2024-NOFO USG Alumni Small grants.docx

Department of State – Embassy of the United States, Bishkek, The Kyrgyz Republic Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Program Office: Public Diplomacy Section, U.S. Embassy, Bishkek Funding Opportunity Title: USG ALUMNI SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM Announcement Type: Cooperative Agreement Funding Opportunity Number: STATE-BISHKEK-PDS-24-0005 Deadline for Applications: July 5, 2024 (11:59 P.M. Bishkek Time) Assistance Listing: 19.900 – Assistance to Eastern Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia

CONTACT INFORMATION

● For questions relating to Grants.gov, please call the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800- 518-4726 (U.S. toll-free number) or for international callers, 1-606-545-5035. Support may also be available at https://www.grants.gov/support.html or via email at support@grants.gov for technical assistance.

● For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, contact the Book Translation Program Team at the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek by email at BishkekProjectProposals@state.gov.

● To inquire about the process for obtaining a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) contact Donald Hunter at HunterDS@state.gov.

One option to submit applications is through www.Grants.gov. Authorization to submit proposals through www.Grants.gov is a multi-step process that requires prior successful registration with two separate sites: Sam.gov and www.Grants.gov. Please begin the registration processes immediately to ensure the registrations are completed well in advance of the submission deadline. The process can require up to six weeks for the registrations to be validated and confirmed. See Section D: Statement of Interest Submission Information for further details.

Due to the volume of applicants and inquiries, the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) does not accept letters of intent or concept papers. A virtual information session for interested applicants will be offered and will be announced on our website.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application package has been received in its entirety. Incomplete applications will be considered ineligible. Applicants are urged to begin the application process well before the submission deadline. No exceptions will be made for organizations that have not completed the necessary steps.

A. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

Executive Summary:

The U.S. Embassy Bishkek Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is soliciting proposals from Kyrgyz-republic-registered or U.S. non-governmental or not-for-profit organizations for the administration of the U.S. government sponsored (USG) Alumni Small Grants Program. The program provides funding up to $8,000 s to alumni to implement innovative, small-scale alumni projects that address various themes. These projects are intended to encourage networking among alumni of various U.S. government programs, strengthen local communities, and promote the positive relationship between the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic.

Background:

The USG Alumni Small grants program is designed to engage USG Alumni by funding innovative projects that align with the prioritized themes. The organization awarded this grant will demonstrate capacity for creative and effective solicitation of project proposals from USG Alumni, collecting applications biannually in spring and fall cycles. The chosen organization will also play a critical role in strengthening the USG Alumni network across all regions of the Kyrgyz Republic, organizing professional development seminars, and facilitating reunions to foster alumni community. PDS anticipates allocating approximately $88,000 to support between 10 to 15 alumni initiatives. Funding will be awarded based on panel review.

Applicants should pay close attention to the stated goals, priorities, and target audiences when developing their proposals. Applicants are encouraged to review previous and current activities, initiatives, reunions, and grants involving USG Alumni to gain insights and inspiration for their applications. As a separate component, large scale USG alumni reunions (all USG alumni in general) in Osh and Bishkek are welcomed as well. Applicants are expected to suggest engagement programming with USG alumni in regions and in Bishkek.

Due to the volume of applicants and inquiries, PDS does not accept letters of intent, concept papers, or requests for meetings or phone calls prior to application.

Program Goal:

Enhance engagement of U.S. government exchange alumni throughout the Kyrgyz Republic on key issues affecting their communities through skills-building, networking, and professional development opportunities.

The goal of the program is to support 20-30 USG alumni-led projects that aim to strengthen the alumni community, benefit local communities, advance shared goals between the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic, and contribute to the professional and personal development of at least 500 USG alumni. This will be achieved through a series of reunions and professional and personal development workshops designed to enhance skills, foster networking, and promote continuous learning and collaboration among alumni.

Priority Audience:

· USG alumni from various programs across the Kyrgyz Republic.

· Participants in projects led by USG alumni.

The program objectives should address the following:

By end of calendar year 2025,

1. Increase communication and collaboration between U.S. government exchange program alumni through networking opportunities organized throughout the Kyrgyz Republic.

2. Equip alumni with necessary knowledge and skills to design and implement alumni-led initiatives related to education, economic growth, civic engagement, positive youth development, and other areas of shared interest between the United States and Kyrgyz Republic.

3. Increase knowledge and ability of USG alumni to develop quality grants proposals and apply for USG-funded grants.

4. Increase the number of alumni-led initiatives leveraging skills and knowledge acquired during exchange programs to address community needs and challenges.

5. Strengthen career and leadership skills of alumni through targeted professional development initiatives, including mentorship and coaching programs.

Expected Activities to be managed by the implementing partner:

1. Solicit and fund 20-30 USG alumni-designed and led small grant projects that advance mutual goals between the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic related to education, economic growth, civic engagement, positive youth development, and other areas of shared interest.

2. Develop an efficient and innovative online application system to streamline the grant proposal collection process.

3. Innovatively promote the USG alumni grants to maximize visibility and engagement including presentations promoting the program for USG alumni in regions.

4. Produce a series of step-by-step online video tutorials to guide applicants through the USG alumni grant proposal development and application process.

5. In addition to the alumni small grant program, organize two major USG alumni reunions to engage USG alumni throughout the Kyrgyz Republic to foster networking and collaboration.

6. Enhance the alumni network in various regions by gathering detailed statistics and contact information, establishing localized alumni groups with paid designated focal points.

7. Strengthen the USG Alumni's social media presence and enhance promotion on platforms like Facebook, Telegram, and Instagram.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement Estimated Award Ceiling: $170,000 Length of Project Period: 15 months Number of Awards Anticipated: 1 Anticipated Program Start Date: August 2024

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

This program will be funded under the Foreign Assistance Act authorization. All programming is subject to the statutory limitations of the funding determined.

Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements are different from grants in that bureau/embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation. Under the cooperative agreement, the Public Diplomacy Section will provide guidance on priority themes for the small grants program, approve the selection of USG alumni initiatives and collaborate on various aspects including approving calls for proposals, promotion of alumni grants, reviewing project proposals, content of alumni tutorials and social media strategies, strategies for engaging with USG alumni in regions, as well as the themes and agendas for alumni reunions.

Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 15 months or less.

Support for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA): All programs should consider strategies for expanding the pool of individuals/organizations/beneficiaries to afford opportunities for as diverse and inclusive population as is feasible to bring diverse perspectives based on religion, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, national origin, and age to implementation of the program.

PDS reserves the right to award less or more than the funds described under circumstances deemed to be in the best interest of the U.S. government, pending the availability of funds and approval of the designated grants officer.

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. The following organizations are eligible to apply:

· Non-governmental organizations

· USG Alumni Associations

· Not-for-profit organizations Previous grant experience should be documented in the organization’s application. Organizations should submit a copy of their certificate of registration from the appropriate government organization such as the Ministry of Justice in the Kyrgyz Republic.

For this announcement, only organizations based in the Kyrgyz Republic are eligible to apply. Organizations must be headquartered in the Kyrgyz Republic to be eligible.

2. In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information.

3. Cost sharing or matching is not required for this funding opportunity.

4. Pre-award costs are not an allowable expense for this funding opportunity.

5. This award does not allow:

● Projects relating to partisan political activity.

● Conferences abroad or individual trips abroad.

● Charitable or development activities; including direct social services; ● Construction projects.

● Projects that support specific religious activities.

● Fund-raising campaigns.

● Lobbying for specific legislation or programs

● Medical, scientific research or surveys.

● Commercial projects; or

● Projects that duplicate existing projects; or

● Illegal activities.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

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.

Application Deadline: All applications must be received by July 5, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Bishkek time as determined by the timestamp when received by BishkekProjectProposals@state.gov or, for any submissions by Grants.gov, the timestamp provided by Grants.gov. This deadline is firm and is not a rolling deadline. If organizations fail to meet the deadline noted above, their application will be considered ineligible and will not be considered for funding.

Applicants must ensure that the application:

1. Has documents that are all in English

2. Clearly addresses the priority areas outlined;

3. Focuses on the target audience;

4. Identifies specific outcomes to be achieved by the end of the grant period;

5. Provides a plan for program outcomes, activities, social media outreach strategies, promotion of activities, and project monitoring, where applicable;

6. Contains budgets in U.S. dollars. Applicants are encouraged to use the Budget template in Attachment 6; and

7. Ensures that all applicant authorized signatures are provided where indicated on the various, required forms.

Application Submission Process: There are two application submission methods available to applicants. Applicants may submit their application using Submission Method A or Submission Method B outlined below.

· Submission Method A: Submitting all application materials directly to the following email address: BishkekProjectProposals@state.gov. Applicants opting to submit applications via email to BishkekProjectProposals@state.gov must include the Funding Opportunity Title and Funding Opportunity Number in the subject line of the email.

· Submission Method B: Submitting all application materials through Grants.gov. For those opting to apply through Grants.gov, thorough instructions on the application process are available at http://www.grants.gov. For questions relating to Grants.gov, please call the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 (U.S. toll-free number) or for international callers: 1-606-545-5035. Technical support may also be available at https://www.grants.gov/support.html or via email at support@grants.gov. Please note that BishkekProjectProposals@state.gov is unable to assist with technical questions or problems applicants experience with Grants.gov.

E. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATION

When submitting an application, applicants are required to include the following documents and information from Sections 1–6 below, as applicable:

Section 1—Required Registrations

Applicants selected to submit full applications for the second round must begin registration in SAM.gov. Please begin the registration process immediately to ensure that the process is completed well in advance of the deadline for applications. Until that process is complete, you will not be issued an award from the U.S. government.

Any applicant with an exclusion in the System for Award Management (SAM) is not eligible to apply for an assistance award in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.”

The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards. SAM.gov is the Federal government's primary database for complying with FFATA reporting requirements. OMB designated SAM.gov as the central repository to facilitate applicant and recipient use of a single public website that consolidates data on all federal financial assistance. Under the law, it is mandatory to register in SAM.gov.

Starting April 2022, the UEI will be assigned when an organization registers or renews its registration in SAM.gov at www.SAM.gov. To access SAM.gov an organization is required to have a Login.gov account. Organizations can create an account at https://login.gov/. As a reminder, organizations need to renew its SAM.gov registration annually.

Applicants must acquire all required registrations and rights in the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic. All intellectual property considerations and rights must be fully met in the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic.

Any sub-recipient organization must also meet all the U.S. and Kyrgyz Republic requirements described above.

Section 2—Standard Form 424 Family All submissions must include the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance (Attachment 2) and the SF-424A Budget Information—Non-Construction (Attachment 3). These forms and the instructions for completing them are available at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html under the heading “SF-424 Family.” NOTE: The SF-424B is required only for those applicants who have not registered in SAM.gov or recertified their registration in SAM.gov since February 2, 2019, and completed the online representations and certifications. An authorized signature by the applicant must be provided on this form.

Please note:

1. Other items NOT required/requested for submission, but which may be requested if your application is approved for funding include:

a. Copies of an organization or program audit within the last two (2) years, b. Copies of relevant human resources, financial, or procurement policies, and/or c. Copies of other relevant organizational policies or documentation that would help the Department determine your organization’s capacity to manage a federal grant award overseas.

2. The Embassy reserves the right to request any additional programmatic and/or financial information regarding the proposal.

Section 3—Organization Information

· Applicant Organizational Information Sheet: Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit the form provided (Attachment 4). While this form is not required, the information requested must be provided in some format. An authorized signature by the applicant should be provided on this form.

· Proof of Registration: A copy of the organization’s registration from the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic should be provided with the proposal application.

Section 4—Technical Proposal Applicants must submit a complete narrative proposal in the attached application template (Attachment 5). The proposal cannot exceed twelve (12) pages. Refer to the evaluation criteria in Part G below for further detail about what makes a strong proposal. All proposals must address the following areas:

· Organizational Description and Capacity.

· Project Justification, Sustainability, and Impact.

· Project Goal, Audiences, Objectives, Activities, and Deliverables.

· Implementation Timeline; and,

· Monitoring and Evaluation (see note below.)

Monitoring & Evaluation:

Proposals must include a draft Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP). The M&E PMP should show how applicants intend to measure and demonstrate progress towards the project’s objectives and goals. Using the provided PMP template (Attachment 7), applicants should describe how they intend to monitor and evaluate the activities of their award and collect data that tracks award performance. The PMP should also contain If-Then statements to illustrate how project activities will lead to intended outcomes. In addition, the applicant must complete a short table outlining their proposed activities and chosen indicators. Please select indicators under your topic of choice from the list of suggested indicators on the Standard Indicator Sheet (Attachment 8).

· The selected applicant(s) will be required to obtain approval on their M&E PMP before an award is signed.

Section 5—Budget

· Budget and Budget Detail: Applicants must submit a detailed budget and budget narrative justification. Applicants are encouraged to utilize the template provided with the Notice of Funding Opportunity (Attachment 6.) Line-item expenditures should be listed in the greatest possible detail. Personnel salaries should include the level of effort and the rate of pay, which should cover the percentage of time each staff member will dedicate to grant-based activities. If your organization is charging an indirect cost rate, you must apply it to the modified total budget costs (MTDC), refer to 2 CFR 200.68. Budgets that are not in the provided format will not be considered. Budgets must be submitted in U.S. dollars and final grant agreements will be conducted in U.S. dollars.

· In addition to the translated title, publishing short informational publications, manuals and public informational materials is allowable. All publishing should be clearly linked to the project activity, should describe the intended audience, provide a clear understanding of the material’s content, how materials will be distributed, and specify who is responsible for the distribution of the materials.

· Salaries (including income tax and social deductions), equipment, and other administrative expenses are allowable only as they relate to specific project activities. Salaries or honoraria should be listed according to rate of pay and percentage of time spent on program-related activities. While salary expenses are permissible for local personnel, payment of honoraria and other expenses for foreign experts will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

· Coffee breaks and working lunches only will be considered on a case-by-case basis and should be clearly justified and limited to a maximum of 10% of the total award amount. This includes expenses associated with individual per diems for grant-related activities.

· Lodging costs should be indicated separately from meal costs related to the project activities.

· BTP funds should not be used to pay for travel to the United States or for travel grants. Projects involving regional travel will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must have a clear justification outlining why the travel is integral to the project.

· Alcohol and entertainment costs are not allowable expenses.

· Audit Requirements: Please note the audit requirements for Department of State awards in the Standard Terms and Conditions: https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm and 2 CFR 200, Subpart F – Audit Requirements. The cost of the required audits may be charged either as an allowable direct cost to the award OR included in the organization’s established indirect costs in the award’s detailed budget.

Section 6—Key Personnel and Project Partners

· Key Personnel: A résumé or curriculum vitae (CV), not to exceed one page in length, must be included for the proposed key staff persons, such as the Project Director and Finance Officer, as well as any speakers or trainers (if applicable). If an individual for this type of position has not been identified, the applicant may submit a 1-page position description, identifying the qualifications and skills required for that position, in lieu of a résumé.

· Project Partners: Letters of support should be included for sub-recipients or other partners. The letters must identify the type of relationship to be entered into (formal or informal), the roles and responsibilities of each partner in relation to the proposed project activities, and the expected result of the partnership. The individual letters cannot exceed 1 page in length.

· Permission Letters: Official permission letters should be included, if required for project activities.

F. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

1. Acknowledgement of receipt. Applicants will receive acknowledgment of receipt of their proposal.

2. Review. All submissions are screened for technical eligibility. If a submission is missing any required forms/documents listed, it will be considered ineligible and will not be reviewed by the grants review committee. A technical review panel will review the proposal based upon the criteria noted in this NOFO.

3. Follow up notification. Applicants will generally be notified within 60 days after the NOFO deadline regarding the results of the review panel.

G. APPLICATION EVALUATION CRITERIA

Full proposals will be evaluated based on the criteria listed below: (total 100 points) Criteria: Each application submitted under this announcement will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the criteria enumerated below. The criteria are designed to assess the quality of the proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of its success.

· Suggested Title Idea, Project Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 40 points: The organization demonstrates that it has a clear understanding of the target audience and the relevance of the title to Kyrgyzstan. The title clearly supports one or more priority themes. The proposal outlines clear, achievable objectives. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline. The organization has a clear follow-up plan for distribution and programming, including a book launch. Proposals should also demonstrate how the program will support DEIA principles and engage underserved communities in their program administration, design, and implementation.

· Budget – 25 points: The budget and narrative justification are sufficiently detailed. The budget demonstrates that the organization has devoted time to accurately determine expenses associated with the project instead of providing rough estimates. The project’s budget is well organized and reasonable.

· Monitoring and Evaluation - 10 points: Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The organization has clearly articulated how it will assess and measure its own performance throughout the project implementation phase using concrete quantitative and qualitative assessment tools. o Expenses directly associated with monitoring and evaluation are considered allowable. The suggested template includes a space to list the portion of the total budget amount directly associated with monitoring and evaluation activities.

· Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants – 25 points: The project proposal demonstrates that the organization has sufficient expertise, skills, and human resources to implement the project:

· The organization demonstrates that it has a clear understanding of the underlying issue that the project will address.

· The organization demonstrates capacity for successful planning and responsible fiscal management. This includes a financial management system and a bank account.

· Applicants who have received grant funds previously have been compliant with applicable rules and regulations.

· Where partners are described, the applicant details each partner’s respective role and provides curriculum vitae (CVs) for persons responsible for the project and financial administration. The organization must have a staff member with working level English skills to negotiate the copyright acquisition process and liaise with the U.S. copyright owner. Proposed personnel, institutional resources, and partners are adequate and appropriate.

H. 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 project 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.

The Federal government is not obligated to make any Federal award as a result of the announcement. 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. The U.S. government also reserves the right to make an award in excess of the award ceiling.

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:

· 2 CFR 25 - UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

· 2 CFR 170 - REPORTING SUBAWARD AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION INFORMATION

· 2 CFR 175 - AWARD TERM FOR TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

· 2 CFR 182 - GOVERNMENTWIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE)

· 2 CFR 183 - NEVER CONTRACT WITH THE ENEMY

· 2 CFR 600 – DEPARTMENT OF STATE REQUIREMENTS

· U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s guidance located at 2 CFR 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:

· 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).

The Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) prioritizes inclusive and integrated programs that address the barriers to access for individuals and groups based on their religion, gender, disabilities, ethnicity, or sexual orientation and gender identity. In accordance with the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities, proposals should demonstrate how the program advances principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA), such as related to race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation, and/or disability.

The proposal should also demonstrate how the program will further engagement in underserved and under resourced communities and with individuals from underserved and under resourced communities. Proposals should demonstrate how addressing racial equity and/or the status of underserved communities will enhance the program’s goals and objectives, as well as the experience of participants.

The support of underserved communities will be part of the review criteria for this opportunity. Therefore, proposals should clearly demonstrate how the program will support and advance equity and engage underserved communities in program administration, design, and implementation.

Reporting Requirements: Recipients are required to quarterly program progress and financial reports throughout the project period. Progress and financial reports are due 30 days after the reporting period. Final certified programmatic and financial reports are due 120 days after the close of the project period.

All reports are to be submitted electronically.

Awardees that are deemed to be high risk may be required to submit more extensive and frequent reports until their high-risk designation has been removed.

The Awardee must also provide the Embassy on an annual basis an inventory of all the U.S. government provided equipment using the SF428 form.

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.

I. 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 project, and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the project.

Travel: Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for this project, for both program staff, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries. If the project involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel.

Supplies: List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are needed for the project. 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 project activities.

Other Direct Costs: Describe other costs directly associated with the project, 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 project 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.

Branding Requirements As a condition of receipt of a grant award, all materials produced pursuant to the award, including training materials, materials for recipients or materials to communicate or promote with foreign audiences a program, event, project, or some other activity under an agreement, including but not limited to invitations to events, press materials, and backdrops, podium signs, etc. must be marked appropriately with the standard, rectangular U.S. flag in a size and prominence equal to (or greater than) any other logo or identity. Note: Exceptions to the branding requirement are allowable under certain conditions. If an applicant is notified that their award has been chosen for funding, the Grants Officer will determine, in consultation with the applicant, if an exception is applicable.

Copyrights and Proprietary Information If any of the information contained in your application is proprietary, please note in the footer of the appropriate pages that the information is Confidential – Proprietary. Applicants should also note what parts of the application, program, concept, etc. are covered by copyright(s)), trademarks), or any other intellectual property rights and provide copies of the relevant documentation to support these copyrights.