U.S.-ASEAN Road to 50: Rising Leaders Forum

U.S.-ASEAN Road to 50: Rising Leaders Forum is sponsored by U.S. Mission to ASEAN, Department of State. This cooperative agreement seeks applications to develop, organize, and oversee the U. S.

-ASEAN Road to 50: Rising Leaders Forum. This one-day workshop in Jakarta will gather approximately 50 rising leaders from U.

### Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) **U.S. Mission to ASEAN, Department of State** **Opportunity number: PDS-USASEAN-FY26-01** **Application deadline: August 30, 2026** #### **A.

Basic Information** **Funding Opportunity Title**U.S.-ASEAN Road to 50: Rising Leaders Forum **Funding Opportunity Number**PDS-USASEAN-FY26-01 **Announcement Type**Initial Announcement **Deadline for Applications**August 30, 2026, 11:59 PM Jakarta time **Assistance Listing Number**19.

022 – Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs – Overseas Grants) **Length of performance period**October 2026 – October 2027 **Number of awards anticipated**One **Award amounts**awards may range from a minimum of $65,000 to a maximum of $85,000 (approximately) pending availability of funds **Total available funding**$85,000 pending availability of funds **Type of Funding**FY26 Smith-Mundt **Anticipated project start date**October 2026 **Funding Instrument Type:**Cooperative agreement.

**Project Performance Period**: Proposed projects should reach completion in 12 months or less. **This notice is subject to availability of funding. **The Public Diplomacy Section reserves the right to award less or more than the funds described under circumstances deemed to be in the best interest of the U.S. government, pending the availability of funds and approval of the designated grants officer.

##### **_1. _****_Executive Summary_** The U.S. Mission to ASEAN (USASEAN) Public Diplomacy Section(PDS)announces an open competition for applications to develop, organize, and oversee the**U.S.-ASEAN Road to 50: Rising Leaders Forum**. This one-day Jakarta workshop will gather approximately 50 rising leaders selected exclusively from the USASEAN alumni networks across Southeast Asia.

Celebrating 50 years of partnership, this forum looks ahead to the next 50 years: building an independent, self-sustaining alumni network that collaborates to address regional challenges and advance shared goals. ### **B. ****ELIGIBILITY** ##### **_1.

_****_Eligible Applicants_** The following U.S. or foreign organizations are eligible to apply _:_ _● Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations_ _● Public and private educational institutions_ _● Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions_ For-profit entities, even those that may fall into the categories listed above, are not eligible to apply for this NOFO.

Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the proposal must clearly define the responsibilities of each entity. For more information on the difference between sub-contract and sub-recipient, please refer to 2 CFR 200.

331. ##### **_2. _****_Cost Sharing or Matching_** Cost sharing or matching is encouraged but not required for this funding opportunity.

##### **_3. _****_Other Eligibility Requirements_** All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM. gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.

gov. Please see Section E. 3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.

gov. Applicants may only submit one proposal per organization. If an organization submits more than one proposal, all proposals from that institution will be ineligible for funding under this funding opportunity. 1.

**_This opportunity will not support:_** * Projects relating to partisan political activity; * Charitable or development activities; including direct social services such as medical, psychological, and/or humanitarian support * Projects that support specific religious activities; * Fund-raising campaigns; * Lobbying for specific legislation or programs * Scientific research or surveys; * Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; * Projects that duplicate existing projects; ### **C.

****PROGRAM DESCRIPTION** ##### **_1.

_****_Project Background, Goals, and Objectives_** This forum will bring together approximately 50 U.S. exchange alumni (YSEALI, Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN, IVLP U.S.-ASEAN) for a one-day workshop at the ASEAN Secretariat or a designated location in Jakarta, Indonesia, featuring the following virtual and in-person components: * Official opening remarks, keynote presentations, fireside chats, and panel discussions featuring ASEAN Secretariat personnel and subject matter experts; * Tabletop exercise, strategy sessions, interactive group exercises; * Action plan sprints, guided team sessions to develop concrete, self-sustaining projects that support CSP goals; * Pitch sessions where teams pitch their proposals to a judging panel.

The winning team will receive an invitation to present their project and outcomes at a U.S.-ASEAN 50th Anniversary distinguished alumni event in 2027. * Networking sessions to build cross-border professional connections; **Project Audience(s):**The grant recipient will coordinate with the U.S. Mission to ASEAN to recruit approximately 50 U.S. exchange alumni and manage all participant travel and event logistics.

Eligible participants must be YSEALI, Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN, or IVLP alumni from government, business, media, technology, or academia across the region. Candidates should be rising leaders with strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, demonstrated leadership potential, and a professional commitment to advancing shared U.S.-ASEAN priorities. All participants must be proficient in written and spoken English.

**Participants must meet all of the following criteria:** * **Citizenship:**Be a citizen of one of the 11 ASEAN member states. * **Residency:**Reside in one of the ASEAN member states at the time of application and when the workshop takes place. * **Professional Experience:** Possess relevant professional experience in strategic sectors, including government, business, media, technology, or academia.

* **Strategic & Policy Commitment:** Demonstrate a track record of driving regional policy solutions and cross-sector collaboration. Candidates must show clear commitment to advancing shared U.S.-ASEAN objectives and priorities through practical, self-driven, and scalable initiatives. **Project Objectives:****Key Objectives and Outcomes:** **1.

Objective 1 (Learning):** Equip alumni leaders to advance the U.S.-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) as per the **U.S.-ASEAN Joint Vision Statement (JVS)** through structured dialogue on strategic regional priorities. **Objective 1 Outcomes:** * Participants produce a set of actionable ideas and recommendations for advancing CSP priorities to be shared with relevant U.S. and ASEAN stakeholders. **2.

Objective 2 (Communications): Amplify the U.S.-ASEAN 50th anniversary through alumni-led digital engagement. ** **Objective 2 Outcomes:** **3. Objective 3 (Networking):**Institutionalize cross-program alumni networks (YSEALI, Fulbright, IVLP) to sustain long-term alignment with U.S. strategic objectives without continuous USG funding.

**Objective 3 Outcomes:** * Participants establish or deepen cross-program connections across YSEALI, Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN, or IVLP U.S.-ASEAN and commit to self-driven action plans that bolster regional cooperation. **4. Objective 4 (Action Plans):**Drive participant teams to design and develop realistic, impact-driven action plans aligned with U.S.-ASEAN CSP goals.

* **Objective 4 Outcomes:** * 100% of participant teams will develop relevant, achievable action plans during the forum to advance the U.S.-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This includes designing concepts for regional webinar series jointly with the implementing partner to maintain post-event momentum, with USASEAN providing advisory support. * A panel of judges selects a winning action plan proposal/pitch.

The winning team earns the opportunity to attend the U.S.-ASEAN 50th Anniversary distinguished alumni event in 2027 to present their initiative and its impact. ##### **_2. _****_Substantial Involvement_** If selected for a cooperative agreement, the U.S. Mission to ASEAN Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) will serve as the primary coordinating office for this award.

The grant recipient will work with the PDS team to ensure program activities are successful and that planning and implementation align with U.S., regional, and local priorities. The Mission anticipates awarding a cooperative agreement and will undertake reasonable and programmatically necessary substantial involvement.

**U.S. Embassy Roles and Responsibilities** Examples of substantial involvement include but are not limited to: * **Government Approvals** – The U.S. Mission to ASEAN will coordinate the participation of and any necessary approvals for U.S. government agencies and diplomatic missions in Southeast Asia.

* **Vetting and Selection of Summit Participants, Mentors, Speakers, and Implementation Partners** – The U.S. Mission to ASEAN will review and approve the final selection of participants and resource speakers in coordination with other U.S. Embassies and the Department of State, as appropriate.

* **Sub-Awards and Action Plans** – The U.S. Mission to ASEAN will review and approve any sub-awards not included in the original proposal, including but not limited to the selection of action plans whether or not they receive further U.S. Government funding * **Lodging** – The U.S. Mission to ASEAN will review and approve proposed lodging based on single occupancy for safety and suitability.

**Recipient Roles and Responsibilities** * **Participant Recruitment** – Develop and implement a recruitment strategy for U.S. exchange alumni from across the region, including outreach materials, application management, and selection criteria. * **Curriculum Development** – Design a comprehensive curriculum for the plenary and relevant thematic working groups, including learning objectives, session sequencing, and expected outputs.

Develop a comprehensive calendar of milestones before, during,and after the workshop. * **Field Exposure Activity**– Design and coordinate relevant institutional visits to reinforce workshop themes, should there be some budget for an additional site visit day. * **Participant Support**– Provide pre‑departure information, orientation materials, personal safety protocols, and on‑site support throughout the workshop.

* **Expert/Speaker Engagement**– Identify, vet, and manage speakers, facilitators, and resource personnel for all thematic areas and the ASEAN Secretariat. Support selected experts with travel, visas (as applicable), honoraria, accommodations, and required program-related rentals or services, including transportation.

* **Event Management** – Manage all event logistics including securing the ASEAN Secretariat as the main venue of the forum and procure items and rentals necessary for program events. * **Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)**– Design and implement an M&E plan that includes pre and post event assessments, participant feedback tools, outcome tracking, and analysis of material learning and retention.

The recipient must devote at least 5 percent to M&E. * **Final Reporting** – Produce a comprehensive final report summarizing activities, outputs, participant demographics, M&E findings, challenges, and recommendations for future programming. ### **D.

****APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT** 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.

**Content of Application** * The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity * All documents are in English * All budgets are in U.S. dollars * The authorized applicant has signed where indicated on each of the various, required forms. The following documents are **required**: ##### **_1.

_****_Mandatory application forms_** * SF-424(Application for Federal Assistance – for organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance — for individuals) * SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) * SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) (Note: individuals, organizations exempt from registration, and organizations not required to register in SAM. gov must submit form SF-424B.

All others are exempt). ##### **_2. _****_Proposal (10 pages maximum)_** The proposal should contain enough information so that anyone not familiar with it would be able to understand the program design, expected results, and how to measure program success.

You may use your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below: * **Proposal Summary:**A short narrative(no more than 1 page)that outlines the proposed project, including project objectives,anticipated outcomes,and impact.

* **Introduction to the Organization applying**: A description of past and present programs/operations, showing ability to carry out this program, including information on all previous grants from the State Department and/or other U.S. government agencies.

* **Problem Statement:**A clear,concise, evidence-based statement of the problem to address, affected populations and geographic relevance, underlying drivers or contributing factors,and why the proposed program is necessary. * **Program Methods, Design, Activities, and Deliverables:**A description of how the program will work toward solving the stated problem and achieving the stated goal.

Include a theory of change or logic model that demonstrates causal pathways of how activities logically lead to the desired outcomes. * **Proposed Project Schedule and Timeline:** The proposed timeline of 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 they dedicate to this program? * **Project Partners:** List the names and types of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees (if applicable).

* **Monitoring and Evaluation Plan:**Proposals must include a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP). The M&E plan should show how applicants intend to measure and demonstrate progress towards the project’s objectives and goals.

The key components to the PMP are: * **Monitoring and Evaluation Narrative**: In narrative form, applicants should describe how they intend to monitor and evaluate the activities of their award. In addition, the applicant should describe any M&E processes, including key personnel, management structures (where M&E fits into the program’s overall staffing structure), and technologies.

The applicant should also provide a brief budget narrative explaining any line-item expenditures for M&E listed in the program budget. If the applicant is a prior grantee, the proposal must explain how the grantee has adapted, improved, or otherwise modified their approach based on lessons learned from previous experience. This narrative may not exceed two pages.

* **Theory of Change Diagram:** Applicants musts submit either a Theory of Change diagram or an If-Then Statement that illustrates how project activities will lead to intended outcomes. * **Monitoring and Evaluation Datasheet:** Applicants must map their proposed activities, outputs, outcomes, goals, and objectives to each of these items in the NOFO.

The datasheet’s purpose is to explicitly illustrate how a project’s activities lead to tangible results (such as additional skills, increased knowledge, or improved attitudes) that ultimately address a PDS objective. * The selected applicant’s M&E PMP is subject to review and approval before the issue of any award under this NOFO.

The State Department or its delegate or designee may require that the selected applicant work with U.S. Department of State Monitoring and Evaluation Specialists to ensure the applicant’s M&E PMP achieves a defined minimum level of expertise and meets PDS objectives. * Expenses directly associated with monitoring and evaluation are allowable.

* **Budget Justification Narrative** * **Detailed Budget** – Applicants must submit a detailed line-item budget. Applicants should describe line-item expenditures with as much detail as possible.

The budget must identify the total requested funding amount, breaking down the amounts under each of the following budget categories: personnel; fringe benefits; travel; equipment; supplies; consultants/contracts; other direct costs; and indirect costs. See Annex Section I for a description of the types of costs that each category should include.

Personnel salaries should include the level of effort and the rate of pay, which should cover the percentage of time each staff member will dedicate to grant-based activities. If an organization is charging an indirect cost rate without a NICRA, it must apply that cost rate to the modified total budget costs (MTDC), refer to 2CFR))200. 1)).

**Budgets must be in U.S. dollars** and final grant agreements will also be in U.S. dollars. * **Budget Justification Narrative** – Applicants must submit a budget justification narrative to accompany the detailed line-item budget.

The purpose of the budget justification narrative is to supplement the information provided in the detailed budget spreadsheet by justifying how the budget cost elements are necessary to implement project objectives and accomplish the project goals. The budget justification narrative is a tool to help Embassy staff fully understand the applicant’s budgetary needs .

It is an opportunity to describe the requested costs in more detail than the budget template allows. Together, the detailed budget spreadsheet, the budget justification narrative, and the SF-424A should provide a complete financial and qualitative description that supports the proposed project plan and directly relates to the specific project components in the applicant’s proposal.

* * Audit Requirements: Please note the audit requirements for Department of State awards in the Standard Terms and Conditions https://www. state. gov/m/a/ope/index.

htm and 2CFR200, Subpart F – Audit Requirements. The cost of the required audits may be charged either as an allowable direct cost to the award OR included in the organization’s established indirect costs in the award’s detailed budget. * Visa Fees: Include all visa application and related fees in your budget as applicable.

Please note DS-2019s for post-funded programs must be submitted directly by the award recipient. If you anticipate your program will include the DS-2019 visa processing, your organization must be a registered Designated Sponsoring Organization. For more information go to: https://j1visa.

state. gov/sponsors/become-a-sponsor/ ##### **3. ****_Attachments_** * **Key Personnel Resumes**: Include a one-page résumé for each proposed key staff person, such as the Project Director and Finance Officer, as well as for any speakers or trainers (if applicable).

If the applicant has not identified an individual for this position, they may submit a one-page position description outlining the required qualifications and skills in lieu of a résumé. * **Letters of support from program partners:** Include letters of support for subrecipients or other partners.

Each letter must identify the type of relationship (formal or informal), the roles and responsibilities of each partner in relation to the proposed project activities, and the expected results of the partnership. Each letter may not exceed one page in length.

* **Indirect Costs**: If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, include your latest NICRA in the application submission.

* **Proof of Non-profit Status:**Include documentation demonstrating your organization’s non-profit status (e.g., U.S.-based organizations must submit a copy of their 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Service determination letter, and non-U.S. organizations must provide evidence of government-issued non-profit status). * **Proof of Registration:** Include a copy of your organization’s registration with the proposal application.

U.S.-based organizations must submit a copy of their IRS determination letter. Organizations based in other countries must submit a copy of their certificate of registration from the appropriate government organization. If your application advances in the review process, we may request the following additional items: 1.

Copies of an organization or program audit within the last two years. 2. Copies of relevant human resources, finance, or procurement policies.

3. Copies of other relevant organizational policies or documents that could help the Department determine your organization’s capacity to manage a federal grant award overseas. 4.

Documentation that demonstrates applicant’s plan and/or policies for safeguarding the personal identifying information (PII) of program participants and beneficiaries. It is the responsibility of the recipient to protect and safeguard PII when collecting, maintaining, using, or disseminating such information 5.

Information to determine what financial controls and standard operating procedures an organization uses to procure goods and services, hire staff, track time and attendance, pay for grant-related travel, and identify other financial transactions that may be necessary for project activities 6.

The U.S. Mission to ASEAN reserve the right at their sole discretion to require any additional programmatic and/or financial information regarding the proposal. ### **E. ****SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES** ##### **_1.

_****_Address to Request Application Package_** The aforementioned required application forms are available at the U.S. Mission to ASEAN website, grants. gov, and MyGrants. ##### **_2.

_****_Department of State Contacts_** If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact: USASEANoutreach@state. gov. ##### **_3. _****_Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.

gov)_** **Required Registration:**All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM. gov. A UEI is one of the data elements that Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), mandates for all Federal awards.

Applicants must maintain an active registration while they have a proposal under Department review, and they must continue to keep the registration active for the entire duration of the period of performance of any Federal award that results from this NOFO. The Uniform Guidance, or 2 CFR Part 200, also requires that subrecipients obtain a UEI.

Please note the that subrecipients do not need to have a UEI at the time of application, but they must have a UEI before they are able to receive any award. **_Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM. gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks.

Please register as early as possible. _** * Organizations **based in the United States** or that pay employees within the United States will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a UEI prior to registering in SAM.

gov. * Organizations **based outside of the United States** and that do not pay employees within the United States do not need an EIN from the IRS but do need a UEI prior to registering in SAM. gov. Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO NOT plan to do business with the DoD should follow the below instructions: * Step 1: Proceed to SAM. gov to obtain a UEI and complete the SAM.

gov registration process. Entities with a SAM. gov registration must renew it annually.

The Department may grant an exemption from the UEI and SAM. gov registration requirements on a case-by-case basis. See 2 CFR 25.

110 for a full list of exemptions. Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or SAM. gov requirements must email a justification for their request to the NOFO point of contact at least two weeks prior to the application deadline.

The warranted Grants Officer must approve any SAM. gov exemption before the Department can deem the application eligible for review. **Please note**: Applicants with an exclusion in the System for Award Management (SAM) ineligible 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. ” ##### **_4. _****_Submission Dates and Times_** **Submission Deadline:**Applicants must submit their application by **Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM Jakarta time**, per Grants.

gov timestamp. This deadline is firm and is not a rolling deadline. Applicants that fail to meet this deadline will be ineligible for funding.

**Submission Method:**Submit all application materials directly to the following email address: USASEANoutreach@state. gov. Applicants opting to submit applications via email to USASEANoutreach@state. gov**must**include the Funding Opportunity Title and Funding Opportunity Number in the subject line of the email.

##### **_5. _****_Funding Restrictions_** 1. Funding Restrictions for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA): No funds resulting from this Notice of Funding Opportunity are available for sub-awards, direct financial support, or otherwise to provide any payment or transfer to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

2. Certification Regarding Compliance with Applicable Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws If the place of performance or delivery of any award from this NOFO will be within the United States, applicants must certify the following at the time of award: 1.

Applicant is in compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code, and 2. Applicant does not operate any programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws.

A program promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion means a program whose purpose is to promote preferences based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, such as in training or hiring. 3. Certification Regarding Compliance with 20 U.S.C.

1011f and any other applicable foreign funding disclosure requirements: IHEs must certify the following at the time of award, and include this certification requirement in any subaward agreements to IHEs: 1.

Its compliance in all respects with section 1011f of title 20, United States Code, and any other applicable foreign funding disclosure requirements is material for purposes of section 3729 of title 31, United States Code, and for receipt of appropriate Federal grant funds. 2. Applicants seeking clarification on the reporting requirement must review the U.S. Department of Education’s Frequently Asked Questions resource.

4. Certification of Trafficking in Persons Compliance and Compliance Plan: Applicants must certify the following at the time of award for awards where the estimated value of services performed outside the United States exceeds $500,000: 1.

To the best of the Recipient’s knowledge, neither the Recipient nor any subrecipient, contractor, or subcontractor of the Recipient or any agent of the recipient or of such a subrecipient, contractor, or subcontractor, engage in any of the activities described in 2 CFR 175. 105(a); 2.

The recipient has implemented a Trafficking in Persons compliance plan to prevent activities described in 2 CFR 175(a) and is compliant with this plan; and the compliance plan must follow the minimum requirements described in 2 CFR 175(b)(5). 3. That the Recipient has and will implement procedures to prevent activities described in 2 CFR 175.

105(a) and to monitor, detect, and terminate any subrecipient, contractor, subcontractor, or employee of the recipient engaging in these activities. 4. Recipients do not need to submit a copy of the plan.

However, they must provide it to the Grants Officer upon request, and as appropriate, must post the useful and relevant contents of the plan or related materials on the website and at the workplace. Recipients must re-certify on an annual basis for the entire award period of performance. 5.

Prohibition of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). If your project involves the purchase or use of an UAS, see this link for requirements and information you must include in your application. 6.

Pre-Award Costs: Pre-award costs are generally not allowable under this NOFO unless approved in advance by the Grants Officer and justified in the proposal. 7. Construction: Any award resulting from this NOFO will not allow for construction activities or costs.

8. Direct Social Services: Costs that cover and provide direct social services, such as welfare, charity, health, or economic relief, are unallowable. Medical assistance, such as costs to include medical professionals, including but not limited to doctors, nurses, and psychiatrists to participate in the project activities are not allowable.

Applicants must acquire all required registrations and rights in the United States and Southeast Asia. Applicants must fully comply with all intellectual property considerations and rights in the United States and Southeast Asia. Any sub-recipient organization must also meet all the U.S. and Southeast Asian requirements described above.

### **F. ****APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION** ##### **_1. _****_Review Criteria_** We will evaluate and rate each application based on the evaluation criteria below.

* **Program Idea Quality and Feasibility**– 30 points: The program idea is innovative, well developed, and describes in detail project activities and implementation. The proposals demonstrate originality and outline clear, achievable objectives that directly align with NOFO priorities and requirements. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline and clearly defines an appropriate project scope.

Finally, the proposal aligns with the following: * The project clearly demonstrates a direct contribution to current U.S. foreign policy priorities. * The project will positively impact America’s reputation among foreign government partners. * The project will positively impact America’s reputation among foreign publics.

* The proposal does not include any activities contrary to the following Executive Orders: * Executive Order 14173: “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” * Executive Order 14287: “Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens” * Executive Order 14168: “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” * **Organizational Capacity and Previous Grant Performance** – 25 points: * The project proposal demonstrates that the organization has sufficient expertise, skills, and human resources to implement the project, including internal controls to manage federal funds.

If the applicant proposes sub-awards, they must demonstrate experience managing sub-awards. * The organization demonstrates a clear understanding of the underlying issue the project will address. * The organization demonstrates capacity for successful planning and responsible fiscal management, including maintaining a financial management system, a bank account, and – if applicable – satisfactory audit findings.

* Applicants who previously received grant funds have complied with all applicable rules and regulations, including the Award Provisions and Standard Terms and Conditions. * Where the applicant describes partners, they detail each partner’s respective role and provide curriculum vitae (CV) for persons responsible for project and financial administration.

Proposed personnel, institutional resources, and partners are adequate and appropriate. * **Project Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives** – 20 points: The applicant develops a thorough project plan with sufficient detail on activity implementation. The proposal specifies target audiences, participant recruitment, and geographic areas of implementation.

The proposal outlines clear, achievable objectives. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline. The applicant clearly defines an appropriate project scope.

* **Budget**– 10 points: The applicant provides a sufficiently detailed budget and narrative justification. The budget demonstrates that the organization devoted sufficient time to accurately determine project expenses rather than provide rough estimates. The proposed activities and anticipated results justify the associated costs.

The proposed results and outcomes justify the project’s total cost. Budget items are reasonable, allowable, and allocable. * **Monitoring and Evaluation** – 10 points: The project proposal includes an M&E plan.

The applicant demonstrates ability to measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward proposal goals and objectives. The proposal includes output and outcome indicators and shows how and when those will be measured.

Plans for projects that receive funding will finalize during the negotiation phase, and monitoring plans may be subject to periodic updates throughout the life of the project. * **Sustainability** – 5 points: The project proposal clearly describes how it will ensure maximum sustainability or advancement of project goals after the end of project activity.

If two or more applications receive equivalent scores per the evaluation criteria in this NOFO, the review panel will give preference to the applicant with the lower indirect cost rate, consistent with Executive Order 14332, Section 4(b)(iii). The panel will apply this preference only as a tie-breaking mechanism; it does not supersede the primary evaluation criteria. ##### **_3.

_****_Review and Selection Process_** 1. Acknowledgement of receipt. Applicants will receive acknowledgment of receipt of their proposal.

2. Review. All submissions must meet technical eligibility requirements.

**If a submission is missing any of the required forms/documents in****Section D. Application Contents and Format****, it will be ineligible for consideration. ** A technical review panel will review eligible proposals based upon the criteria in this NOFO.

3. Follow up notification. Applicants will generally receive notification of the review panel results within 120 days of the NOFO deadline.

##### **_4. _****_Risk Review_** 1. Under the merit review as required by 2 CFR 200.

206, prior to making a Federal Award the Department will review and consider the following risk factors: 1. 1. Financial stability 2.

Management systems and standards 3. History of performance 4. Audit reports and findings 5.

Ability to effectively implement project requirements The Grants Officer will designate awardees as high risk based on the above risk factors and will hold them to special award conditions. At a minimum, High Risk designated recipients and/or projects must submit monthly narrative reports and/or detailed quarterly financial reports.

Upon request, the Grants Officer or Grants Officer Representative may also require that recipients provide electronic copies of receipts or other supporting documentation (e.g., timesheets, travel documents) for costs incurred. The Grants Officer may withhold 10% of the award amount until they have reviewed and approved final reports. The