U.S. Embassy Australia PD Annual Public Diplomacy Funding Opportunity

U.S. Embassy Australia PD Annual Public Diplomacy Funding Opportunity is sponsored by U.S. Department of State (Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs). This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

For questions on the application process, or for registration help, please email PASGrantsAustralia@state. gov. **Funding Opportunity Title:** U.S. Embassy Australia PD FY25 Annual Public Diplomacy Funding Opportunity **Funding Opportunity Number:** PD-AUS-NOFO-FY25-01. V3**THIRD MODIFICATION** **Deadline for Applications:** * The deadline for the second round is **July 1, 2025, 17:00 AEST** **Assistance Listing Number:** 19.

040 – Public Diplomacy Programs **Total Amount Available:** Awards will be made to successful applicants subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

**Maximum for each award:** * $150,000 for second round (July 1, 2025 deadline) The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Australia invites proposals for projects to advance our common goals of increased security and economic prosperity and to strengthen the alliance between the U.S. and Australia via increased people-to-people ties.

**Priority Region:** Australia **Project Goals and Objectives:** The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Australia invites proposals for projects to strengthen people-to-people ties between Australia and the U.S. and to advance our shared goals of economic well-being, and a safe and secure world. All projects must include a U.S. element or connection.

For example, projects can include U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policies and perspectives. Additionally, projects must address one or more of the priority areas listed below. Both requirements should be highlighted in your proposal.

**Priority Project Areas:** The following four topics are the main foci for U.S. activities in Australia for 2025. Proposals must address one or more of these priorities. 1.

**Security****:** Activities supporting the U.S. and Australia’s ability to address global security challenges, with a particularly focus on those in the Indo-Pacific region. 2. **Economic Prosperity****:** Activities highlighting the benefits of U.S.-Australian economic cooperation and promoting increased economic opportunities, including critical minerals, equitable trade policies, and supply chain security.

3. **U.S.-Australia People-to-People Partnerships****:** Activities that highlight the strength of the U.S.-Australia alliance, the benefits to our citizens, and the strengthening of U.S.-Australian ties. 4.

**Indo-Pacific Collaboration****:** Activities highlighting the leadership role of the U.S. as a Pacific country, advancing shared prosperity, security, good governance, and/or free speech in the region. Activities should be carried out mainly in Australia. See funding ineligibilities in section E5.

**Participants and Audiences:** All applicants for awards must specify the project’s intended audience(s) and estimate the expected audience reach through direct contact and, if possible, indirect contact (e.g. through media engagement or networks). Federal Award Information **Performance period:** 1-12 months. **Number of awards anticipated:** Multiple (dependent on amounts).

**Award amounts:** Awards may range from a minimum of $2,500 to a maximum of $150,000. **Total available funding:** This notice is subject to availability of funding. **Type of Funding:** FY25 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds.

**Anticipated project start date:** Prior to September 20, 2025. **Funding Instrument Type:** Grants, fixed amount awards (FAA), or cooperative agreements (determined by the Public Affairs officer and grant review panel). **Project Period:** Proposed project to be completed in 12 months or less.

**Address to Request Application Package** Application forms required below are available at https://au. usembassy.

gov/education/grants-and-funding-opportunities/grant-application-forms/ **Content of Application** Please ensure the following: * The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity * All documents are in English * All budgets must be submitted in U.S. dollars * All pages are numbered, and * All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12 point Calibri font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins **Mandatory Application Forms** * U.S. Mission to Australia Grant Application * or SF-424I for individuals All mandatory forms are available at: https://au.

usembassy. gov/education/grants-and-funding-opportunities/grant-application-forms/ **The U.S. Mission to Australia Grant Application Form includes the following elements:** * Project Description: States what priority area the activities address and what the U.S. component is. * Proposal Summary:Short narrative that outlines the proposed program, including program objectives and anticipated impact.

* 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 and Schedule: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives. Include a proposed timeline for the program activities.

* Participants and Audiences: Estimate the number to be reached and their demographics. * Risk Management: Indicate how you plan to mitigate risks associated with proposed activities. * Alignment with U.S. Policy Goals: Select the U.S. policy goal(s) with which your project aligns.

* Risk Management: Indicate how you plan to mitigate risks associated with proposed activities. * Budget: Please outline your budget requirements for this program, including personnel, supplies, travel expenditure, and other costs * Budget Justification Narrative:Please describe why budget expenses are needed. * Program Partners: List the names and type of involvement of any additional funding partners.

* Communications Plan:Please list media and promotional plans, including requested U.S. Department of State involvement. * Community Engagement:Please list dignitaries expected to attend the event. * Reporting Capacity:Explain how you plan to monitor and report outcomes and outputs of the grant throughout the performance period and in a final report upon its completion.

* One-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program * Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner * Official permission letters, if required for program activities * If your organization has a NICRA and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be included as a PDF file **Required Registrations:** All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain the following registrations.

All are free of charge. * ValidNCAGE number (only needed for those who apply for U.S. Department of Defense funding) * Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number viaSAM. gov * Valid SAM.

gov registration **Submission Dates and Times** **Other Submission Requirements** All application materials must be submitted by email toPASGrantsAustralia@state. gov. Application Review Information Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below.

**Quality and Feasibility of the Project Idea – 30 points:** The project is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline. (Based on problem statement, activities, and schedule).

**Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants (if applicable) – 10 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.

**Project Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 30 points:** Goals, objectives and intended audiences are clearly stated and project 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 – 10 points:** Applicant demonstrates an ability to measure project success against key indicators and 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.

(Address in timeline and reporting capacity sections). **Sustainability – 10 points:** Project activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the project. **2.

Review and Selection Process** A review committee will read all eligible applications, evaluate them based on the criteria outlined above, and make a recommendation for funding. Funds will be offered to recommended proposals based on availability of funds. The committee may recommend a different funding level or request modifications to the proposal to align more closely with U.S. Mission objectives.

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 counter- 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 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. **Post-Award Requirements and Administration** **1.

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.

* Guidance for Grants and Agreements in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) * 2 CFR 25 – UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT * 2 CFR 170 – REPORTING SUBAWARD AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION INFORMATION * 2 CFR 175 – AWARD TERM FOR TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS * 2 CFR 182 – GOVERNMENTWIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE) * 2 CFR 183 – NEVER CONTRACT WITH THE ENEMY * 2 CFR 600 – DEPARTMENT OF STATE REQUIREMENTS * U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS 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 89 FR 30046 on April 22, 2024, particularly on: * Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an impartial process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR part 200.

205),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), andTerminating agreements pursuant to the U.S. Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, including, to the greatest extent authorized by law, if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR part 200. 340). Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and project reports.

The award document will specify how often these reports must be submitted. A minimum of one (annual) to a maximum of four (quarterly) activity and financial reports will be required. Foreign Assistance Data Review: As required by Congress, the Department of State must make progress in its efforts to improve tracking and reporting of foreign assistance data through the Foreign Assistance Data Review (FADR).

The FADR requires tracking of foreign assistance activity data from budgeting, planning, and allocation through obligation and disbursement. Successful applicants will be required to report and draw down federal funding based on the appropriate FADR Data Elements, indicated within their award documentation.

In cases of more than one FADR Data Element, typically project or sector and/or regions or country, the successful applicant will be required to maintain separate accounting records.

**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 project and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the project. Travel: Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for this project, for project staff, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries.

If the project involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel. Equipment: Describe any machinery, furniture, or other physical 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. If an item costs more than $10,000 per unit, 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.

Organizations that have never had a NICRA may request indirect costs of 15% of 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.