U.S. Embassy Dhaka Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) Grant to Strengthen U.S.-Bangladesh Cultural, Educational, and Professional Ties

• Programs relating to partisan political activity;
• Charitable or development activities;
• Construction and infrastructure programs;
• Programs that support specific religious activities;
• Fundraising campaigns;
• Lobbying for specific legislation or programs
• Scientific research;
• Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the
organization;
• Programs that duplicate existing programs;
• Projects consisting of a single meeting or brief conference;
• Projects or events that require participants pay for entrance or participation; and
• Projects or events benefitting a for-profit enterprise

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Embassy Dhaka Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) is pleased to announce an open competition for organizations to submit program proposals that strengthen, expand, and celebrate U.S.-Bangladesh people-to-people ties, institutional linkages, and bilateral cooperation of U.S.- Bangladesh diplomatic ties. PDS invites organizations interested in potential funding to submit project proposals outlining program concepts that reflect these goals. Upon review of the proposals, PDS will invite selected applicants to the merit review process. Please carefully follow all instructions below.

PURPOSE

PDS Dhaka invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural, educational, or professional ties between the people of Bangladesh and the United States. Programs must highlight shared values and promote bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an U.S. cultural element, or connection with an U.S. expert(s), organization(s), or institution(s) in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. This can also include the involvement of Bangladeshi alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. Applicants are encouraged to review the U.S. Mission to Bangladesh Integrated Country Strategy to help develop strong proposals that align with the U.S. government’s priorities in Bangladesh.

Examples of PDS-funded programs include, but are not limited to:

·        Academic and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs;

·        Capacity-building workshops and training programs;

·        Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions;

·        Professional, cultural, and academic exchanges, partnerships, and programs including research collaboration; and

·        English language programs.

Proposed programs should address one or more of the following objectives:

·        Advancing democratic values through the promotion of human rights, civil society, freedom of expression, press freedom, disability rights, and good governance;

·        Promoting inclusive economic growth through innovation and entrepreneurship, promote economic opportunities and empowerment of underserved communities and youth, and explore the benefits of expanded trading opportunities between the United States and Bangladesh;

·        Increasing opportunities for Bangladeshi youth from historically marginalized communities (e.g., indigenous, LGBTQIA+, religious minorities, etc.); and

·        Increasing resilience to disinformation and misinformation through media literacy, fact checking, professional and technical training, and innovative awareness campaigns.

Participants and target audiences include, but are not limited to:

·        Youth and rising leaders (high school and university-level students and entry-level young professionals);

·        Civil society leaders and non-governmental organizations including grassroots activists, organizers, and community-based and minority-serving organizations;

·        Journalists, social media influencers, and bloggers;

·        Business leaders and entrepreneurs;

·        Established opinion leaders, including cultural and/or educational institution administrators, educators, and government officials; and

·        Leaders and organizations supporting underserved communities living outside of Dhaka.

The following types of programs are NOT eligible for funding:

·        Programs relating to partisan political activity;

·        Charitable or development activities;

·        Construction and infrastructure programs;

·        Programs that support specific religious activities;

·        Fundraising campaigns;

·        Lobbying for specific legislation or programs

·        Scientific research;

·        Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the

organization;

·        Programs that duplicate existing programs;

·        Projects consisting of a single meeting or brief conference;

·        Projects or events that require participants pay for entrance or participation; and

·        Projects or events benefitting a for-profit enterprise.

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 $20,000 to a maximum of $75,000.

Total expected available funding: $500,000

Type of Funding: Fiscal Year 2023 Public Diplomacy Funding

Anticipated programs start date: Between October 2023 to November 2023

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Funding Instrument Type: Grant, Cooperative Agreement, or Fixed Amount Award. Cooperative Agreements are different from grants in that PDS staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation. Should the government determine that a cooperative agreement is the appropriate mechanism for a selected project, the U.S. government’s responsibilities will be tailored to the selected project and defined in the pre-award process.

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

PDS 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.

ELEGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

The Public Diplomacy Section encourages applications from Bangladeshi, Bangladesh-based, and U.S. entities:

·        Registered U.S. and Bangladeshi not-for-profit organizations, including civil society

organizations, think tanks, and social, cultural, and educational institutions with programming experience;

·        U.S. and Bangladeshi non-profit or governmental educational institutions;

·        U.S.-based organizations should submit a copy of their IRS determination letter. Non-U.S. based organizations should submit a copy of their certificate of registration from the appropriate government entity.

For-profit and commercial entities, even those that may fall into the categories listed above, are

not eligible to apply for this funding opportunity. *For-profit or commercial entities are not

eligible to apply.

2. Other Eligibility Requirements

·        In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) along with an active registration in SAM.gov. The UEI will be generated when the organization registers in SAM.gov. Please see pages 6-7 for information on how register in SAM.gov. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

·        Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, the submission received closest to and before the deadline will be reviewed.

I. Inquiries

If you have any questions about the grants application process, please contact PDS at: DhakaGrants@state.gov.