U.S. Embassy of Panama Grant: Enhancing Think Tanks Collaboration

The Public Affairs Section of the Embassy of the United States in Panama announces an open competition for organizations to submit funding applications for a project to facilitate the development of local Panamanian and regional think tanks, business consortiums, and policy-research institutes through training and engagement with U.S. counterparts. Please carefully follow all instructions below.

Project Objectives:

This project advances the U.S. interest in making Panamanian institutions more resilient, transparent, and democratic through the engagement of a strong civil society. The project will build the capacity of local whistleblowing, watchdog, and policy-guidance organizations in Panama and help to counter misinformation and promote good governance. The project will also promote greater cooperation and coordination between the U.S. and Panama on a range of important policy issues through the expansion of contact networks and the exchange of information and ideas.

Project Description:

This project will facilitate the development of local Panamanian and regional think tanks, policy-research institutes and business consortiums through training and engagement with U.S. counterparts. The project will consist of forums, seminars, workshops, or other activities that bring together representatives primarily from U.S. and Panamanian organizations that focus on policy guidance, monitoring, or research. Activities should include capacity-building for organizations that promote transparency and accountability as well as the sharing of technical and regulatory expertise particularly on oversight of agreements involving international partners.

In addition to U.S. think tank expertise, the project may include collaboration with other countries in the region to share knowledge and best practices.

Grant funding should be used for any and all expenses for the program, including but not limited to event and travel costs.

Partners and Audience:

The ideal implementer of this project will have experience with organization-level coordination, conference facilitation, and training methods as well as an understanding of the structure, function, and challenges facing new and established think tanks. Additional familiarity with Panamanian people, institutions, and current issues is a plus.

Potential partners in the U.S. may include organizations such as the Atlantic Council, Inter-American Dialogue, IRI, NDI, and the Heritage Foundation. Local participants may include such organizations as Instituto de Estudios para una Sociedad Abierta, Centro de Iniciativas Democráticas, SENACYT, Knowledge in Panama, Asociacion Nacional para la Conservacion de la Naturaleza, and Fundacion para el Desarrollo Sostenible de Panama, Fundacion Espacio Civico.

Eligible Applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply: 

·        Registered Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations

·        Universities and educational institutions

·        Governmental institutions.

·        Individuals

For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.

All organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet, NCAGE/CAGE Code, as well as an active registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 of our Notice of Funding Opportunity for information on how to obtain these registrations. Step by step guideline available at our website (see links below).

Submission Dates and Times

Applications may be submitted for consideration at any time before the closing date of January 31, 2020. Project activities should not be scheduled prior to April 1, 2020 to allow time for processing the grant.

All application materials must be submitted by e-mail to PanCultural@state.gov  

Application package must contain:

·        Proposal (including Budget Narrative)

·        Budget Worksheet

·        Form SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance and SF-424_A

Required application forms and templates are available at our website:

  https://pa.usembassy.gov/education-culture/grants/

  https://pa.usembassy.gov/es/education-culture-es/subvenciones/ 

For further information about out Notice of Funding Opportunity please read carefully our NOFO PAS-PAN-FY20-06 U.S.-Panama Think Tank Collaboration