Public Diplomacy Grants Program is sponsored by U.S. Embassy Moscow Public Diplomacy Section (PDS). This program invites proposals for projects that support future constructive relations and reinforce ties between the American and Russian people, conveying elements of U. S.

history, culture, or values.

## Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) – FY 2025 Annual Program Statement **Funding Opportunity Title**: U.S. Embassy Moscow, Public Affairs Section FY 2025 Annual Program Statement (APS) **Funding Opportunity Number**: DOSRUS-25-GR-001 **Deadline for Applications**: March 31, 2025 **CFDA Number**: 19.

040 – Public Diplomacy Funding, and other funding sources **Total Amount Available**: Amount pending availability of funds **BACKGROUND**: The U.S. government unequivocally condemns the Russian government’s aggressive foreign policy. The Kremlin’s efforts to silence independent voices, restrict access to unbiased information, and punish dissent represent a pattern of systematic repression of the Russian people’s fundamental freedoms.

The United States recognizes this and distinguishes between Russia’s government and its people. The United States respects the Russian people’s contributions to science, culture, and education. Maintaining and strengthening the people-to-people connections between our countries serves the long-term interests of the United States and remains the bedrock upon which a future, more constructive bilateral relationship could emerge.

In that spirit, the United States supports people-to-people engagements, exchange programs, and other initiatives that allow Russian students, scholars, and civil society members to experience the United States, its culture, and its values firsthand, and that promote interaction between the Russian and American people with the aim of keeping the door open to a better future. ## A.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Moscow Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) announces funding is available through our Public Diplomacy Grants Program. This APS outlines our funding priorities, strategic themes, and the procedure for submitting requests for funding. Applications for programs are accepted until the deadline of**March 31, 2025**.

The U.S. Embassy will not accept applications under the 2025 NOFO after that deadline. Please follow the instructions below. Please use the grant application mandatory forms and consider using the proposal and budget templates found on our website sidebar.

**Purpose of Public Diplomacy Grants**: PDS Moscow invites proposals for projects that support future constructive relations and reinforce ties between the American and Russian people. Grant proposals must convey an element of U.S. history, culture, or values, and support the administration’s stated priorities of making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous..

Competitive proposals should support a priority program area (see below) and should also include a connection with U.S. expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s that will promote increased cooperation between the people of the United States and Russia even after the program has finished.

**Priority Programming Areas**: * **Media & Information**: Projects that promote an understanding of freedom of the press, good journalistic practices, increased access to information, and improved media and digital literacy for the Russian people; * **Sharing America**: Projects that promote an understanding of the American values of democracy, freedom of expression, and an open society, as well as proposals that increase the understanding of America’s diverse cultures and groups; * **Collaborative and Educational Projects**: Projects that promote knowledge sharing, innovation, advancement, and cooperation in areas that advance administration priorities; * **English Language Learning & Teaching**: Projects that support innovative, interactive teaching and learning of the English language.

**The funds awarded under this NOFO may not be used for any initiatives or programs, or any activities that do not comply with Executive Order 14173 Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.

** By signing the SF-424 or SF-424I Application for Federal Assistance, the Applicant certifies the following: 1) Its compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws is material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code and; 2) It does not operate any programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws.

**The following types of projects are NOT eligible for funding:** * Projects relating to partisan political activity; * Charitable or development activities; * Projects that support specific religious activities; * Lobbying for specific legislation or projects; * Competitions where the prize is the only outcome of the program; * Scientific research and/or surveys; or * Projects that duplicate existing projects **Authorizing legislation, type, and year of funding:** Funding authority rests primarily in Fulbright-Hayes or Smith-Mundt FY2025/2026 Public Diplomacy funding, as well as other funding sources.

All programming is subject to the statutory limitations of the funding determined and availability of funds. ## B.

FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION **Length of performance period**: Up to 24 months **Number of awards anticipated**: Dependent on availability of funds **Award amounts**: Awards may range from $25,000 – $250,000 for organizations, and $25,000 – $50,000 for individuals **Total available funding**: To be determined **Type of Funding**: Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Public Diplomacy Funding, other funding resources **Anticipated project start date**: starting from September 1, 2025 **This NOFO is subject to availability of funding**.

**Funding Instrument Type: Grant, Fixed Amount Award, or Cooperative Agreement**. Cooperative Agreements are different from grants in that PDS staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation. Examples of the substantial involvement by PDS staff include the development of the grant program, final approval of grant activities, and participation in selection panels for program participants.

**Project Performance Period**: Proposed projects should be planned for a period of no more than 24 months. PDS will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State. ## C.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION ##### 1. Eligible Applicants: Eligibility is limited to recipients qualified to receive U.S. grants and able to develop and implement programs**in the Russian Federation, or programs that engage communities maintaining ties to people living in Russia. Preference will be given to recipients implementing programs in the Russian Federation or directly reaching people living in Russia.

These include:** * Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks, educational institutions, civil society organizations, and individuals carrying out programs in support of civil society; * Museums, national parks, and nature reserves, and; **For-profit or commercial entities are NOT eligible to apply. ** ##### 2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing (providing funding or goods/services in-kind) is allowable but not required.

Please see Section H. 2 for more information. ##### 3.

Other Eligibility Requirements In order to be eligible to receive an award, organizations must have a valid registration onwww. SAM. govand a unique entity identifier (UEI).

See Section H. 3 below for information on how to meet this requirement. Individuals are not required to have a unique entity identifier or be registered in SAM.

gov. ## D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION **I. Address to Request Application Package** Required application forms and templates listed below are available on the sidebar of the APS page of Embassy website You may also request an application package by emailingGrantsRussia@state.

gov. Note the funding opportunity title and number in the subject line (**DOSRUS-25-GR-001**). **II. Content and Form of Application Submission**Please follow all instructions below carefully.

Applications that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements (missing mandatory forms) will be ineligible.

**Content of Application:** * The proposal clearly addresses the goals, audiences and objectives of this funding opportunity; * All documents are in English; * All budgets are in U.S. dollars; * All pages are numbered; * All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper; and * All documents are single-spaced, 14-point Calibri font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins; * Authorized signatures must be provided as indicated on the required mandatory forms.

The following documents are**required**: 1. **Mandatory Application Forms**(all three forms are required both for organizations and individuals) * SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) or SF-424I (for individuals) * SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) * SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) The three mandatory forms and**instructions**are also available at:https://www. grants.

gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family. Authorized signatures must be provided as indicated on all mandatory forms. 2.

**Summary Coversheet**: A one-page cover sheet stating the applicant’s name and organization, proposal date, project title, project proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the project. We encourage applicants to use the coversheet template available on our website sidebar. 3.

**Proposal**: 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: We encourage applicants to use the proposal template available on our website sidebar. Proposals must not be longer than 10 pages.

* **Proposal Summary**: Short narrative that outlines the proposed project, including project objectives and anticipated impact. Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the project, including information on all previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. government agencies.

* **Key Personnel**: Names, titles, roles, and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the project. What proportion of their time will be used in support of this project? * **Project Partners**: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees, as applicable.

* **Problem Statement and Project Goals and Objectives**: A clear concise statement of the problem you are trying to solve. Then, describe what the project is intended to achieve. What aspect of the relationship between the United States and Russia will be improved?

The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable. * **Project Activities**: Describe the project activities and how they will help achieve the objectives.

* **Project beneficiaries**: A description of who will be targeted and benefit from this program. * **Proposed Project Schedule**: The proposed timeline for the project activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events.

* **Expected Results and Monitoring & Evaluation Plan**: What are the expected outcomes (changes in awareness, attitudes, or behaviors) and outputs (deliverables) of this project, how will the activities be monitored, what data will be analyzed and how the results will be presented? How will you measure your project’s success?

* **Future Funding or Sustainability**: Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable. 4. **Detailed Budget**in a spreadsheet and in U.S. dollars.

We encourage applicants to use the budget template available on our website sidebar. 5. **Budget Justification Narrative**: After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above) and the detailed budget, use a separate sheet of paper to describe each of the budget expenses in detail.

_See section G. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information_. We encourage applicants to use the budget template available on our website sidebar.

Please note: One of the criteria for evaluating proposals is cost-effectiveness. The budget should demonstrate efficient use of funds appropriate to achieve project goals. Overhead and administrative components of the budget, including salaries and honoraria, should be reasonable.

Estimated expenses should be consistent with project plans and activities. 6. **Attachments**: Please include: * One-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the project.

* Letters of support from project partners, if any, describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner. * If your organization has a NICRA and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be included as a PDF file. * If your organization has a SAM registration, your active SAM registration should be included as a screenshot in a PDF file.

* Official permission letters, if required for project activities with program partners, for instance. * We encourage applicants to use the checklist available on our webpage sidebar to ensure the application contains the elements recommended for it to be as competitive as possible. * The U.S. Embassy reserves the right to request additional programmatic and/or financial information regarding the proposal.

**III. Submission Dates and Times** Applications may be submitted for consideration at any time on or before**5:00 pm Moscow time March 31, 2025**. **No applications will be accepted after that date.

**It is strongly recommended that applicants submit applications and supporting documentation toGrantsRussia@state. govwell before this date to ensure receipt prior to the deadline. Due to the volume of applicants and inquiries, the PDS does not accept letters of intent, concept papers, requests for meetings or phone calls prior to the submission of an application.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application package has been submitted in its entirety. Incomplete applications (missing mandatory forms) will be considered ineligible. Applicants are urged to begin the application process well before the submission deadline.

No exceptions will be made for organizations that have not completed the necessary steps. **IV. Funding Restrictions** Award funds cannot be used for construction projects, vehicle purchases, alcohol purchases, real estate purchases, or other similar purposes.

**V. Other Submission Requirements** All application materials must be submitted by email toGrantsRussia@state. gov. DO NOT submit applications via www.

grants. gov or MyGrants. ## E.

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION 1. **Acknowledgment of receipt**. Applicants will receive acknowledgment of receipt of their application.

2. **Review and Selection Process. **Eligible applications will be reviewed by a grants committee composed of U.S. Embassy staff members.

The committee will make recommendations on funding; however, final decisions are based on the availability of funds and may not be announced until the end of September 2025.

Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below: * **10% Organizational capacity and record on previous grants**: The organization has expertise in its stated field and PDS is confident of its ability to undertake the project. This includes a financial management system and a bank account.

* **20% Goals and objectives & relevance to U.S. Embassy priorities**: Goals and objectives are clearly stated, and project approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results. Applicant has clearly described how stated goals are related to and support U.S. Embassy Moscow’s priority areas (Priority Programming Areas on page 2) or target audiences.

* **30% Planning and feasibility of the program idea**: The program idea is well developed, with detail about how project activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline and a description of main beneficiaries * **20% Budget**: The budget and narrative justification are sufficiently detailed, and costs are allowable.

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. * **20% Project Impact, Monitoring and Evaluation plan & sustainability**: The applicant has expected results and measurable outcomes/outputs and demonstrates the ability to measure program success against key indicators.

The applicant provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The project includes output and outcome indicators and shows how and when those will be measured. Project activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the project.

3. **Follow up notification**. All applicants will be notified no later than September 30, 2025.

## F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION 1. **Federal Award Notices** The Grant, Fixed Amount Award or Cooperative Agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the U.S. Embassy 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 project 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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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.

Organizations and individuals whose applications will not be funded will also be notified via email. Notifications may not be made until September 30, 2025. **Payment Method**: Payments will be made by electronic transfer in at least two installments, as needed to carry out the project activities.

All payments must be made into bank accounts that are owned by and reflect the name of the corresponding grantee or recipient. Payments are usually made in U.S. dollars, but they can be made in Russian rubles or Euros upon request and approval. It may take up to 30 days or longer to process a payment request and transfer the funds to the recipient’s account.

Grantees must have the ability to receive funds at a financial institution not on the U.S. Treasury’s OFAC sanction list:https://home. treasury. gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/sanctions-list-search-tool.

2. **Administrative and National Policy Requirements** Before applying, 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.

Terms and Conditions for the administration of grant agreements include the following:Office of Management and Budget’s Circular 2 CFR Parts 200 and 600, entitled the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Effective December 26, 2014, replacing the previous circulars).

For a copy of the OMB circular cited, please contact the U.S. Government Publishing Office or download from thewww. ecfr. gov website.

**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. Program and financial reports are due 30 days after the reporting period ends.

Final certified programmatic and financial reports are due 120 days after the close of the project period. All reports should be submitted electronically toGrantsRussia@state. govor MyGrants if the Recipient has an account.

In addition, successful applicants are expected to update the Grants Officer or Grants Officer Representative on progress throughout the project period. This includes keeping the Grants Officer and/or Grants Officer Representative apprised of any problems or issues that might make it difficult for the grantee to comply with the terms of the award within the project period. ## G.

FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS If you have any questions about the grant application process or the proposal requirements, please emailGrantsRussia@state. gov. Note: U.S. Embassy Moscow does not provide any pre-consultation for application-related questions that are addressed in the NOFO.

Once an application has been submitted, State Department officials and staff — in the Department and at Embassies overseas — may not discuss this competition with applicants until the entire proposal review process is completed. Please consult the**informative PowerPoint**on our website sidebar regarding the preparation of the application and key requirements 1.

**Guidelines for Budget Justification** * **Personnel, including fringe benefits**: Describe the wages, salaries, and benefits of temporary or permanent staff who will be working directly for the applicant on the project, and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the project. * **Travel**: Estimate the costs of transportation, hotels, visa fees, vaccination costs and per diem for this project.

If the project involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel. International air transportation must be performed by U.S. airlines and airlines that are part of the “open skies” agreements:https://www. gsa.

gov/policy-regulations/policy/travel-management-policy/fly-america-act. **The U.S.Department of State’s Level 4 travel advisoryagainst travel to the Russian Federation remains in place. As a result, awards made under this NOFO CANNOT be used to fund ANY travel to the Russian Federation.

This applies to grantee staff and to participants holding a U.S. or any other passport. Proposals including travel to the Russian Federation will be deemed less competitive. ****Travel for Russian citizens and residents inside the Russian Federation is an allowable expense.

** * **Equipment**: Describe any machinery, furniture, or other tangible personal property that is required for the project, which has a useful life of more than one year (or a life longer than the duration of the project), and costs at least $10,000 per unit.

* **Supplies**: List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are needed for the project This category includes all tangible personal property other than those described as Equipment. A computing device is a supply if the acquisition cost is less than $10,000, regardless of the length of its useful life. If an item costs more than $10,000 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 project activities. * **Other direct costs**: Describe other costs directly associated with the project, 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 project 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. If your organization does not have a NICRA, the applicant may elect to charge a de minimis rate of up to 15 percent of the Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC) as defined in 2 CFR § 200. 1 and**not to the total budget amount**.

**Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC)**means all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $50,000 of each sub-award (regardless of the period of performance of the sub-awards under the award).

The MTDC base excludes equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs (e.g. travel costs for participants) and the portion of each subaward in excess of $50,000. 15 percent of MTDC is the maximum allowable, but anything below 15 percent is acceptable if voluntarily offered by the applicant.

**Cost Share**: While not required, if the budget includes cost-sharing, please provide explanatory notes. Cost share refers to contributions from the organization or other entities other than the U.S. Embassy. It may also include in-kind contributions such as volunteers’ time and donated venues.

Cost sharing does not apply to Fixed Amount Awards and is not required for approval of an award. Please note that cost share must be tracked and reported in accordance with requirements relevant for Federal Award funds (CFR 200. 306).

**Close-out costs**: Administrative costs associated with closeout activities for an award are allowable. The recipient may incur closeout costs until the due date of the final report(s); however, these costs must be liquidated prior to the due date of the final report(s).

Examples of the types of costs that a recipient could incur for closeout activities include but are not limited to salaries of personnel preparing final reports, publication and printing costs, costs associated with the disposition of equipment and property, and related indirect costs.

**Budget restrictions include**: * Costs of entertainment, including amusement, diversion, and social activities and any associated costs are unallowable, except where specific costs that might otherwise be considered entertainment have a programmatic purpose and are authorized either in the approved budget for the Federal award or with prior written approval.

* Expenses incurred before or after the specified dates of the award period of performance (unless prior written approval is received). * Currency exchange: Please note that it is not allowed to establish a fixed exchange rate in the award. Currency must be converted on the date of payment to the recipient, so an award with multiple payments could have multiple exchange rates.

Payments are usually made in U.S. dollars, but they can be made in Russian rubles or other currency upon request and approval.

As a condition of receipt of a grant award, materials produced pursuant to the award, including training materials, materials for recipients or materials to communicate or promote with foreign audiences a program, event, project, or some other activity under an agreement, including but not limited to invitations to events, press materials, and backdrops, podium signs, etc. must be marked appropriately with the standard, rectangular U.S. flag in a size and prominence equal to (or greater than) any other logo or identity.

Note: Exceptions to the branding requirement are allowable under certain conditions. If an applicant is notified that their award has been chosen for funding, the Grants Officer will determine, in consultation with the applicant, if an exception is applicable.

Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) in theSystem 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. ” No entity listed on the EPLS can participate in any activities under an award.

Applicants are encouraged to review the EPLS in SAM to ensure that no ineligible entity is included. Organizations applying for grants must obtain the following registrations. All are free of charge.

Individuals are not required to obtain these registrations. * Unique entity identifier (UEI) fromSAM. gov Proceed the registration in SAM.

gov by logging into:https://www. sam. gov. You will be given an UEI during the SAM registration as a permanent identifier of your organization.

The SAM registration must be renewed annually ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) A: Individuals, non-profit organizations, including think tanks, educational institutions, civil society organizations, museums, national parks, and nature reserves, who are able to develop and implement programs in the Russian Federation or that engage communities maintaining ties with people living in Russia may apply for funding.

Russian government institutions are NOT eligible to apply. The primary audience of the project must be Russians living in Russia or those maintaining ties to people in Russia, and projects should further mutual understanding between our two countries. We do not fund research projects.

Q:**I’ve heard the U.S. Embassy in Moscow has suspended routine visa services. Can my proposal include travel of Russian citizens to the United States? How will they obtain U.S. visas?

Conversely, can my proposal include U.S. citizen travel to Russia? ** A: Proposals may include travel of Russian citizens to the United States. Russian citizens may apply for U.S. visas at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside of Russia where they are able to obtain an appointment.

Grant recipients should coordinate closely with the PDS on travel and visa needs for any program participants. The U.S. Embassy recommends factoring into the budget higher travel costs to account for third country visa issuance. The U.S. Department of State’s travel warning against travel to Russia remains in place.

Awards made under this NOFO**CANNOT**be used to fund ANY U.S. citizen travel to the Russian Federation. Q:**Where can I find information about Russia-related U.S. sanctions? ** A: Please visit the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) website for more information:https://home.

treasury. gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/sanctions-programs-and-country-information/russia-related-sanctions Q:**I’m an individual. Can I use the grant to pay salaries for others?

** A: No, the U.S. Embassy issues different types of awards. An award for an individual can only be used for the individual. If you are an individual who is applying as part of a group and aren’t connected to an organization, each individual will receive a separate award.

However, you may pay other persons under service contracts. **Q:****Can I apply for a smaller grant (less than $25,000) under the APS FY2025/2026? ** A: No, please contact the U.S. Embassy viaGrantsRussia@state.

govregarding proposed small activities or initiatives. **Q:****What types of grant awards are there? ** A: The U.S. Embassy awards individual awards and awards to organizations.

The U.S. Embassy also awards cooperative agreements, in which the U.S. Embassy has substantial involvement in the project, as well as fixed amount awards. **Q:****When should I apply? ** A: You should apply as soon as you have a completed application.

Applications are due**at 5:00 PM Moscow time on March 31, 2025**. Late submissions will not be considered. We encourage you to submit your application well before the deadline in case you encounter technical difficulties.

**Q:****How long does it take to receive funding?

** A: Usually, organizations and individuals receive funding in their bank account within three weeks of the conclusion of an award (when the organization or individual receives a signed award agreement from the U.S. Embassy Grants Officer and returns it with countersignature and a payment request) although a request for funding can take 6-8 weeks for funding to arrive for a variety of reasons.

We may approve a grant proposal but come back to the grantee with questions about certain aspects of the program. In that case, it will take additional time to resolve the issues and receive payment. **Q:****What is the deadline to apply?

** A: You may apply any time before**5:00 PM Moscow time on March 31, 2025. **All applicants will be notified by September 30, 2025. Unforeseen delays may occur, and it may take longer to receive a response.

**Q:****What if my program takes place in late summer or fall 2025? ** A: You may wish to address the feasibility of shifting your program to a later date in your proposal. Please note the processing timelines mentioned above for both proposal review and payment.

**Q:****If my program takes place in November or December of 2025, may I still apply? ** A: Yes, if planning and preparation for your program will begin by September 30, 2025, your program is eligible for consideration. **Q:****I have already started spending money on my project but have not yet received a grant from the U.S. Embassy.

Can I be reimbursed for these costs? ** A: No, grant awards can only cover costs that are incurred after the grant is signed. The costs must be listed on the budget that is signed by both you and the U.S. Embassy.

We will not approve a budget item if you have already purchased that item for the project prior to the signing of the award. Specific pre-award costs may be approved at the discretion of the Grants Officer. **Q:****I want to bring an American expert to Russia.

Can I still apply for funding? ** A: Please note theU. S.

Department of State’s Level 4 travel advisoryagainst travel to Russia remains in place. Awards made under this NOFO**CANNOT**be used to