Funding Wizard

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Public Diplomacy section at the U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe announces an open competition for public and private Zimbabwean higher education institutions to submit applications to carry out a program (or programs) to strengthen ties between the United States and Zimbabwe’s academic libraries in supporting faculty educational, learning and research activities. Program Objectives: The program shall improve access to educational resources and use of technology for learning and research to academic libraries working with Faculty in the following subject areas: One Health, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in Agriculture, Mental Health, and Peace and Conflict Resolution. By the end of the program, faculty and students will have access to relevant publications, online research databases and digital educational resources to improve their access to information, research methodologies and overall learning outcomes. The program may also include the purchase of information communication equipment to adequately access the Internet for a host institution; these requests should be reasonable and explicitly explained in the budget, not to exceed 20% of the overall budget. All materials funded by this program must ensure open access to all students and faculty Program Goals: The goal of this program is to strengthen ties between the United States and Zimbabwe’s academic libraries to support higher education partnerships through the provision of educational resources and promote access to digital educational resources that support One Health, STEM fields in Agriculture, Mental Health, and Peace and Conflict resolution for Zimbabwean higher education. Proposals must promote increased access to U.S. educational resources (both digital and physical). Project themes must include some or all the following components. Only proposals that relate to the stated program objectives, in partnership with the specific relevant faculty departments will be considered: · Access to Academic Journal and Electonic Thesis Databases: programs that promote access to academic journals and electronic thesis database subscriptions that cover One Health, STEM in Agriculture, Mental Health, and Peace and Conflict resolution. · Higher Education Collections: Programs collaborating with faculty in One Health fields, STEM in Agriculture, Mental Health, and Peace and Conflict resolution to source the relevant materials and enhance student access to higher education print collections and resources. · Access to Internet: Programs that seek to strengthen library Internet connection to enhance access to online research databases and digital content to support higher education research and development of faculty staff through collaborative research opportunities. NOTE: All educational materials must be obtained from U.S. sources. Participants and Audiences: Proposals must engage with a specific university faculty involving undergraduate and post- graduate students in the priority subject areas and academic library staff. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 12 months or less Number of awards anticipated: 5 awards Award amounts: US$10,000 Total available funding: US$50,000 Type of Funding: Public Diplomacy Funds – Smith Mundt Anticipated program start date: April 1, 2023 Funding Instrument Type: Grant THIS NOTICE IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING. C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants: The following organizations are eligible to apply: Zimbabwean or U.S. media organizations, civil society, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations. *For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply. 2. Cost Sharing: Cost sharing is not required but encouraged. 3. Registration: In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1. To Request Application Package: Email PublicDiplomacyGrants-ZIM@state.gov; an automatic reply with the application forms will be sent. Forms are also available at www.grants.gov 2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Content of Application – the proposal should: · Clearly serve the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity; · Be specific and concise in describing the who, what, why, when, where, how and cost aspects of the project; · Provide all documents in English; and · Include a budget narrative and a budget table in U.S. dollars breaking down costs per unit rates, quantities as well as totals. Application Forms required: · Completed application (form attached) · Detailed projected budget (form attached) · SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – Organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance – Individuals) · SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) · SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) Attachments · Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner · If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be included as a PDF file. If you do not have a NICRA, indirect and overhead costs can’t be over 10% of the budget. · Official permission letters, if required for program activities. 3. Required Registrations: All organizations (not individuals) applying for grants must obtain these registrations. All are free of charge: · www.SAM.gov registration which will generate a unique entity identifier (UEI) · NCAGE/CAGE code 4. Submission Dates and Times PD Harare will accept proposals starting November 1, 2022. All applicants should submit their proposals prior to January 31, 2023 for consideration. 5. Other Submission Requirements All application materials may be emailed to PublicDiplomacyGrants-ZIM@state.gov (with “Democratic Principles Grant Proposal” in the subject line). E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION Review and Selection Process Applications are reviewed on a competitive basis by the Public Diplomacy Grants Committee. Organizations whose applications are not selected for funding will be notified via email no later than September 30, 2023. All qualified proposals will remain on file for up to 12 months for the committee for consideration at any time, if funds become available. If you wish to receive an update on the status of your proposal, please email PublicDiplomacyGrants-Zim@state.gov with the Subject line: “Request for Update on my Submitted Proposal [Title/Date of submission].” F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION 1. Federal Award Notices The grant award or cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The award agreement is the authorizing document and it will be provided to the recipient for review and signature by email. The recipient may only start incurring program expenses on, not before, 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 Funding Opportunity announcement does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the U.S. government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received. Payment Method: Payments will be made via electronic funds transfer. 2. Administrative and U.S. National Policy Requirements Terms and Conditions: 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 200, 2 CFR 600, Certifications and Assurances, and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, all of which are available at: https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm. · Note the U.S. Flag branding and marking requirements in the Standard Terms and Conditions. 3. Reporting Requirements Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports. Reports will include an accounting for expenditure of amounts already received before the next tranche of funds can be released. The award document will specify how often these reports must be submitted. G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact PD Harare at PublicDiplomacyGrants-Zim@state.gov . Note: Once an application has been submitted, State Department officials and staff — both in the Department and at embassies overseas — may not discuss this competition with applicants until the entire proposal review process is completed.

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Timor-Leste of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for a cooperative agreement to develop and implement a five-day regional workshop (inclusive of arrival and departure days) in Timor-Leste on “Advancing Agribusiness Digital Marketing” for the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), pending the availability of funds. The “Advancing Agribusiness Digital Marketing” regional workshop will bring together 50 participants from ASEAN and Timor-Leste who have agricultural, business, economic, and marketing backgrounds. The workshop will empower young agribusiness entrepreneurs to contribute to post-COVID economic recovery and development by identifying challenges to developing and growing a sustainable agribusiness, developing potential local and regional market opportunities, and crafting and deploying digital marketing strategies to expand market share and economic prosperity. Additionally, participants will have the chance to join cultural activities, networking events, and site visits. This would be the first in-person YSEALI regional workshop held in Timor-Leste since the country was admitted to the YSEALI program in 2018. Agriculture is one of the main economic foundations in Timor-Leste and most ASEAN countries. After the COVID-19 pandemic began, many emerging agribusinesses lost burgeoning economic opportunities and connectivity to local and regional markets for their products, causing huge financial losses, particularly for young agribusiness entrepreneurs. With a significant youth bulge in Timor-Leste and many ASEAN countries, expanding economic opportunities tied to sustainable agriculture is an important means to support economic recovery and long-term economic diversification. The focus on digital marketing is critical to support agribusiness entrepreneurs to grow their businesses by directly accessing market opportunities and motivating them to improve product quality and added value. Priority Region: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste. Program Objectives: YSEALI (yseali.state.gov) is the U.S. government’s signature initiative to engage emerging leaders in Southeast Asia. The program aims to create a network of young Southeast Asian leaders who work across national borders to solve common problems. Through a variety of programs and engagements, YSEALI seeks to build the leadership capabilities of youth in the region, strengthen ties between the United States and Southeast Asia, and nurture a community of leaders who work across borders to solve shared issues. YSEALI is open to young leaders ages 18-35 who are both citizens and residents of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries (Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) or Timor-Leste. Responding to priorities from youth in the ASEAN region, YSEALI programs focus on four themes (Economic Growth, Sustainable Development, Education, and Civic Engagement). One component of YSEALI is the annual Regional Workshops held across Southeast Asia on strategic topics. This regional workshop on “Advancing Agribusiness Digital Marketing” will advance the YSEALI theme of empowering young entrepreneurs to contribute to post-COVID economic recovery and development. It also promotes U.S. strategic goals of expanding economic prosperity and opportunity in Timor-Leste and advancing a more connected and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The proposal should include a pre- and post-workshop survey to measure the overall effectiveness of the workshop as well as any changes to the participants’ knowledge of the workshop topic. The YSEALI regional workshop on “Advancing Agribusiness Digital Marketing” is open to emerging leaders aged 18-35 who are both citizens and resident of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) and Timor-Leste. Responding to priorities from youth in the ASEAN region, the YSEALI program focus on four themes: Economic Growth, Sustainable development, Education, and Civic Engagement. Grant Information · Total available funding: $200,000. · Awards amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $75,000 to a maximum of 200,000. Subject to availability of funding. · Length of performance period: 6-12 months · Anticipated program start date: October 2022 The proposal should include workshop follow-on activities such as virtual collaborative work, projects funded through small seed grants, or ongoing mentorship. The follow-on activity should be included in the monitoring and evaluation plan. The proposal should include a pre and post workshop survey to measure the overall effectiveness of the workshop as well as any changes to the participants’ knowledge of the workshop topic. The concepts of leadership, giving back, and strengthening a Southeast Asian/ASEAN identity based on shared values and shared challenges should be integrated into the program. Workshop speakers/facilitators/mentors should be citizens of the United States, an ASEAN member country, or Timor-Leste. The recipient is expected to develop syllabus materials and an event program with participant and speaker biographies, as well as design banners, backdrops, and other printed materials. The recipient is expected to design a digital engagement strategy for workshop participants and social media audiences, including live video or live online engagement during the program. No new website specific to the event should be created or launched. Domain, hosting and build costs will not be covered. Participants and Audiences: The recipient will coordinate with U.S. Embassy Timor-Leste and with the U.S. embassies in ASEAN and Timor-Leste to recruit and select 50 participants. Participants will be between the ages of 18-35 years old and ideally have interest and some experience in agribusiness, entrepreneurism, agriculture development, marketing, or other relevant fields. The program should ensure gender balance and encourage YSEALI members from diverse backgrounds to apply. All participants must be proficient in written and spoken English. All programs must include participants from all ten ASEAN member countries and Timor-Leste. The workshop will be conducted in English. The recipient will be responsible for arranging and using cooperative agreement funds to cover all elements related to participant and staff travel including international and domestic flights, visas, travel to and from airports, visas, accommodations, per diem, meals during the program, insurance, etc. Full application available here: https://tl.usembassy.gov/embassy/dili/grants/

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Hanoi 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 fostering innovation in higher education in an age of global partnerships, in Hanoi pending availability of funding.

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.

The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) invites proposal submissions from Bosnia and Herzegovinian (BiH) public and private non-profit organizations to implement the Youth Leadership and Teacher Professional Development Program, pending the availability of FY 2022 AEECA funds. This NOFO is for the implementation of the BiH component of the Youth Leadership Program. Mandatory Components: 1. The Youth Leadership Program (YLP) should be organized for 18 high school students aged 15-19, and 3 teachers from three communities in BiH to reflect the country’s diversity and administrative divisions, for a total of 21 participants in one program. 2. The Youth Leadership Program is a substantive three to four week exchange program in the United States, and it takes place in at least two different cities. The program should incorporate a pre-departure orientation in Sarajevo and an 8-month period during which participants conduct a Community Action Project (CAP) in their hometowns. 3. The program should include group discussions, experiential learning activities, and exercises that focus on the themes outlined below and include aspects of leadership, teambuilding, collective problem-solving skills, effective communication, appreciation of diversity, and management skills. Participants should gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. 4. The program should represent diverse BiH political and social viewpoints, as well as other aspects of diversity. The program should foster the Embassy’s mission to promote mutual understanding between citizens of other countries and citizens of the United States. 5. The program should include a monitoring plan for follow-on engagement and project implementation once participants return home. In addition to developing participants’ leadership skills, the program should provide participants with an in-depth examination of one of the themes outlined below. Youth Leadership Program Themes: The Youth Leadership Program will introduce participants to a comprehensive survey of civic education, community service, and youth leadership development. Activities will focus on building their knowledge and skill levels in these areas. The students and educators will participate in workshops, community service activities, meetings with community leaders, and discussion groups and will have opportunities for substantive interaction with each other and their American peers. The program should explore topics such as citizenship, community building, economic development, grassroots activism, political leadership, and volunteerism in the modern age. The Program should require participants to develop innovative and practical plans to become engaged citizens in their own communities and to implement an action plan to address a particular need. Detailed Outline of Award Recipient’s Responsibilities: 1) Preparation a) In cooperation with Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), participate in the recruitment and selection of the program participants. b) In consultation with PDS, hire psychologists and other staff necessary for project implementation. c) In cooperation with PDS, and the American implementing partner, conduct a pre-departure orientation for participants in Sarajevo, providing general and program-specific information, as well as intercultural training. d) Administer the booking of flights and purchasing plane tickets for participants’ travel to U.S. e) Administer per diem and travel allowances for the participants for pre-departure, departure, and arrival. f) Provide logistical support for the program participants (renting of the conference rooms, hotels, organization of local transportation for pre-departure orientation, departure, and arrival, etc.) g) Optional: One to two team members travel to the U.S. to participate in 7 days of activities with program participants and the U.S. partner, in cooperation with the U.S. partner and PDS. 2) Follow-on Activities a) In cooperation with PDS, provide additional follow-on instruction and practical skills training to implement their projects after the conclusion of the program. b) Provide logistical support for the program participants in participating cities (renting of the conference rooms, hotels, organization of the local transportation for follow-on activities, etc.) c) Provide a closing session to summarize project activities, prepare participants to present their follow-on activities to U.S. partners and the U.S. Embassy d) In cooperation with PDS, organize follow-up gatherings with program participants and their parents in participating cities and Sarajevo. 3) Alumni Activities a) In cooperation with PDS, organize a reunion of the alumni program participants. 4) Design and implement an evaluation plan that assesses the impact of the program. 5) Work in consultation with PDS in the implementation of the program, provide timely reporting of progress, and comply with financial and program reporting requirements. 6) Manage all financial aspects of the cooperative agreement, including per-diem disbursements to the participants and management of sub-award relationships with partner organizations. Detailed Outline of the PDS’s Responsibilities: 1) Provide assistance in managing the recruitment and selection of the participants. 2) Make the final decision on program participants. 3) Provide advice and assistance in the execution of all program components. 4) Provide assistance for visa interviews for the participants. 5) Facilitate interaction within the Department of State, to include ECA, the regional bureaus, and post. 6) Arrange meetings with Department of State/Embassy officials if necessary. 7) Approve host family applications, publicity materials, and the calendar of exchange activities. 8) Monitor and evaluate the program, through regular communication with the award recipient and possibly one or more site visits. 9) Perform an annual performance evaluation/review. Satisfactory performance and the availability of funds is a condition of continued administration of the program and execution of all option years.

The U.S. Embassy Tashkent Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to conduct innovative and creative short-term, youth-focused exchange programs to promote and improve mutual understanding and people-to-people ties between the United States and Uzbekistan. Applications outlining initiatives or exchange programs that focus on leadership skills and global citizenship will be supported. The rapid economic development and the expansion of international relations between Uzbekistan and the rest of the world have created a tremendous need for citizens who have the knowledge and skills to act as key interlocutors and implement the Government of Uzbekistan’s ambitious reform agenda into the future. With most of the population under the age of 30, there is a critical need to support youth-focused programming in order to prepare the next generation of leaders in Uzbekistan. Through exchanges to the United States, youth will be able to connect with other leaders, both from home and abroad, to make long-lasting connections that will shape their future educational and professional lives. This funding opportunity seeks to support secondary and university students through the development of leadership skills, global citizenship, and addressing shared challenges through partnership with the United States. Grant activities should be short-term, youth-focused exchange programs, with participants spending 10 to 30 days in the United States. Grantees are expected to publicize project activities, including through social media and/or traditional press outlets; and highlight U.S. Embassy support, with our logo included on project-related materials.

The U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to convene Tanzanian youth for a series of public forums focusing on questions of democracy and governance. The end goal of the program is to produce and disseminate a comprehensive report documenting youth views on the kind of system of governance that they feel is best suited to achieving their aspirations. Priority Regions: Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Lake Region, Kilimanjaro Region, Southern Highlands Region, Southern Region Program Objectives: In recent years some politicians have attempted to redefine the definition of democracy to legitimize autocratic rule and undermine the importance of values such as universal human rights, the rule of law, free markets, and limited state intervention in the political and social lives of citizens. This project will push back against these efforts by convening young Tanzanians from around the country at a series of youth dialogues where they will debate and define the kind of democracy they want for their country. The findings of these dialogues will be consolidated into a report and shared widely through a national launch, a social media campaign, targeted media engagements, and key-leader meetings. The project will include the following outputs: · Six Youth Democracy Dialogues organized in different parts of the country · Report issued with conclusions from the dialogues · Social media campaign launched to amplify findings from the dialogue · Media engagements conducted to amplify findings from the dialogues · Summit with key leaders and policymakers held to share findings from the dialogues Successful proposals will provide detailed explanations of the following: · The criteria for selecting participants in the youth dialogues · The methodology for soliciting, collecting, and analyzing the views of the participants · The methodology for designing the summary report cataloguing the findings from the dialogues · The media strategy for amplifying the findings of the report in the public sphere The monitoring and evaluation strategy for the project

Program Objectives: This exchange will focus on entrepreneurship and innovation in the climate change sphere, including renewable energy; energy efficiency and sustainability; environmental engineering; climate adaptation; resilient and clean technologies; carbon reduction; food production; design; or other innovative fields addressing climate challenges today and in the future. The goal is to provide university students, business start-up leaders, and founders between 20 and 25 residing permanently in Austria with intensive, hands-on entrepreneurship education and leadership development training, as well as a greater understanding of U.S-Austrian collaboration on business-focused climate change solutions. Entrepreneurs help countries respond to specific problems, demands, or gaps in the market by identifying and pursuing new business opportunities; entrepreneurs and startups generate economic value, create jobs, and accelerate development, while often delivering social and environmental benefits for the customers and communities they serve.[A1] As such, this program should give participants first-hand and theoretical knowledge of founding, financing, and growing a startup in climate change-focused sectors, as well as how to maintain momentum and spur additional growth through programming, promotion, and networking opportunities. This program, which would take place between July and September 2023, should highlight the U.S. entrepreneurial ecosystem of a particular U.S. city or region that excels in climate change entrepreneurship. The program should include an in-person component in the United States that will expose participants to American culture, values, and business practices and highlight the United States as a destination for future business partnerships, investment, and ongoing education. The U.S. component should be preceded and followed by a substantial programming and educational component in Austria (in-person and virtual, as local health regulations allow) to include networking with Austrian leaders in the business and climate sectors; team building; pre-departure orientation, and knowledge and sector expertise-building elements. This component should also include engagement and mentoring opportunities with alumni from previous U.S. entrepreneurship exchange programs. As this will be a cooperative agreement, U.S. Embassy Vienna will have substantial involvement in this effort including participant selection and approval of the program structure and content of the U.S. component. The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy is providing maximum flexibility for applicant organizations to offer program models that effectively meet the overall goals of the program. In addition to those listed above, required elements of the program are as follows: - Participants should learn about the essential elements of an entrepreneurial ecosystem and how these elements inter-relate. Participants should have the opportunity to experience these elements in a local U.S. community through interactive, hands-on training, which might include, for example: presentations, meetings with entrepreneurs, social events, or business pitch presentations. Internships or practicums in businesses, NGOs, innovation hubs, or economic/business-related organizations could also be included. - Participants, specifically those with already established start-ups, participants should have interaction with top companies, founders, incubators, and venture capitalists in both countries. - Social entrepreneurship: Participants should learn how entrepreneurial principles can be addressed to remediate social ills, and how entrepreneurial concepts can spur civic action. - The program should include elements for post-program engagement with the Austrian participants that includes mentoring and supporting participants as alumni of this and other similar programs. - The recipient will identify specific and measurable outputs and outcomes based on the project specifications provided in the solicitation. Additional program goals include: - Promote the awareness of future Austrian entrepreneurs of the entrepreneurial ecosystem as practiced in the United States. - Encourage identification of the United States as a destination for future business partnerships, investment, and ongoing education. - Foster professional and personal ties with local entrepreneurs and U.S. citizens in the local community. - Promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of Austria. Participants and Audiences: Target audience and participants are students, business start-up leaders, and founders between 18 and 29 residing permanently in Austria, including aspiring entrepreneurs or youth actively engaged in a start-up. [A1]Pulled from https://www.state.gov/connecting-climate-entrepreneurs-cce/

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