Tokyo-PAS-FY22-01-12_Think Tank Collaboration.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

U.S. EMBASSY TOKYO

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Funding Opportunity Title: FY2022 U.S. Embassy Tokyo: Bilateral Policy Dialogue to

Counter Disinformation - U.S.-Japan Think Tank

Collaboration

Funding Opportunity Number: Tokyo-PAS-FY22-01-12

Deadline for Applications: April 15, 2022 (by 11:59pm JST)

Assistance Listing Number: 19.040 – Public Diplomacy Programs

Total Amount Available: $70,000

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

U.S. Embassy Tokyo of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to think tank organizations raise awareness of and combat disinformation. Please follow all instructions below.

Priority Region: United States and Japan

Program Objectives:

The rapid spread of “fake news” and large-scale disinformation campaigns have become major challenges for many countries. For instance, many countries have had to deal with disinformation related to COVID-19, and some countries have even faced foreign disinformation campaigns targeting their elections or in times of crisis. Such disinformation comes with profound implications for public policy discourse and has the potential to impact the U.S.-Japan relationship. As a result, countering disinformation must be a multi-party effort.

According to research institutions, Japan lags behind internationally in fact-checking efforts, which play an important role in dealing with disinformation during elections. According to the database of fact-checking websites compiled by the Duke Reporters' Lab at Duke University in the US, the three organizations accredited and registered as active fact-checking institutions in

Japan account for only 0.98% of the 306 such institutions worldwide as of April 2021. Foreign policy, defense, public health, and other aspects of Japan's security could be adversely affected by influence operations and disinformation campaigns conducted by foreign actors. Therefore, prompt consideration must be given to this serious issue.

The Embassy welcomes an appropriate partner institution to research the type and extent of disinformation in Japan and to make recommendations for future engagement to both analyze the size and scope of disinformation in Japan as well as raise awareness of and combat disinformation. In addition, the partner organization will implement a public forum to share the findings of the discussion with targeted policy influencers and established opinion leaders and produce a report.

Participants and Audiences: The Embassy will only consider proposals that include participants from the U.S. and Japan. Potential participants are think tank institutions in the U.S.

and Japan, ideally have already established partnership between the U.S. and Japanese think tanks.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

• Length of performance period: Up to 24 months

• Number of awards anticipated: 1-3 awards (dependent on amounts)

• Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $70,000

• Total available funding: $70,000

• Type of funding: FY22 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds

• Anticipated program start date: No later than May 31, 2023.

• Funding instrument type: Grant, Fixed Amount Award, Cooperative Agreement, or

Individual Award. Cooperative agreements are different from grants in that bureau/embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation.

• Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 2 years or less.

NOTE: This notice is subject to the availability of funding.

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

I. Eligible Applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

o Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations o Public and private educational institutions o Public international organizations and governmental institutions o Individuals

II. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing is encouraged, but not required. Cost sharing can demonstrate an applicant’s plan to ensure the program’s sustainability, as well as commitment to the program’s success. Therefore, the inclusion of cost sharing will be taken into consideration when scoring sustainability of the application.

III. Other Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see below for information on how to obtain this registration.

Individuals are not required to have a unique entity identifier or be registered in

SAM.gov.

Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) in the System for

Award Management (SAM) is not eligible to apply for an assistance award in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR, http://www.sam.gov/ https://sam.gov/ https://sam.gov/

1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and

Suspension.” Additionally, no entity listed on the EPLS can participate in any activities under an award. All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the EPLS in SAM to ensure that no ineligible entity is included.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

I. Application Forms

Application forms required below are available at: https://jp.usembassy.gov/federal-assistance-awards/

II. Content of Application

Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible. Please ensure that the proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity.

In addition, please ensure:

o The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity o All documents are in English o All budgets are in U.S. dollars o All pages are numbered o All documents are formatted to 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:

Mandatory Application Forms

1. SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – Organizations) or SF-424I (Application for Federal Assistance – Individuals)

2. SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs)

3. SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Programs – Individuals only)

Please also submit the following.

(It is recommended to use the templates provided.) Application Summary

Coversheet - It is recommended to use the templates provided.)

Organizational Information Sheet (Not required for Individuals)

1. Proposal (5 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.

https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_2_1-V2.1.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_Individual_1_1-V1.1.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424A-V1.0.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424B-V1.1.pdf https://japan2.usembassy.gov/pdfs/grants-application-summary-coversheet.pdf https://japan2.usembassy.gov/pdfs/grants-application-summary-coversheet.pdf https://japan2.usembassy.gov/pdfs/grants-organizational-information-sheet.pdf

▪ Proposal Summary: Short narrative, no more than half-a-page, that outlines the proposed program, including program objectives, anticipated impact, target audience and its size, and standard 5W1H (who/for whom, what, when where, why, and how). Clear, concise, and well-supported description of why the proposed program is needed and how this program will achieve the objectives listed above in Section A.

▪ 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. Also list key personnel working on the program, including names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications, and what proportion of their time will be used in support of this program.

▪ Overall Proposed Program Schedule: The overall program schedule, resembling a work plan, indicating what activities or phases of the program will take place in each month of the proposed timeframe. The overall program schedule should include all phases, including planning, preparation, implementation, and follow-on. Tentative information should also be included.

▪ Project Activities and Supporting Details: Describe the project’s activities and how they will help achieve the objectives listed above in Section A, including project details. Please also include a timeline for the project’s activities showing proposed dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events. Tentative information should also be included.

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

▪ Program Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees, if applicable. Please also attach a letter of support from each of the partners you list here.

▪ Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: Please use the template provided here, and include the chart in your proposal; do not submit a separate file. This is an important part of successful grants. Throughout the timeframe and schedule of the grant, how will the planning, preparing, and implementing 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 objectives listed above in Section A?

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

Budget Justification Narrative

After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use a separate sheet of paper to describe each of the budget expenses in detail. It is recommend to use the template provided.

o Attachments, as appropriate:

https://japan2.usembassy.gov/pdfs/grants-monitoring-evaluation-plan-toolkit.pdf

▪ If you have program partners, please include their letters of support that describe how they view their involvement in this program.

▪ If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, please include the latest

NICRA letter from the applicable U.S. government agency.

▪ If required for program activities, please include official permission letters from your school, parental organization, or others as appropriate.

III. Required Registrations:

All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations.

All are free of charge:

o NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE/CAGE) code o System for Award Management (www.SAM.gov)

Step 1: Apply for an NCAGE/CAGE code

NCAGE/CAGE application:

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

Instructions on completing this application process are available in English here:

https://jp.usembassy.gov/education-culture/grants/.

For help from within the U.S., call 1-888-227-2423.

For help from outside the U.S., call 1-269-961-7766.

Email NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil for any problems in getting an NCAGE/CAGE.

Step 2: Register in the System for Award Management (www.SAM.gov)

After receiving the NCAGE/CAGE, register at: www.SAM.gov. SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually. Instructions on completing this registration process are available here: https://jp.usembassy.gov/education-culture/grants/.

IV. Application Submission

Applications are due no later than 11:59pm JST on April 15, 2022. Complete applications, including all documents specified above, must be submitted in one email to

TokyoPASGrants@state.gov.

V. Funding Restrictions

The following types of projects or activities are not eligible for funding:

o Projects relating to partisan political activity;

o Charitable or development activities;

o Construction projects;

http://www.sam.gov/ https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx https://jp.usembassy.gov/education-culture/grants/ mailto:NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://jp.usembassy.gov/education-culture/grants/ mailto:TokyoPASGrants@state.gov o Projects that support specific religious activities;

o Fund-raising campaigns;

o Lobbying for specific legislation or projects o Scientific research;

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

o Projects seeking funds for personal use;

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

I. Criteria

Each application will be evaluated and rated using the criteria outlined below.

o Quality, Creativity, and Feasibility of the Program Idea – 25 points: The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline.

o Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants – 10 points: 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.

o Program Impact and Ability to Achieve Objectives – 25 points: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.

o Budget – 10 points: 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.

o Monitoring and Evaluation Plan – 20 points: Applicant demonstrates ability 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.

o Sustainability – 10 points: Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program. Cost sharing will be considered here.

II. Review and Selection Process

A Grants Review Committee will review and evaluate all eligible applications, selecting those with the highest scores based on the criteria above for funding. All applicants will be notified by email of the committee’s decision no later than September 30, 2022.

Federal Awardee Performance & Integrity Information System (FAPIIS): For any

Federal award under a notice of funding opportunity, if the Federal awarding agency anticipates that the total Federal share will be greater than the simplified acquisition threshold on any Federal award under a notice of funding opportunity may include, over the period of performance (see §200.88 Simplified Acquisition Threshold), this section must also inform applicants:

o That 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 designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently

FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313);

o That an applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through

SAM;

o That the Federal awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in §200.205 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

I. Federal Award Notices

The grant awards or cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document and it will be provided to the recipient for review and signature by email. The recipient may only start incurring program expenses beginning on the start date shown on the grant award document signed by the Grants Officer.

If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State.

Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S.

government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the U.S. government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received.

II. Payment Method

Payments are requested by the recipient individual or organization through the SF-270—

Request for Advance or Reimbursement Payments on an as-needed basis and in conjunction with program milestones.

III. Administrative and National Policy Requirements https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/request-advance-or-reimbursement https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/request-advance-or-reimbursement

Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply. These include:

• 2 CFR 25 - UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD

MANAGEMENT

• 2 CFR 170 - REPORTING SUBAWARD AND EXECUTIVE

COMPENSATION INFORMATION

• 2 CFR 175 - AWARD TERM FOR TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

• 2 CFR 182 - GOVERNMENTWIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUG-FREE

WORKPLACE (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE)

• 2 CFR 183 - NEVER CONTRACT WITH THE ENEMY

• 2 CFR 600 – DEPARTMENT OF STATE REQUIREMENTS

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

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

• President’s September 2, 2020 memorandum, entitled Memorandum on

Reviewing Funding to State and Local Government Recipients of Federal Funds that Are Permitting Anarchy, Violence, and Destruction in American Cities;

• Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping (E.O. 13950);

• Executive Order on Protecting American Monuments, Memorials, and Statues and Combating Recent Criminal Violence (E.O. 13933); and

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

Regulations (2 CFR), as updated in the Federal Register’s 85 FR 49506 on August

13, 2020, particularly on:

▪ Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an objective process of evaluating

Federal award applications (2 CFR part 200.205),

▪ Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the

National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. No. 115—232) (2

CFR part 200.216),

▪ Promoting the freedom of speech and religious liberty in alignment with

Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty (E.O. 13798) and

Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities (E.O. 13864) (§§ 200.300, 200.303, 200.339, and

200.341),

▪ Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR part

200.322), and https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.25&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.25&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.170&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.170&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.175&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.182&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.182&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.183&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2chapterVI.tpl https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-the-procurement-executive/ https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5

▪ Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest extent authorized by law, if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR part 200.340).

IV. Branding Requirements

Grantees must adhere to the U.S branding and marking requirements, as described in the

Standard Terms and Conditions. The Department of State requires that all programs, projects and assistance activities, partially or fully funded by the Department, be marked appropriately overseas with the standard U.S. flag in a size and prominence equal to (or greater than) any other logo or identity. All publicity and promotional materials (such as flyers, posters, website, etc.) should underscore the sponsorship by or partnership with the U.S. government or the U.S. Embassy with a standard rectangular U.S. flag in conjunction with the U.S. Embassy logo, which can be found at: here (flag) and here

(U.S. Embassy seal).

V. Reporting Requirements

Recipients will be required to submit financial and program reports. The award document will specify the reporting format and frequency.

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

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

TokyoPASGrants@state.gov.

Additional resources and information, as well as dates and times of public question and answer sessions will be posted on the U.S. Embassy’s website here: https://jp.usembassy.gov/federal-assistance-awards/ .

H. OTHER INFORMATION

I. Guidelines for Budget Justification o 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.

o 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.

o 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 $5,000 per unit.

https://brand.america.gov/d/jG8hQyds2WeU/our-brand#/visual-elements/the-u-s-flag https://brand.america.gov/d/jG8hQyds2WeU/missions#/eap/u-s-in-japan mailto:TokyoPASGrants@state.gov o 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 $5,000 per unit, then put it in the budget under Equipment.

o 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.

o 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.

o 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 NICRA and includes NICRA charges in the budget, attach a copy of your latest NICRA. Organizations that have never had a NICRA may request indirect costs of 10% of the modified total direct costs as defined in 2

CFR 200.68.

o Cost Sharing: 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.

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