U.S. Embassy Rabat Grant: SportTech Entrepreneurship Program for Moroccan Youth Empowerment

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

U.S. Embassy Rabat

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Funding Opportunity Title: SportTech Entrepreneurship Program  

Funding Opportunity Number: PAS-MOROCCO-FY24-09

Deadline for Applications: September 02, 2024                   

Assistance Listing Number: 19.040  

Total Amount Available: $40,000

 A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Embassy in Rabat, Morocco is pleased to announce an open grant competition to award a cooperative agreement to organize the “SportTech Entrepreneurship Program.” The Embassy’s Public Affairs Office invites proposals from established Moroccan associations, committed, and organized civil-society organizations to implement the “SportTech Entrepreneurship Program” a grant aimed at leveraging the transformative power of sports and technology to empower Moroccan youth through a U.S.-Morocco collaboration. It will bring two U.S. sports technology experts to Morocco to conduct workshops and training sessions, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among the participants. This program aligns with Morocco’s hosting of major sporting events, like the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 and the FIFA World Cup in 2030, capitalizing on these opportunities to showcase national advancements in sports and technology. The program’s goal is to drive economic growth, create jobs, and enhance education, positioning Morocco as a leading sports technology hub in Africa and strengthening U.S.-Morocco bilateral relations.

 Please follow all instructions below.

Program Objectives:

The program’s goals and objectives are:

Economic and Entrepreneurial Empowerment: By infusing a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, the project aims to drive economic growth. The resulting sports-tech solutions can lead to startups, generating employment and revitalizing the local economy.

Empowerment through Knowledge Transfer: Introduce Moroccan youth to the range of possibilities where sports and technology intersect, enabling them to create solutions tailored to their local context.

Education and Skill Enhancement: Offer a platform where youth can augment their skills and gain practical insights making them more competitive in the global job market.

Strengthening U.S.-Morocco Bilateral Relations: By engaging deeply in areas of mutual interest, this collaboration aims to solidify ties between the U.S. and Morocco, fostering a long-lasting partnership based on mutual respect and shared goals.

Program activities:

The recipient should organize a mix of online and in-person activities. The program will conclude with a demo day to present the startup proposals to potential investors and partners, timed to leverage Morocco serving as a host for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 and the FIFA World Cup in 2030.

This program should also feature a robust alumni component, ensuring that the engagement with participants extends beyond the immediate duration of the workshops and training sessions. Following the conclusion of the program, alumni will be actively involved during major upcoming sporting events, such as the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Morocco. This will provide a platform to showcase their innovative work and project ideas to a global audience. The alumni will benefit from continued support and exposure, which will not only highlight their achievements but also the success of the program.

Participants and Audiences:

40 to 50 participants ages 20 to 30 years old

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: 9 to 12 months

Number of awards anticipated: 1 award.

Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $30,000 to a maximum of $40,000.

Total available funding: $40,000 (successful proposals may be expanded pending availability of funding)

Type of Funding: FY24 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds

Anticipated program start date: October 2024

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement. The Public Affairs Office will be actively involved in the award implementation. U.S. Embassy staff will:

1)    Provide standardized logos/branding guidelines for promotional materials.

2)    Approve marketing materials and participate in promotional activities of the program, utilizing the U.S. Mission’s social media platforms and media contacts.

3)    Approve proposed venues.

4)    Approve participant and trainer recruitment and selection plans.

5)    Assist in identifying and contacting alumni of U.S. government exchange programs, representatives of U.S. companies, and enlisting U.S. Mission personnel as potential speakers or trainers.

6)    Review and approve proposed program speaker and trainer rosters and activity/workshop/site visit content and formats.

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

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:

–       Only Moroccan Non-Profit, committed, and organized NGOs and CSOs with full SAM.gov registration will be eligible to receive funds for this funding opportunity.

–       Individual applicants and U.S. organizations and NGOs are not eligible.

2.    Cost Sharing or Matching

There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this competition. 

3.    Other Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1.    Address to Request Application Package

Application forms required below are available at U.S. Embassy Morocco website. Applications should be sent to Rabatgrants@state.gov no later than Monday, September 2, 2024, at midnight. All questions about this NOFO should be addressed to: Rabatgrants@state.gov (Subject: SportTech Entrepreneurship Program)

2.    Content and Form of Application Submission

Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.

Content of Application

Please ensure:

·       The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity.

·       All documents are in English.

·       All budgets are in U.S. dollars.

·       All pages are numbered.

·       All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper, and

·       All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12-point Calibri font, with a  

·       minimum of 1-inch margins.

The following documents are required: 

1.    Mandatory application forms (Can be found under “Related documents”)

·       SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) 

·       SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)

·       SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs)

·       Applicant Organizational Information Form

·       Project Narrative form (Must use the provided template)

·       Detailed proposed program (No template provided)

·       Budget Proposal (in USD) (please use $1 = 10 MAD as exchange rate)

·       CVs for Director and key project personnel (you should provide in English)

·       Final registration papers for the organization (وصل نهائي) (you can provide in Arabic)

2.    Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

Required Registrations:

All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration with the SAM.gov. A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards.

1.    Submission Dates and Times

Applications are due no later than Monday, September 2, 2024

2.    Funding Restrictions: N/A

3.    Other Submission Requirements

All application materials must be submitted by email to Rabatgrants@state.gov

Please go to the attached NOFO for a full detailed announcement “NOFO – SportTech Entrepreneurship”

2.    Review and Selection Process

A review committee will evaluate all eligible applications once they have passed the technical eligibility requirements.