How to Apply for U.S. Mission to the African Union Grants 2022

How to Apply for U.S. Mission to the African Union Grants 2022

 

The U.S. Mission to the African Union announces an open competition for individuals and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to submit proposals for funding for projects that address economic vulnerability or weaknesses in food systems in communities across Africa.

 

The African Union’s 2022 theme is: “Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent: Strengthening Agro-food Systems, Health and Social Protection Systems for the Acceleration of Human, Social and Economic Capital Development.” 

 

Funding Opportunity Title: The Year of Nutrition and Food Security

Funding Opportunity Number: PAS-USAU-FY22-001

Deadline for Applications: May 25, 2022 11:59PM EAT

CFDA Number: 19.040 – Public Diplomacy Programs

Total Amount Available: $120,000 – subject to funds availability

Maximum for Each Award: $40,000

Number of Awards Available: 3

 

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Mission to the African Union Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for individuals and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to submit proposals in support of the African Union’s 2022 theme: “Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent: Strengthening Agro-food Systems, Health and Social Protection Systems for the Acceleration of Human, Social and Economic Capital Development” (“The Year of Nutrition”).

 

This grant provides funding for projects that address economic vulnerability or weaknesses in food systems in communities across Africa.

 

The African Union’s priorities areas for “The Year of Nutrition” include:

• Data management and information systems (nutrition monitoring platforms)
• Knowledge generation and dissemination (south-south learning via shared food security research)
• Advocacy for increased commitment and nutrition investment
• Partnerships and mutual accountability platforms for harmonized action and transparency
• Institutional capacity enhancement

 

Proposals that directly address these priority areas in conjunction with a U.S.-related component will be the most competitive in the selection process.  U.S.-related components can include, but are not restricted to, a staff or individual connection to the United States, a partnership with a U.S. institution, or the use of American products/services.

 

Priority region: Sub-Saharan and North Africa

Program Objectives

All proposals must include linkages to the African Union’s “Year of Nutrition” theme.

All proposals must include citizens of multiple African Union Member States and have a regional impact.

 

The objectives of the program will include:

• Demonstrate to the African public the importance of the African Union’s “Year of Nutrition” and/or food security
• Communicate a shared commitment by participants to the vision of the African Union: “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena”
• Implement activities that address at least one of the African Union’s priority areas listed above
• Expand and improve the relationship between the United States and the African Union

Participants and Audiences

The priority audience for this project is citizens of African Union Member States, especially those working in the fields of nutrition and food security.

Authorizing legislation, type, and year of funding

Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt Act.  The source of funding is FY2022 Public Diplomacy Funding.

 

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period:  12 months

Number of awards anticipated:  3 primary award(s)

Award amounts:  $40,000 maximum

Type of Funding:  Fiscal Year 2022 Public Diplomacy Funding

Anticipated program start date:  On or before September 30, 2022

This notice is subject to availability of funding and can be withdrawn at the discretion of the U.S. Mission to the African Union.

Funding Instrument Type:  Grant

Program Performance Period:  6 to 12 months

 

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

Eligible Applicants

PAS U.S. Mission to the African Union (USAU) encourages applications from citizens of and organizations based in African Union Member States as well as the African Diaspora in the United States that are engaged in the fields of nutrition and food security.

An individual or organization can be awarded a maximum of one grant from this NOFO.

 

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

Cost-Sharing or Matching

Cost-sharing is not required.

Other Eligibility Requirements

Beginning in April 2022, overseas organizations should apply for an NCAGE code and then go to SAM.gov to complete their registration.  A UEI will be generated as part of the SAM.gov registration process.  As of April 2022, the federal government will stop using the DUNS number as an entity identifier and will transition to the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued by SAM. Beginning in April 2022, overseas organizations should apply for an NCAGE code and then go to SAM.gov to complete their registration, a UEI will be generated as part of the SAM.gov registration process.

 

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Address to Request Application Package

Application forms required below are available at www.grants.gov.

Content and Form of Application Submission

Please follow all instructions below carefully.  Applications 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 documents are single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

 

The following documents are required:

Mandatory application forms

SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)

SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)

SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs)

These forms can be found at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html.

 

Summary Coversheet

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

Proposal

(7 pages maximum) The proposal should contain sufficient information such that non-specialists can understand exactly what the applicant intends 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 applying: A description of past and present projects, showing ability to carry out the project, including information on all previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. Government agencies.
• Description of activities: Describe the types of activities that will be implemented and how it will address the program objectives.
• Key Personnel:  Names, titles, roles, and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program.
• Program Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations.
• 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?

 

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.

Attachments (suggested examples)

• Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner
• Examples of previous activities that have addressed nutrition needs or food security in African Union Member States

Submission Dates and Times

Applications are due no later than May 25, 2022.

All application materials must be submitted by email to AddisUSAUPD@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.

 

Organizational capacity:  The organization has expertise in its stated field and PAS is confident of its ability to undertake the program.  This includes a financial management system and a bank account.

Quality and feasibility of the production plan:  The production plan is well developed with details about how production activities will be carried out.

Embassy priorities:  Applicant has clearly described how the production plan are related to and support USAU’s priority areas or target audiences.

 

Budget:  The budget justification is detailed.  Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results.  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 provide 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.

Review and Selection Process

A Grants Review Committee will evaluate all eligible applications.

FAPIIS

For any Federal award under a notice of funding opportunity, if the Federal awarding agency anticipates that the total Federal share will be greater than the simplified acquisition threshold on any Federal award under a notice of funding opportunity may include, over the period of performance (see 200.88 Simplified Acquisition Threshold), this section must also inform applicants:

1. That the Federal awarding agency, 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);
2. That an 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;
3. That the Federal awarding agency 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.

 

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

Federal Award Notices

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 instalments, as needed to carry out the program activities.

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

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

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 the 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.

 

In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department of State will review and consider applications for funding, as applicable to specific programs, pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity in accordance with the following:  NOTE:

• President’s September 2, 2020 memorandum, entitled Memorandum on Reviewing Funding to State and Local Government Recipients of Federal Funds that Are Permitting Anarchy, Violence, and Destruction in American Cities;
• Executive Order on Protecting American Monuments, Memorials, and Statues and Combating Recent Criminal Violence (E.O. 13933); and
• Guidance for Grants and Agreements in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR), as updated in the Federal Register’s 85 FR 49506 on August 13, 2020, particularly on:
• Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an objective process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR part 200.205),
• Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. No. 115—232) (2 CFR part 200.216),
• Promoting the freedom of speech and religious liberty in alignment with Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty (E.O. 13798) and Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities (E.O. 13864) (§§ 200.300, 200.303, 200.339, and 200.341),
• Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR part 200.322), and
• Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest extent authorized by law, if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR part 200.340).

Reporting

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.

Applicants should be aware of the post award reporting requirements reflected in 2 CFR 200 Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters.

 

Foreign Assistance Data Review:  As required by Congress, the Department of State must make progress in its efforts to improve tracking and reporting of foreign assistance data through the Foreign Assistance Data Review (FADR). The FADR requires tracking of foreign assistance activity data from budgeting, planning, and allocation through obligation and disbursement.  Successful applicants will be required to report and draw down federal funding based on the appropriate FADR Data Elements, indicated within their award documentation.  In cases of more than one FADR Data Element, typically program or sector and/or regions or country, the successful applicant will be required to maintain separate accounting records.

 

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact PAS USAU at AddisUSAUPD@state.gov.

 

Note:  We do not provide any pre-consultation for application related questions that are addressed in the NOFO.  Once an application has been submitted, State Department officials and staff — both in the Department and at embassies overseas — may not discuss this competition with applicants until the entire proposal review process is completed.

 

H. OTHER INFORMATION

Guidelines for Budget Justification

Personnel:  Describe the wages, salaries, and benefits of temporary or permanent staff who will be working directly for the applicant on the program, and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the program.

Travel:  Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for this program.  If the program involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel.

 

Equipment:  Describe any machinery, furniture, or other personal property that is required for the program, which has a useful life of more than one year (or a life longer than the duration of the program) and costs at least $5,000 per unit.

Supplies:  List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are needed for the program.  If an item costs more than $5,000 per unit, then put it in the budget under Equipment.

 

Contractual:  Describe goods and services that the applicant plans to acquire through a contract with a vendor.

Other Direct Costs:  Describe other costs directly associated with the program, which do not fit in the other categories.  For example, shipping costs for materials and equipment or applicable taxes.  All “Other” or “Miscellaneous” expenses must be itemized and explained.

Indirect Costs:  These are costs that cannot be linked directly to the program activities, such as overhead costs needed to help keep the organization operating.  If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, attach a copy of your latest NICRA.  Organizations that have never had a NICRA may request indirect costs of 10% of the modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68.

 

“Cost Sharing” refers to contributions from the organization or other entities other than the U.S. Embassy.  It also includes in-kind contributions such as volunteers’ time and donated venues.

Alcoholic Beverages:  Please note that award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.

U.S. Mission to the African Union Grants 2022