Eligible Applicants: Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Additional Information on Eligibility: 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.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.

Description:

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe under the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for creative, sustainable, engaging projects that build support for democratic principles and values. Project proposals must address any facet of supporting democratic principles including advancing human rights, developing a free press, supporting free speech, increasing the engagement of citizens and civil society, raising awareness of disinformation, or other elements required for a strong, resilient democracy.

All program proposals must strengthen ties and build relationships between the United States and Zimbabwe and must have a strong, central, American element, or connection with American expert(s), organization(s), or institution(s) (separate from involvement with the U.S. Mission or its American Corners). This program supports the U.S. Department of State’s Public Diplomacy efforts to renew democracy through defending free speech, inspiring civic activism, and elevating civil society’s ability to influence key decision makers. 

Theory of Change:

By supporting freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom of thought, the U.S. Embassy partnering with civil society, academic organizations, and the media will improve accountable, democratic governance in Zimbabwe through an engaged citizenry and respect for fundamental human rights.

Program Objectives:

All proposals must meet the following objectives:

·        Enhance the development of Zimbabwe’s democracy through civil society, the media, academic organizations, and communities to support democratic sustainability and civic participation.

·        Strengthen collaboration and build networks between Zimbabwe and U.S. civil society, press, and advocacy organizations with an emphasis on long-term relationships and sustainability. 

Proposals could include the following or address other democratic principles:

·        Develop an engaged citizenry that participates in civic life and defends human rights.

·        Support for journalism innovation that sustain independent journalism and the media

·        Advocacy for legal and policy reforms that promote and protect human rights.

·        Building coalitions of civil society actors to support democratic principles.

·        Raise awareness on and counter disinformation and misinformation.

·        Dialogue and engagement to renew discussions on and considerations for law reforms supporting democratic principles.

·        Professionalization of media, civil society, and academia to engage the government on democracy resilience and promotion.

Participants and Audiences:

Proposals can target media stakeholders, civil society, women, youth, policy makers, opinion leaders, underserved populations, or other clearly defined sectors.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

 Length of performance period:       6-18 months from date of Award

Number of awards anticipated:      2 - 3 Awards (dependent on amounts)

Award amounts:                               Awards may range from $20,000 to a maximum of $50,000

Total available funding:                   US$75,000

Type of Funding:                              FY24 Smith Mundt - Public Diplomacy Funds

Anticipated program start date:     August 2024

Funding Instrument Type: Grant or Cooperative Agreement

Cooperative agreements are different from grants in that bureau/embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation (“Substantial Involvement”).  

Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed within 18 months. PDS may entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

 1.     Address 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 

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.

Content of Application

Please ensure:

• The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity
• All documents are in English

·        All budgets are in U.S. dollars

·        All pages are numbered

·        All documents are formatted to A4 paper, and

• All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12 point Calibri font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

Mandatory Application Forms required: (in the Application Package)

·        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) (note: the SF-424B is only required for individuals and for organizations not registered in SAM.gov)

3.     Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

Required Registrations:

All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration with the SAM.gov. A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards.

Note: As of April 2022, a DUNS number is no longer required for federal assistance applications.

The 2 CFR 200 requires that sub-grantees obtain a UEI number. Please note the UEI for sub-grantees is not required at the time of application but will be required before an award is processed and/or directed to a sub-grantee.

 Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible.

·        Organizations based in the United States or that pay employees within the United States will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a UEI number prior to registering in SAM.gov.

·        Organizations based outside of the United States and that do not pay employees within the United States do not need an EIN from the IRS but do need a UEI number prior to registering in SAM.gov. 

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO NOT plan to do business with the DoD should follow the below instructions: 

Step 1: Proceed to SAM.gov to obtain a UEI and complete the SAM.gov registration process. SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually. 

Exemptions

An exemption from the UEI and sam.gov registration requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis if:

·        An applicant’s identity must be protected due to potential endangerment of their mission, their organization’s status, their employees, or individuals being served by the applicant.

·        For an applicant, if the Federal awarding agency makes a determination that there are exigent circumstances that prohibit the applicant from receiving a unique entity identifier and completing SAM registration prior to receiving a Federal award. In these instances, Federal awarding agencies must require the recipient to obtain a unique entity identifier and complete SAM registration within 30 days of the Federal award date.

Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or SAM.gov requirements must email the point of contact listed in the NOFO at least two weeks prior to the deadline in the NOFO providing a justification of their request. Approval for a SAM.gov exemption must come from the warranted Grants Officer before the application can be deemed eligible for review.

4.     Submission Dates and Times

All applicants should submit their proposals prior to March 30, 2024 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).