Deadline: 15 September 2019

The Public Affairs Office in the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. EmbassyPort of Spain of the U.S. Department of State (hereafter referred to as “PAS PTS”) has announced an open competition for assistance awards through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

PAS POS’s purpose in funding projects under this NOFO is to further contributions to economic growth and the development of human and government capacity in Trinidad and Tobago, while developing people-to-people, institutional, and economic ties between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago. They also aim to increase understanding of and support for U.S.-Trinidad and Tobago relations and American values and policy among the Trinidadian and Tobagonian public.

Objectives

Programming funded under this NOFO will help to strengthen ties between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago through programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. To that end, all programs must include an American 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. Proposals must include a clear plan to measure and evaluate the impact of the program; proposals that fail to include a monitoring and evaluation plan will not be considered. Extra consideration will be given to proposals that include target audiences outside the urban centers of Port of Spain.

Note: While proposals may address multiple project objectives; they should focus on activities primarily in one of the following three (3) project areas, and indicate which one.

• Citizen Security: Addressing the needs of at-risk youth, particularly in underserved communities, providing them with tools they need to improve their lives and communities, counter violent extremism, and reduce drivers of extremism that extremist recruiters exploit.
• Economic Growth: Encouraging social and economic entrepreneurs, improving education through innovation and technology, and encouraging study in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math education (STEAM).
• Governance and Human Rights: Increasing transparency, anti-corruption efforts, and civil society leadership. Improving respect for human rights by promoting inclusion of different ethnic groups, persons with disabilities, women and girls, the LGBTI community, people living with HIV, and others who might feel excluded from society.

Participants and Audiences

• The target audience may be broad, but should specify how various activities will reach specific audiences and why there is value in targeting those audiences with the intended program.
• Proposals should detail how activities will include and/or reach targeted audiences at local, provincial, and national levels. They should also detail the impact on beneficiaries.

Funding Information

• Individual Award Amounts: The award floor is $1.00., the award ceiling is $20,000.00
• Duration of Award: Up to one year.

Eligibility Criteria

• Proposals from non-profits and/or NGOs, academic institutions, and social enterprises with offices headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago will be given preference. Please note that PAS PTS will also accept applications from U.S. based institutions, but they must show that they have already obtained on-the-ground support of a local organization. U.S.-based organizations should submit a copy of their IRS determination letter. Trinidad and Tobago-based organizations should submit a copy of their certificate of registration from the appropriate government organization.
• All proposals should:
  • Describe involvement of American participants, expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s
  • Address how the project will contribute to one or more of the project objectives listed above
  • Enumerate specific outputs and outcomes to be achieved by the end of the grant period
  • Clearly specify the audiences to be reached and the geographic locations of program activities. Programs proposed in multiple locations should explain how that will be accomplished. Grantee must demonstrate capacity to implement activities in locations and with audiences proposed
  • Explain how programs and activities will be monitored and evaluated, including developing performance indicators. Indicators should include baselines, targets, descriptions of data collection instruments, such as surveys of participants, and information on when results will be reported to the Public Affairs Section
  • Describe how elements of the project will have a multiplier effect or be sustainable beyond the life of the grant
  • Include a traditional and/or social media plan for marketing or advertising program activities and outcomes
  • Demonstrate competency to manage all financial and oversight aspects of the project, including participant costs and transparent arrangements of sub-grant relationships with partner organizations, if applicable

How to Apply

Applicants must submit their proposals at the address given on the website.

For more information, please visit https://tt.usembassy.gov/education-culture/request-grant-proposals/