Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).docx

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Promoting Civilizational Values Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Department of State Opportunity number: DFOP0019542 Application deadline: 11:59 PM ET on Augst 21st 2026

U.S Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) Notice of Funding Opportunity

A. Basic Information

1. Overview

Funding Instrument Type: Grants or cooperative agreements.

Project Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 24 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: Europe Executive Summary DRL requests proposals to strengthen the ability of European countries and institutions to protect freedom of expression, political pluralism, and national self-government. This funding opportunity directly supports the U.S. National Security Strategy's priority of "building up the healthy nations of Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe through commercial ties, political collaboration, and cultural and educational exchanges.”

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

2. Cost Sharing or Matching Providing cost sharing, matching, or cost participation is not an eligibility factor or requirement for this NOFO and providing cost share will not result in a more favorable competitive ranking. Per 2 CFR 200.306, budget line items that are 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 only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding.

C. Program Description

1. Goals and Objectives

The purpose of democratic government is to protect individuals’ natural rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression and religious freedom, and to secure the right to freely choose the government and hold it accountable. Any abuser of government power—under any pretext—should be held accountable. Opposing anti-democratic restrictions on natural rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly in European countries and other countries that share our civilizational values, is crucial to the survival of the democratic world.

European governments and EU institutions are drifting away from their own Western civilizational foundations and democratic traditions—natural law, national sovereignty, and traditional religious and cultural norms—and using state power in ways that undermine democratic self-government. More specifically, supranational and bureaucratic overreach has concentrated power in distant, technocratic institutions that are less accountable to national democratic choices. In addition, European governments and the EU use overbroad and vague hate-speech criteria and online content regulations and laws to police and punish speech both online and offline. These trends point to a growing gap between technocratic EU-level governance and national democratic choices, which erodes society’s trust in institutions, and a weakening of European cohesion overall.

At the 2026 Munich Security Conference, Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for a renewal of the U.S. partnership with Europe to defend our common heritage, restore respect for sovereignty, and revitalize their societies in the face of modern challenges, such as mass migration and technological advances. U.S.-Hungary relations remain grounded in mutual respect for sovereignty, shared strategic goals, and a commitment to defending Western civilization. The United States remains committed to working constructively with Hungary and other European nations regardless of election outcomes, as affirmed by Secretary Rubio.

DRL solicits proposals for programs up to $2 million to support civil society organizations in Europe to strengthen democratic institutions, protect fundamental freedoms, and promote civilizational values. Priority will be given to organizations that demonstrate expertise in one or more of the following areas: assistance to victims of religious or political persecution and refugees in ways that respect national sovereignty and reduce irregular migration pressures; educational and research initiatives that promote Western civilizational values in support of a deepening of democratic practices; legal advocacy and policy development that protects freedom of expression, religious freedom, and national self-government; and/or, community-based programs that support integration of refugees and displaced populations while maintaining social cohesion and support for democratic values.

Programs should include one or more of the following objectives:

Objective 1: Civil society influences judicial and legislative institutions to safeguard freedom of expression, political competition, and national sovereignty.

Illustrative activities:

· Comparative law dialogues (Track 1, 1.5 and 2) on how democratic systems protect freedom of expression without overbroad prohibitions.

· Submission of amicus/intervener briefs in cases related to freedom of expression, political participation, and national sovereignty.

· Consensus-building forums/trainings for judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys on proportionality in criminal law (e.g., standards for criminalizing speech), and fair-trial standards.

· Consensus-building forums/trainings for election commissions and parliamentary bodies on transparent rules for party registration, candidate disqualification, and campaign finance; and respect for freedom of expression principles.

· Participation in parliamentary hearings, caucus meetings, and briefings on freedom of expression, political competition and migration.

Illustrative outcomes:

· Policies developed to address violations of the right to freedom of expression and threats to national sovereignty.

· Courts handling cases involving political actors, journalists, or peaceful civil society activists show better adherence to fair trial guarantees (timely access to counsel, transparent proceedings, law-based judgments).

· Decrease in the number or severity of criminal sanctions for non-violent political or religious expression.

· Policymakers, judges, and legal experts use alternative tools to replace broad prohibitions that unduly limit free speech.

· Parliaments engage regularly on legislation and oversight affecting free speech, party competition, and national sovereignty.

Objective 2: Civil society facilitates informed debate on EU integration, migration, national identity, and humanitarian assistance to strengthen institutions that safeguard free speech, political competition, national sovereignty, and religious freedom.

Illustrative activities:

· Monitor and publish data-driven impact reports on prosecutions and other penalties showing politically motivated bias and/or threats to national sovereignty.

· Transatlantic policy debates on sovereignty, migration, and “globalism” to examine the balance between national sovereignty and supranational governance and compare the U.S. federalism and EU integration models.

· Monitoring and scorecards to rate the performance of parliamentarians and judges on issues related to free speech, political participation, and national sovereignty.

· Support public policy discussions regarding how refugee assistance programs can adapt to better integrate democratic norms and natural rights in their engagement with victims of religious and political persecution and vulnerable populations, while respecting host-country sovereignty and integration capacity.

· Facilitate knowledge-sharing on effective humanitarian assistance delivery models that uphold natural rights and democratic norms in their support of displaced populations and refugees in countries of origin or transit, reducing irregular migration pressures on Europe.

· Promote educational and integration initiatives for refugees that strengthen understanding of Western civilizational values, including religious history, cultural identity, democratic practices, and rule of law.

· Develop policy positions for refugee assistance that balance humanitarian obligations with host country security concerns, preserving democratic institutions, and social cohesion.

Illustrative outcomes:

· Civil society is a credible stakeholder in debates about free speech, political participation, and national sovereignty.

· Local NGOs and watchdog groups publish evidence-based reports on undue restrictions on free speech, constraints on political actors, and challenges of migration.

· Civil society uses public reporting mechanisms to raise awareness about undue free speech restrictions.

· Public discourse in Europe reflects the views of all citizens and includes discussions of sovereignty and Western values.

· Regular, independent impact reports of speech-related prosecutions are available and cited in public, parliamentary, and judicial debates.

· Civil society organizations demonstrate effective models for refugee assistance that respect host-country sovereignty and democratic institutions, support integration, and address root causes of displacement.

· Refugee assistance programs successfully support victims of religious or political persecution while maintaining social cohesion in host communities.

In addition, competitive proposals should meet the following criteria:

· Avoid validating claims of U.S. “interference” in European countries’ domestic politics by focusing on principles and processes (free speech, due process, fair elections), not endorsements of specific parties, candidates, electoral campaigns, political agendas or election outcomes; working through transparent, rules-based funding and competitive grants, not ad hoc political support; and coordinating with European institutions and national governments where possible, while retaining the ability to support independent civil society. All activities must be non-partisan.

· Consistent with the Foreign Assistance Act and applicable State/Foreign Operations appropriations provisions governing democracy and political party assistance, all proposed activities must be nonpartisan and offered on a fair and equitable basis to all democratic political parties and groups and will not seek to influence the outcome of any election.

· Avoid U.S.-based study tours, scholarships, or exchange projects.

· Organizations must be locally registered non-profit entities with a physical office in the country(ies) of implementation.

· Organizations must demonstrate a track record of promoting pluralism and civilizational values in the country(ies) of implementation.

Projects awarded under this solicitation are subject to availability of funds and terms and conditions of the grants or cooperative agreement, including high-income country waivers as needed.

Program Specific Requirements:

· The organization will submit to DRL for approval an annual workplan that includes a timeline, planned milestones, and short descriptions of all workshops and events, and a list of stakeholder groups and organizations participating.

· The organization will submit to DRL for approval a Monitoring & Evaluation Narrative to describe the organization’s approach to monitoring and evaluation, including proof and verification of results outlined in the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and methodologies for internal and external evaluations.

· The organization could be subject to annual site visits by the programming monitoring team.

· Grantees must notify their Grants Officer Representative and their Technical Program Officer prior to any international travel, even if pre-approved in the grant budget. Grantees must also notify their Grants Officer Representative and their Technical Program Officer regarding any travel-related incidents resulting from any programmatic activities under any project or grant, USG or otherwise.

· The organization will submit to DRL for approval any evaluation, research or survey methodologies.

· DRL may also provide technical assistance or subject matter expertise, reviews and comments on draft materials, reports, or publications.

· Organizations must demonstrate that they have trusted, working relationships with their proposed beneficiaries as well as working across social and political cleavages.

1. Substantial Involvement – only include if the award will be a cooperative agreement The award will be a cooperative agreement. The organization awarded this program will collaborate with DRL on overall programmatic planning and implementation and report programmatic challenges as they arise through all phases of the project. The Department of State will be substantially involved in carrying out various aspects of this cooperative agreement. Examples of substantial involvement may include but are not limited to:

· DRL will work with the implementer to co- develop workshop(s) and events including selection of participants, training topics, and location(s).

· DRL will provide guidance to ensure all activities remain consistent with the Foreign Assistance Act and applicable State/Foreign Operations appropriations provisions.

· DRL will provide technical assistance on Performance Indictor Tracking Table, monitoring an evaluation narrative, and accompanying monitoring and evaluation plan or offers guidance on methodology or approach.

Please note that areas of substantial involvement will be negotiated with the applicant prior to award issuance.

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 regardless that this is a directed or sole source request for proposal.

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) SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs)

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 timeframe of the grant, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant?

· 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. 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 each proposed 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.

Successful applicants will be required to submit the following documents prior to award. Please do not include any of these documents in your application.

· Organizational Policies

· Personnel Policy

· Employee Handbook

· Travel Polices

· Procurement Polices

· Sub-Award Manual

· Sample Sub-Award Agreement (if applicable

· Financial Management Policies/ SOP

· Completion of the Financial Management Survey

E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

1. Where to Request Application Package Application forms required above are available at www.grants.gov

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 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 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 11:59 PM ET on Augst 21st 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).

ii. 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:

2) 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 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:

· 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);

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).

· 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 (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

v. 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.

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 All application materials must be submitted electronically through www.Grants.gov or MyGrants

F. Application Review Information

1. Review Criteria

The proposal will not be compared against other proposals. However, it will be reviewed to ensure that it is sufficiently strong in the following areas to merit funding:

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.

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. 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

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.

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:

· 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),

· Promoting freedom of speech and religious liberty in alignment with Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty (E.O. 13798) and Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities (E.O. 13864) (§§ 200.300, 200.303, 200.339, and 200.341),

· Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR part 200.322), and Terminating agreements 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.

Applicants should be aware of the post-award reporting requirements for federal assistance awards as reflected in 2 CFR 200 Appendix XII - Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters. DRL awards require that all reports (financial and progress) are uploaded to the federal award file in SAMS Domestic on a quarterly basis. The Federal Financial Report (FFR or SF-425) is the required form for financial reports and must be submitted in PMS, and a copy of the report submitted in PMS then uploaded to the award file in SAMS Domestic. Progress reports uploaded to the award file in SAMS Domestic must include a narrative as described below as well as Program Indicators (or other mutually agreed upon format approved by the Grants Officer).

Narrative progress reports: should reflect the focus on measuring the project’s progress on the overarching objectives and should be compiled according to the objectives, outcomes, and outputs as outlined in the award’s Scope of Work (SOW) and in the Monitoring & Evaluation Narrative. An assessment of the overall project’s achievements should be included in each progress report. Where relevant, progress reports should include the following sections:

· Relevant contextual information (limited);

· Explanation and evaluation of significant activities of the reporting period and how the activities reflect progress toward achieving objectives, including meeting benchmarks/targets as set in the approved M&E Plan. In addition, attach the M&E Plan, comparing the target and actual numbers for the indicators;

· Any qualitative impact or success stories from the project, when possible;

· Copy of baseline, mid-term, and/or final evaluation report(s) conducted by an external evaluator; if applicable;

· Relevant supporting documentation or products related to the project activities (such as articles, meeting lists and agendas, participant surveys, photos, manuals, etc.) as separate attachments;

· Description of how the recipient is pursuing sustainability, including looking for sources of follow-on funding;

· Any problems/challenges in implementing the project and a corrective action plan with an updated timeline of activities;

· Reasons why established goals were not met;

· Data for the required F and/or DRL framework indicator(s) for the quarter as well as aggregate data by fiscal year;

· Program Indicators or other mutually agreed upon format approved by the Grants Officer;

· Proposed activities for the next quarter; and,

· Additional pertinent information, including analysis and explanation of cost overruns or high unit costs, if applicable 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.

A. 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.

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 percent 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 contributions such as volunteers’ time and donated venues.

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

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