supporting civil society advocacy efforts rfa (posted jan 17).pdf

U.S. Department of State Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs

Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 19.500

Supporting Civil Society Advocacy Efforts

Opportunity Number: NEAPI-12-AW-040-MENA-011712 Competition ID: Civil Society 1-US

Civil Society 1-Foreign Announcement Type: New

Key Information:

Application Deadline:

23:59:59 ET on February 16, 2012

Federal Agency Contact Jessica Baker Nea-grants@state.gov 202-776-8524

Date Opened

January 17, 2012

Electronic Link for Full Announcement (MEPI Website):

mepi.state.gov

Funding Opportunity Synopsis:

Project Synopsis:

The Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), located within the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, announces an open competition for applications that support civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to effectively advocate for causes that build more pluralistic, participatory, and prosperous societies.

In the wake of the Arab Spring, MEPI seeks to fund projects that will support civil society’s advocacy efforts across the region, responding to citizens’ demands for change and reform and for holding their governments accountable. Applications should focus in the following areas:

• Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, and Syria: Proposed projects should assist activists and organizations to advocate more effectively, with intent to improve political freedoms, effect legislative change, and ensure the implementation of promised reforms and legislation.

NEAPI-12-AW-040-MENA-011712

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• Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen: Proposed projects should help amplify the voice of civil society in political transition processes, specifically assisting CSOs to fulfill their role of channeling citizens’ demands for change into government decisions and new laws and constitutions, where applicable.

• Algeria, Oman, Qatar, and UAE: Proposed projects should address gaps in advocacy skills for nascent or moderately experienced civil society organizations to become more effective voices for the populace.

The Middle East Partnership Initiative has a particular interest in supporting projects that are innovative and meet needs and opportunities not already addressed by current donor funding.

Please Note: Applications that support CSO advocacy in countries other than those discussed above will not be considered.

Background Information about MEPI:

The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), located within the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, is a unique program designed to engage directly with and invest in the peoples of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). MEPI works to create vibrant partnerships with citizens to foster the development of pluralistic, participatory, and prosperous societies throughout the MENA region. To do this, MEPI partners with local, regional, and international non-governmental organizations, the private sector, academic institutions, and governments.

Through its Washington headquarters and Regional Offices in Abu Dhabi and Tunis, MEPI has been present in the MENA region since 2002, contributing over $600 million to more than 1,000 projects in 18 countries and territories. More information about MEPI can be found at:

mepi.state.gov.

NEAPI-12-AW-040-MENA-011712

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Table of Contents

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION ________________________________ - 5 -

II. AWARD INFORMATION ________________________________________________ - 6 -

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION ___________________________________________ - 7 -

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS ____________________________________________ - 7 -

B. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS—U.S.-BASED APPLICANTS ____________ - 7 -

B.1 Grants.gov _______________________________________________________ - 7 - B.2 Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Number System ______________________ - 7 - B.3 Central Contractor Registration ______________________________________ - 8 -

C. ELIGIBILY REQUIREMENTS—FOREIGN-BASED APPLICANTS ________ - 8 -

D. ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS_______________________ - 8 -

D.1 Partners or Coalitions ______________________________________________ - 8 - D.2 Sustainability Plan ________________________________________________ - 9 - D.3 Results-Oriented Monitoring and Assessment Plan ______________________ - 10 - D.4 Cost-Sharing or Matching __________________________________________ - 10 - D.5 Sub-Awards_____________________________________________________ - 10 -

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION _______________________ - 11 -

A. Application Documents ______________________________________________ - 11 -

A.1 Required Documents—U.S. Based Applicants _________________________ - 11 - A.2 Required Documents—Foreign-Based Applicants _______________________ - 12 - A.3 Optional Documents—All Applicants ________________________________ - 12 - A.4 Application Formatting Requirements—All Applicants __________________ - 13 -

B. SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION—U.S.-BASED APPLICANTS _________ - 14 -

B.1 Download the Application Package from Grants.gov ____________________ - 14 - B.2 Submitting an Application on Grants.gov _____________________________ - 15 -

C. SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION—FOREIGN-BASED APPLICANTS ____ - 15 -

C.1 Download the Application Package from Grants.gov ______________________ - 15 -

D. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES ___________________________________ - 17 -

E. FUNDING LIMITATIONS/RESTRICTIONS ___________________________ - 17 -

E.1 Economic Support Funds Restrictions: __________________________________ - 17 - E.2 Awards to For-Profit Organizations: ___________________________________ - 17 -

V. APPLICATION REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS _____________________ - 17 -

A. APPLICATION EVALUATION CRITERIA ____________________________ - 17 -

B. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS _______________________________ - 19 -

VI. ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION ____________________________________ - 19 -

A. AWARD NOTICES _________________________________________________ - 19 -

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS __________________________________________________ - 20 -

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APPENDICES (ENCLOSED WITH RFA)

APPENDIX 1—MEPI Application Cover Sheet APPENDIX 2—Budget Narrative Sample Template APPENDIX 3—Applicant Organization Information APPENDIX 4—Results-Oriented Monitoring and Assessment Plan Template APPENDIX 5—Preparing an Application for Funding APPENDIX 6—Pre-submission Checklist

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I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

“This year we have seen citizens across the Middle East and North Africa demand the same universal rights, dignity, and opportunity that Eastern and Central Europeans claimed two decades ago... We think that engaging with civil society... helps us know better about how to help them. They are the ones going to prison, they are the ones being beaten up, they are the ones on the front lines of democracy.”

-- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the Community of Democracies July 1, 2011, Vilnius, Lithuania

The Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), located within the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for applications that support civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to effectively advocate for causes that build more pluralistic, participatory, and prosperous societies.

In the wake of the Arab Spring, MEPI seeks to fund projects that will support civil society’s advocacy efforts across the region, responding to citizens’ demands for change and reform and for holding their governments accountable. Applications should focus in the following areas:

• Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, and Syria: Proposed projects should assist activists and organizations to advocate more effectively, with intent to improve political freedoms, effect legislative change, and ensure the implementation of promised reforms and legislation.

• Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen: Proposed projects should help amplify the voice of civil society in political transition processes, specifically assisting CSOs to fulfill their role of channeling citizens’ demands for change into government decisions and new laws and constitutions, where applicable.

• Algeria, Oman, Qatar, and UAE: Proposed projects should address gaps in advocacy skills for nascent or moderately experienced civil society organizations to become more effective voices for the populace.

Applications should assist CSOs in the design, development, and implementation of effective, issue-based advocacy campaigns that enable them to better respond to government or other decision-makers with persuasive arguments and successful reform strategies. Proposed activities should engage participants in the application of practical skills rather than provide general training directed toward basic organizational capacity. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider the provision of sub-awards to community activists or organizations, which will be selected in consultation with U.S. Embassies. Proposed projects should also consider motivating organizations to work collectively on public policy issues in order to make a greater impact, as well as to improve the public’s understanding of and confidence in civil society’s important role in policy development.

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We strongly encourage applications from experienced CSOs in the MENA region. International partners (non-governmental organizations with principal bases of operations outside the Middle East and North Africa) are also encouraged to apply, but the percentage of total budget actually spent in the region through local partners will be among the elements of evaluation for this competition. All applicants should demonstrate the experience and capacity to work with local CSOs and activists in the MENA region. In all projects, local ownership of activities is essential and should include youth and/or women as organizers and participants.

Proposed projects may support one or more organizations, working on one or more advocacy campaigns, in a single country or across multiple countries to foster networks and to leverage different experiences and lessons learned. In addition, applicants may submit more than one application. Proposed projects should not already be addressed by current donor funding.

Please Note: Applications that support CSO advocacy in countries other than those discussed above will not be considered.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

Funding Mechanism Type: Cooperative Agreement or Grant

Estimated Number of Awards: 6

Estimated Total Program Funding: $4,500,000

Estimated Award Ceiling: $1,000,000

Estimated Award Floor: $200,000

Length of Project Period: Two years

A total of approximately $4,500,000 in FY 2011 Economic Support Funds for approximately six grants will be awarded through this RFA. If selected to receive a grant, applicants will be awarded funds for two years. Grants funded under these awards, beyond the initial budget period, will be contingent upon the availability of funds; grantee’s progress in meeting grant requirements, including timely submission of required reports, and compliance with all terms and conditions of the award; timely submission of a request for additional funding; and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the Department of State.

The Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative reserves the right to award funding to applicants under this RFA for a period of up to two years after the announcement’s close date.

The Middle East Partnership Initiative has particular interest in supporting projects that are innovative and meet needs and opportunities not already addressed by current donor funding.

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Under this announcement, we support projects in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, and Yemen.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

All applications will be screened by the Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative to determine whether each applicant meets all of the program eligibility requirements detailed below.

NOTE: Applications that do not demonstrate that they meet all of the eligibility requirements will not advance to the Technical Review stage. Nothing can be added to an application once it has been submitted and the competition deadline has passed.

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants include any registered U.S. or foreign non-profit organizations; non-governmental organizations; private institutions; and institutions of higher education (non-profit or for-profit). The Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative strongly encourages applications from civil society organizations in the Middle East and North Africa region.

International partners (non-governmental organizations with principal bases of operations outside the Middle East and North Africa) are also encouraged to apply, but the percentage of total budget actually spent in the region through local partners will be among the elements of evaluation for this competition.

The Middle East Partnership Initiative is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and activities. MEPI welcomes proposals irrespective of an applicants’ race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. We encourage applications from organizations working with underserved communities, including women, people with disabilities, and youth.

B. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS—U.S.-BASED APPLICANTS

B.1 Grants.gov The Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative requires that all applications from U.S.-based applicants be submitted through Grants.gov. In order to apply, organizations must complete the Grants.gov registration process. To register, please go to www.grants.gov and click on “Get Registered.” Registration is a five-step process: 1) obtain a DUNS number; 2) register with Central Contracting Registration (CCR); 3) create a profile, including username and password; 4) obtain Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) authorization; and 5) track AOR status. The registration process can take 10 business days or longer, even if all the registration steps are completed in a timely manner.

B.2 Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Number System All U.S.-based applicants must provide a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number to apply to this funding opportunity. The DUNS number is a nine-digit number established and assigned by Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. to uniquely identify business entities. Obtaining a Data DUNS number is the first step, required by an organization, to register with the Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/�

- 8 -system. If the organization does not already have a DUNS number, please begin this process immediately.

A DUNS number may be acquired at no cost on-line at: fedgov.dnb.com or via telephone at: 1- 866-705-5711. This process normally takes one business day.

B.3 Central Contractor Registration All U.S.-based applicants must be registered with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) to apply to this funding opportunity. The CCR is the Federal repository in which an applicant must provide information required for the conduct of business as an award recipient. Registering with CCR is the second step, required by an organization, to register with the Grants.gov system.

CCR registration expires each year and must be updated annually. Further, applicants must maintain an active CCR registration, with current information, while their application is under consideration for funding.

If you are not already registered with CCR please begin the process immediately.

Registration procedures may be found at www.ccr.gov. This process can take three to five business days or up to two weeks.

If you are registered, you are encouraged to ensure that your registration is active prior to submitting your application on Grants.gov.

C. ELIGIBILY REQUIREMENTS—FOREIGN-BASED APPLICANTS

Until May 15, 2012 foreign-based applicants are not required to obtain a DUNS Number and register with CCR because of a one-year waiver that MEPI received on May 16, 2011.

However, MEPI strongly encourages all applicants to obtain a DUNS number and CCR registration. Details on how to register with these systems are outlined in Sections B.2 and B.3 above.

D. ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS

D.1 Partners or Coalitions The Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative encourages applications from partnerships or coalitions, including local or regional organizations that would work together on specific reform issues and priorities and would share information and expertise with one another.

The following table (Table 1) contains a summary of what constitutes a partner or coalition and details what evidence applicants must provide to meet this component. Also included in the table is a “Where to Document” section to guide you on where to place the evidence in an application (e.g., as an attachment, in the Project Narrative, in the Budget Narrative).

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TABLE 1: PARTNER OR COALITION

Partner or Coalition

Where to Document

Definition: A negotiated arrangement among organizations that defines substantive, collaborative roles for each of the partners in planning and implementing a project. Coalitions could include NGOs, private sector entities, governmental entities, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations.

Applicants who plan to submit a proposal with partners or a coalition of partners should be prepared to clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of all organizations involved in the project and should reflect the input of local or in-country partners.

Evidence:

1. How the partnership arrangement advances the objectives of the project.

2. Explanation of the role of the partner(s) in the implementation of the project, project evaluation, and project sustainability.

3. Supporting documentation identifying the resources, experience, and expertise of the partner(s).

4. Evidence that each of the partner(s) has been involved in the planning of the project.

5. Intent to commit or receive resources or services from the prospective partner(s) contingent upon receipt of funds (e.g., letter of intent, letter of agreement, etc.).

6. Biographical Sketch(s) for key personnel/staff

Where to Document:

1. Partnership project objectives, role of partner, planning and expertise in the project—Project Narrative

2. Letter of Intent or Letter of Agreement—Attachment

D.2 Sustainability Plan Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a sustainability plan within the project narrative or as a separate document included in the appendices portion of an application. The quality and feasibility of the proposed sustainability plan will be among the elements on which proposals are evaluated.

The main purpose of the sustainability plan is to help ensure that proposed projects sustain impact beyond the initial award period. A sustainability plan should address each of the areas listed below:

• Discuss how sustainability will be integrated into project planning and implementation from the beginning.

• Describe how project activities and results will create sustainable impact through local ownership.

• Identify the results and outcomes that can be realistically sustained after MEPI funding ends.

• Present a plan to secure the resources needed to sustain the aforementioned results after MEPI funding ends.

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• Identify potential partners that will play a role in sustaining the project past the scheduled end date and explain the role they will play.

Sustainability plans should not exceed two pages and should be typed in 12-point, Times New Roman font.

D.3 Results-Oriented Monitoring and Assessment Plan Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a Results-Oriented Monitoring and Assessment (ROMA) Plan that will describe the measures proposed by the applicant to capture and demonstrate progress towards achieving the objectives of the grant.

All ROMA plans should include the following objective, or a similar variation:

• CSOs advocate effectively for their causes

The quality and feasibility of the proposed ROMA will be among the elements on which proposals are evaluated. This plan may be included within the project narrative or as a separate document included in the appendices portion of the application. A sample template is included in Appendix 4.

The ROMA Plan should include the following elements:

• Realistic project objectives. What results are achievable during the period of the grant?

• Qualitative indicators. How and what will you measure to show the project’s results based on outcomes (impact) as well as outputs (raw numbers)?

• Data collection and analysis. How will you collect and present indicator data and analysis to show progress toward the project objectives?

• Monitoring and reporting. How will you monitor and assess results during the implementation of the project to adapt to changes on the ground and maintain progress?

ROMA plans should not exceed five pages and should be typed in 12-point Times New Roman font.

D.4 Cost-Sharing or Matching The Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative encourages applicants to provide cost-sharing (or matching) from additional sources in support of their proposed project. Applications that include cost-sharing or matching will receive additional points in the evaluation process.

Applicants should explain clearly all additional sources of project funding and how the funds will be used. If additional funding resources are not proposed, applicants should provide an explanation for this.

D.5 Sub-Awards Applicants may propose sub-awards within their submission. A sub-award is defined as an award provided to a third-party individual or organization for the performance of certain programmatic work. All sub-awardees who will receive funds of $25,000 or more are required to have a DUNS number and maintain an active CCR registration with current information. For information on obtaining a DUNS number and registering with CCR please see Sections B.2 and Section B.3

- 11 -above. Proposed sub-awardees are not required to have a DUNS number and CCR registration prior to the submission of an application.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Application Documents All applications must include the application components detailed below. Please note: The required documents for U.S.-based and Foreign-based. Please refer to Section A.1 and A.2 for information on what documents are required for your organization. Failure to submit all of the required documentation described in this RFA will result in the application not being considered for funding. Please refer to Section A.4 below for additional submissions requirements (e.g., font size, page margins) and Section A.5 below of information on how to download the sample templates mentioned below.

A.1 Required Documents—U.S. Based Applicants

1. Federal Assistance Application Forms (SF-424, SF-424a, and SF424b)—U.S.-based applicants must complete all three forms to be considered for funding. Information on how to complete the SF-424 and SF-424a can be found in Appendix 5.

2. Project Narrative—The Project Narrative describes the efforts the applicant will undertake to address the priorities and goals of this announcement. It may be no longer than 15 pages. More detailed instructions for preparing the Project Narrative are provided in Appendix 5.

3. Budget Narrative—The Budget Narrative provides detail about both the Federal request and the non-Federal match. There is no page limit for this section of an application. A sample template can be found in Appendix 2. NOTE: Applicants must use the same format as found in the sample. Additional guidance for preparing the Budget Narrative can be found in Appendix 5.

4. MEPI Application Coversheet—The Cover Sheet summarizes details about the applying organization and its proposal, and includes space for the mandatory executive summary of no more than two-pages. A sample template can be found in Appendix 1.

This should be a separate document, included as an attachment with a submission.

NOTE: Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the same format as found in the sample. If the applicant does not use the template, the applicant must ensure that their submission includes all elements outlined in the sample.

5. Applicant Organizational Information—The Applicant Organizational Information document provides details about the type of organization that is applying, its organizational structure and policies, and the applicant’s ability to manage Federal funds.

A sample template can be found in Appendix 3. This should be a separate document, included as an attachment with a submission. NOTE: Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the same format as found in the sample. If the applicant does not

- 12 -use the template, the applicant must ensure that their submission includes all elements outlined in the sample.

A.2 Required Documents—Foreign-Based Applicants

1. Federal Assistance Application Forms (SF-424 and SF-424a)—Foreign-based applicants must complete all two forms to be considered for funding. Information on how to complete the SF-424 and SF-424a can be found in Appendix 5. Also, foreign-based applicants should review the Certification and Assurances information provided in Appendix 5. When receiving U.S. government funds, foreign-based applicants are required to comply with these certifications and assurances.

2. Project Narrative—The Project Narrative describes the efforts the applicant will undertake to address the priorities and goals of this announcement. It may be no longer than 15 pages. More detailed instructions for preparing the Project Narrative are provided in Appendix 5.

3. Budget Narrative—The Budget Narrative provides detail about both the Federal request and the non-Federal match. There is no page limit for this section of an application. A sample template can be found in Appendix 2. NOTE: Applicants must use the same format as found in the sample. Additional guidance for preparing the Budget Narrative can be found in Appendix 5.

4. MEPI Application Coversheet—The Cover Sheet summarizes details about the applying organization and its proposal, and includes space for the mandatory executive summary of no more than two-pages. A sample template can be found in Appendix 1.

This should be a separate document, included as an attachment with a submission.

NOTE: Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the same format as found in the sample. If the applicant does not use the template, the applicant must ensure that their submission includes all elements outlined in the sample.

5. Applicant Organizational Information—The Applicant Organizational Information document provides details about the type of organization that is applying, its organizational structure and policies, and the applicant’s ability to manage Federal funds.

A sample template can be found in Appendix 3. This should be a separate document, included as an attachment with a submission. NOTE: Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the same format as found in the sample. If the applicant does not use the template, the applicant must ensure that their submission includes all elements outlined in the sample.

A.3 Optional Documents—All Applicants These documents may not exceed a total of 15 pages, and may be included as separate attachments with the submission. More detailed instructions for preparing attachments are provided in Appendix 5.

1. Disclosure for Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)

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2. Biographical Sketch or Job Descriptions for key personnel and partners. They may be included within the project narrative or as a separate document included in the appendices portion of the application. If these items are not include, applicants will be scored lower under Staff and Position Specifications review criteria outlined in Part V, Section A—Application Evaluation Criteria.

3. Sustainability Plan. Guidance on preparing a Sustainability Plan can be found in Part III, Section D.2 of this RFA. Sustainability plans should not exceed two pages.

4. Results-Orient Monitoring and Assessment Plan. Guidance on preparing a ROMA plan can be found in Part III, Section D.3 and in Appendix 4 of this RFA. ROMA plans should not exceed five pages.

5. Organizational Chart outlining clear lines of responsibility and authority in the applicant organization.

6. Letters of Agreement or Letters of Intent from proposed partners

7. Work Plans, Project Timeline, Calendar of Activities. A work plan is a detailed list of proposed activities, milestones, and approximate dates. You may choose to include a work plan, project timeline, and/or calendar of proposed activities.

8. Pre-Submission Checklist can be found in Appendix 6. This Checklist ensures that an applicant has accurately documented the eligibility requirements and included all major components of the application.

A.4 Application Formatting Requirements—All Applicants It is strongly recommended that applicants submit grant applications using Microsoft Office. If applicants do not have access to Microsoft Office products, PDF files may be submitted.

Text legibility: The required font is 12-point, Times New Roman. The application must be single spaced, with all margins (left, right, top, and bottom) of at least one inch each.

Page numbering: Pages should be numbered consecutively from beginning to end, so that information can be located easily during review of the application (hand write page numbers if necessary). In addition, applicants are strongly encouraged to include a Table of Contents with their submission. Attachments should be labeled and separated from the Project Narrative and Budget Narrative, and the pages should be numbered to continue the sequence. Documents containing scanned images must also contain page numbers to continue the sequence. The Standard Forms 424 (SF-424, SF-424a, and SF-424b), MEPI Application Coversheet, and Applicant Organization Information are excluded from the page numbering requirement.

Page Limits: The limitation of pages for each submission should be considered as a maximum and not necessarily a goal, and excludes the SF-424 forms, MEPI Application Coversheet, Applicant Organization Information, and the Budget Narrative.

Adhering to the standards outlined above will help to ensure the accurate submission of the document. Failure to comply with these requirements may affect the successful transmission and consideration of an application.

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A.5 Application Submission Sample Templates—All Applicants Fill-able versions of the sample templates mentioned in Sections A.1, A.2, and A.3 above can be downloaded from www.grants.gov by following the instructions below:

1. Select “Find Grant Opportunities” under the “For Applicants” category on the left-hand side of the Grants.gov home page, and select Basics Search.

2. Enter the CFDA number—19.500, and click “Search.”

3. Click on the appropriate announcment link. (Applicant will be directed to the announcement’s synopsis page.)

4. At the top of the announcment page, click on the header entitled “Full Announcement”

5. On the “Full Announcement,” page, select the files entitled “Other Supporting

Documents—Fillable Sample Template Documents and Appendices.”

B. SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION—U.S.-BASED APPLICANTS

All U.S. based applicants must submit their application through Grants.gov. To submit an application, please follow the instructions below.

B.1 Download the Application Package from Grants.gov To download the application package, go to www.grants.gov and follow the steps below:

1. Select “Apply for Grants” under the “For Applicants” category on the left-hand side of the Grants.gov home page.

2. Select “Step1: Download a Grant Application Package.”

3. Input the CFDA Number—19.500 in the search engine and click “Download Package.”

4. Find the Package with the Competition ID “Civil Society 1-US” at the bottom of the page and click the “Download” link next to this package. You will be directed to a page entitled “Download Opportunity Instructions and Application”

5. Select “1. Download Application Instructions” to download and save a copy of the program announcement which include instructions for preparing your submission.

6. Select “2. Download Application Package” to download and save your application package document. This is the document you will need to complete to submit an application to MEPI via Grants.gov.

NOTE: When downloading the “Grant Application Package”, applicants must be sure to select and move the following mandatory forms to the “Mandatory Documents for Submission” field displayed on Grants.gov:

• Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

• Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424a)

• Project Narrative Attachment Form

• Budget Narrative Attachment Form

• Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424b)

To include the requested and optional documents outlined in Section A.3 above, applicants should select and move the optional form “Attachments” to the displayed “Optional Documents for Submission” field.

NEAPI-12-AW-040-MENA-011712

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Applicants who wish to disclose any lobbying activities should select and move the optional form “Disclosure for Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)” to the displayed “Optional Documents for Submission” field for completition.

For more information about downloading the application package, please read the instructions in the User Guide found at the Grants.gov apply site, on the Help page.

B.2 Submitting an Application on Grants.gov Please allow sufficient time for entering the application into Grants.gov. The process of electronic submission through Grants.gov includes multiple e-mails from Grants.gov. When an applicant submits an application, a notice that the application is being processed will be sent and the individual whose e-mail address was entered will receive two e-mails from Grants.gov within 24-48 hours. One e-mail will confirm receipt of the application in Grants.gov, and the other will indicate that the application was either successfully validated by the system or rejected due to errors. It will also provide instructions that if the named individual did not receive a receipt confirmation and a validation confirmation or a rejection e-mail within 48 hours, he/she must contact Grants.gov directly.

It is important to understand that the application process is not complete until the applicant receives notification that their application has been validated and forwarded to the granting agency (MEPI). Receipt of the tracking number only indicates that Grants.gov received the application. If an applicant does not receive a Grants.gov tracking number, contact the Grants.gov Contact Center for assistance at 1-800-518-4726.

Please note that it is the responsibility of the applicant to monitor their applications to ensure that they are successfully received and validated by Grants.gov. If an application is not successfully validated by Grants.gov, it will not be forwarded to MEPI as the receiving institution.

C. SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION—FOREIGN-BASED APPLICANTS

Foreign-based applicants may submit an application through Grants.gov or via email to nea-grants@state.gov. For information on how to submit your application through Grants.gov or via email, please follow the instructions below in Sections C.1 and C.2.

C.1 Download the Application Package from Grants.gov To download the application package, go to www.grants.gov and follow the steps below:

1. Select “Apply for Grants” under the “For Applicants” category on the left-hand side of the Grants.gov home page.

2. Select “Step1: Download a Grant Application Package.”

3. Input the CFDA Number—19.500 in the search engine and click “Download Package.”

4. Find the Package with the Competition ID “Civil Society 1-Foreign” at the bottom of the page and click the “Download” link next to this package. You will be directed to a page entitled “Download Opportunity Instructions and Application”

5. Select “1. Download Application Instructions” to download and save a copy of the program announcement which include instructions for preparing your submission.

NEAPI-12-AW-040-MENA-011712

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6. Select “2. Download Application Package” to download and save your application package document. This is the document you will need to complete to submit an application to MEPI via Grants.gov.

NOTE: When downloading the “Grant Application Package”, applicants must be sure to select and move the following mandatory forms to the “Mandatory Documents for Submission” field displayed on Grants.gov:

• Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

• Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424a)

• Project Narrative Attachment Form

• Budget Narrative Attachment Form

To include the requested and optional documents outlined in Section A.3 above, applicants should select and move the optional form “Attachments” to the displayed “Optional Documents for Submission” field.

Applicants who wish to disclose any lobbying activities should select and move the optional form “Disclosure for Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)” to the displayed “Optional Documents for Submission” field for completition.

For more information about downloading the application package, please read the instructions in the User Guide found at the Grants.gov apply site, on the Help page.

C.2 Submitting an Application on Grants.gov Please follow the instructions outlined in Section B.2 above.

C.3 Submitting an Application to NEA-Grants@state.gov Please allow sufficient time for sending an application to MEPI via email. When submitting an application via email, applicants must do the following:

1. Be sure to include all the required documents outlined in Section A above. Failure to submit all of the required documentation will result in the application not being considered for funding.

2. Be sure to include a signed copy of the SF-424 Form.

3. Include the Funding Opportunity Number and Title of the RFA in the Subject Line of the email.

4. If the email with attachments exceeds 5 MB, please submit the application documents in multiple emails. Each email must indicate the email number (e.g., Email 1 of 2), so that MEPI can track a submission.

It is important to understand that the application process is not complete until an applicant has received an email from MEPI confirming receipt of an email submission. This email is only an indication that MEPI has successfully received an application via email. If an applicant does not receive an email within 24-48 hours after submission, contact MEPI via email at nea-grants@state.gov or telephone at 202-776-8524.

NEAPI-12-AW-040-MENA-011712

- 17 -

Please note that it is the responsibility of the applicant to monitor their applications to ensure that they are successfully submitted to MEPI. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications well before the deadline to ensure that they are successfully received by

MEPI.

D. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

Applications are due before 23:59:59 eastern time (ET) on February 16, 2012. There will be no grace period, and any application not received by the application deadline will not be considered for review.

Applicants are encouraged to submit applications far enough in advance of the deadline so they can alert MEPI (nea-grants@state.gov) of any technical difficulties they might encounter in submission, and obtain and avail themselves of alternative submission procedures prior to the deadline.

Within 30 days of submission, applicants will be notified via email (from nea-grants@state.gov) that their applications have been received. This notification will include an application log number that applicants must use to track their applications.

E. FUNDING LIMITATIONS/RESTRICTIONS

E.1 Economic Support Funds Restrictions:

We are currently unable to support new programming in West Bank or Gaza due to a Congressionally mandated funding cap. Programming is defined as the inclusion of participants from the West Bank or Gaza in regional programs, as well as activities specifically taking place in the West Bank or Gaza.

E.2 Awards to For-Profit Organizations:

The Department of State prohibits profit under its assistance awards to commercial organizations. No funds will be paid as profit to any recipient that is a commercial organization.

Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR Part 31. Program income earned by the recipient must be deducted from the total project or program allowable cost in determining the net allowable costs on which the federal share of costs is based.

V. APPLICATION REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

A. APPLICATION EVALUATION CRITERIA

Each application submitted under this announcement will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below. The criteria are designed to assess the quality of the application and to determine the likelihood of its success and impact. The criteria are closely related and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application.

Applications will also be reviewed on the basis of their clarity and attention to detail. Points are

NEAPI-12-AW-040-MENA-011712

- 18 -awarded only to applications that are responsive within the context of this program announcement.

Results or Benefits – Applications will be evaluated largely on the proposed outcomes and impact that realistically can be achieved within the project’s two-year time frame. The application clearly identifies the anticipated beneficiaries and describes the results to be accomplished realistically within the timeframe of the award. The applicant must demonstrate that it is able to measure results against key indicators and must provide milestones to indicate progress toward the MEPI goals and objectives as described in the program announcement. The applicant provides results monitoring and evaluation plan that focuses on outcomes and impact of programmatic activities. Full points are awarded only to applications that use measurable and qualitative indicators that are specific to the context and length of project. Applicant provides a sustainability plan that describes how impact will be sustained following the completion of a two-year time frame. If any component of the proposed plan relies on information from external studies or resources, the applicant provides complete references in footnotes or endnotes.

Projects with feasible sustainability plans will receive highest consideration and additional evaluation points—per Part III, Section D.2. Projects with results-oriented monitoring and assessment plans will receive the highest consideration and additional evaluation points—per Part III, Section D.3. (30 points)

Approach – Applications will also be extensively evaluated on the quality of the project’s content and approach. The approach will be evaluated in terms of relevance and feasibility in the regional and country context, as well as by the criteria laid out in Part 1—Funding Opportunity Description. In the project narrative, the applicant clearly describes how the project will address the requested program area. The applicant also describes an innovative strategy or plan specific to this program announcement and to the location(s) and context(s) where the applicant proposes to work. Applications should describe in detail how the approach is innovative and impactful, how project content is locally-driven and relevant, and how the project complements and does not duplicate existing efforts toward similar goals. The Middle East Partnership Initiative has particular interest in supporting projects that meet needs and opportunities not already addressed by current donor funding.

Applicants should consider presenting ideas that leverage existing social, community, or regional networks, whether on- or offline, to promote sustained civic participation. (25 points)

Organizational Capacity – The organization has expertise and capacity to work with and engage institutions, organizations, and leaders in the MENA region. Where partners are described, the applicant details the rationale for the consortia, each partner’s respective role, and how the coalition will enhance the progress towards achieving MEPI goals in the stated program areas of competency. Projects where partners are described will receive highest consideration and additional evaluation points—per Part III, Section D.1. The organization demonstrates a high level of regional and/or country expertise. (20 points)

Budget Narrative - The detailed budget includes the Budget Information—Non-Construction Programs (SF-424a) and a budget narrative (as outlined in Appendix 2). The budget narrative

- 19 -provides details of calculations including estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated. The costs proposed are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results, and the plan for services is realistic.

The budget narrative documents the necessity, reasonableness, and allocation of all proposed costs. Adequate travel to and within the Middle East and North Africa is proposed. The application documents any efforts to secure other funding sources, including volunteers and cost-sharing. Projects with cost-sharing will receive highest consideration and additional evaluation points—per Part III, Section B.4. Full points are awarded only to proposals that propose the preponderance of the budget be spent in the countries of Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, and Yemen—per Part II— Award Information. (15 points)

Staff and Position Specifications – The role and qualifications of each key person, whether staff, partner, consultant, or volunteer, is described in a biographical sketch; and a job description is provided for each open key position. Any key positions to be advertised post-award must be clearly described and accompanied by a short description of hiring credentials in order to receive full points. Each organization’s key staff members, including volunteers, are well qualified and their roles within the project are thoroughly described. (10 points)

B. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

The Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative is committed to ensuring a competitive and standardized process for awarding Economic Support Funds grants. Applications will be screened initially by MEPI to determine whether applicants meet all eligibility requirements outlined in Part III—Eligibility Information; the required documents outlined in Part IV— Application and Submission Information; and address the priorities outlined in Part I—Funding Opportunity Description. Applications that do not meet these requirements will not advance to the Technical Review stage.

All applications that proceed to Technical Review will be rated on a 100-point scale. Point values for individual elements of the application are presented in Part V, Section A. Technical Reviewers’ ratings, and any resulting recommendations, are advisory. All final grant award decisions will be made by the Deputy Assistant Secretary.

The primary decision criterion is the application’s final review score average. However, the final award decision will also be influenced by whether the application meets MEPI’s programmatic goals and objectives, how it supports the Departments overarching foreign policy priorities, and the geographic distribution of the top-ranking proposals.

VI. ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. AWARD NOTICES

Within five business days of the announcement close date, MEPI will notify the authorized representative and program point of contact listed on the SF-424 through email that the

- 20 -application has been received. The correspondence will include an application log number that the applicant must reference when asking questions about their submission. If an applicant submits an application on time and does not receive notification from MEPI by February 23, 2012, the applicant should contact MEPI at nea-grants@state.gov for additional information.

By April 20, 2012, if an applicant is under consideration for funding, the authorized representative, project director, and business official will receive a pre-award letter via email (from nea-grants@state.gov), signed by the Office’s Deputy Director. The pre-award letter begins the negotiation process for a Financial Assistance Award. A Financial Assistance Award document, sets forth the amount of funds granted; the terms and conditions of the grant, the effective date of the grant; the budget period for which initial support will be given; the non- Federal share to be provided (if applicable); and the total project period for which support is contemplated. The Financial Assistance Award will be signed by a warranted Department of State Grant Officer and the award package will be transmitted electronically.

By April 20, 2012 the authorized representative and program point of contact listed on the SF- 424, for all applicants whose application is not funded, will receive a letter via email (from nea-grants@state.gov), signed by the Office’s Deputy Director.

The Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative reserves the right to award funding to applicants under this RFA for a period of up to two years after the announcement’s close date.

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

For questions regarding this funding opportunity including:…