U.S. Embassy, Fiji is offering the Economic Recovery Project Grant to foster post-COVID-19 economic resilience and growth in the Pacific Islands.

Overview of Economic Recovery Project Grant Opportunity

—U.S. Embassy, Fiji—

Opportunity Description

The COVID-19 pandemic has stalled economic growth around the world. During this time of hardship, it is important for countries to support each other and invest in resilient economic initiatives. The United States remains committed to this goal, and to encouraging a free, prosperous, and open Indo-Pacific region that nurtures innovation, sustainable growth, and connectivity.

In support of that vision, the U.S. Embassy in Fiji is requesting innovative grant proposals focused on promoting economic recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Embassy aims to assist local organizations and associations that are already finding solutions to the economic adversities caused by the pandemic, with a special emphasis on tourism, entrepreneurship, and international trade. The Embassy will prioritize grant proposals that:

• Creatively find paths toward economic growth and resilience
• Illustrate well-crafted plans with medium- and long-term objectives
• Promote increased trade with the United States
• Incorporate online/virtual platforms to improve service or delivery of goods

Grant proposals must benefit Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and/or Tuvalu, and must address U.S. Embassy Goal #3:

Promote sustained economic prosperity driven by open-market economic policies and high-standard investment; increased connectivity; improved natural resource management; and free, fair, and reciprocal trading relationships

Award Information

Grant proposals should request between USD$25,000-$40,000, and must come from local or regional non-profits, NGOs, or associations. The project should run between 6 to 18 months and the proposals must focus on one or more of these areas:

• Positive impact on tourism and local communities affected by tourism
• Skill enhancement of women and youth in entrepreneurship and tourism
• Development of non-traditional businesses
• Building local entrepreneurs’ skills in the areas of international trade and/or how to sell products in international markets
•  Campaigns for building confidence in tourism   

All applications must include the SF-424 forms available on grants.gov: SF-424 and SF-424a Budget. Organizations that are selected for funding will be required to obtain a Unique Identifier Number (DUNS) and register in SAM.gov before the grant can be signed. Type of U.S. Funding: Public Diplomacy

Applications are due on June 30. Please submit completed application to PDsuva@state.gov

Eligibility Information

The following grant candidates are encouraged to apply:

• Locally registered NGOs
• Organizations, groups, or associations that are not-for-profit
• Organizations with experience in managing grants

This grant will not fund:

• Proposals from businesses
• Proposals focused on profit for the applicants
• Proposals for over USD$40,000
• Proposals that do not benefit communities in Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and/or Tuvalu
•  Proposals that do not address the stated Embassy goal
• Proposals that include overhead or indirect costs above 10% of the total, unless the organization has NICRA

Application and Submission Information

A well-constructed application will have the items listed in the following order:

Cover Sheet

• Include the title of the project and the name of the candidate organization

Brief Summary (max 150 words)

• Encapsulate the project succinctly, including:
• The need that the organization will meet
• How it will meet it
• The desired outcome(s)

Point of Contact

• Provide the address, phone number, and email of the person(s) that will be in contact with the U.S. Embassy in Fiji

Project Description (max 1,500 words)

• Describe the structure of the project
• Include the medium- and long-term objectives
• Illustrate how the organization plans to meet those objectives
• Discuss how the organization will address US Embassy Goal #3 
• Include a timeline of the project
• Provide a rationale for the methodology chosen (i.e., why choose a training of trainers over directly training the targeted beneficiaries)

Target Beneficiaries (max 250 words)

• Describe the target beneficiaries and why this form of support is important

Background of Organization (max 200 words)

• Provide a brief history of the organization that discusses the organization’s accomplishments and external resources
• Describe previous experience managing grants

Budget

• Line items the project will need to justify the grant in the provided categories
• If selected, the U.S. Embassy in Fiji will likely request more details about the project’s budget

Additional Information (max 200 words)

• Include any other details that could bolster the application