Funding Wizard

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for a cooperative agreement to develop and implement a Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Regional Workshop on Designing Games that Drive Social Change, to be held in Malaysia (Penang or Kuala Lumpur) pending the availability of funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below. The proposed workshop will focus on introducing existing and aspiring young game developers to the concept of designing games for social change and equipping them with the technical and narrative skill sets to design compelling interactive experiences. The program should also provide participants with nuanced background knowledge on critical social issues facing their communities that could be highlighted through a gaming medium. Proposals should seek to convene 60-70 skilled gaming industry professionals and game design students for a four-day program comprised of a two-day workshop led by American and local experts on designing games with social messages, followed by a two-day game jam during which participants form teams and conceptualize games that could address pressing issues facing the ASEAN region. Some examples of topics that games could raise awareness of include (but are not limited to) climate change, trafficking-in-persons, disinformation, civic engagement, and diversity and inclusion. Program proposals should also integrate a final pitching competition and budget funding that allows selected games to be developed to completion. The ASEAN region is home to a massively burgeoning gaming industry, one staffed predominantly by a youth demographic willing to utilize their technical and narrative skills to impact their communities and region. At the same time, reports estimate the region is home to 126 million gamers who can all be reached through this medium which offers unparalleled interactivity and player agency that can facilitate the delivery of messages on topics including climate change, human trafficking, and civic engagement, among many others. In the same way that programs in the past have sought to build capacity among filmmakers, media, musicians, and documentarians, this program would enhance the capacity and ability of game makers, storytellers, and digital artists to employ their unique skills to achieve social change. In addition to sessions with expert game designers and narrative specialists, program proposals should also integrate sessions with local experts on the challenges facing communities in Southeast Asia who can offer thoughts on how gamification could help them to better advocate for their causes and tell their story.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy France Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to implement an exchange program for up to 30 French high school students, in the United States, for fifteen days in July and/or August 2024. Through the Youth Ambassadors for Community Service program, up to 30 young adults from France between the ages of 15 and 18 will develop the knowledge and leadership skills necessary to become more engaged in their communities, learn about the U.S. education system, and will further their understanding of the United States. Please follow all instructions below. Purpose of the Youth Ambassadors for Community Service Program: Established in 2008, the Youth Ambassadors for Community Service Program selects high-school participants from underserved backgrounds across France, including the French Caribbean, to participate in a yearlong leadership training program that encourages volunteerism, self-confidence, intercultural sensitivity, and independence. Participants will attend two pre-departure training sessions between January 2024 and June 2024, as well as a debriefing upon their return, organized by a different French implementing NGO, in coordination with the organization awarded the overall grant. In partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Paris, the recipient organization will design the two-week U.S. exchange program, in July and/or August 2024, which will enhance participants’ understanding of American democratic institutions and volunteer initiatives. Participants will travel to Washington D.C. for initial programming. After spending time in Washington D.C., they will be divided into subgroups in three different cities/host communities, where they will be placed with American host families and meet American students their age. They will then return to Washington D.C. for debriefing and evaluation, as well as visits to the Department of State and the French Embassy to the U.S. Participants will engage in a variety of activities, including but not limited to workshops on leadership and community service, community site visits related to program themes, interactive training and discussion groups, volunteer opportunities, visits to educational facilities, local cultural activities, homestays, and other activities designed to achieve the program’s stated goals. The exchange must include multiple opportunities for participants to have significant, meaningful interactions with their American peers. Follow-on activities with the participants are an essential part of the program, and the exchange activities should prepare participants to apply the knowledge and skills that they will have acquired during their time in the United States in the planning of concrete projects in their home communities. Program Objectives: Promote equal opportunities for all and encourage knowledge-sharing and intercultural dialogue between French and American youth. Raise awareness about civic engagement and volunteerism among young people. Strengthen Franco-American friendship and understanding through soft diplomacy. Offer French youth the chance to represent their peers and participate in civic initiatives abroad. Build leadership skills, encourage volunteerism, self-confidence, intercultural sensitivity, and nurture excellence and civic engagement among young leaders from underserved communities. Allow participants to become pillars of community organization, keeping their peers involved in positive social activities and promoting tolerance and achievement. Provide participants with tools to build alliances with American counterparts and to produce positive change in underserved communities. Program Outline: Applicants must demonstrate their capacity for conducting international exchanges in the U.S.; administering exchanges focused on youth that involve different geographic regions; implementing exchange projects that address specific policy challenges; and providing substantive programming and leadership training for youth. The award recipient will be responsible for the oversight and management of performance of all sub-award recipients under the award. U.S. Embassy France reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal project configurations, budgets, participating countries and regions, and participant numbers in accordance with the needs of the program and the availability of funds. The budget should include international travel to and from the U.S. for up to 30 participants (including domestic travel for up to 25 metropolitan participants to and from Paris and their French city of residence). One staff member must accompany participants for the international travel (France-U.S.-France). The budget should include the in-country travel and local transportation, lodging, activities, food, insurance, and ESTA costs for up to 30 participants. As participants are under 18, they must be accompanied by facilitators and the host families must be validated by the recipient organization. Participants and Audiences: Up to 30 outstanding French high school students, between the ages of 15 and 18, many from underprivileged backgrounds with leadership potential and commitment to civic engagement. For more information, eligibility, and deadlines please read the Notice of Funding Opportunity PDS-France-FY2023-03 and/or refer to the U.S. Embassy in France website (Grants Programs). Questions can be directed to GrantsFrance@state.gov We do not provide any pre-consultation for application related questions that are addressed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Program Description The U.S. Embassy France Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for U.S. and French organizations to submit applications to implement an exchange program for 30 to 40 French high school students, in the United States, for ten to fifteen days in July and/or August 2023. Through the Youth Ambassadors for Community Service program, 30 to 40 young adults from France between the ages of 15 and 18 will develop the knowledge and leadership skills necessary to become more engaged in their communities, learn about the U.S. education system, and will further their understanding of the United States. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Purpose of the Youth Ambassadors for Community Service Program: Established in 2008, the Youth Ambassadors for Community Service Program selects high-school participants from underserved backgrounds across France, including the French Caribbean, to participate in a yearlong leadership training program that encourages volunteerism, self-confidence, intercultural sensitivity, and independence. Participants will attend pre-departure training sessions before the travel to the U.S., as well as a debriefing upon their return, organized by a different French implementing NGO, in coordination with the organization awarded the overall grant. In partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Paris, the recipient organization will design the two-week U.S. exchange program, in July and/or August 2023[2], which will enhance participants’ understanding of American democratic institutions and volunteer initiatives. Participants will travel to Washington D.C. for initial programming. After spending time in Washington D.C., they will be divided into subgroups in different cities/host communities, where they will be placed with American host families and meet American students their age. They will then return to Washington D.C. for debriefing and evaluation, as well as visits to the Department of State and the French Embassy to the U.S. Participants will engage in a variety of activities, including but not limited to workshops on leadership and community service, community site visits related to program themes, interactive training and discussion groups, volunteer opportunities, visits to educational facilities, local cultural activities, homestays, and other activities designed to achieve the program’s stated goals. The exchange must include multiple opportunities for participants to have significant, meaningful interactions with their American peers. Follow-on activities with the participants are an essential part of the program, and the exchange activities should prepare participants to apply the knowledge and skills that they will have acquired during their time in the United States in the planning of concrete projects in their home communities. Program Objectives: • Promote equal opportunities for all and encourage knowledge-sharing and intercultural dialogue between French and American youth; • Raise awareness about civic engagement and volunteerism among young people; • Strengthen Franco-American friendship and understanding through soft diplomacy; • Offer French youth the chance to represent their peers and participate in civic initiatives abroad; • Build leadership skills, encourage volunteerism, self-confidence, intercultural sensitivity, and nurture excellence and civic engagement among young leaders from underserved communities; • Allow participants to become pillars of community organization, keeping their peers involved in positive social activities and promoting tolerance and achievement; and • Provide participants with tools to build alliances with American counterparts and to produce positive change in underserved communities. Program Outline: Applicants must demonstrate their capacity for conducting international exchanges in the U.S.; administering exchanges focused on youth that involve different geographic regions; implementing exchange projects that address specific policy challenges; and providing substantive programming and leadership training for youth. The award recipient will be responsible for the oversight and management of performance of all sub-award recipients under the award. U.S. Embassy France reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal project configurations, budgets, participating countries and regions, and participant numbers in accordance with the needs of the program and the availability of funds. The budget should include international travel to and from the U.S. for 30 to 40 participants (including domestic travel for 20 to 30 metropolitan participants to and from Paris and their French city of residence). One staff member must accompany participants for the international travel (France-U.S.-France). The budget should include the in-country travel and local transportation, lodging, activities, food, insurance, and ESTA costs for 30 to 40 participants. As participants are under 18, they must be accompanied by facilitators and the host families must be validated by the recipient organization. Participants and Audiences: 30 to 40 outstanding French high school students, between the ages of 15 and 18, from underprivileged backgrounds with leadership potential and commitment to civic engagement. For more information, eligibility, and deadlines please read the Notice of Funding Opportunity PDS-France-FY2022-04 and/or refer to the U.S. Embassy in France website (Grants Programs). Questions can be directed to GrantsFrance@state.gov. Please note: We do not provide any pre-consultation for application related questions that are addressed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity

The purpose of this FOA is to provide funding for up to one (1) private, non-profit organizations that will provide entrepreneurial development services to women, with an emphasis on socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in locations that are outside of the geographical areas of existing WBCs for the City of Tulsa (OK). Eligible applicants must be private, non-profit organizations with 501(c) tax exempt status from the U.S. Treasury’s Internal Revenue Service and must provide services to the City of Tulsa (OK). An organization that is operating, or has operated an SBA funded WBC, within the past five (5) years, if selected, will be awarded as an Initial Phase Project. Likewise, an organization that previously operated an SBA-funded WBC (but that is no longer operating), if eligible to apply and selected, will also be awarded as an Initial Phase Project since this application will be treated as an effort to re-establish the WBC. Furthermore, recognizing the important role that Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) (e.g., Historically Black Colleges and Universities [HBCUs], Hispanic-Serving Institutions [HSIs] from the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities [HACU], and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Institutions [AANAPISIs]) play in meeting the needs of socially and economically disadvantaged markets, this program announcement seeks to encourage MSIs to provide entrepreneurial development services to socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs. MSIs, HBCUs, HSIs, HACU, AANAPISIs and their auxiliary entities are encouraged to apply. Additionally, religious organizations are encouraged to apply. Such organizations are not required to alter their religious character to participate in a government program, nor to cease engaging in explicitly religious activities outside the program, nor effectively to relinquish their Federal statutory protections for religious hiring decisions. Likewise, other organizations meeting the WBC program eligibility criteria, as well as other organizations serving socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs, are also encouraged to apply.

Cities Forward is a new program focused on solving key sustainability, equity and resilience challenges by delivering technical assistance to Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) cities, and helping them form partnerships aimed at helping them achieve their goals.

Cities Forward is a new program focused on solving key sustainability, equity and resilience challenges by delivering technical assistance to Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) cities, and helping them form partnerships aimed at helping them achieve their goals.

A number of America’s low-income veterans with disabilities are in need of adaptive housing to help them regain or maintain their independence. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development intends to address these challenges in accordance with section 1079 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291, §1079, enacted December 19, 2014, as amended by Public Law 114-92, §1081(b)(4), November 25, 2015) by awarding competitive grants of up to $1 million each to nonprofit organizations that provide nationwide or statewide programs that primarily serve veterans and/or low-income individuals. The grants may be used to modify or rehabilitate eligible veterans’ primary residences or to provide grantees’ affiliates with technical, administrative, and training support in connection with those services.

VA has awarded grants totaling more than $910 million to establish, expand, improve, operate and maintain 120 Veterans cemeteries in 48 states and territories including tribal trust lands, Guam, and Saipan. In fiscal year 2020, NCA grant funded state cemeteries provided more than 37,268 interments.Grants may be used only to establish, expand or improve Veterans cemeteries that are owned and operated by a state, territory or tribal government on trust land. Aid is granted only to states, U.S. territories and federally recognized tribal governments, not to private organizations, counties, cities or other government agencies.VA can provide up to 100 percent of the development cost for an approved project. For establishment of new cemeteries, VA can provide for operating equipment as well. VA cannot pay for acquisition of land.Cemeteries funded under the grant program must conform to the standards and guidelines pertaining to site selection, planning and construction prescribed by VA.Cemeteries must be operated solely for the interment of Veterans (as defined in 38 CFR part 39.2), and their eligible family members (see 38 CFR part 39.10).The administration, operation, and maintenance of a VA-supported state cemetery is solely the responsibility of the state, territory or tribal government.VA is authorized to reimburse states "plot allowance" of up to $828.00 for expenses incurred in the burial of certain eligible Veteran.

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity is to invite proposals for funding from eligible non-profit organizations, local and state government agencies, private sector firm and institutions of higher education to provide quality training and counseling to veteran small business owners and entrepreneurs. A key component of this Funding Opportunity is for applicants to provide training to transitioning military personnel and spouses through the Boots to Business (B2B) Training Program and to veterans and military spouses through the Reboot Training Program. Additionally, applicants will provide counseling, training, technical and financial skill development, comprehensive business assessments and mentoring services to veteran, active duty, Reserve, National Guard, military spouse and family member entrepreneurs, and small business owners interested in starting, expanding and diversifying small businesses.

The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help program started in 1964 in Togo and quickly spread across the continent as a grass-roots assistance program that allows U.S. embassies to respond quickly to local requests for small community-based development projects. The program provides assistance to small, community-led projects that promise to have an immediate impact to Ghanaian communities as part of an ongoing commitment by the U.S. government to support Ghanaian-driven development activities at the local level. Since the program began in Ghana, more than $2.2 million in awards have been disbursed to community development projects across the country. The purpose of this grant program is to provide small-scale assistance to Ghanaian communities as part of an ongoing commitment by the U.S. government to support Ghanaian-driven development activities at the local level. This program is highly competitive, and funding is limited. Not all applications are awarded a grant. The project must be initiated by the community and should benefit the community by increasing income or improving living or social conditions. If the project is designed to generate income, it must be truly community-based and not a for-profit enterprise or sole proprietorship, and the project must have a plan for equitable distribution of any income generated. This program is highly competitive, and funding is limited. Not all applications are awarded a grant. Applications are provided free of charge, and there is no cost to submit an application.