The U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana is offering the NGO Small Grants Program to strengthen Slovenian civil society and address priority societal concerns.

Eligibility for this NOFO is limited to: Slovenian not-for-profits/NGOs/social enterprises, Slovenian educational and research institutions and public entities.

The initial period of performance will be from 09/15/2017 on. Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt / Fulbright-Hayes, as amended.

All applicants should be familiar with OMB Circular 2 CFR Part 200.

Please read the entire NOFO package before submitting an application, and follow the steps immediately in order to submit before the deadline. Applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria and do not contain all of the required information will not be considered.

Program Description

A. Funding Opportunity Description

i. Background

The Embassy continues to offer grants for well-conceived and managed projects that strengthen the civil society sector and address societal concerns in U.S. priority areas. Eligible topics for projects are broadly defined to include democracy and human rights, security and foreign policy issues, economic and civic development, and support for regional stability in Southeastern Europe. Typically grant awards range from $3,000 to $5,000, though some exceptional projects are funded up to $10,000, and supplement other funding. The deadline for submitting proposals is August 1, 2017. New grantees will be given priority over previous grantees. Funding for NGO grants is decided through a competitive application process, and each proposal is reviewed by an internal embassy committee.

ii. Program Themes

THEMES

For this grant period, consideration will be given to project proposals focusing on the following themes:

– Anti-corruption, Good Governance, and Transparency

– Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Economic Prosperity, and Promotion of Trade

– Environment and Renewable Energy

– Energy Security and Diversification

– International Security, Counter-terrorism, and Defense Issues

– Human Rights (LGBT, Disabilities, Women’s Empowerment, Minority Populations)

– Youth Engagement, Volunteerism and Corporate Social Responsibility

– Responsible and Independent Media

– Regional Cooperation and Integration of the countries of SE Europe into Trans-Atlantic institutions

– Integration of Refugees and Migrants, Respect for Diversity, and Multiculturalism

We are particularly interested in supporting projects on these themes that encourage exchange, debate and promotion of U.S.-Slovenia cooperation.

iii. Available Funding and Legislative Authority

The source of this funding is D&CP (PD) Funds, under statutory authorities Smith-Mundt and Fulbright-Hayes

iv. Summary of Award Information
Type of Award: Fixed Amount Award/Grant
Appropriated Fiscal Year of Funds: FY2017
Approximate Total Funding: $100,000
Approximate Number of Awards: 15
Anticipated Award Date: September 15, 2017
Anticipated Project Completion Date: September 15, 2018

v. Deadline
Deadline for Applications: August 1, 2017

B. Eligibility Information
Applications by applicants which do not meet the eligibility by the time of an application deadline will result the application not being reviewed.

1. Eligible Applicants: Slovenian educational and research institutions, public entities, and not-for-profits/NGOs/social enterprises.

2. Cost-Sharing or Matching – encouraged, but will not be a factor for consideration in the panel review criteria. Applicants should show any cost share in the budget proposal. If a project is done in collaboration with another organization, please provide a letter of support/commitment from the partner institution.

C. Application and Submission Information

https://si.usembassy.gov/education-culture/grant-opportunities/ngo-small-grants/

1. Address to Request Application Package

Public Affairs Section
U.S. Embassy Ljubljana
Attn: Grants Program
Prešernova 31
1000 Ljubljana
Tel: (1) 200-55-00
Fax: (1) 426-42-84

In addition, please send one copy in electronic form to the following address: LjubljanaNGOGrants@state.gov

2. Content and Form of Application Submission
Please read the entire NOFO and follow the guidelines for proposal preparation.
Applicants must include the following in the proposal submission. All submissions must be in English.

1. Table of Contents that lists application contents and attachments (if any);
2. Completed and signed SF-424, SF-424A and SF424B, as directed on www.grants.gov.
3. If your organization engages in lobbying activities, a Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) form is required;
4. Summary and detailed Budget in USD and detailed budget narrative that includes an explanation for each line item in the spreadsheet, as well as the source and description of any cost share offered;
5. Attachments may be included, (letters of commitment from the applicant institution and sub-award partners, CVs of key personnel, project experience, etc.) but should not be unreasonably lengthy; see NOFO for details on required attachments, if any;

3. Unique Entity Identifier and SAM.gov
The System for Award Management is a U.S.-government wide registry of vendors doing business with the U.S. federal government and requires annual renewal. The system centralizes information about grant applicants/recipients, and provides a central location for grant applicants/recipients to change organizational information. More information about SAM.gov and useful guides for setting-up a new account, updating an existing account, or renewing an expired account can be found at: https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/
Foreign-based applicants are strongly encouraged to review these guides when creating an account with SAM.gov.
Each applicant is required to: (i) Be registered in SAM.gov before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. The Department of State may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Department of State is ready to make a Federal award, DOS may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.
Further, applicants must maintain an active account, with current information, while its application is under consideration for funding. To keep an active SAM.gov account, applicants must renew it at least once each year. If an organization’s account expires, the organization cannot submit a grant application until it is renewed.

4. Submission Method and Dates
Completed applications should be submitted electronically through LjubljanaNGOGrants@state.gov and on the following address: Public Affairs Section
U.S. Embassy Ljubljana, Attn: NGO Small Grants Program, Prešernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana. Please follow all NOFO instructions carefully and start early to ensure you have time to collect all of the required information.
All applications must be submitted by August 1, 2017. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

5. Funding Restrictions: The following activities and costs are not covered under this announcement:

• Construction is not an allowable activity under this award.
• Humanitarian assistance.
• Research projects
• Activities that appear partisan or that support individual or party electoral campaigns;
• Direct support or the appearance of direct support for any religious organization, to include repair or building of structures used for religious purposes.
• Military assistance of any kind, including weapons buy back or rewards programs.
• Purchase of firearms, ammunition, or removal of unexploded ordnances.
• Para-police (i.e., militias, neighborhood watch, security guards) and prison-related projects. This restriction includes no funding of any secondary need in a law-enforcement organization.
• Payments for any partner government, military or civilian government employee salary or pension.
• Vehicle purchases to include motorcycles.
• Duplication of services immediately available through municipal, provincial, or national government.
• Expenses made prior to the approval of a proposal.

6. Designated Performance and Integrity System (currently FAPIIS)
The Department of State, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313).

The applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM.

The Department of State will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in §200.205 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.

D. Application review Information

1. Criteria
The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals:
– Quality of Project Idea
– Program Goals/Objectives
– Plan for Measuring Program Effectiveness
– Organizational Capability and Record of Performance
– Summary Budget and Cost Effectiveness
– Key Personnel
– Sustainability of the Project

2. Review and Selection Process

The review will be done by The Embassy NGO Small Grants Committee consisting from an odd number of panelists (usually five) who will conduct a review of the project applications using SWOT analysis.

E. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices
The grant shall be written, signed, and awarded by the Grants Officer and administered by the Grants Officer. The Grants Officer is the Government official delegated the authority by the U.S. Department of State Procurement Executive to write, award, and administer grants. The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document, and it will be provided to the Recipient through either mail or facsimile transmission. Organizations whose applications will not be funded will also be notified.

Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the Government nor does it commit the Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Furthermore, the Government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received.

2. Administrative and National Policy
Prior to submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications that will apply to this award to ensure they will be able to comply. The terms and conditions are available on the State Department’s procurement website at: https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm

Applicants should also be familiar with the OMB circular that will apply to this cooperative agreement: OMB Uniform Guidance: Cost Principles, Audit, and
Administrative Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR Chapter I, Chapter II, Part 200, et al.)

F. Agency Contact

Any prospective applicant who has questions concerning the contents of this NOFO should email them to LjubljanaNGOGrants@state.gov.
Note that once the NOFO deadline has passed Department of State staff in Washington, D.C. and overseas at U.S. Embassies/Missions may not discuss this competition with applicants until the review process has been completed.