U.S. Department of State’s Dar America Grant for American Spaces Youth & Professional Development in Morocco

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

DAR AMERICA

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Funding Opportunity Title: American Spaces Grant Funding 2021

Funding Opportunity Number: PAS-MOROCCO-FY21-03

Deadline for Applications: Sunday July 11, 2021

Assistance Listing Number: 19.441                        

Total Amount Available: $115,000

1. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Mission in Morocco’s Public Affairs Office is pleased to announce the American Spaces Grant Funding 2021. Proposals should focus on professional development, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) training, and American cultural programming aimed at Moroccan students and young professionals ages 15-30. Additionally, creative programs that educate audiences on how counter disinformation in the digital sphere will also be considered. Programming will engage target audiences at Mission Morocco’s American Space Network, which includes Dar America Casablanca, the American Space Oujda, and the Marrakech American Corner.

Priority Region: Morocco

Program Objectives:

• Professional Development for Moroccan Youth:  Promote professional and soft skills development, entrepreneurship and innovation through mentoring and training to promote positive community engagement and increase employability; use professional and soft skills programming to introduce audiences to American models, precepts, and experts.  
• Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) Programming: Use STEAM programs to attract new audiences to our American spaces and increase understanding of STEAM developments, including those with a connection to the United States. 
• American-inspired Cultural Programming: Engage audiences through American-inspired cultural programming, including film, music, literature, history, or art.    
• Countering Disinformation: Promote media literacy and other skills to help young people effectively identify online disinformation.

 Participants and Audiences:

Moroccan youth and young professionals (15-30 years of age) addressing the above objectives

 B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: 10 to 12 months

Number of awards anticipated: 4-8 awards (dependent on amounts) (dependent on amounts)

Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $25,000

Total available funding: $115,000

Type of Funding:  FY2021 Fulbright Hayes

Anticipated program start date:  July 30, 2021

 This notice is subject to availability of funding.

 Funding Instrument Type: Grant, fixed amount award, or cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements are different from grants in that bureau/embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation. 

 Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less.

Optional:  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 program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

The Public Affairs Office encourages applications from all sectors: committed and organized civil-society organizations, local representatives of civil society, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, cultural institutions, academic institutions, and individuals. All grantees must have a non-profit status.

We seek proposals for geographically and demographically diverse audiences within Morocco. U.S. NGOs and individuals may apply, but preference is given to Moroccan NGOs or to partnerships that develop capacity with Moroccan NGOs.

1. Cost Sharing or Matching

There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this competition. However, Embassy Morocco encourage applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of programs.

Cost-sharing or matching is NOT an evaluation criteria of this NOFO.

All cost share or matching must be included in detail in the line item budget and noted in the budget narrative. When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its proposal and later included in an approved agreement. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For accountability, recipients must maintain written records to support all costs that are claimed as their contribution, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in accordance with OMB 2 CFR 200.306 – Cost Sharing and Matching.

1. Other Eligibility Requirements

All applicants must have the following registrations:

1. Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number;
2. NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) code; and
3. System for Award Management (SAM.gov) (If you have applied and have not yet received the registration number, provide proof of application).
4. Mandatory application forms

To apply, please complete these forms in English:

The Project Narrative 

Applicant Organizational Information Form

The Budget Proposal (in USD)

SF424 (Application for Federal Assistance – Must be signed)

SF424A (Budget Information)

SF424B (Assurances – Must be signed)

Submit all forms in electronic format to Rabatgrants@state.gov  no later than Sunday July 11, 2021 at midnight.

 NQUIRIES

 All questions about the American Spaces Grant Program should be addressed to  daramerica@state.gov