U.S. Embassy Bangkok Grant: Strengthening U.S.-Thailand Partnerships and Promoting Democratic Values

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Embassy Bangkok Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce an open competition for organizations and individuals to submit applications to carry out programs that strengthen cultural, economic, and public health partnerships between the United States and Thailand, and promote democratic values, rule of law, human rights, and environment protection through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field in order to foster U.S.-Thai mutual understanding.

Priority Program Areas

1. Environment and Global Health

• Activities that increase awareness of environment protection, climate change, transboundary water challenges, and other key regional issues.
• Activities that promote U.S.-Thai health partnership and strengthen global health security through educational and outreach activities.

2. Economic Partnership

• Activities that support U.S.-Thai partnership in areas of entrepreneurship, anti-corruption, transparent business practices, and corporate social responsibility.
• Activities that build digital skills and improve business practices of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and women entrepreneurs for different stages of their businesses’ development.
• Activities that provide opportunities to Thai students with increased access to and understanding of U.S. technology and innovation.
• Innovative and educational projects that strengthen sustainable development in the Mekong sub-region

3. Rule of Law, Democratic Values, and Human Rights

• Activities that strengthen democratic values, accountability, public participation, transparency, and rule of law in governing and political institutions.
• Innovative projects that educate Thais about U.S. experience in participatory democracy, dialogue, transparency, and accountability.  
• Activities that promote universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms.
• Activities that promote connection between the United States and the rising leaders in the Indo-Pacific region.

4. Special Areas of Interest

• Activities that promote U.S.-Thai partnership and build two-way exchanges between the U.S. and Thai public.
• Activities to promote the sharing of U.S. culture and values with Thai populations through educational opportunities, arts and culture, interactive learning, film, and arts and culture.  
• Projects for Thai youth that focus on enhancing critical thinking skills and promoting civic engagement to counter disinformation and improve media/digital literacy.  
• Programs that provide Thai students with increased access to education and understanding of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEM/STEAM) to promote economic growth.

Participants and Audiences

All applications must identify the target audience of the program and estimate audience reach through direct contact, and if possible, through indirect contact via social or traditional media.

The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:

• Projects relating to partisan political activity
• For profit activities
• Charitable or development activities
• Construction projects
• Projects that support specific religious activities
• Fundraising campaigns
• Lobbying for specific legislation or projects
• Academic and scientific research
• Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization
• Individual exchange programs
• Programs that duplicate existing programs.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: Up to 12 months 

Number of awards anticipated: Multiple

Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $2,500 to a maximum of $25,000 (Larger awards may be considered for specific circumstances)

Type of Funding: Fiscal Year 2023 Public Diplomacy Funding

Anticipated program start date: Flexible

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Funding Instrument Type

Grant, Grant to Individual, Fixed Amount Award, or Cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements are different from grants in that U.S. Embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation.

Program Performance Period

Proposed programs should be completed by the end of 2024. 

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

Eligible Applicants

For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.  

Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing or matching is not required for this funding opportunity, but it is encouraged. Any cost sharing must be clearly laid out in the proposal and budget estimate.

Other Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a unique entity identifier on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D for information on how to obtain the registration.

Individuals are not required to have a unique entity identifier or be registered in SAM.gov. 

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

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 Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

The following documents are required:

1. Mandatory Application Forms

• SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) at https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_4_0-V4.0.pdf or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance – individuals) at https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_Individual_2_0-V2.0.pdf 
• SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) at https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424A-V1.0.pdf 
• SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs – organizations) at https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/Mandatory_SF424B-V1.1.pdf or SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs – individuals) at https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/Individual_SF424B-V1.1.pdf 

2. Summary Coversheet

Cover sheet stating the applicant name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program.

3. Proposal

The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. You may use your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below.  

• Proposal Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed program, including program objectives and anticipated impact.
• Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. government agencies.
• Problem Statement: Clear, concise, and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed
• Program Goals and Objectives: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. What aspect of the relationship between the U.S. and Thailand will be improved? The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable.
• Program Activities: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives. 
• Program Methods and Design: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. 
• Proposed Program Schedule: The proposed timeline for the program activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events.
• Key Personnel: Names, titles, roles, and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program. What proportion of their time will be used in support of this program?  
• Program Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees.
• Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful grants. Throughout the timeframe of the grant, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant?
• Future Funding or Sustainability: Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable.
• Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA): If your organization has a NICRA, you should include NICRA charges in the budget and the latest rate should be included in the proposal.

4. Budget Justification Narrative

After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use a separate sheet of paper to describe each of the budget expenses in detail. See section H. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information.

5. Attachments

• One-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program
• Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner
• Official permission letters, if required for program activities

Required Registration – Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from https://www.sam.gov. The registration is free of charge. SAM registration must be renewed annually.

Submission Dates and Times

The Public Affairs Section will accept proposals throughout the year. Applications may be submitted for consideration at any time before the closing date of July 31, 2023. No applications will be accepted after that date. 

Other Submission Requirements

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

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Criteria

Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below. The criteria listed are closely related and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application. 

• Responsiveness to Objectives: The program goals closely align with those outlined in the project description.
• Feasibility of the Program Idea: The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline.
• Engagement of Target Audiences: The program is geared at the target audience outlined in the program description.
• Cost Effectiveness: The budget justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities, anticipated results and the number of people reached. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities.
• Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: Applicant demonstrates it can measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators and shows how and when those will be measured.
• Sustainability: Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program.

Review and Selection Process

A Grants Review Committee will evaluate all eligible applications based on the previously identified criteria.

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

The grant award or cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document, and it will be provided to the recipient for review and signature by email. The recipient may only start incurring program expenses beginning on the start date shown on the grant award document signed by the Grants Officer.

If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State. 

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

Payment Method: Payments will be made in at least two installments, as needed to carry out the program activities.  

Organizations whose applications will not be funded will also be notified via email.

Terms and Conditions: Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply. These include: 2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 600, Certifications and Assurances, and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, all of which are available at: https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-the-procurement-executive/. Note the U.S Flag branding and marking requirements in the Standard Terms and Conditions.  

Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports. The award document will specify how often these reports must be submitted.