Notice of Funding Opportunity: 2022 Julia Taft Refugee Fund

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January 5, 2022

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
U.S. Mission Nigeria
Notice of Funding Opportunity

Funding Opportunity Title: FY 2022 Julia Taft Refugee Fund
Funding Opportunity Number: NGA-POLECON-GR-22-001-010522
Deadline for Applications: February 6, 2022
Assistance Listing Number: 19.517
Total Amount Available: $25,000

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Mission Nigeria in collaboration with the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program thorough the Julia Taft Refugee Fund that will support one-time, low-cost interventions that address important gaps in protection and assistance for refugees and stateless persons. Please follow all instructions below.

Program Objectives:

This initiative began in 2000, under the leadership of former Assistant Secretary Julia V. Taft (named for her posthumously), with the intent of providing Ambassadors with the means to respond to critical gaps that local agencies could address, and which larger multilateral humanitarian programs have not addressed.

The program is intended to meet gaps in assistance through quick impact projects to meet critical needs not addressed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), International Organization for Migration (IOM), or other international organizations (IOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The Taft Fund is intended for projects that include a target beneficiary base of at least 50 percent refugees or returned refugees. Additionally, the program may fund projects that support equal access to protection, assistance, and other solutions for LGBTQI+ refugees and stateless persons.

The proposed projects should be one-time interventions, not sustained programs.

Examples of past projects include improved access to education, development of livelihoods, basic business training, health awareness programs, early childhood development activities, mental health establishment of agricultural cooperatives, mental health services, protection from gender-based violence, legal assistance, community building activities, sports programs for refugee youth, security upgrades to camps and WASH programs.

Participants and Audiences:

Communities of at least 50 percent refugees or returned refugees.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: 6 to 12 months

Number of awards anticipated: 2 awards

Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $25,000

Total available funding: $25,000

Type of Funding: FY22 Julia Taft Refugee Fund under the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962

Anticipated program start date: June 1, 2022

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Funding Instrument Type: Grant

Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less.

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

Not-for-profit organizations (NPOs,) including civil society/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) registered on the federal or state level in Nigeria.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

No cost sharing is required.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a unique entity identifier as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Content and Form of Application

The following documents are required:

a. Mandatory application forms

Available through this link: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

These forms are ALWAYS FREE OF CHARGE. If you are requested to pay, you may be targeted by a scam.

Do not save these forms as they are encrypted, and you will lose the information you entered. Fill the forms out, print immediately, sign, scan all three together into one .pdf format document and include in your application package.

SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations)
SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)
SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs)

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.

b. Summary Page: Cover sheet stating the applicant name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program.

c. Proposal (5 pages maximum): The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. You may use your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below.

Proposal Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed program, including program objectives and anticipated impact. Short narrative that outlines the proposed program with a description of population benefited by the project, benefits provided by the project and a justification, including program objectives and anticipated impact, i.e. benefits to the beneficiaries.
Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. government agencies.
Problem Statement: Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed
Program Goals and Objectives: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable.
Program Activities: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives.
Program Methods and Design: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. Include a logic model as appropriate.
Proposed Program Schedule and Timeline: The proposed timeline for the program activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events.
Key Personnel: Names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program. What proportion of their time will be used in support of this program?
Program Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees.
Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful grants. Throughout the time-frame of the grant, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant?
Future Funding or Sustainability Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable.

d. Budget Justification Narrative: After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use a separate sheet of paper to describe each of the budget expenses in detail. See section H. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information.

e. Attachments:

Copy of organization’s certificate of incorporation or non-profit organization registration
1-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program
If your organization has a NICRA and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be included as a PDF file.
Official permission letters, if required for program activities
Copy of organization’s Code of Conduct signed by the staff and consistent with the updated 2019 IASC’s six core principles and recommendations on the prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation (PSEA).

f. Required Registrations:

Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) in the System for Award Management (SAM) is not eligible to apply for an assistance award in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.” Additionally, no entity listed on the EPLS can participate in any activities under an award. All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the EPLS in SAM to ensure that no ineligible entity is included.

All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations. All are free of charge.

2. Submission Dates and Times

Applications are due no later than February 6, 2022.

3. Funding Restrictions

Any costs incurred in preparation of your proposal or in advance of an award will not be reimbursed.

4. Other Submission Requirement

All application materials must be submitted by email to AbujaPOLECONgrants@state.gov

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Criteria

Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below.

Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea – 20 points: The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline.

Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants – 20 points: The organization has expertise in its stated field and has the internal controls in place to manage federal funds. This includes a financial management system and a bank account.

Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 15 points: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.

Budget – 10 points: The budget justification is detailed. 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.

Monitoring and evaluation plan – 15 points: Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators, and shows how and when those will be measured.

Sustainability – 10 points: Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program.

Support of Equity and Underserved Communities – 10 points: Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the program will support and advance equity and engage underserved communities in program administration, design, and implementation.

2. Review and Selection Process

The Small Grants Office will conduct a preliminary review of the application to determine

completeness and technical eligibility. All eligible/complete applications will be evaluated by a review panel which will recommend or not recommend the project to PRM Bureau for final approval. Due to the large amount of applications we receive, organizations not selected for funding will not be notified.

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Federal Award Notices

The grant award or cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document and it will be provided to the recipient for review and signature by email. The recipient may only start incurring program expenses beginning on the start date shown on the grant award document signed by the Grants Officer.

If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State.

Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the U.S. government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received.

Payment Method: Payments will be made by electronic funds transfer in at least two advances, as needed to carry out the project activities.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply.

These include:

In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department of State will review and consider applications for funding, as applicable to specific programs, pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity in accordance with the following: NOTE:

Guidance for Grants and Agreements in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR), as updated in the Federal Register’s 85 FR 49506 on August 13, 2020, particularly on:
- Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an objective process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR part 200.205),
- Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. No. 115—232) (2 CFR part 200.216),
- Promoting the freedom of speech and religious liberty in alignment with Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty (E.O. 13798) and Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities (E.O. 13864) (§§ 200.300, 200.303, 200.339, and 200.341),
- Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR part 200.322), and

Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest extent authorized by law, if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR part 200.340).

3. Reporting

Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports. The award document will specify how often these reports must be submitted.

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact the Small Grants Office at: AbujaPOLECONgrants@state.gov

H. OTHER INFORMATION

Guidelines for Budget Justification

Personnel and Fringe Benefits: Describe the wages, salaries, and benefits of temporary or permanent staff who will be working directly for the applicant on the program, and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the program.

Travel: Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for this program, for program staff, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries. If the program involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel.

Equipment: Describe any machinery, furniture, or other personal property that is required for the program, which has a useful life of more than one year (or a life longer than the duration of the program), and costs at least $5,000 per unit.

Supplies: List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are needed for the program. If an item costs more than $5,000 per unit, then put it in the budget under Equipment.

Contractual: Describe goods and services that the applicant plans to acquire through a contract with a vendor. Also describe any sub-awards to non-profit partners that will help carry out the program activities.

Other Direct Costs: Describe other costs directly associated with the program, which do not fit in the other categories. For example, shipping costs for materials and equipment or applicable taxes. All “Other” or “Miscellaneous” expenses must be itemized and explained.

Indirect Costs: These are costs that cannot be linked directly to the program activities, such as overhead costs needed to help keep the organization operating. If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, attach a copy of your latest NICRA. Organizations that have never had a NICRA may request indirect costs of 10% of the modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68.

“Cost Sharing” refers to contributions from the organization or other entities other than the U.S. Embassy. It also includes in-kind contributions such as volunteers’ time and donated venues.

Alcoholic Beverages: Please note that award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.

U.S. Embassy and Consulate
in Nigeria