U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs Grant for American English and Culture Conversation for Adults

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Public Diplomacy Section (PD) of the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs (U.S.OPA) announces an open competition for a grant through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The American English and Culture Conversation for Adults “Access for Adults”

is designed to partner with a Palestinian, American, or International non-profit non-governmental organization to implement activities which advance the applicant’s goals, the objectives of this call for proposals, and the U.S.OPA-PD mission: to advance a comprehensive and lasting peace through a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the development of a vibrant, representative, and responsive Palestinian civil society, private sector, and governing institutions through substantive engagement with American people, institutions, ideas and ideals in order to improve American-Palestinian relations and create greater opportunities for mutually beneficial partnership and cooperation.

Priority Region: Nablus, Gaza, Ramallah, Jerusalem, and Hebron

Program Objectives:

GOALS

The main goal of this program is to equip participants with English language (EL) skills and an understanding of American culture, society, history, current issues, and values, with the expectation that this will lead to greater opportunities for mutual understanding and mutually beneficial partnerships and cooperation between Palestinians and Americans. As such, the program should develop participants’ oral, written, and digital communication skills to enable them to communicate more effectively and confidently in English.

OBJECTIVES

Successful proposals must be designed to achieve all of the following objectives:

A- To engage participants in intercultural group work and project-based learning on themed

topics related to American culture, values, society, history, and current issues.

B- To improve participants’ EL verbal and written communication skills and ability to engage with Americans in English on complex topics while increasing their comfort with and willingness to engage with Americans generally.

C- To increase confidence in using English in professional settings to advance participants’ careers.

Participants and Audiences:

This program should target a group of adults ages 30-45 from a diverse range of professions and backgrounds in Nablus, Gaza, Ramallah, Jerusalem, and Hebron. The cohort should have an intermediate level of English language proficiency, indicate interest and motivation to improve their English language abilities, and lack access to traditional opportunities for doing so. Recruitment of participants should be through an online application which can also be promoted through social media networks with the assistance of the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs. A total of at least 200 participants should be recruited for this iteration of the program. It is anticipated that the impact of the program will extend beyond the 200 direct beneficiaries to hundreds more of their family members, friends, associates, and co-workers.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: up to 12 months

Number of awards anticipated: 1 award

Award amounts: $100,000

Total available funding: $100,000

Type of Funding: FY22 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds

Anticipated program start date: September 30, 2022

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Funding Instrument Type:  Grant

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

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

1.     Eligible Applicants

The following types of applicants are eligible to apply: 

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

2.     Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost share is allowed but not required and will not factor into the merit review process.

3.     Other Eligibility Requirements

In order 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.

Organizations wishing to submit proposals to the Public Affairs Section should click this link to review the documents and forms: https://www.grants.gov/forms/sf-424-family.html

To see the full grant announcement, click this link: https://il.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/Access-for-Adults-PAU-PD-NOFO-FY22.pdf