The U.S. Embassy Djibouti Public Diplomacy Section is inviting non-profit and eligible institutional organizations and individuals to apply for small grants that strengthen U.S.–Djibouti cultural ties through exchange and cultural programming. Priority areas include entrepreneurship and tech/innovation skills, English language acquisition, and workforce/job-seeker skills, and all projects must include an American cultural element or connection to U.S. experts/organizations. Awards typically range from $5,000 to $25,000 for 6–12 months, with applications due through Grants.gov for FY2024 public diplomacy funding.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Embassy Djibouti Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below.

Purpose of Small Grants:PDS Djibouti invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Djibouti through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

Examples of PDS Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to:

• Entrepreneurship and innovation in STEM fields;
• Youth leadership programs;
• Professional and academic exchanges and programs;

Priority Program Areas:

• Entrepreneurship, business development, tech/innovation skills development
• English Language acquisition
• Skills for job seekers which might include resume writing, preparing for interviews and business software skills.

Participants and Audiences:

PDS Djibouti will consider the full range and diversity of Djibouti and U.S. organizations. The Public Diplomacy Section will also seek to target young audiences in Djibouti City and throughout the country who are searching for the skills needed to obtain employment or further their education, including the improvement of their English language skills.

The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:

• Programs relating to partisan political activity;
• Charitable or development activities;
• Construction programs;
• Programs that support specific religious activities;
• Fund-raising campaigns;
• Lobbying for specific legislation or programs;
• Scientific research;
• Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; or
• Programs that duplicate existing programs.

Authorizing legislation, type and year of funding:

The Statutory Authorities for this program are the Smith-Mundt Act, Fulbright-Hays, and American Spaces. The source of funding is FY2024 Public Diplomacy Funding.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: 6 to 12 months.

Number of awards anticipated: dependent on amounts.

Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $5000 to a maximum of $25000.

Total available funding: $50000.

Type of Funding: Fiscal Year 2024 Public Diplomacy Funding

Anticipated program start date: October 2024

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

PDS Djibouti reserves the right to award less or more than the funds described in the absence of worthy applications or under such other circumstances as it may deem to be in the best interest of the U.S. Government. All projects are subject to negotiation by the Grants Officer before final award.

Funding Instrument Type: Grant.

Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in one year or less.

PDS 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 the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

The Public Diplomacy Section encourages applications from Djibouti:

• Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience
• Individuals
• Non-profit or governmental educational institutions
• Governmental institutions

For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.

1. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing is not required.

1. Other Eligibility Requirements

Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding.

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. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Address to Request Application Package

Application forms required below are available at https://grants.gov/forms

1. 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 8 ½ x 11 paper, and
• All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12 point Calibri font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

The following documents are required:

1. Mandatory application forms

• SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance --individuals) at https://grants.gov/forms
• SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) at https://grants.gov/forms
• SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) at https://grants.gov/forms