Deadline: 26-Jul-21
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 announces this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to implement one or more of five separate lines of effort in support of U.S. scientific values and leadership in the global scientific enterprise, including through providing logistical and administrative support.
Program Goals
Through the implementation of this cooperative agreement, OES and the Recipient will work to achieve the following goals for each of the respective programs:
- Value Aligned R&D Networks
- Expand networks of values-aligned scientists in the United States and partner countries.
- Support the adoption and proliferation of U.S. values in the global scientific enterprise.
- Spread awareness of threats to the established norms and values of the global scientific enterprise.
- Mobilize future leaders in the global scientific enterprise to take further independent actions in support of U.S. values in the global scientific enterprise
- GIST Ideation Masterclasses
- Support the adoption of U.S. norms, best practices, and values in S&T entrepreneurship in key regions.
- Provide the skills and other means for future leaders in S&T entrepreneurship to be successful and help link them to U.S. businesses and investors.
- Support the women, indigenous, and underserved S&T entrepreneurs in key regions.
- Develop long-lasting and mutually beneficial partnerships between U.S. and foreign entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors.
- Improve the public image of the United States and U.S. S&T policy in select regions.
- GIST APEC Activities
- Support the adoption of U.S. norms, best practices, and values in S&T entrepreneurship in key regions.
- Improve the public image of the United States and U.S. S&T policy in select regions.
- Science Dialogues and Embassy Science Fellows Outreach
- Catalyze and support increased cooperation between U.S. and select foreign scientist in key scientific topics which are at a nexus with U.S. foreign policy interests.
- Improve the mutual understanding of the scientific and other interests of the United States and partner countries.
- Improve the understanding of select foreign audiences regarding U.S. Scientific leadership, capabilities, and cooperative activities taking place in their country.
- Increase positive opinion and appreciation of the United States and U.S. leadership, including in the sciences.
- APEC Women in STEM Principles and Actions
- Highlight American efforts in select APEC economies to promote women in STEM, promote American leadership, facilitate further connections to the STEM-focused community in that economy, and encourage additional organizations, institutions, or businesses to sign on to the APEC Women in STEM Principles and Actions.
- Drastically increase new signatories to the APEC Women in STEM Principles and Actions by the end of 2023.
- Improve public opinion of the United States and U.S. S&T policy in select APEC economies.
Funding Information
- Overall grant making authority for this project is contained in the Smith-Mundt Act and the Fulbright-Hays Act. OES will make funding available for up to five (5) cooperative agreements of up to $1,325,000 U.S. Dollars total, subject to the availability of funds. Up to $125,000 will be awarded for the Value Aligned R&D Networks Program, up to $600,000 for GIST Expansion Activities, up to $100,000 for U.S. Science Dialogues and Public Outreach, up to $200,000 for the APEC Women in STEM Principles and Actions Program, and up $300,000 for Media Resources for Demonstrating U.S. S&T Values. The initial period of performance for each cooperative agreement will be twenty-four (24) months.
- Approximate Total Funding: $ 648,750 U.S. USD
- Approximate Number of Awards: 1-5
Main Activities
To achieve the goals and expected results, the implementer must execute the following list of activities, though other activities may be added by the implementer. The implementer will accomplish the following activities in coordination with OES:
- 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 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 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.
- Visa, insurances and vaccinations
- Educational material
- 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 expenses which are essential for the functioning of the program. The amount of other direct costs will be included in the project budget.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligibility is limited to U.S. non-profit/nongovernmental organizations subject to section 501 (c) (3) of the U. S. tax code, foreign not-for-profit/nongovernmental organizations, U.S. and foreign educational institutions, and public international organizations.
- The process should be an open application, where participants are chosen based on scientific merit (i.e., novel research, strong history of productivity, collaborative past projects) as well as clear articulation of scientific values and principles that underpin his or her research objectives. Priority likeminded countries will be those that spend a large amount on R&D or that consider R&D to be a fundamental component of their national and economic security, similar to the United States. Potential countries to engage include the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, France, Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, and South Korea.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=334184