Public Diplomacy Federal Assistance Awards (United States & Viet Nam)

Deadline: 15-Feb-21

The U.S. Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City Public Affairs Section (PAS) is pleased to announce funding is available through the Public Diplomacy Federal Assistance Awards. This Annual Program Statement solicits proposals for projects that further the U.S. Mission’s public diplomacy goals of expanding media engagement, strengthening people-to-people ties between Vietnam and the United States, and building and strengthening local partners through the specific objectives mentioned.

Objectives

Proposals must explicitly address one or more of the Public Affairs Section priority objectives listed below and create or extend the communities engaged in those areas:

Economic Prosperity: improved opportunities for U.S. businesses, labour standards, developing soft skills to work with U.S. businesses, reducing the bilateral trade deficit, intellectual property rights, promotion of U.S. products, or U.S. business values.
Security: rule of law, combating transnational crime, combating trafficking in persons, improving relations with the Vietnamese diaspora community.
Education: English teaching, improving teaching methods, curriculum development, modernizing education systems, STEM.
Inclusiveness: women’s rights and empowerment, access and legal reform for disabled persons, LGBT rights, ethnic/religious minorities’ rights, civil society development.
Fundamental Freedoms: freedom of expression, press, association, religion.
Sustainable development: Mekong-U.S. Partnership (MUSP), environmental standards, climate mitigation and adaptation.

Award Information

Award Amount will be below $25,000.
Proposals over $25,000 will be considered only with a cost-share and on a case-by-case basis.

Goals

Successful proposals must include an element of public outreach to meet the criteria for use of Public Diplomacy funds. Public diplomacy funds may only be given to non-profit organizations or individuals.
Public diplomacy programming includes communication with international audiences, cultural programming, educational exchanges, trade promotion, regional security, English language programming, innovation in and improvement of education systems, promoting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, and promoting journalistic professionalism.
Proposals funded under this Annual Program Statement will further one or more of the U.S. Mission to Vietnam’s overarching public diplomacy goals: improving Vietnam’s global integration, market orientation, commitment to good governance, improved education systems and environmental sustainability; and/or partnering with Vietnam on regional security cooperation.

Target Audience

The target audience for successful projects is typically 15-35 years old. Priority is given to projects in Ho Chi Minh City, Central Coastal Vietnam, and the Mekong Delta, especially in Da Nang and Can Tho.

Priority Region

Activities will only be funded in the provinces south of and including Thua Thien Hue.

Eligibility Criteria

Submissions are encouraged from U.S. and Vietnam entities with relevant programming experience. This experience should be documented in the proposal. Eligible entities include:

Registered not-for-profit, civil society/non-governmental organizations;
Non-profit or public educational institutions;
Individuals.
For-profit entities are not allowed to apply. Previous federal award recipients who are not/were not in compliance with the terms of their financial and program reporting requirements are ineligible to apply. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they are in compliance with all applicable terms, conditions, and Office of Management and Budget guidance and requirements. Those organizations found to be in non-compliance may be found ineligible for funding or designated high risk if selected for funding.

Review and Selection Process

Each technically eligible application submitted under this announcement will be evaluated and rated by a panel on the basis of the criteria detailed below. Each organization/individual can submit more than one proposal.

Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea – The program idea should be well developed, with sufficient detail about how project activities will be strategically carried out. The proposals should demonstrate originality and outline clear, achievable objectives. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline. The project scope is appropriate and clearly defined.
Project Justification and Support of U.S. Public Diplomacy Priorities – The project is likely to provide maximum impact in furthering the broader U.S. Public Diplomacy policy objectives. The project addresses one or more of the priority program objectives, target audiences, and geographic areas identified in the solicitation. The proposal contains a compelling justification, demonstrating an in-depth understanding of the environment and citing specific factors creating/influencing the need for the proposed project.
Organization’s Record and Capacity – The organization has expertise in the subject area and demonstrates the ability to perform the proposed activities. The organization demonstrates the capacity for successful planning and responsible fiscal management. Applicants who have received grant funds previously have been compliant with applicable rules and regulations. Where partners are described, the applicant details each partner’s respective role and provides curriculum vitae (CVs) for persons responsible for the project and financial administration. Proposed personnel, institutional resources and partners are adequate and appropriate.
Cost-Effectiveness – The budget and narrative justification are sufficiently detailed and linked. Projects with budgets that do not match the program narrative, and vice versa, are unlikely to be successful. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities. The results and proposed outcomes justify the total cost of the project. Budget items are reasonable, allowable, and allocable.
Monitoring and Evaluation – Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provide milestones to indicate progress toward Public Affairs Section goals. Projects should demonstrate the capacity for engaging in outcome-based evaluations and identify proscribed outputs and outcomes to measure how program activities will achieve the program’s strategic objectives. The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan should include output- and outcome-based indicators, baseline and target for each indicator, disaggregation if applicable, monitoring and evaluation tools, data source, and frequency of monitoring and evaluation.
Sustainability and Impact – Proposals should clearly delineate how elements of their program will have a multiplier effect and be sustainable beyond the life of the grant. A good multiplier effect may include but is not limited to, plans to build lasting networks for direct and indirect beneficiaries, follow-on training and mentoring, and continued use of project deliverables. A strong sustainability plan may include demonstrating capacity-building results, a plan to generate revenue or interest and support from the private sector. The proposed impact should be clearly outlined and coincide with public diplomacy goals.