OpportunityTitle: Promoting a Better Understanding of American Elections
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations;&#8226; Public and private educational institutions;&#8226; Individuals;&#8226; Public international organizations and governmental institutions.
Description: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE U.S. EMBASSY LONDON Notice of Funding Opportunity Funding Opportunity Title: Promoting a Better Understanding of American Elections Funding Opportunity Number: DOS-London-PD-2020-XX Deadline for Applications: June 29, 2020, 17:00 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) CFDA Number: 19.040 Total Amount Available: Up to USD $50,000 A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Embassy of the United States in London invites eligible organizations to submit proposals to develop and implement a series of virtual and/or in-person U.S. speaker programs aimed at informing UK audiences about the U.S. electoral process and upcoming 2020 U.S. presidential, congressional, and state elections, as well as programs that facilitate post-election discussions. The program should be designed to promote accurate information and improve public perceptions of the electoral democratic process in the United States. Strictly subject to the availability of funds, the Embassy of the United States in London expects to select one program implementer for a grant award up to USD $50,000. Given uncertainty related to ability to travel and host in-person events in the time leading up to the U.S. elections, we are requesting proposals that allow for scaling up/down of activities and that provide virtual alternatives to in-person programming. The implementing partner will be responsible for arranging all program logistics, including travel, accommodation, and ground transportation and staging of events for five-day in-person programs, if travel is possible, as well as the staging of virtual speaking engagements, media activities, and other events for a prominent U.S. speaker or pair of speakers to be identified by the Embassy/U.S. Department of State. In-person speaker programs should include at least one major public event in London and one in at least two other major UK cities (Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, or Cardiff). Programs should be accessible to the British public at no charge, and should focus on target audiences identified below. The implementing partner will also facilitate traditional and social media engagement throughout the duration of the program. Programs should be scheduled around major U.S. election campaign milestones, such as party primaries in U.S. states, vice presidential debates, and presidential debates. Ideally, the implementing partner will host public events or partner with a prominent UK institution to host such events and be able to convene a high-value audience of relevant opinion leaders and influencers. Implementers should budget for appropriate refreshments to be served at in-person events in accordance with federal award regulations, planning for dietary restrictions including halal or vegetarian requirements, and for reasonable accommodation of participants with disabilities for virtual/in-person events. Program Objectives: The Embassy of the United States in London expects the program will: Inform British audiences about the upcoming 2020 U.S. elections, including the primary process, the role of the electoral college, political campaigns, the two-party system, and American voting behaviour; Improve understanding of the United States and its government, society, history, and culture; Provide a nuanced understanding of American electoral politics and democratic values to British educators specializing in American studies and related fields; Inspire British young people to learn more about the government, politics, culture, and people of the United States; Advance U.S. foreign policy priorities by bringing positive attention to British and American shared values in promoting democracy, open government, and the active role of civil society. Target Audiences: Leading press and social media influencers; UK government officials, politicians, and civil servants; American studies educators in the UK and other relevant academic/think tank representatives; British university students; U.S. Embassy contacts and exchange alumni. Anticipated Timeline: July 2020: Grant is awarded. U.S. Embassy London identifies the speakers and initiates contact with the award recipient. July 2020: Program and logistical planning; implementer provides a draft speaker program. July to August 2020: Program event planning is finalized. August 2020 through January 2021: Implementer conducts speaker program in the UK. April 30, 2021: Final financial and program monitoring/evaluation reports due. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: July 2020 (exact date TBD) to January 31, 2021 Number of awards anticipated: One award Award amounts: Up to $50,000 Type of Funding: FY20 Public Diplomacy Funds Anticipated program start date: o/a July or August 2020 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Funding will be awarded through a cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements are different from grants in that embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation. The Embassy of the United States in London will select a prominent U.S. speaker or pair of speakers for each of the programs. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in XX months or less. The Embassy of the United States in London will 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 its best interest. C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION Eligible Applicants The following organizations are eligible to apply: Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations; Public and private educational institutions; Individuals; Public international organizations and governmental institutions. Cost Sharing or Matching Grantees are encouraged to consider cost sharing possibilities in order to increase community and stakeholder engagement in the project; however, cost sharing will not be a deciding factor. Cost sharing can take the form of both allowable direct and indirect costs. For accountability, the recipient must maintain records to support all costs claimed as part of the cost share agreement. Such records are subject to audit. Please refer to 2 CFR 200.306 Cost Sharing or Matching. Other Eligibility Requirements All federal assistance recipients must have a Dun &amp; Bradstreet Number (DUNS) and a CCR (CAGE/NCAGE) number and an active account with the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to funds disbursement. Organizations do not need to have these numbers at the time of application; however, time to make the application will need to be factored into the timeline for awarding the grant. Individuals are exempt from these registration requirements. These registrations are free, and the U.S. Government will never request any money for these registrations or for an application for funding.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: London Grants Mailbox
GrantorContactText: Grants Officer &lt;br/&gt;Cultural Affairs Office &lt;br/&gt;Embassy of the United States of America &lt;br/&gt;London, United Kingdom