U.S. MISSION IN Israel PUBLIC DIPLOMACY GRANT PROGRAM
Notice of Funding Opportunity for Fiscal Year 2023

 

Funding Opportunity Title:  Intercultural TechCamp for Climate Change
Funding Opportunity Number:  PD-TLV-FY23-01
Application Deadline: April 15, 2023
Federal Assistance Listing Number:  19.021
Contact Email: TelAvivGrants@state.gov

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The U.S. Embassy Israel is pleased to announce an open grant competition to award a cooperative agreement to organize a regional Intercultural TechCamp for Climate Change. The Embassy’s Public Affairs Office invites proposals from established Israeli associations, committed, and organized climate-change-focused organizations, to implement an Intercultural TechCamp for Climate Change, an initiative designed to bring together young leaders from Morocco and Israel. TechCamp expertise and planning will be provided by the U.S. State Department, and they will carry out project management and content in Morocco and Israel working closely with all participants.

• PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The objective of this TechCamp, “Intercultural TechCamp for Climate Change” is to bring together promising young leaders from Israel and Morocco to promote economic and scientific cooperation surrounding adaptation and mitigation responses to climate change.  This interactive program will assemble talented young Moroccan and Israeli leaders, activists, influencers, and entrepreneurs and connect them with experts in climate change, to build teams that will work together before, during, and after the TechCamp to address climate change challenges in their communities and in the region. The program will also provide participants with the necessary tools to expand their knowledge on the topics of climate change and entrepreneurship, which will potentially enable them to launch projects resulting in sustainable job creation around climate action.

It is designed as a three-phase program to bring together young leaders from Morocco and Israel to:

• Connect on climate change challenges to broaden networks and partnerships to address intensifying environmental threats.
• Strengthen entrepreneurship skills to take effective action.
• Initiate an intercultural exchange around climate solutions.

Audience

Thirty emerging leaders, aged from 20-35 from Morocco and Israel from diverse backgrounds. All participants must be proficient in written and spoken English and could include civil society leaders, education leaders, young entrepreneurs, social media influencers, youth network leaders, climate change advocates, students, and young professionals.

Timeline

The TechCamp will be a hybrid format and designed in three stages so that the participants will benefit from continuous engagement throughout the program:

Phase 1:  Virtual event to introduce participants and trainers, set common goals, begin team

building and cross-cultural communication training – July 2023. (2-3 days).

Phase 2:  In-person gathering in Morocco focused on “climate change 101” and project creation in September 2023. (6 days)

Phase 3:  Follow on in-person gathering in Israel three months later allowing participants to

further develop their projects on business plans/entrepreneurship/pitching skills – December 2023. (6 days)

Depending on the final number of participants (approximately 30; 15 from each country), we expect a minimum of six project ideas or programs to be developed, with three of these being awarded follow-on grants.

 

• AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: June 2023 – June 2024
Program Performance Period: Proposed programming should be completed in 6 months with a 6-month follow-on period.
Number of awards anticipated: 1 in Morocco and 1 in Israel
Award Amount: Floor: $110,000
Ceiling: $130,000
Anticipated Program Start Date: June 2023
Award Type: Cooperative Agreement – U.S. Embassy Israel will be actively involved in the planning and implementation of this grant.
Type of Funding: FY23 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds
FY 23 Fulbright-Hayes Public Diplomacy Funds

Required Registration SAM.gov

Before applying, please read the entire NOFO package and follow the outlined steps. Applications that do not meet the application deadline, eligibility criteria or do not provide all the required information, will not be considered.

B.1  U.S. Embassy staff and State Department (ECA/TC) will:

1. Provide standardized logos/branding guidelines for promotional materials
2. Review and approve marketing materials and participating in promotional activities of the program and utilizing the U.S. Mission’s social media platforms and media contacts.
3. Review and approve the selection of the venue.
4. Review and approve participant and trainer recruitment and selection plans.
5. Assist in identifying and contacting alumni of U.S. government exchange program, representatives of U.S. companies, and U.S. Mission personnel as potential speakers or trainers.
6. Review and approve proposed program speaker and trainer rosters and activity/workshop/site visit topics and formats.

 

• ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Eligibility for this NOFO is limited to not-for-profit Israeli organizations, associations, think tanks, public or private institutions, or civil society organizations with expertise in environmental programming and climate change, a SAM.gov registration and a  history of successful programming.

All applicants should be familiar with 2 CFR Part 200: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200

All applicants must have a SAM.gov registration and UEI number at the time of application.

The implementing partner should meet the specific criteria below: 

• Professional capacity and record on previous grants: The implementing partner has expertise in environmental programming, specifically climate change, and has demonstrated its ability to implement the program, including having strong financial management and appropriate personnel. The implementing partner should have:

• prior experience working with Moroccan organizations or be willing to develop a partnership with a Moroccan NGO to effectively accomplish the program goals around the global challenge of climate change.
• knowledge of the media and a strong understanding of the media environment and the ability to influence publics.
• Project design and preparation: The implementing partner will define, in consultation with the U.S. Embassy in Israel and the Department of State’s Office of Tech Camps, the project scope, main outcomes and outputs including training plans and participants’ projects.
• Design of training: The Embassy will help the implementer to identify a program facilitator in Israel at the earliest stage of the cooperative agreement.  facilitators will work together with the Embassy and TechCamp specialists, across countries, to design cross-cultural trainings and provide support to their respective teams, complementing the cross-cultural trainings with team building and leadership activities.

1. The implementer will collaborate with U.S. Embassy Israel in creating graphics and branding templates that will be provided by the U.S. Embassy Israel.
2. Implementer The implementer will identify local photographer/videographer and work closely with Embassy Israel and Tech Camp specialists to identify subject-matter experts as needed.

• Program delivery: The implementer will work with a Moroccan implementer, as appropriate to organize regional and national events where teams will benefit from additional training and will pitch their projects.

1. Work with Embassy Israel to locate a local emcee/facilitator for the workshops.
2. Print hardcopy materials necessary for the workshop.
3. Provide onsite support during the six-day event, managing all logistics and collaborating with Embassy Morocco/Israel’s onsite team plus any staffers from respective Embassies.

• Program participants: The implementer will select target (including under-represented, under-served, and at-risk) cities/regions/populations for recruitment and delivery of the training in coordination with the Public Affairs Section.
• Logistical support: The implementer will make and should budget for all logistical arrangements to support the TechCamp event, including:

1. Secure and book an appropriate and properly equipped venue, based on specific requirements. Budget should cover venue costs for TechCamp.
2. Fund and assist all participants and trainers to secure visas necessary to facilitate their travel to Morocco and assist as necessary.
3. Arrange and book all air travel for participants and trainers, including international   trainers, if needed. Budget should cover costs of travel for participants and trainers.
4. Arrange all lodging/transportation for all participants and trainers in coordination with international implementers. Budget should cover lodging and local transportation for participants and trainers.
5. Arrange meals for all participants and trainers, including international trainers. Budget should cover full board for participants and trainers.
6. Secure volunteers as needed.
7. Work with security as needed for the participants.
8. Ability to disburse funds to individuals (i.e. honorarium to trainers/mentors, small grants for continued engagement).

• Monitoring and evaluation: The implementer will develop a monitoring and evaluation plan in consultation with Embassy Israel PAS, to measure the impact of the program on the beneficiaries. The implementer will be responsible for working closely with participants and for sending an update about the participants’ projects six months after the final pitch.

1. Create and keep an updated and detailed budget (using examples provided by U.S. Embassy Israel) sharing as needed with respective Embassies.
2. Implementer will provide an interim and final report (Narrative and Financial).Sustainability: The implementer will develop a sustainability plan maintaining close contact with participants and provide mentorship to the beneficiaries, connect them with other project-specific mentors, and include them in future events.
   Follow on:  Support follow-on activities by engaging with respective Embassies and participants following each program phase.
3. During the workshops, participants will be divided into smaller teams and they will be required to provide a final report.

• APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

• Completed applications are due by April 15, 2023 
• The proposal should be for no more than $130,000
• Acquisition of a UEI and SAM.gov registration is required to apply.
• The project should not have an intended start date before June 1, 2023.
• All proposals must adhere to the policies explained in the TechCamp Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) including the “eligibility requirements.” Please review these requirements carefully. 

Upload, complete, and return these required forms.

1. SF424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
2. SF424A (Budget Information)
3. SF424B (Assurances)
4. Proposal Narrative Form (in English)
5. Applicant Organization Information Form
6. Budget Proposal (in USD)
7. CVs for Director and key project personnel

Cost Sharing is not required and will not be evaluated during the Merit Review.

Submit all forms as PDFs in electronic format to TelAvivGrants@state.gov no later than April 15, 2023, at midnight. All questions about this NOFO should be addressed to: TelAvivGrants@state.gov   

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 not be reviewed.

D1.  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 8 ½ x 11 paper, and
• All PDF documents are single-spaced, 12-point Calibri, with

a minimum of 1-inch margins

D2. Eligibility Requirements

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, 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.

All organizations applying for this grant must have the SAM.gov registration and a UEI number at the time of application.  Both are free of charge.

Step 1: Validate your organization.

UEI application: Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier from SAM.gov. If your organization has not yet been assigned a UEI number you may obtain one by visiting:  https://sam.gov/content/home.  Follow instructions for validating your organization; see necessary documentation that must be submitted before your UEI number can be assigned.  If you have had U.S. government funding before and had a DUNS number, you should have been assigned a UEI number. In this case just proceed with your registration.

Step 2: Register in SAM.gov.

After receiving your UEI number, begin your registration in SAM.gov by logging onto: https://www.sam.gov.  Your SAM registration must be renewed annually.

If you encounter any error, please contact the SAM Federal Service Desk to report problem at https://www.fsd.gov/clients.  There is a standard (not toll free) number that customers can use 334-206-7828.

• APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Criteria

The Merit Review Panel will judge each application individually against the following criteria, listed below in order of importance, and not against competing applications.

Institution’s Record and Capacity

The Embassy will consider the past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated

potential of new applicants. Applications should demonstrate an institutional record, including responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting requirements for past grants. Proposed personnel and institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the project’s objectives.

Project Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives

A strong application will include a clear articulation of how the proposed project activities contribute to the overall project objectives, and each activity will be clearly developed and detailed. A comprehensive monthly work plan should demonstrate substantive undertakings and the logistical capacity of the organization. Objectives should be ambitious, yet measurable, results-focused, and achievable in a reasonable timeframe. In particularly challenging operating environments, applications should include contingency plans for overcoming potential difficulties in executing the original work plan and address any operational or programmatic security concerns and how they will be addressed.

Partnerships and Engaging Stakeholders

Applications should address how the project will engage relevant stakeholders and should

identify local/international partners as appropriate.

Cost Effectiveness

The Embassy strongly encourages applicants to clearly demonstrate project cost-effectiveness in their application, including examples of leveraging institutional and other resources. However, cost-sharing or other examples of leveraging other resources is not required and does not need to be included in the budget. Inclusion in the budget does not result in additional points awarded during the review process. Budgets however should have low and/or reasonable overhead and administration costs and applicants should provide clear explanations and justifications for these costs in relation to the work involved. All budget items should be clearly explained and justified to demonstrate its necessity, appropriateness, and its link to the project objectives.

Multiplier Effect/Sustainability

Applications should clearly delineate how elements of the project will have a multiplier effect and be sustainable beyond the life of the grant. A good multiplier effect will have an impact beyond the direct beneficiaries of the grant (e.g. participants trained under a grant go on to train other people, workshop participants use skills from a workshop to enhance a national level election that affects the entire populace, project outcomes can be championed by others aside from direct implementers). A strong sustainability plan may include demonstrating continuing impact beyond the life of a project or garnering other donor support after the Embassy funding ceases.

Project Monitoring and Evaluation

Applications should demonstrate the capacity to provide objectives with measurable outputs and outcomes and engage in robust monitoring and assessment of project activities.

• Review and Selection Process

A Merit Review Panel will evaluate all eligible applications.

• FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

Award Notices

The successful applicant will receive notice by email stating that the application has been selected. This notice will be sent before U.S. Mission to Israel has actually made the award and is not an authorization to begin performance. Any pre-award costs expended will be at your own risk. The notice of award signed by the Grants Officer is the authorizing document and will be sent directly to the applicant selected for this grant via email. As soon as selection is made notifications via email will also be sent to unsuccessful applicants.

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.

Reporting

The funds for this cooperative agreement will be disbursed in installments based on project milestones and expenditures. Financial reporting for the use of the first installment will be required at the time the request for the second installment is made. All receipts, originals scanned electronically, should be submitted to the Grants Officer Representative. Financial reporting, through the same method, will again be required at the conclusion of the grant period.

• FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

Any prospective applicant who has questions concerning the contents of this NOFO should email USASEAN@State.gov. Note that once the NOFO deadline has passed Department of State staff may not discuss this competition with applicants until the review process has been completed. 

• OTHER INFORMATION 

Guidelines for Budget Justification

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (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.

“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.

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