Deadline: 03-Aug-20
The Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs’ (OES) Office of Science and Technology Cooperation (STC) at the U.S. Department of State has announced this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to provide logistical, administrative and financial management for a series of activities to promote U.S. science values and lasting U.S. leadership in the global scientific enterprise under the brand U.S. Science Envoy Program.
The purpose of this award is to manage the travel itineraries and logistical arrangements associated with these activities, including international and domestic travel and related costs and logistical arrangements including venues, invitations, agendas, etc., as well as the creation and implementation of informational campaigns in foreign media markets which feature current and/or former U.S. Science Envoys.
Program Goals
Through the implementation of this cooperative agreement, OES and the Recipient will work to achieve the following:
- Implementation of a series of ongoing conferences, workshops, public presentations or other PD activities to reinforce the U.S. values-based approach to science promoted by Science Envoys across topics and cohorts.
- Administrative and logistical arrangements for the legacy building activities.
- Fiscal management and budgeting of program expenses.
- Support for public diplomacy outreach and events.
- Design, production, and distribution of media product for the information campaign (reasonable use of a third party contractor for this purpose will not be considered disqualifying).
Expected Results
Each activity will be unique and will vary depending on location, target audience, deliverables, objectives and the current or former Science Envoy(s) involved. Media packages will likewise be varied based on their exact details. Specific results will include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Recipient will arrange and directly bill all allowable logistical costs and services allowable for the activity in question.
- Recipient will collect receipts and reimburse travel expenses to any covered participants within 30 days of the conclusion of each event.
- Recipient shall provide a summary report of all actual costs to OES within 30 days of the conclusion of each event. The Recipient shall attach a copy of all invoices that substantiate all expenses including travel, lodging, per diem, local transportation, interpreter, and other costs as applicable.
- Recipient will design, create, and distribute media packages to inform and persuade foreign audiences of the benefits of U.S. scientific values, and U.S. leadership in the global scientific enterprise, as well as other U.S. foreign policy goals at a nexus with science.
- Recipient will continuously evaluate the impact of media engagements and make changes to the packages and/or distribution as appropriate to increase effective advocacy of the issues with foreign publics.
Activities
To achieve the goals and expected results, the Recipient should execute the following list of activities, though other activities may be necessary. The Recipient will accomplish the following activities in coordination with OES:
- Legacy Activity Arrangements: The Recipient shall begin making all necessary arrangements for activities in as timely a manner as possible. This shall include organizing and covering the cost of venue and all associated and allowable costs as directed by OES/STC. In addition, the Recipient shall coordinate with any other co-founders/host organizations to ensure seamless integration of logistics, minimum overlap of duties, and maximum cost effectiveness.
- International and/or Domestic Travel Arrangements: The Recipient shall begin planning and making travel arrangements following instructions from the STC technical officer. The Recipient will arrange for visas, make air travel and hotel reservations, and purchase and distribute tickets for international air and ground travel of participants in the legacy activities, as pre-approved by OES/STC. The Recipient will purchase the tickets at reasonable and cost-effective prices and will be required to compare government and market rates when making the arrangements. The Recipient shall follow the “Fly America” Act, for the transatlantic/or transpacific portion, in booking international flights and shall provide the tickets and/or other travel documents (travel itineraries and meeting schedules) to the participant no later than five days prior to the start of travel. With prior approval from STC, the Recipient is authorized to make hotel, air and car rental changes as the need arises, or to reimburse the participant for said expenses in lieu of making the purchases directly.
- Lodging, Per diem and Honoraria: The Recipient shall provide per diem to participants in the legacy activities, as pre-approved by OES/STC, up to allowable USG per diem rates, including honoraria, subject to the approval of OES/STC, which may be distributed in advance.
- Translation and Interpretation: In consultation with STC, the Recipient organization will provide needed translation of material as well as funding for interpretation expenses.
- Creation of Media Packages: In consultation with STC, the Recipient will design and produce media packages (such as videos) which will feature one or more current or former U.S. Science Envoy, to promote specific U.S. science values and other U.S. foreign policy goals.
- Distribution of Media Packages: In consultation with STC, the Recipient will distribute the media packages to target select foreign audiences. Distribution shall be through a mixture of paid, earned, and social media platforms, as well as any other appropriate channels.
- Other Direct Costs: The Recipient shall disburse additional funds for other direct costs as indicated in the project budget and pre-approved by STC. These other direct costs may include, but are not limited to, expenses for modest public diplomacy outreach and events in selected countries and other miscellaneous expenses which are essential for the functioning of the program. The amount of other direct costs will be included in the project budget.
Funding Information
Approximate Total Funding: $ 222,000 USD
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligibility is limited to U.S. non-profit/nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U. S. tax code.
- Applicants must provide evidence of meeting this eligibility requirement and demonstrate that they have significant experience in planning travel itineraries, which comply with all applicable laws and regulations and significant experience in implementing international meetings and events in economically diverse countries for foreign audiences.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=327640