U.S. Embassy Morocco Opens 2024 Cultural Property Agreement Implementation Grants – PAS-MOROCCO-FY24-02

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

Funding Opportunity Title: Cultural Property Agreement Implementation Grants Program (CPAIG)

Funding Opportunity Number: PAS-MOROCCO-FY24-02

Deadline for Applications: December 21, 2023, at 11:59PM

Email: Rabatgrants@state.gov

Federal Assistance Listing: 19.036

Total Amount Available: $ 10,000 – $150,000 (estimated)

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for FY 2024 Cultural Property Agreement Implementation Grants. Organizations may submit applications to the U.S. Embassy in Morocco for funding through the Cultural Antiquities Task Force (CATF) to carry out an individual project to protect cultural property from looting, theft, and trafficking. Issuance of this funding opportunity does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government. Full implementation of this program is subject to the availability of funds. Please follow all instructions below.

Program Objectives:

The CPAIG Grants Program for Morocco supports projects that contribute to the implementation of provisions in the determinations of the cultural property agreement between the United States Government and the Moroccan Government.

Funding Areas:

The 2024 CPAIG Grants Program for Morocco supports the following activities:

Training and Capacity Building: of Moroccan law enforcement and cultural property managers to protect sites and objects. This year, the CPAIG is focusing on organizing two (02) series of three-day (03) trainings on the two (02) following topics:

·        Emergency and disaster preparedness, response and recovery of cultural property

·       Field methods for cultural property crime investigation.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of Performance Period: 12 to 36 months

Number of Awards Anticipated: 1 award

Award Amounts:  up to $150,000 (estimate)

Type of Funding: Educational and Cultural Exchanges Funds

Anticipated Project Start Date: 1 October 2024

This notice is subject to availability of Fiscal Year 2024 funds.

Funding Instrument Types: Cooperative Agreement

Project Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 36 months or less. The first series of training is expected to take place in early June 2024, and the second series of training is expected to take place in early June 2025.

The Department of State will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the project, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

Eligible Applicants: The following entities are eligible to apply:

·       Morocco-based non-profit organizations/nongovernment organizations (NGO)

·       Moroccan Public Entity, where permitted

·       U.S. Non-Profit Organization (IRC section 501(c)(3))

·       U.S. Institution of Higher Education

Cost Sharing or Matching:

There is no minimum or maximum percentage of cost participation required for this competition. When an applicant offers cost sharing, it is understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its application and later included in an approved agreement. The applicant will be responsible for tracking and reporting on any cost share or outside funding, which is subject to audit per 2 CFR 200. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs.

Other Eligibility Requirements:

The CATF further defines eligible applicants as reputable and accountable entities that can demonstrate that they have the requisite capacity and permission to manage projects to preserve cultural heritage in the specified country. To be eligible to receive an award, all entities that advance to Round II of the selection process must have a valid and active registration on www.SAM.gov by April 29, 2024.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

This opportunity consists of two application rounds:

·       Round I: Project Ideas and Concept Notes Submission

·       Round II: Full Proposal Submissions

During Round I, applicants are due to submit completed Concept Notes in English with budget estimate electronically to RabatGrants@state.gov (Subject: CPAIG 2024 Grants Competition) by December 20, 2023.

Applicants must use the concept note and budget forms attached to this Notice Of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Failure to submit the completed (02) forms will result in immediate disqualification.

Submission Dates and Times:

Applicants must submit proposals before December 20, 2023, at 11:95pm to Rabatgrants@state.gov

Funding Restrictions:

CPAIG does not support the following activities or costs, and applications involving any of the activities or costs below will be deemed ineligible:

·       Protection or purchase of privately or commercially owned cultural objects, collections, or real property, including those whose transfer from private or commercial to public ownership is envisioned, planned, or in process but not complete at the time of application.

·       Construction of new buildings, building additions, or permanent coverings (over archaeological sites, for example).

·       Relocation of cultural sites from one physical location to another.

·       Removal of cultural objects or elements of cultural sites from the country for any reason.

·       Contingency, unforeseen, or miscellaneous costs or fees.

·       Costs of work performed prior to announcement of the award unless allowable per 2 CFR 200.458 and approved by the Grants Officer.

·       International travel, except in cases where travel is justifiable and integral to the success of the proposed project or to provide project leaders with learning and exchange opportunities with cultural property experts.

·       Individual projects costing less than US $10,000 or more than US $150,000.

·       Independent U.S. projects overseas.

·       Repatriation of cultural property from the United States to another country unless part of a larger, clearly defined protection, documentation, or public diplomacy effort.

E. 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 program 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 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.

F. DISCLAIMER

Issuance of this funding opportunity does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the CPAIG program or the U.S. government. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs reserves the right to waive program formalities and to reduce, revise, or increase application budgets and award amounts in accordance with the needs of the CPAIG program and the availability of FY 2024 funds.

G. PROJECT DESIGN ASSISTANCE

The U.S. Embassy is available to answer questions and provide consultation on Concept Notes between November 21 and December 11.

Please email us at RabatGrants@state.gov and put CPAIG 2024 in the subject line.