DRL FY25 China Programs NOFO.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

DRL FY 2025 China Programs

Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), Department of State

Opportunity number: DFOP0019522

Application deadline: 11:59pm EDT Monday, August 31

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

U.S Department of State

Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL)

Notice of Funding Opportunity

A. Basic Information

1. Overview

Funding Opportunity Title DRL FY 2025 China Programs

Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0019522

Announcement Type Initial Announcement

Deadline for Applications 11:59pm EDT Monday, August 31st

Assistance Listing Number 19.345

Length of performance period 24 to 48 months

Number of awards anticipated 4 awards

Award amounts Two awards will be issued in the amounts of up to

$1,973,359; and two awards issued in the amounts of up to $2,466,699

Total available funding $8,880,116 pending availability of funds

Type of Funding FY 2025 Democracy Funds under the Foreign

Assistance Act

Anticipated project start date September 30, 2026

Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreements

Project Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 48 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.

2. Executive Summary

Priority Region: China (inclusive of all provinces, autonomous regions, special administrative regions, and direct-administered municipalities, including Hong Kong, Macau, and Tibet)

Executive Summary

Significant human rights abuses including genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang are ongoing in China, with global implications. As the State Department’s annual Human Rights

Reports repeatedly document, there are widespread and credible reports of offenses ranging from genocide and grave human rights abuses to serious restrictions on freedom of expression and access to information; arbitrary arrest and detention; torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment; particularly severe violations of religious freedom; prohibitions of trade unions and systematic restrictions on workers’ freedom of association; and trafficking in persons, including forced labor. Nor do these rights abuses end at China’s borders, with serious and documented implications for any individual or entity that poses a perceived challenge to the

Chinese Communist Party (CCP). These abuses include acts of transnational repression, including but not limited to targeting of American citizens at home and abroad; systemic distortions of global markets and supply chains caused by the CCP’s use of forced labor and economic coercion; censorship and distortion of information in the private and public sector;

sanctions evasion; and export of systems and technology to perform censorship and surveillance of individuals exercising fundamental freedoms around the world.

To counter these varied and systematic challenges, DRL seeks to fund four new cooperative agreements that will directly respond to and end rights abuses, better inform global audiences about the nature and impacts of the CCP’s propaganda and malign actions, level the playing field for U.S. and likeminded and partner interests in relevant sectors, and enhance the security and resilience of individuals exercising fundamental freedoms on U.S. soil, in the Indo-Pacific region, and globally. These cooperative agreements will advance the objectives of the 2025

National Security Strategy and relevant U.S. legislation including the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act, Tibetan Policy Act, and Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act.

B. Eligibility

1. Eligible Applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• U.S. or foreign not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations

• U.S. or foreign public and private educational institutions

• U.S. or foreign For-profit organizations

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

The provision of cost sharing, matching, or cost participation is not required to submit an application to this NOFO and will not improve competitive ranking of an application. Any budget items proposed for cost share must be allowable per 2 CFR 200, Subpart E—Cost

Principles.

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 D.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

Applicants are allowed to submit a maximum of two proposals per organization as the primary recipient for any of the four programs solicited in this NOFO, and no more than one application per program. If more than two total proposals are submitted from an organization as the prime recipient in response to this NOFO, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding. Organizations may be included in an unlimited number of applications as a subrecipient or other type of implementing partner.

C. Program Descriptions

1. Goals, Objectives, and Illustrative Activities

PROGRAM 1: Promoting Freedom of Expression and Access to Information (One Award:

$1,973,359)

Goals, Objectives, and Illustrative Activities

The goal of this program is to promote freedom of expression and access to information about

Chinese social, economic, and political developments by amplifying content and supporting independent journalists that would otherwise be censored by Chinese authorities; document and analyze the CCP’s evolving methods of censorship and propaganda; and raise international awareness of the extent of the CCP’s information suppression on strategic issues.

Objective 1: Counter CCP censorship, propaganda, and false narratives on issues of strategic relevance to Chinese citizens and global stakeholders.

Illustrative Activities

• Preserve, analyze, and publish independent commentary on firsthand reporting and developments before they are censored by Chinese authorities.

• Document and counter CCP use of advanced technology, including Artificial Intelligence

(AI), to engage in systematic censorship, surveillance, and repression of targeted individuals and groups.

• Enable Chinese citizens and global stakeholders to freely access and critically evaluate uncensored information about economic and political developments in China.

Objective 2: Support independent journalists, media organizations, and other information providers to produce and disseminate uncensored, diverse, and reliable information on relevant political and social issues related to the CCP and its human rights record.

Illustrative Activities

• Build the skills of independent journalists, media organizations, and other information providers with sources and networks inside China to produce real-time documentation and analysis of political and economic developments that are subject to government censorship and propaganda.

• Empower Chinese citizens, activists, and human rights defenders globally to exercise their rights to freedom of expression without fear of government reprisal.

• Improve the quantity and quality of actionable, uncensored information available about strategic issues, trends, and developments inside China for global audiences and stakeholders.

PROGRAM 2: Countering Extraterritorial Application of National Security Legislation

(One Award: $2,466,699)

Goals, Objectives, and Illustrative Activities

The goal of this program is to counter China’s extraterritorial application of national security legislation and other laws, including those in Special Administrative Region(s), that threaten the safety and security of human rights defenders, civil society activists, independent journalists and other individuals and organizations outside China’s borders by tracking and analyzing relevant trends in China’s use of lawfare; documenting impacts on target entities, including private sector actors; and supporting concrete actions that directly respond to China’s use of long-arm jurisdiction and other forms of legal overreach.

Objective 1: Raise global awareness of and inform public discourse and policy options for addressing China’s efforts to apply national security legislation and other laws in extraterritorial settings, and implications for human rights defenders, civil society activists, independent journalists, and other advocates.

Illustrative Activities

• Publish new analyses of trends in China’s development of extraterritorial legal architecture and tactics and their implications for human rights and private and public sector activities.

• Convene networks of human rights defenders, civil society actors, independent journalists, and other stakeholders to collect testimony of lawfare tactics and impact, identify and map relevant risks, and support proactive responses and risk mitigation efforts.

• Produce educational and briefing materials for key stakeholder groups to pursue effective cross-sector responses to instances and evidence of lawfare activities.

Objective 2: Improve protections and mitigate risk for individuals, groups, businesses, and other entities at risk of China’s lawfare campaigns.

Illustrative Activities

• Produce analyses of examples of China’s lawfare that have implicated on the ability of individuals outside of China from exercising fundamental rights and freedoms including freedom of expression.

• Preserve data and other materials at risk of government censorship or interference that relate to extraterritorial legal actions or evidence of lawfare trends.

• Provide assistance, advice, support, or training to individuals, businesses, or other entities outside of China at risk of lawfare actions.

PROGRAM 3: Ending Sanctions Evasion (One Award: $2,466,699)

Goals, Objectives, and Illustrative Activities

The goal of this program is to map and counter sanctions evasion occurring in and around China, including Special Administrative Region(s). This program will support the documentation, analysis, and dissemination of actionable evidence relevant to sanctions evasion including examinations of corporate records and ownership chains in targeted supply chains. The program will monitor and produce public information regarding different types of sanctions evasion, including illicit shipping and financial transactions, and facilitate accountability actions against complicit private sector and government-affiliated individuals and entities.

Objective 1: Expand access to information about and conduct targeted research on sanctions evasion in target locations, and improve the skills of researchers, investigative journalists, and other stakeholders to uncover and report on China-related sanctions issues.

Illustrative Activities

• Preserve public and private sector records at risk of government censorship, erasure, or manipulation that relate to sanctions evasion.

• Produce new and innovative research to identify instances and patterns of sanctions evasion in target locations and in relevant supply chains.

• Conduct briefings and information sharing sessions with diverse stakeholders, including businesses, to raise awareness of exposure to sanctions actions in relevant sectors and support diversification into lower-risk markets and supply chains.

Objective 2: Document information that advances accountability actions against individuals and entities affiliated with the CCP involved in sanctionable activities.

Illustrative Activities

• Prepare actionable evidence-based dossiers and other analyses demonstrating linkages between relevant entities, individuals in leadership and operational positions in those entities, and shipping practices associated with sanctionable activity or sanctions evasion.

o Actionable information related to individuals could include the name and any aliases, date and place of birth, nationality(ies), family members’ names, relevant addresses, occupation, government or business affiliations (as applicable), and any other personally identifiable information, as well as specific information which directly or indirectly links the individual to sanctions evasion.

• Develop strategies and support concrete actions for effectively pursuing accountability against actors involved in sanctionable activity.

PROGRAM 4: Protecting Religious Freedom and Human Rights (One Award: $1,973,359)

The goal of this program is to protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of religion, for highly oppressed religious and other minority groups inside China. The program will support human rights defenders as they document and report on human rights trends on the ground and engage in advocacy to preserve the unique religious, linguistic, and cultural identity of persecuted communities, including members of the global diaspora.

Objective 1: Support networks of human rights defenders, civil society activists, independent journalists, and other advocates to promote fundamental rights and strengthen resilience to various forms of oppression of distinct ethnic and religious groups in China.

Illustrative Activities

• Build the skills of human rights defenders, independent journalists, and other activists to document and disseminate information about rights repression inside China, with a focus on religious freedom.

• Expand and improve secure communication channels to support the safe sharing of information about human rights issues and related developments.

• Publish and produce evidence-based reporting and perform regular briefings and information sharing to inform and improve global responses to domestic repression of rights.

• Build and deploy campaigns to reach broad audiences inside and outside of China exposing truthful, fact-based information about the domestic repression of rights.

Objective 2: Strengthen international and cross-community advocacy on behalf of highly oppressed groups inside China.

• Improve the quality and quantity of international advocacy on behalf of targeted communities in China, including by deepening connections and improving coordination between diaspora communities.

• Engage in targeted advocacy on issues of strategic importance tailored to U.S. and allied and partner governments in the region and globally.

• Track and report on challenges to reporting on and engaging in advocacy efforts, including transnational repression campaigns and other attempts by the CCP to censor and surveil religious freedom.

Additional Required Criteria: To be eligible, successful applications will also meet the following criteria:

• At least 20 percent of the total award budget for any of the above awards should be allocated in the form of subaward agreements. Subrecipients will implement program activities that contribute to meeting the program goal and objectives. At least 1-2 subrecipients should be identified at the time of application, including letter(s) of commitment. Other subrecipients may be identified and approved by DRL during the period of performance of the award.

• Inclusion of monitoring and evaluation data and findings, including the applicant’s own assessment/analyses, of lessons learned and best practices incorporated from prior awards on similar topic(s). Please also include how data from prior programs will inform baseline data collection for the proposed new program. Baseline data indicators should be specific, measurable, and targeted and inform the baseline assessment.

• Include emergency contingency plans and budget line items in case program staff and participants are subjected to transnational repression or other forms of repression, intimidation, or coercion as a result of working on sensitive elements of this program.

Limitations and Regulations: The recipient must comply with all applicable U.S. federal regulations governing the use of grant funds, including restrictions on lobbying and political activities. Funds may not be used to support partisan activities or content.

2. Substantial Involvement

These awards will be cooperative agreements. DRL will be substantially involved in the planning and implementation of the project. The organization that these programs are awarded to will collaborate with DRL on overall programmatic planning and implementation and report programmatic challenges as they arise through all phases of the project. Please note that areas of substantial involvement will be negotiated with the applicant prior to award issuance.

The Department of State will be substantially involved in carrying out the following aspects of these cooperative agreements:

Award Startup Phase:

• Within 30 days of activation of this award, the recipient will schedule and participate in an orientation meeting with DRL to discuss reporting requirements, finalize award agreement attachments, address best practices for implementation, and discuss the primary conditions and obligations of performance of this award.

• DRL will approve, on an annual basis, the recipient’s detailed work plan for this program.

The first year’s work plan is due to DRL within 45 days of the award and annually thereafter. Requirements for the work plan will be addressed at the initial orientation meeting. The next year’s draft work plan shall be due at least 30 days before the commencement of the next 12-month period of implementation of the award.

Award Implementation Phase:

• Throughout the period of performance, DRL will provide substantive contributions and support to the recipient in implementing the program. For example, and subject to relevant approvals and authorities from DRL, support may include: Providing templates and guidance for issuing subawards or contracts in compliance with 2 CFR 200;

recommendations for program activity content and areas of focus; recommended partnerships or points of contact for specific issue sets across the Department and interagency; assistance planning and implementing certain activities; and other items.

• DRL will organize regular check-in meetings with the recipient to communicate about program progress and discuss challenges as they arise.

• The recipient will communicate to DRL whether any changes are needed to the annual work plan. Changes that amount to significant revision of components of the work plan must be communicated to DRL at least 90 days in advance and require DRL written approval.

• This includes changes to the proposed target countries or specific issues to be addressed through this program.

• The recipient will secure written approval from DRL prior to disclosing the source of funding for this award to any external interlocuter, including other donors, and will take steps to ensure program participants and organizational members do not disclose the funding source without prior authorization.

• At least 14 days in advance of in-person activities or advocacy events in all countries other than the United States, the recipient will secure written DRL approval. DRL will in turn suggest and provide relevant points of contact across the Department, civil society, and other networks as needed to ensure maximal program effectiveness and impact.

• DRL will approve any subawards issued through this program, along with the accompanying scope of work and budget materials. The grantee will consult with DRL during the course of the project to ensure subaward issuance and management is conducted in full compliance with relevant sections of 2 CFR 200 and in alignment with the overall award scope of work.

• DRL and the recipient shall coordinate to ensure program deconfliction and coordinate programs as they engage with USG entities, noting that U.S. foreign assistance funds cannot be used to advocate or lobby the U.S. government. The recipient will notify and consult with DRL before meeting with law enforcement agencies in the United States or other countries.

• The recipient will work with DRL to coordinate and deconflict support for the media organizations, civil society groups, and journalists commissioned for investigations. DRL will issue final approvals for proposed partner organizations working on these investigations and their scope of work and provide recommendations as appropriate to amplify the impact of the cooperative agreement.

• The recipient will consult with DRL regarding any and all proposed strategic impact litigation or other legal actions that may be undertaken as part of this award. Any legal actions supported through this award will be approved by DRL in advance.

D. Application Contents and Format

Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this letter or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible for consideration of funding.

Content of Application

Please ensure:

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

• All documents are in English

• All budgets are in U.S. dollars

• All pages are numbered

• All documents are formatted to fit 8 ½ x 11 paper, and

• All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

The following documents are required:

1. Mandatory application forms

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

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

SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) at grants.gov/forms.

2. Summary Page (optional)

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

3. Proposal (15 pages maximum)

The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. You may use your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below.

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

• Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. government agencies.

• Problem Statement: Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed

• Project Goals and Objectives: 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.

• Project Activities: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives.

• Project Methods and Design: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. Include a logic model as appropriate.

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

• Key Personnel: Resumes are not required at this time. Instead, provide only the selection criteria your program will apply throughout the grant period of performance when filling key positions.

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

• Project 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?

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

4. Budget Justification Narrative

After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use a separate file to describe each of the budget expenses in detail. Subgrantee budget narratives, if known at the time of submission, should also be included. See section H. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget

Submissions below for further information.

5. Attachments

• A line-item budget, expanding upon the summary categories found in the SF-424A.

Subgrantee budgets, if known at time of submission, should also be included as tabs

(please see template attached to NOFO).

• Key personnel position descriptions. Resumes are not required at this time. Instead, provide only the selection criteria your program will apply throughout the grant period of performance when filling key positions, letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner

• If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, include your latest NICRA as a PDF file.

• Official permission letters, if required for program activities.

E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

1. Where to Request Application Package

Application forms required above are available at grants.gov and MyGrants.

2. U.S. Department of State Contacts

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

Solicitation@state.gov.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

Required Registrations

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 solicitation.

The 2 CFR 200 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 War (DoW) awards are no longer required to have a NATO mailto:DRL-PRU-Solicitation@state.gov mailto:DRL-PRU-Solicitation@state.gov

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 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.

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO plan to do business with the

DoD in addition to Department of State should follow the below instructions:

Step 1: Apply for an NCAGE code by following the instructions on the NSPA NATO website linked below:

NCAGE Homepage:

https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/sc/CageList.aspx

NCAGE Code Request Tool (nato.int)

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 this solicitation at least two weeks prior to the deadline of this solicitation 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.

4. Submission Dates and Times

Applications are due no later than 11:59pm EDT on Monday, August 31, 2026.

5. Funding Restrictions

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

None of the funds awarded resulting from this solicitation 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).

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=https%3A%2F%2Feportal.nspa.nato.int%2FAC135Public%2Fscage%2FCageList.aspx&data=05%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C0cc4e2b471f44abcd32308db093ecead%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638113937577534024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=v3TLT8F%2FNfk5SuTcI2zw7SMhV4HK542OhP9XDx4ln%2BY%3D&reserved=0 https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/Codification/CageTool/home https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110

ii. Prohibition on Funding Activities that Encourage Mass-Migration Caravans towards the United States Southwest Border:

None of the funds awarded under this grant may be made available to encourage, mobilize, publicize, or manage mass-migration caravans towards the United States southwest border. Funds may not be made available for legal counseling on the

United States asylum process; and/or for referrals legal or representation in the

United States.

Funds may only be used for cash cards for use in the country in which they are provided or to facilitate assisted voluntary returns and other purposes that do not encourage, mobilize, publicize, or manage mass migration caravans towards the

United States southwest border. The provision of humanitarian assistance is permitted.

iii. Certification Regarding Compliance with applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws

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

1) 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;

2) 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.

iv. Certification Regarding Compliance with 20 U.S.C. 1011f and any other applicable foreign funding disclosure requirements.

Applicants are advised that Institutes of Higher Education (IHEs) must certify the following at the time of award, and that this certification requirement must be included in any subaward agreements to IHEs:

1) 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.

v. 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:

1) 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);

2) 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).

3) 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.

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 their website and at the workplace. Recipients must re-certify on an annual basis for the entire award period of performance.

vi. Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems System (UAS). If your project involves the purchase or use of an UAS, see this link for requirements and information you must include in your application

vii. Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance (PHFFA)

Applicants for foreign assistance awards should be aware of requirements in 2 CFR Part

602, 603, and 604.

These policies are referred to collectively as the Promoting Human Flourishing in

Foreign Assistance (PHFFA) Policy.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-175 https://www.state.gov/federal-assistance-policies-appeals/

602: The award term imposes certain abortion-related requirements on foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), United States NGOs, public international organizations, foreign governments, and parastatals.

603: The award term imposes certain requirements relating to gender ideology on foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), United States NGOs, international organizations, foreign governments, and parastatals.

604: The award term imposes certain requirements relating to discriminatory equity ideology on foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), United States NGOs, international organizations, foreign governments, and parastatals.

The Department recognizes there are costs associated with these policies. Potential one-time and recurring costs the Department identifies for recipients and grantees are for familiarization with the policy, development and delivery of organizational training and implementation guidance, routine compliance monitoring, and recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

6. Other Submission Requirements

Applications may be submitted electronically through www.Grants.gov or MyGrants.

F. Application Review Information

1. Review Criteria

Each application will be evaluated and rated based on the evaluation criteria outlined below.

• Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea: The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline. The proposal does not include any activities contrary to any standing Executive Orders. For a full list, see https://www.federalregister.gov/.

• Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants: The organization has expertise in its stated field and has the internal controls in place to manage federal funds. This includes a financial management system and a bank account. If sub-awards are proposed, applicant demonstrates experience managing subawards.

• Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives: Goals and objectives are clearly stated, and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.

• Budget: The budget justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities.

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• Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: 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 program includes output and outcome indicators and shows how and when those will be measured.

• Sustainability: Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program.

2. Indirect Costs

If two or more applications receive equivalent scores based on the evaluation criteria outlined in this NOFO, preference will be given to the applicant with the lower indirect cost rate, as consistent with Executive Order 14332, Section 4(b)(iii). This preference will only be applied as a tie-breaking mechanism and does not supersede the primary evaluation criteria.

3. Risk Review

i. Risk factors

Under the merit review as required by 2 CFR 200.206, prior to making a Federal Award the Department will review and consider the following risk factors:

a. Financial stability

b. Management systems and standards

c. History of performance

d. Audit reports and findings

e. Ability to effectively implement requirements

f. Capacity to identify and mitigate risk regarding sensitive programming topics

ii. Responsibility/Qualification Information in SAM.gov

The Federal awarding agency, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the U.S. government designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM.gov (see 41 U.S.C. 2313);

An applicant can review and comment on any information in the responsibility/qualification records available in SAM.gov.

Before making decisions in the risk review required by § 200.206 the Department will consider any comments by the applicant, along with information available in the responsibility/qualification records in SAM.gov.

G. Award Notices

The award will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The award agreement is the authorizing document, and it will be provided to the recipient for review and counter-signature. The recipient may only start incurring project expenses beginning on the start date shown on the 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 solicitation 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.

Unsuccessful applicants: Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by October 30 via email.

Payment Method:

Payments under this award will be made through the U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services (HHS) Payment Management System (PMS).

Recipients may not draw down funds without the affirmative authorization of the Department of

State. In addition, recipients must submit, with each PMS payment request, a detailed explanation justifying the request.

H. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

1. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

1. 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:

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

• Guidance for Grants and Agreements in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2

CFR), as updated in the Federal Register’s 89 FR 30046 on April 22, 2024, particularly on:

o Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an impartial process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR part 200.205);

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 o 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);

o 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 o Terminating agreements pursuant to the U.S. Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, including, to the greatest extent authorized by law, if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR part 200.340).

For the avoidance of doubt, the Department has sole discretion over the determination that an award no longer effectuates program goals or agency priorities, and this provision permits awards to be terminated at the Department’s convenience, including when it determines that the award no longer advances the national interest.

• 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

• Recipients must comply with Executive Orders as applicable. A searchable list can be found in the Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/

2. Reporting

Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports. The award document will specify what reports are required and how often these reports must be submitted. Recipients will be required to submit quarterly narrative and financial reports which should contain sufficient detail to demonstrate the progress toward program activities, outputs, outcomes, and objectives, and the overall financial posture of the award. These reports will formally summarize and supplement the mandatory monthly check-ins with the DRL program officer(s) assigned to this award. In addition, the recipient must prepare and receive approval for annual work plans and relevant attachments.

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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.

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.

1. Branding and Marking

The Department of State, its programs, and U.S. Government funding and assistance should be easily identifiable to the Department's global audiences.

Recipients of federal assistance awards must follow the branding guidance published at

Guidance for Contracts and Grants - U.S. Department of State Brand System. Branding policy exceptions are outlined in the U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual 10

FAM 416, Policy Exceptions.

For more information, visit: https://brand.america.gov/

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 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 $10,000 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 $10,000 per unit, then put it in the budget under Equipment.

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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 15% of Modified Total Direct Costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.1.

“Cost Sharing” refers to contributions from the organization or other entities other than the U.S.

Embassy. It also includes in-kind…