U.S. Embassy & Consulates
in Mexico

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

U.S. CONSULATE GENERAL, MONTERREY, MEXICO

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) 

Funding Opportunity Title:  Public diplomacy grant program – Empowering communities through technology and education

Funding Opportunity Number:  PAS-MTY-2021-01

Deadline for Applications:                         March 19, 2021

CFDA Number:  19.040

Total Amount Available:                         $25,000.00 USD 

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the United States Consulate General in Monterrey, announces an open competition for civil society organizations to submit applications to carry out public diplomacy projects in the states of Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas. Projects can be completely virtual or have a mix of virtual and in-person activities, if and only when local COVID-19 contingency guidelines permit it and are strictly followed. Please carefully follow all instructions below.

Priority Region: Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas.

Program Objectives:

The program shall improve the access and use of technology for education in underserved students. By the end of the program, students will have sufficient knowledge and access to relevant, discrete technologies to improve their connection to the digital world, as well as their educational opportunities and employment opportunities.

The program may include the purchase of equipment for a host institution; these requests should be reasonable and explicitly explained in the budget.

Program Theme/Goal

The goal of this NOFO is to strengthen community-based organizations in support of activities to promote education, technology use, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), particularly for Mexican youth, within the age range of 13-21. All proposals should promote an increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

Project themes/focus could include the following. These are illustrative examples only, and proposals will be considered that relate to the stated program objectives above:

• Technology basics for youth: programs that provide a comprehensive understanding of video conference software, on-line education, and job searching.
• Coding and Programming Club: ​Courses aimed at students and young professionals on coding and programming languages.
• STEAM literacy: ​Programs aimed at high school and college students who have little-to-no knowledge of STEAM applications in data science, computer science, and Internet of Things (IoT) in order to help participants widen their choices of higher education and STEAM-related career opportunities.
• Digital Innovation: ​Programs aimed at high school and college students to learn about Artificial Intelligence (AI), Business Intelligence (BI), Big Data/Analytics, 3DAssembly Modelling, and Internet of Things (IoT).
• STEAM and Business: ​Programs aimed for participants currently studying STEAM-related business to introduce fundamentals of enterprise development, supply chain, and marketing practices that are essential to creating STEAM startups. The program would help build a network and ongoing mentorship opportunities for students and young professionals in practicing STEAM and entrepreneurial processes.
• Audio-Visual Club: ​Programs on the functional basics of audio-visual technology to include sound systems, film, 3D-printing, photography, editing, and design basics.
• To the extent possible, materials should privilege U.S. content.

Participants and Audiences:

Proposals should engage with a gender-balanced group of Mexican youth, between 13-21 years of age.

 

Guidelines

Successful proposals will clearly address the following points:

• The proposal should be submitted in English or Spanish.
• Include a clear project description.
• Identify specific goals addressed and outcomes to be achieved.
• Projects can be completely virtual or have a mix of virtual and in-person activities, if and only when local COVID-19 contingency guidelines permit it and are strictly followed.
• Identify the target audiences/recipients and the total number of participants.
• Explain how the project will include or recruit specific audiences.
• State the location/s of activities. Project activities must be limited to the states of Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas.
• Include a calendar of activities, topics, timeline, and milestones.
• Include an evaluation and monitoring plan.
• Explain how the project will have a multiplier effect or be sustained after the grant period.
• Include a “U.S. component” as part of the project. Examples include but are not limited to: a U.S. speaker – in person or virtual; participation of U.S. Consulate officials during the opening, closing, or other activities of the program; collaboration with U.S. institutions; use of materials or publications of the U.S. Department of State or other U.S. content.

 

Additional information

• Proposals must comply with the application process and submit documents solicited in this NOFO.
• Proposals must include a branding plan for materials produced and state how the U.S. Consulate General will be recognized.
• Site visits or activities including U.S. Consulate General personnel throughout the project are encouraged, if and only when local COVID-19 contingency guidelines permit it and are strictly followed.
• The U.S. Consulate General will promote the project to wider audiences, including the use of its social media platforms.
• This NOFO does not require cost sharing, but applicants are encouraged to seek support from other sources. PAS also encourages projects that use volunteers as an element of cost-sharing. Applications should explain other sources of funding, in-kind contributions (such as office space and supplies), and how the volunteers will be used.
• Attachments may include a 1-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program.

 

 FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: One day to 12 months

Number of awards anticipated: up to four

Award amounts: Minimum award $ 5,000.00 USD; maximum award $25,000.00 USD; pending availability of funds.

Total available funding: $25,000.00

Type of Funding: FY21 Fulbright/Hays Funds

Anticipated program start date: May 2021

 

This notice is subject to the availability of funding.

Funding Instrument Type:  Grant, Fixed Amount Award, or cooperative agreement.

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

PAS reserves the right to award less or more than the funds described in the proposal as it may deem to be in the best interest of the U.S. government. PAS will consider 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 applicants, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the Department of State.

 

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

 

1. Eligible Applicants: This funding opportunity is limited to registered not-for-profit, civil society/non-governmental organizations, and cultural/educational institutions working in the states of Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas. Applicants must provide proof of their registration with the Mexican Federal Government as a civil society organization that can accept donations.
2. Cost Sharing or matching is not required but is encouraged.
3. Other eligibility requirements

 

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

In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a unique entity identifier (Data Universal Numbering System/DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet), as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they are in compliance with all applicable terms, conditions, guidance, and requirements at the time of application and during the program period, if awarded funding. Those organizations found to be in non-compliance with grant terms and conditions may be found ineligible for funding.

Non-eligible projects

Some projects that are not eligible for funding include:

• Seed capital or funding for start-ups and/or small businesses support
• Programs related to partisan political activity
• Projects to support individual research or scientific research
• Purchase of office space or buildings or rental of permanent office space
• Health devices/supplies or any health-related project
• Agricultural projects
• Purchase of major equipment such as electro domestics appliances, motor-vehicles (requests will be reviewed case by case)
• Domestic animal projects
• Religious activities
• Construction projects
• Fundraising campaigns

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:

• NOFO online registration form is complete
• The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity
• All documents are in English or Spanish
• All budgets are in U.S. dollars

The following documents and information are required:

1. Online application form. 

• Name of the organization
• Title of the project
• Contact details (name, address, email, phone number, cell number) of the point of contact for the project and the legal representative of the organization.
• Description of organization capacity (maximum one page): A description of past and present operations, showing the ability to carry out the program.
• Previous grants (U.S. government and other sources).
• Project Justification/Needs Statement: Clear, concise, and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed.
• Project Goals: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. These should be achievable and measurable.
• Project Objectives: The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable.
• Project Activities:  Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives.
• Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful grants. Throughout the time-frame 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?
• Key Personnel – who will work on this project?
• Calendar of proposed activities: The proposed timeline for the program activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events.
• Report plan. All projects must submit a minimum of one final narrative/descriptive report and a financial report. Depending on the length of the project, more reports may be requested. All reports must be written in English.

 

2. Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Organizations must have an active Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet, if your organization does not have a number or it has expired, please visit: https://www.cialdnb.com/es/numero-duns/numero-d-u-n-s/
3. SAM registration. Organizations must also have an active SAM registration. If your organization does not have a registration or it has expired, please visit: SAM.gov

*Registration or renewal of a DUNS number and/or in SAM.gov can be a lengthy process, and all who are interested in submitting a project(s) are encouraged to begin the process immediately and not wait until they submit their project(s) or it is selected.

4. Budget with Budget Narrative/Justification: Applicants must submit the complete budget template and description, including unit costs, quantities, and any other relevant information that may impact the total cost of the project.

 

Submission Date

Mar 19, 2021

 

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the following criteria.

1. Purpose and Impact. The proposal should explain why this project is important to the community, clearly identify audiences, reflect the diversity, and address the goals of this proposal.
2. Completeness and achievable objectives. Objectives should be realistic. Proposals should demonstrate how the activities will meet the project’s objectives.
3. Clear planning. The proposed project should be well designed and provide a work plan with specific details, including clear project activities, a timeline, and a monitoring plan.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation. The project should be monitored and evaluated

 

Review and Selection Process: All applications will be reviewed and selected by June 1, 2021. All applicants will receive an award or decline notice from PAS by this date. For questions, please contact: ConsuladoUSAmty@state.gov

 

FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

The grant, fixed amount award (FAA) or cooperative agreement shall be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the United States Government Grants Officer or his/her representative from PAS and signed by a responsible officer or individual from the applicant organization (Grantee).

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.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

Guidelines for Budget Justification

Personnel and Fringe Benefits: 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, for program staff, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries. 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. Also, describe any sub-awards to non-profit partners that will help carry out the program activities.

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.