at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2001-09-25/pdf/01-24205.pdf.

Cost Sharing or Matching

Applicants are not required to include funding from other donors. However, applications that include additional in-kind and/or cash contributions from non-U.S. Government sources will be given extra consideration, as cost-sharing demonstrates a strong commitment to the planned activities and greater cost effectiveness.

Cost sharing may be in a certain percentage or amount, or may take the form of contributions of specified items or activities (e.g., provision of equipment).

Eligibility

Eligible applicants: Moldovan non-profit NGOs, American non-profit NGOs which will partner with a Moldovan NGO or will benefit the Moldovan audience, individuals, Moldovan public institutions.

The Cultural Small Grants Program cannot fund:

  •  Individuals
  •  Commercial organizations.  
  •  Organizations with affiliation to elected officials, political parties, or religious groups;
  •  Humanitarian or charitable activities, including direct social services to populations;
  •  Fundraising campaigns;
  •  Career development activities;
  •  Political or partisan activities;
  •  Scientific research;
  •  Costs for meals and refreshments above 10% of the total funding;
  •  Staff salaries above 15% of the total funding (including fringe benefits);
  •  Transatlantic travel; or
  •  Purchase or lease of land and/or buildings

Application Submission Information

A complete application must contain the following mandatory elements:

  1. Application Format in MS Word format (Related Documents)
  2. Detailed Budget in MS Excel format (Related Documents)
  3. Budget Narrative (free form)

Unsolicited attachments will not be read and should not be submitted for this award.

Do not archive documents and do not send links to external storages such as Google Drive or Dropbox. The documents must be attached as individual files and sent in one email before the deadline. Do not send the application package more than one time.

Please send the application electronically to moldovagrants@state.gov including the Funding opportunity Number and Name of the Organization in the subject of your email.   

Example:  PAS-CHISINAU-FY19-06-CULTURAL Asociatia Moldova

It is the responsibility of all applicants to ensure that proposals have been submitted on time the emails specified. The U.S. Embassy bears no responsibility for data errors during the transmission or conversion processes.

We encourage the applicants to use the downloadable forms. If Internet access is limited, please contact us to arrange an alternative way of receiving the application package.

Please use only Microsoft Word to fill out the project form. If you do not have Microsoft Office software, feel free to use the computers at the America House (find address on the Embassy’s website) or any other public access center (e.g., Novateca’s nationwide library network, Internet cafés, etc.).

Please contact us at LeancaAI@state.gov if you experience technical problems or are unable to submit an electronic version of the application.

Successful applicants may be required to register in SAM.GOV (System for Award Management) before an award can be made.

Review Criteria

Proposals are judged by a review panel on a combination of the following criteria:

Originality and Relevance to Thematic Priorities (30%)

Proposals should exhibit originality and relevance to the aforementioned Mission Goals and Priority Themes.

Sustainability and Feasibility (25%)

Objectives should be measurable and achievable. Applicants should provide a timeline of project activities and outcomes.

Applicant’s Record and Capacity (25%)

The Embassy will consider the past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants. Proposals from organizations should demonstrate an institutional record of successful program administration, including responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting requirements for past grants. Any paid staff should play an essential role and have clearly-defined responsibilities.

Cost Effectiveness (20%)

The costs associated with the program should be reasonable and correspond to local market norms for full-time/part-time duties.

Program Administration

Applicants will be notified electronically about selection results. An email message will be sent to the email account included in the application form. Grants Program Staff may also contact the applicants to request additional information or clarify certain aspects of the application documents; therefore it is important to provide accurate contact information.

Successful program applicants will have to sign a Notice of Award (grant agreement) before receiving the funds. No costs should be incurred by the applicant prior to signing a Notice of Award. The notice of Federal award signed by the grants officer is the authorizing document.

Unsuccessful program applicants will receive an email notification. The grants program may provide a signed rejection letter upon request; however, the Grants Program will not provide reasons for rejection.

Reporting

During the grant implementation the recipient will have to inform the Embassy about the events and activities carried out under the grant.

The recipient will have to provide a final financial and performance report (narrative) submitted in electronic format in English via email at the end of the project, however, often the Embassy may choose to request semiannual or quarterly reporting. The U.S. Embassy reserves the right to request other proofs such as photos from events, participants’ lists, copies of publications, etc., as well as request access to financial information related to the grant.

Contact information

Alexandru Leanca

Cultural Program Coordinator

LeancaAI@state.gov

+373 22 851714; +37369126372

Source: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=312959


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