Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

YSEALI Summit 2026

U.S. Embassy Manila, Department of State

Opportunity number: OFOP0002771

Application deadline: July 6, 2026

Table of Contents

A. BASIC INFORMATION

B. ELIGIBILITY

C. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

D. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

E. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

F. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

G. AWARD NOTICES

H. POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

I. OTHER INFORMATION………………………………………………...…………35

U.S Department of State U.S. Embassy Manila, Public Diplomacy Section

Notice of Funding Opportunity

A. BASIC INFORMATION

1. Overview

Funding Opportunity Title YSEALI Summit 2026

Funding Opportunity

Number

OFOP0002771

Announcement Type Initial Announcement

Deadline for Applications July 6, 2026 11:59 p.m.

Philippine Standard Time

Assistance Listing Number 19.452 (International Exchange Alumni Programs)

Length of performance period

12 to 15 months

Number of awards anticipated

1 award

Award amounts $200,000 - $300,000

Total available funding $300,000 pending availability of funds

Type of Funding FY25/26 Fulbright-Hays Funding

Anticipated project start date September 1, 2026

Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement

Project Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 15 months or less.

The Department of State 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.

This notice is subject to availability of funding. The Public Diplomacy Section 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.

2. Executive Summary

The U.S. Department of State’s Embassy Manila announces an open competition to implement a program to hold the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative

(YSEALI) Summit 2026 in Manila, Philippines. The in-person program advances

U.S. strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific by promoting regional security, peace, and stability. By building awareness of and spurring action on regional security issues, including maritime, cyber, and energy security, the program will help advance a free and open Indo-Pacific for the combined one billion people of the

United States and Southeast Asia.

YSEALI is the flagship U.S. government initiative in Southeast Asia. Nearly

8,000 individuals have participated in YSEALI academic or professional fellowship exchanges, attended regional workshops, or implemented a small grant.

Since 2016, the Department of State has convened competitively-selected YSEALI alumni for an annual summit to spur action around U.S. priorities.

The successful applicant will provide a compliant plan for facilitating the substance of a six-day regional security-focused workshop (including two travel days) supporting 100 participants from the 11 ASEAN countries and potential additional self-funded participants.

B. ELIGIBILITY

1. Eligible Applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations

• Public and private educational institutions

• Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions

For-profit entities, even those that may fall into the categories listed above, are not eligible to apply for this NOFO. Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal. For more information on the difference between sub-contract and sub-recipient, please refer to 2 CFR 200.331.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.331 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.331

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

There is no minimum or maximum percentage of cost sharing required for this program.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements

All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.gov. Please see Section E.3 for more information.

Organizations may only submit one proposal as the primary applicant. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all primary proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding under this funding opportunity. Secondary members applying as part of a consortium may participate in multiple application packages, including as a primary applicant on one package.

4. This opportunity will not support:

• Projects relating to partisan political activity;

• Charitable or development activities; including direct social services such as medical, psychological, and/or humanitarian support

• Construction projects;

• Projects that support specific religious activities;

• Fund-raising campaigns;

• Lobbying for specific legislation or programs

• Scientific research or surveys;

• Commercial projects;

• Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization;

• Projects that duplicate existing projects;

• Illegal activities

C. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. Project Background, Goals, and Objectives

The Department of State Agency Strategic Plan prioritizes peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region (Goal 3) with a strong focus on regional security, resilient prosperity, and deeper ties with allies and partners. YSEALI Summit 2026 in

Manila will support these priorities by equipping emerging leaders to strengthen regional security and help their societies see the United States as the partner of choice for security and economic opportunity.

YSEALI Summit 2026 will bring together exchange alumni who have demonstrated a commitment to:

• Promoting peace through strength and effective deterrence;

• Advancing maritime, cyber, and energy security; and

• Supporting economic growth that strengthens societies and national resilience.

The summit will help participants design and carry out projects that strengthen regional security cooperation and show how working with the United States can help protect sovereignty, enhance stability, and promote peace in their countries.

The six-day (including two travel days) event in Metro Manila will include:

1. Plenary sessions and panel discussions on Indo‑Pacific security, with a focus on maritime domain awareness, transnational security threats, energy and critical infrastructure protection, and the role of reliable supply chains in supporting regional security.

2. A day of small group dialogues and breakout sessions that produce regional and country-specific action plans focused on strengthening security, improving public understanding of security challenges, and deepening practical security cooperation with the United States.

3. An experiential “security in action” day with site visits that show regional security efforts on the ground, such as maritime operations, transnational and financial crime units, critical infrastructure and energy sites, U.S.

foreign assistance security initiatives, and/or U.S. commercial projects that contribute to a more secure region.

4. A U.S.-ASEAN Futures fair where university students engage with summit participants and U.S. diplomats on regional security policy and cooperation with the United States.

5. Short-form and long-form video and other digital products that share summit messages with wider audiences, emphasizing how U.S. leadership in maritime, cyber, energy, and other fields strengthens regional security and benefits people in the Indo-Pacific and the United States.

Project Audience:

Primary Audience:

At least 100 competitively selected early to mid-career professionals who are

YSEALI alumni from the 11 ASEAN member states. Participants should:

• Work on or influence issues related to maritime security, cyber and information security, energy security, critical minerals and supply chains, or related economic security topics;

• Demonstrate a track record of mentoring others and speaking to public or professional audiences; and

• Exhibit leadership and communication skills, and the ability to build networks and inspire others to strengthen their societies’ security and well-being.

Secondary Audiences:

• The general public in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia via traditional and social media content focusing on regional security, economic resilience, and the benefits of partnership with the United States.

• University students in Metro Manila, especially those studying international relations, military affairs, law, law enforcement, maritime studies, economics, engineering, cybersecurity, data science, and other STEM fields related to regional security and competitiveness.

Tertiary Audiences:

• The expected 8-15 mentors and resource speakers, including U.S. and

ASEAN government officials, private sector leaders, and civil society experts, who will both inform and be informed by YSEALI alumni perspectives.

Project Goal:

• The project should result in coordinated, concrete exchange alumni-led actions and leadership that strengthen regional security and economic resilience such as maritime, cyber, and energy security, contributing to a free and open Indo-Pacific and deepening partnership with the United States.

Project Objectives:

• Objective 1: Strengthen Understanding and Alignment on Regional

Security: By the end of the summit, participants will have a clearer understanding of U.S. priorities on regional security, especially maritime security, cyber and information security, energy and infrastructure protection, and secure supply chains, and will be ready to develop and lead regional initiatives that support these security goals.

• Activity 1.1. - Plenary Remarks and Strategic Discussions: U.S.

and Southeast Asian speakers will deliver remarks, give presentations, and participate in panel discussions on:

▪ How peace through strength and strong alliances help deter conflict and protect sovereignty.

▪ How governments, the public, and the private sector can work together to counter transnational organized crime and cybercrime that weaken national security, undermine economic growth, and victimize people.

▪ How secure energy systems and reliable access to critical minerals support stable societies and reduce vulnerabilities that adversaries can exploit.

▪ How U.S. cooperation in infrastructure, digital technology, and maritime capacity building supports regional security and helps countries protect their people and territory.

Success will look like:

▪ At least 70% of summit participants report a better understanding of how U.S. security and economic policies in

Southeast Asia help protect their countries’ sovereignty and stability.

▪ At least 70% of summit participants report greater confidence in mentoring others on key regional security topics, including maritime, transnational crime, and energy security.

• Activity 1.2 - Experiential Visits to Deepen Knowledge on

Regional Security: Participants will take day trips to sites that demonstrate how security cooperation works in practice and how economic engagement advances sovereignty, peace, and prosperity.

Possible sites may include:

▪ Military or law enforcement facilities involved in maritime patrols, Illegal Underreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing enforcement, or domain awareness, with simple hands‑on activities (e.g., basic vessel‑tracking or scenario walk‑throughs) so participants learn by doing.

○ NOTE: Applicants are not encouraged to contact military and law enforcement authorities during the proposal phase, but can and should demonstrate prior activities in relevant areas, as applicable. See Section 3

“Substantial Involvement” for more information on coordination with the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines.

▪ Cyber or law‑enforcement units working against cyber‑enabled financial crime, including brief interactive demos of common scams and basic open‑source checks.

▪ Energy, critical minerals, or logistics sites involving U.S.

companies, paired with practical exercises (e.g., mapping simple supply chains or spotting basic risk points).

▪ Sites or memorials highlighting the U.S.-Philippines alliance, combined with guided discussions or small group problem solving on how allied cooperation responds to crises at sea and on shore.

Where possible, visits will include scenario‑based discussions on how participants can turn lessons into concrete security‑focused initiatives and communication efforts in their home countries.

Success will look like:

▪ At least 70% of summit participants report that the visits improved their understanding of regional security issues and the relationship between regional security and broader prosperity and freedoms.

▪ At least 70% of summit participants report that the visits strengthened their view of the United States as the partner of choice for regional security.

▪ At least 50% of summit participants report that the visits directly shaped their summit action plans.

• Activity 1.3 – Develop and Implement Action Plans to Advance

Regional Security: Participants will form working groups to develop post-summit action plans that support regional security priorities.

Plans should:

▪ Address specific security challenges such as systemic risks, transnational crime, and unsafe maritime practices.

▪ Support economic activity in ways that make societies stronger and more resilient to crime and coercion.

▪ Include communication activities that raise public awareness of these security issues and explain how cooperation with the

United States and regional partners helps address them.

Teams will pitch their action plans to a panel of judges, and the top three teams will receive micro-grants for implementation. All action plans should be able stand on their own, drawing on alumni’s existing roles and networks and a mix of local, regional, and private sector partners. U.S. Government support will primarily be collaborative or in-kind, so teams should diversify sources of support and realistic next steps. Each plan should include quick wins, intermediate milestones, and long-term goals. Success will look like:

▪ Three top teams receive micro-grants (sub-awards) to fully implement their action plans by June 30, 2027, with at least two formal briefings to both U.S. Embassy Manila and U.S. Mission to ASEAN teams on progress, challenges, and lessons learned.

▪ The three top teams develop and execute a communications plan that include at least one public event or media product that:

○ Addresses harmful behaviors (e.g. unsafe maritime conduct, military or security incidents that threaten societal cohesion, or misleading information about regional security); or

○ Shows how cooperation with the United States and regional partners helps protect people and economies beginning at the local level.

▪ The three top teams showcase their projects and results to relevant stakeholders including home country government officials, civil society leaders, and private sector partners through at least one targeted briefing or meeting. Success will look like:

○ At least 50 percent of non-funded teams take meaningful steps to implement parts of their action plans by June 30, 2027.

○ At least 50 percent of “quick win” activities across all action plans are finish by June 30, 2027, with evidence that they have increased public awareness of regional security challenges or strengthened cooperation with U.S.

or regional security efforts.

• Objective 2: Present the United States as ASEAN’s Comprehensive

Strategic Partner to the Next Generation of Leaders: Show the depth and breadth of U.S. engagement in Southeast Asia as ASEAN’s

Comprehensive Strategic Partner by collaborating with at least five U.S.

companies in key industries that demonstrate U.S. leadership in regional security, reaching 200 students with in-person engagements, and achieving at least one million organic views through summit-related social media content.

• Activity 2.1 – U.S.-ASEAN Fair: Summit participants will present their team action plans at the fair, with U.S. company representatives acting as judges and university students participating in voting/supporting the action plans, with the top three action plans awarded a micro-grant for implementation. The fair should also feature speakers, including a speaker about the 80th anniversary of the

U.S.-Philippine diplomatic relationship and a speaker on the U.S.-

ASEAN 50th anniversary, the relevant Comprehensive Strategic

Partnerships, and cultural performers. Commercial representatives should also address the group. Success will look like:

▪ At least 70% of surveyed fair attendees report increased awareness of American contributions to ASEAN countries.

▪ At least 70% of surveyed fair attendees report more favorable perceptions of U.S.-ASEAN relations.

▪ At least 70% of surveyed fair attendees report increased awareness of regional security issues.

• Activity 2.2 - Closing Ceremony: Summit participants will highlight the key takeaways from the summit. Speakers and cultural performers should participate in the closing ceremony. Success will look like:

▪ At least 70% of summit participants report that the closing ceremony accurately conveyed the summit experience.

▪ At least 70% of surveyed fair attendees report the closing ceremony energized them to continue working with the U.S.

Department of State.

• Activity 2.3 - Social and Traditional Media Content: Applicants should propose a series of at least three medium-to-long form videos for social media and multiple short-form social media videos to showcase summit outcomes and key regional security topics.

Applicants should also have a track record of engaging traditional media. Success will look like:

▪ The summit generates at least 20 reports in Philippine print and broadcast media and another 10 in other ASEAN media outlets.

▪ Summit‑specific social media content achieves a collective total of at least one million organic views.

○ Applicants are encouraged to include in their budget proposals any necessary online applications and platforms that would assist with collecting social media data.

○ Applicants may include in their proposed budgets funding allocations for social media advertising.

2. Program Specific Guidelines

The proposal should fully integrate program goals and objectives throughout its design and implementation. It should also demonstrate relevant regional and thematic expertise. Award recipients must coordinate closely with U.S. Embassy

Manila to ensure program design and implementation advance American foreign policy objectives, including the recruitment and selection of participating YSEALI

Alumni.

2b. Participants

The YSEALI Summit will bring together 100 YSEALI alumni, which includes alumni from the U.S.-based YSEALI Professional and Academic Fellowship programs, YSEALI regional workshops, YSEALI Women’s Leadership Academy, and the YSEALI Seeds for the Future competition winners.

There is no age minimum or maximum, but the expectation is that most participants will be working professionals. Program participants are YSEALI alumni who travel from their ASEAN member state of residence (Brunei, Burma/Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam) to or within the Philippines under cooperative agreement funding. The award recipient will coordinate with the U.S. Department of State to recruit YSEALI alumni as participants of the YSEALI Summit. The application to participate in the YSEALI Summit will be open on a competitive, merit basis to all categories of alumni. Competitive applicants will demonstrate their substantial involvement in projects that have had a considerable impact in their communities, countries, or the region based on their YSEALI experience.

Projects that demonstrate active regional engagement or strengthen partnerships between the United States and ASEAN will receive special consideration. Each

U.S. Embassy will review and approve applicant shortlists for their countries.

Employees of the U.S. Department of State, the recipient, subaward recipients, and/or contractors are not eligible to benefit from the program as participants but may contribute to the program as facilitators or resource speakers.

Proposals must support approximately 100 participants and 8-15 resource speakers from ASEAN member countries and/or the United States. Nationals from other countries may be considered on a case-by-case basis to serve as resource speakers.

2c. Overview of key program components

All proposals should contain detailed information related to the following key program components.

Program Promotion and Outreach – The recipient will develop a public communication plan that includes managing a program website, creating informational documents, and developing and managing official program social media accounts in line with U.S. government branding requirements

Recruitment and Selection – The recipient will create and disseminate recruitment materials, develop and manage an online, mobile-friendly application system, and create an application scoring system to ensure a fair and open competition. The applicant must demonstrate that it has the internal capacity and expertise to carry out recruitment and related activities directly, without reliance on an in-country partner.

Virtual Program Launch / Pre-Departure Orientations (PDOs) – The recipient will develop and host at least one virtual pre-departure orientation for summit participants. The PDO(s) should prepare the participants for their summit experience and include elements related to program goals, expectations, and health and safety information. PDO planning and execution should take place in collaboration with the Public Diplomacy Section of U.S. Embassy Manila. The recipient may compensate resource speakers and delivery of thematic content with a reasonable honorarium but this is not a requirement.

Safety – The recipient will develop and implement a plan to monitor the health, safety, and welfare of summit participants, including identifying adequate resources to respond to potential emergencies. The recipient is responsible for promptly informing U.S. Embassy Manila regarding any program or participant issues or emergencies and any actions the recipient takes to address these.

Post Summit Support – The recipient will provide adequate mentorship support for the alumni groups as they implement their summit action plans. The recipient will monitor their progress. The recipient will design and produce media and communication materials that highlight summit outcomes and success stories featuring the participants – including short impact videos and related digital content – to showcase achievements, demonstrate results, and communicate the summit’s contribution to U.S. foreign policy objectives and compliance with

Department of State branding and communication standards.

3. Substantial Involvement

The U.S. Embassy anticipates awarding a cooperative agreement and will undertake reasonable and programmatically necessary substantial involvement.

U.S. Embassy Roles and Responsibilities

Examples of substantial involvement include but are not limited to:

• Government Approvals - The Embassy will coordinate the participation of and necessary approvals by U.S. government agencies, the Government of the Philippines (aside from routine permitting), and diplomatic missions in

Southeast Asia. The Embassy’s role includes coordinating on matters related to the security of the summit and its attendees, as well as site visits with partner government agencies. U.S. Embassy Manila will coordinate with the U.S. Mission to ASEAN and other U.S. missions on Summit follow-on activities;

• Vetting and Selection of Summit Participants, Mentors, Speakers, and

Implementation Partners - The Embassy will review and approve the final selection of participants, site visits, mentors and resource speakers, in coordination with other U.S. Embassies and the Department of State, as needed. The Embassy will coordinate with the Government of the

Philippines and other Diplomatic missions on the chosen implementer’s behalf;

• Program Materials – The Embassy will review and approve all program materials, including but not limited to a communications plan that outlines a traditional and social media strategy for public announcements, press releases, social media kits, and website design, for example.;

• Sub-Awards and Action Plans – The Embassy will review and approve any sub-awards not included in the original proposal, including but not limited to the selection of both action plans whether they do or do not receive further U.S. Government funding.

• Lodging – The Embassy will review and approve proposed lodging based on single occupancy for safety and suitability.

Recipient Roles and Responsibilities

• Participant Recruitment – develop and implement a recruitment strategy for YSEALI alumni from across the region, including outreach materials, application management, and selection criteria.

• Mentor Engagement and Oversight - Identify, vet, and manage — including travel arrangements — at least 10 mentors. Mentors must be alumni of U.S. international exchange programs with a minimum of five (5) years of professional experience. They are expected to participate for at least two (2) days to join panel discussions and facilitate consultation sessions with participants on their action plans.

• Communications and Visibility – develop outreach materials, branding, documentation, and social media content aligned with U.S. government public diplomacy guidelines.

• Curriculum Development – design a comprehensive curriculum for the plenary and relevant thematic working groups, including learning objectives, session sequencing, and expected outputs. Develop a comprehensive calendar of milestones before, during, and after the summit.

• Field Exposure Activity – design and coordinate relevant institutional visits

(e.g., policy institute, energy facility, maritime operations center, cybersecurity center) to reinforce workshop themes.

• Participant Support – provide pre‑departure information, orientation materials, safeguarding protocols, and on‑site support throughout the workshop.

• Expert/Speaker Engagement – identify, vet, and manage speakers, facilitators, and resource personnel for all thematic areas. Support selected experts with travel, visas (as applicable), honoraria, accommodations, and required program-related rentals or services, including transportation.

• Event Management – Manage all event logistics including securing venues and procuring items and rentals necessary for program events.

• Press and Social Media Engagement – develop and execute a comprehensive media strategy that includes drafting press releases, managing media inquiries, and coordinating on-site interviews. Produce high-quality digital content for real-time social media amplification, including video highlights and participant features, to broaden the summit’s reach and showcase U.S. commitment to regional security and shared prosperity to Southeast Asian publics.

• Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) – design and implement an M&E plan that includes pre‑ and post‑event assessments, participant feedback tools, outcome tracking, and analysis of material learning and retention. The recipient must devote at least 5 percent to M&E.

• Final Reporting – produce a comprehensive final report summarizing activities, outputs, participant demographics, M&E findings, challenges, and recommendations for future programming.

D. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

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:

• The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity

• All documents are in English

• All budgets are in U.S. dollars

• A complete application including authorized signatures are where indicated on the forms.

The following documents are required:

1. Mandatory application forms

• SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) at grants.gov

• SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) at grants.gov

2. Proposal (20 pages maximum)

Applicants must submit a complete narrative proposal in a format of their choice, or they may use the attached proposal template if they like (Attachment 7). The proposal should contain enough information for anyone not familiar with it to be able to understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. The proposal must include all the items below:

• Proposal Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed project, including project objectives and anticipated impact.

• Applicant Introduction: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the State Department and/or other U.S. government agencies as well as experience with and expertise in areas related to those in the NOFO. While it is not a requirement, Applicants may use the attached

Applicant Organization Information Survey form to provide this information

(Attachment 8). If the applicant chooses not to use the attached form, the applicant must still provide all the information on the form in some other part of the application package.

• Problem Statement: Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem and why the proposed program is necessary.

• Program Methods, Design, Activities, and Deliverables: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable. Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives.

• Proposed Project Schedule and Timeline: The proposed timeline for the program activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events.

https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family

• Key Personnel: Names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program. What proportion of their time will be used in support of this program?

• Project Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees (if applicable).

• Future Funding for or Sustainability of Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable.

• Monitoring & Evaluation Plan: Proposals must include a Monitoring and

Evaluation (M&E) Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP). The M&E plan should show how applicants intend to measure and demonstrate progress towards the project’s objectives and goals. Applicants should devote at least five and no more than ten percent of the program budget to monitoring and evaluation costs. Applicants should adopt and explain how they would apply the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Monitoring

Data for ECA (MODE) framework to the Summit. MODE resources are available here: https://www.state.gov/eca-monitoring-evaluation-learning-and-innovation-meli-unit/

The key components to the PMP are as follows:

• Monitoring and Evaluation Narrative: In narrative form, applicants should describe how they intend to monitor and evaluate the activities of their award. In addition, the applicant should describe any M&E processes, including key personnel, management structure (where M&E fits into the overall program’s staff structure), technology, and a brief budget narrative explaining any line-item expenditures for M&E listed in the program’s budget. If the proposal is from a prior grantee, the proposal discusses how the grantee has adapted, improved, or otherwise modified their approach based on their previous experience. This narrative may not exceed two pages.

• Theory of Change Diagram: Applicants must submit either a Theory of

Change diagram or an If-Then Statement that illustrates how project activities will lead to intended outcomes.

• Monitoring and Evaluation Datasheet: Applicant must include their proposed activities and their expected outputs and outcomes as well as the goals and objectives in accordance with the NOFO. The datasheet’s purpose is to explicitly illustrate how a project’s activities lead to tangible results (such as increased beneficiary skills, knowledge, or attitudes) that ultimately address a PD objective.

▪ The selected applicant’s M&E PMP is subject to review and approval before issuance of any award under this NOFO. The selected applicant may need to work with U.S. Department of State

Monitoring and Evaluation Specialists as a condition for receiving the award to ensure the applicant’s M&E PMP achieves an expected level of expertise and meets PD objectives.

▪ Expenses directly associated with monitoring and evaluation are allowable and limited to no more than 10 percent of the total award.

3. Budget Justification Narrative

• Detailed Budget – Applicants must submit a detailed line-item budget.

Applicants should utilize the template provided with the funding opportunity but it is not a requirement (Attachment 5A). Line-item expenditures should include as much detail as possible. The budget must identify the total amount of funding requested, with a breakdown of amounts to be spent in the following budget categories: Personnel; fringe benefits; travel; equipment;

supplies; consultants/contracts; other direct costs; and indirect costs. See

Annex Section I for a description of the types of costs to include in each category. 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 an organization is charging an indirect cost rate without a NICRA, it must apply it to the modified total budget costs

(MTDC), refer to 2CFR§200.1. Budgets must be in U.S. dollars and final grant agreements will also be denominated in U.S. dollars.

• Budget Justification Narrative – Applicants must submit a budget justification narrative to accompany the detailed line-item budget.

Applicants should utilize the template provided with the funding opportunity but it is not a requirement (Attachment 5B). The purpose of the budget justification narrative is to supplement the information provided in the https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) detailed budget spreadsheet by justifying how the budget cost elements are necessary to implement project objectives and accomplish the project goals.

The budget justification narrative is a tool to help Embassy staff fully understand the budgetary needs of the applicant and is an opportunity to provide descriptive information about the requested costs beyond the constraints of the budget template. Together, the detailed budget spreadsheet, the budget justification narrative, and the SF-424A should provide a complete financial and qualitative description that supports the proposed project plan and should be directly relatable to the specific project components described in the applicant’s proposal.

Additional Budget Notes:

• 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 2CFR200, 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.

4. Attachments

• Key Personnel Resumes: A résumé, 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.

• Letters of support from program 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.

• Indirect Costs: If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate

Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest

NICRA should be included in the application submission.

https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm%20and%202CFR200

• Proof of Non-profit Status: Documentation to demonstrate the applicant’s non-profit status (e.g., U.S.-based organizations should submit a copy of their 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Service determination letter, and non-U.S.

organizations should provide evidence of non-profit status issued by a government entity).

• Proof of Registration: A copy of the organization’s registration should be provided with the proposal application. U.S.-based organizations should submit a copy of their IRS determination letter. Organizations based in the

Philippines or another ASEAN member state should submit a copy of their certificate of registration from the appropriate government organization.

Other items NOT required/requested with the application submission, but which may be requested if your application is approved to move forward in the review process 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

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

d. Documentation that demonstrates the recipients’ plan and/or policy to safeguard PII of participants and beneficiaries. It is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure protection of personally identifiable information

(PII) and safeguard PII when collecting, maintaining, using and disseminating such information

e. Information to determine what financial controls and standard operating procedures an organization uses to procure goods and services, hire staff and track time and attendance, pay for grant-related travel, and identify other financial transactions that may be necessary to undertake the project activities

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

E. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

1. Address to Request Application Package

Application forms required above are available on the website of the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, grants.gov, and MyGrants.

2. Department of State Contacts

If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact:

grantsmanila@state.gov.

3. Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

Required Registration: All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM.gov. A 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.

An applicant must maintain an active registration while it has a proposal under review by the Department and must continue to keep the registration active for the entire duration of the period of performance of any Federal award that results from this NOFO.

The 2 CFR 200 also requires subrecipients to obtain a UEI. Please note the UEI for subrecipients is not required at the time of application but will be required before an award is processed and/or directed to a subrecipient.

Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible.

• Organizations based in the United States or that pay employees within the

United States will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a UEI prior to registering in SAM.gov.

• Organizations based outside of the United States and that do not pay employees within the United States do not need an EIN from the IRS but do need a UEI prior to registering in SAM.gov.

• Organizations based outside of the United States that do not intend to apply for U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awards are no longer required to have a NATO Commercial and Government Entity

(NCAGE) code to apply for non-DoD foreign assistance funding opportunities. If an applicant organization is mid-registration and wishes to remove an NCAGE code from their SAM.gov registration, the applicant should submit a help desk ticket (“incident”) with the Federal Service Desk

(FSD) online at www.fsd.gov using the following language: “I do not intend https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fsd.gov%2Fgsafsd_sp%3Fid%3Dgsafsd_kb_articles%26sys_id%3Dc81018e71b1601d0937fa64ce54bcb57&data=05%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C0cc4e2b471f44abcd32308db093ecead%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638113937577534024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=W2ShcazZBQbanYGj0cLOTnUJwv%2BGL4xfwr83%2BycQY2E%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fsd.gov%2Fgsafsd_sp%3Fid%3Dgsafsd_kb_articles%26sys_id%3Dc81018e71b1601d0937fa64ce54bcb57&data=05%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C0cc4e2b471f44abcd32308db093ecead%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638113937577534024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=W2ShcazZBQbanYGj0cLOTnUJwv%2BGL4xfwr83%2BycQY2E%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fsd.gov%2F&data=05%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C0cc4e2b471f44abcd32308db093ecead%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638113937577534024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=t32ANWzgpiB93pMWoq%2BFCSHz4YJY9QF1S1iQzCsS6RM%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fsd.gov%2F&data=05%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C0cc4e2b471f44abcd32308db093ecead%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638113937577534024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=t32ANWzgpiB93pMWoq%2BFCSHz4YJY9QF1S1iQzCsS6RM%3D&reserved=0 to seek financial assistance from the Department of Defense. I do not wish to obtain an NCAGE code. I understand that I will need to submit my registration after this incident is resolved in order to have my registration activated.”

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO NOT plan to do business with the DoD should follow the below instructions:

• Step 1: Proceed to SAM.gov to obtain a UEI and complete the SAM.gov registration process. SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually.

Exemptions

An exemption from the UEI and sam.gov registration requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis. See 2 CFR 25.110 for a full list of exemptions.

Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or SAM.gov requirements must email the point of contact listed in the NOFO at least two weeks prior to the deadline in the NOFO providing a justification of their request. Approval for a

SAM.gov exemption must come from the warranted Grants Officer before the application can be deemed eligible for review.

Please note: 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.”

4. Submission Dates and Times

Submission Deadline: All applications must be received by Monday, July 6, 2026 by 11:59 p.m. Philippine Standard Time. For the purposes of determining if an award is submitted on time, PDS will utilize the e-mail timestamp. 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.

Submission Method: Submit all application materials directly to the following email address: grantsmanila@state.gov. The subject line of the email must include the Funding Opportunity Title and Funding Opportunity Number.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110

5. Funding Restrictions

i. Funding Restrictions for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency

(UNRWA): None of the funds awarded resulting from this Notice of

Funding Opportunity may be made available for subawards, direct financial support, or otherwise used to provide any payment or transfer to United

Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

ii. Certification Regarding Compliance with Applicable Federal Anti-

Discrimination Laws If the place of performance or delivery of any award made under this NOFO will be within the United States, applicants are advised that they will be required to certify the following at the time of award:

a. Its compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws is material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code and;

b. It does not operate any programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and

Inclusion that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws.

A program promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion means a program whose purpose is to promote preferences based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origins, such as in training or hiring.

iii. Certification Regarding Compliance with 20 U.S.C. 1011f and any other applicable foreign funding disclosure requirements: Applicants are advised that IHEs must certify the following at the time of award, and that this certification requirement must be included in any subaward agreements to

IHEs:

a. Its compliance in all respects with section 1011f of title 20, United

States Code, and any other applicable foreign funding disclosure requirements is material for purposes of section 3729 of title 31, United States Code, and for receipt of appropriate Federal grant funds.

b. Applicants seeking clarification on the reporting requirement are encouraged to review the Frequently Asked Questions resource developed by the U.S. Department of Education.

iv. Certification of Trafficking in Persons Compliance and Compliance Plan:

Applicants are advised that they will be required to certify the following at the time of award for awards where the estimated value of services to be performed outside the United States exceeds $500,000:

https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/topics/section-117-foreign-gift-and-contract-reporting/resources/frequently-asked-questions

a. To the best of the Recipient’s knowledge, neither the Recipient, nor any subrecipient, contractor, or subcontractor of the Recipient or any agent of the recipient or of such a subrecipient, contractor, or subcontractor, is engaged in any of the activities described in 2 CFR

175.105(a);

b. The recipient has implemented a Trafficking in Persons compliance plan to prevent activities described in 2 CFR 175(a) and is compliant with this plan; and the compliance plan must follow the minimum requirements described in 2 CFR 175(b)(5).

c. That the Recipient has and will implement procedures to prevent activities described in 2 CFR 175.105(a) and to monitor, detect, and terminate any subrecipient, contractor, subcontractor, or employee of the recipient engaging in these activities.

i. Recipients do not need to submit a copy of the plan. However, they must provide it to the Grants Officer upon request, and as appropriate, must post the useful and relevant contents of the plan or related materials on its website and at the workplace. Recipients must re-certify on an annual basis for the entire award period of performance.

v. Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Manufactured or Assembled by American Security Drone Act-Covered Foreign Entities

a. (a) Definitions.

i. American Security Drone Act-covered foreign entity means an entity included on a list developed and maintained by the

Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC) and published in the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov

ii. FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system means an unmanned aircraft system manufactured or assembled by an American Security Drone Act-covered foreign entity.

iii. Unmanned aircraft means an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.

iv. Unmanned aircraft system means an unmanned aircraft and associated elements (including communication links and the components that control the unmanned aircraft) that are https://www.sam.gov/ required for the operator to operate safely and efficiently in the national airspace system.

b. (b) Prohibition. Recipients of funding under this Notice of Funding

Opportunity (including subawards and subcontracts issued by the recipient) will be prohibited from:

i. delivering any FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system, which includes unmanned aircraft (i.e., drones) and associated elements

ii. Operating a FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system in the performance of the award; and

iii. Using Federal funds for the purchase…