Public Affairs Section Grant: Empowering Chihuahua Youth Through Baseball Diplomacy

Applications may be submitted by any not for profit entity that: (a) is organized under the laws of Mexico or the United States of America, (b) has its principal place of business or operations in Mexico or the U.S., with the ability to produce programs in Mexico, (c) is majority beneficially owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent and residents of Mexico or the U.S., and (d) is managed by a governing body the majority of which are citizens or lawful permanent residents of Mexico or the U.S. Organizations may submit applications individually or in partnership with other international or local organizations. Partnerships with governmental organizations may also be considered where a sub-national or national governmental organization may contribute expertise, staff or resources to achieving a program objective; however, the prime applicant must meet the eligibility criteria outlined above. Partnerships do not require cost sharing or leverage, but cost sharing is strongly encouraged and will be considered as a factor in cost effectiveness.Individuals or for- profit organizations are ineligible to submit proposals.
Organizational Capacity. Applicant organizations should demonstrate their capacity for organizing sporting and educational events, focusing on two areas of competency: (1) provisions of projects that address the goals, objectives, and themes outlined in this document; and (2) previous experience working on similar programs in Mexico. Applicants need to have organizational capacity in Mexico and be funded as a non-profit organization.

The proposal narrative must also indicate the applicant’s ability and experience managing a large, multi-city program and clearly explain and demonstrate the capacity for doing so.

Other Eligibility Requirements Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding. Previous federal award recipients who are not in compliance with the terms of their financial and program reporting requirements are ineligible to apply.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they are in compliance with all applicable terms, conditions, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance and requirements at the time of application and during the program period, if awarded funding. Those organizations found to be in non-compliance with grant terms and conditions or OMB guidance may be found ineligible for funding or designated high risk by the grants officer if selected for funding. For a copy of the Uniform Guidance, please download from http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-12-26/pdf/2013-30465.pdf

PLEASE READ the full Notice of Funding Opportunity in the "Related Documents" and "Package" tabs.

Program Goals:
The goals of this funding opportunity are to:
1. Support youth empowerment by boosting youths’ self-confidence;
2. Strengthen communities by promoting respect and teamwork;
3. Foster gender equality through co-ed sports activities; and
4. Promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of Mexico.

Proposals must demonstrate how applicant will:
•Recruit and retain non-elite Mexican boys and girls ages 12 to 16 who demonstrate the interest and ability to participate for the duration of the program. The proposal should state how the selection process will be designed to recruit youths who are growing up in communities acutely affected by gangs, violence, and crime;
•Identify specific outcomes to be achieved over the duration of the award’s performance period; how progress towards outcomes identified will be measured; and what controls are in place to ensure the proposed activities will be implemented according to schedule and within budget.
•Incorporate U.S. baseball coaches, players, and/or other mentors into the proposed activities.

Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of the Act is “to enable the Government of the United States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries…; to strengthen the ties which unite us with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United States and other nations…and thus to assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States and the other countries of the world.” The funding authority for the program above is provided through U.S. legislation.

The applicant will be expected to design a program for boys and girls ages 12-16 in multiple locations in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, that must include—but not limited to—the cities of Chihuahua and Ciudad Juarez and preferably also includes the communities of Parral, Delicias, Cuauhtemoc, Nuevo Casas Grandes, and Camargo. Proposals that include coaching clinics and a baseball tournament to bring participants together are highly encouraged. All proposal narratives must be submitted in English.

As a result of the program, participants should demonstrate positive changes in their desire, confidence, and ability to complete their education and improve their communities. They should also demonstrate an increased appreciation for gender equality and inclusion and intention to promote the same.