U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program (Vientiane, Laos) is sponsored by U.S. Embassy Vientiane, Public Diplomacy Section. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

**U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE** **U.S. EMBASSY VIENTIANE AMERICAN CENTER** **Annual Program Statement** **Program Office:**American Center Vientiane, Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy Vientiane **Funding Opportunity Title:**2025 American Center Vientiane Small Grants Program Laos **Announcement Type:**Grant, Fixed Amount Award or Cooperative Agreement **Funding Opportunity Number:**OFOP0002028 **Deadline for Applications**: Rolling; see section D.

4, Submission Dates and Times **Amount for Each Award:** Maximum of $10,000 For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, please contact the Public Diplomacy Grants Officer via email at VientianeACSmallGrants@state. gov or phone at +856-21-487-000. This document contains detailed instructions and information about the proposal process.

Please read it carefully. All applicants must submit proposals to https://shorturl. at/ApVyx Activities will only be funded within the Lao PDR.

We invite proposals in the $1,000-$10,000 range for the 2025 American Center Vientiane Small Grants Program, **pending funding availability**. The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Vientiane reserves the right to award less or more than the amount of funds described in the absence of worthy applications or under such other circumstances as they may deem to be in the best interest of the U.S. government.

**Due to the volume of applicants and inquiries, the American Center does not accept requests for meetings or phone calls prior to application. ** All grantees must include the following for their proposal to be reviewed and considered for selection: * Grant proposal form and budget narrative using our suggested templates below. Proposal Template https://la.

usembassy. gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/142/2024/04/American-Center-Grants-Proposal-Template-2024-FINAL. docx * Budget Narrative https://la.

usembassy. gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/142/2024/04/Grants-Application-Budget-Narrative-US-Embassy-Vientiane-1. xlsx * For organizations: your organization’s Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and proof of registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.

Gov, see below). 1. **PROGRAM DESCRIPTION** The U.S. Embassy Vientiane Public Diplomacy Section announces an open competition for organizations and individual to submit project proposals for funding under the U.S. Embassy’s 2025 American Center Small Grants Program.

All projects or part of the projects should take place at the American Center in Vientiane and the amount of funding depends on availability. Projects taking place outside the American Center in Vientiane must include a written justification and description of how the Center will be included in the program. Applicants should pay close attention to the American Center’s priority program objectives when developing their proposals.

**Proposals must focus on one or more of the priority areas specified below.

** Priority Program Objectives: * Entrepreneurship: Topics may include, but are not limited to: Encouraging entrepreneurship; teaching entrepreneurship skills; enhancing essential business skills; Teaching English with a specific focus on entrepreneurship and/or trade and business; promoting entrepreneurship in the creative arts; and building networks of young entrepreneurs.

Please note “seed funding” is not available to setup a business. * English Language Learning: Topics may include, but are not limited to: Conversational English; English for beginners; English for special purposes, such as business, science, and diplomacy; learning English through games and the creative arts; improving the capacity of English teachers; and enhancing the English skills of scholarship and exchange program participants.

* Strengthening Alumni Connections: Topics may include, but are not limited to: Strengthening of connections and cooperation among exchange program alumni;highlighting contributions of alumni to Laos’s economic growth and development; and promoting the positive impact of U.S. exchange programs and encouraging more people to apply.

* Future Skills: Topics may include, but are not limited to: Equipping Lao youth with the skills needed to thrive in the 21 st century workplace; enhancing creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills by providing hands-on opportunities for American Center patrons to learn about and explore robotics, coding, programming languages, app development, Artificial Intelligence, game design, eSports, cybersecurity, or other computer science skills.

* Promoting American Values & Culture: Topics may include, but are not limited to: highlighting American values through exhibits, performances, workshops, film series, and presentations; celebrating the 250 th anniversary of the founding of the United States; Promoting American culture through activities that showcase American music, film, entertainment, food, and fashion; Expanding understanding of the positive impact of the U.S. partnership with Laos; Activities and expenses that **will not be funded**include, but are not limited to: * the purchase or long-term lease of space or buildings in support of program activities; * individual travel to conferences; * scholarships to support educational opportunities or study for individuals; * funding ongoing projects, which would otherwise be funded through other means; * financial support for fundraising or fund development projects, including for charity; * projects that are inherently political in nature or that contain the appearance of partisanship/support with an individual or single party in electoral campaigns; * political party and lobbying activities; * projects that support specific religious activities; * projects that are inherently development in nature, or that primarily consist of procuring equipment or goods that will be given to an organization or individual; * projects that provide social services, disaster relief services, or development assistance, especially projects typically funded through U.S. Government assistance programs and other non-Public Diplomacy funding; * projects that primarily support agricultural development; * cash prizes for competitions; Length of performance period Projects generally must be completed in one year and include a credible plan for completion within one year, but can be extended in certain circumstances if additional time is required.

The Public Diplomacy Section will entertain applications for continuation of grants funded under these awards 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. Award Amount will vary between $1,000 and $10,000.

The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Vientiane reserves the right to award less or more than the amount of funds described in the absence of worthy applications or under such other circumstances as they may deem to be in the best interest of the U.S. government. Activities will only be funded within the Lao PDR. Activities should mainly be implemented/conducted at the American Center in Vientiane.

Projects taking place outside the American Center in Vientiane must include a written justification and description of how the Center will be included in the program. 1.

**FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION** **Length of performance period**: Maximum one year; October 2025 to September 2026 **Number of awards anticipated**: 3-5 awards, depending on selected proposals **Award amounts**: $1,000 to $10,000, contingent on funding availability **Anticipated program start date**: Not before October 1, 2025 **This notice is subject to availability of funding.

** **Funding Instrument Type:**Grant, Fixed Amount Award, or Cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements are different from grants in that embassy staff are more actively involved in grant implementation. **Program Performance Period**: Projects generally must be completed in one year or less, but can be longer in certain circumstances.

The Public Diplomacy Section will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards 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.

ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION** Submissions are encouraged from **U.S. and Lao** entities with relevant programming experience, and other foreign entities with relevant programming experience can also apply. This experience should be documented in the proposal.

Eligible entities include: * Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations * Public and private educational institutions **For-profit entities are not eligible to apply. Previous federal award recipients who are not/were not in compliance with the terms of their financial and program reporting requirements are ineligible to apply.

**It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they are in compliance with all applicable terms, conditions, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance and requirements. Those organizations found to be in non-compliance may be found ineligible for funding or designated high risk if selected for funding. 1.

Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing is not required. However, it may be considered in the merit review to break ties among applications with equivalent scores after evaluation against all other factors. 1.

Other Eligibility Requirements In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), as well as a valid registration on www. SAM. gov. Individuals are **not**required to have a unique entity identifier or be registered in SAM.

gov. Please see Section D. 3 for information on how to obtain these registrations. **D.

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION** 1. **Address to Submit Application Package** **Note**: Please read the complete announcement before sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the APS deadline has passed, Embassy staff may not discuss this competition with applicants until the proposal review process has been completed.

Please attach proposals in Microsoft Word or . pdf format with [Project Name]_[Funding Notice Number] in the subject line. Proposals should be submitted electronically to https://shorturl.

at/ApVyx for no later than **Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM** (Laos time, GMT+7). For the purposes of determining if a proposal is submitted on time, officials will utilize the time-stamp provided by email. These deadlines are firm.

If organizations fail to meet the deadlines noted above, their application will not be considered for funding and will be considered ineligible. Applicants who fail to meet the deadline will be eligible to reapply in the next annual cycle. 1.

**Content and Form of Application Submission** **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.

* The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity * All documents are in English * All budgets are in U.S. dollars and clearly explained * All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper, and * All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

**STEP 1: IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR FUNDING:** **Summary Page:**Cover sheet stating the applicant’s name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program. **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 (7 pages maximum): * **Proposal Summary:**Short narrative (approximately three sentences) 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 program, including information on all previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. government agencies. * **Project Goals and Objectives:**The “goals” describe what the project is intended to achieve. The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to reaching the goals.

These should be achievable and measurable. * **Project Activities**: Describe the project activities and how they will help achieve the objectives. * **Proposed Project Schedule and Timeline:**The proposed timeline for the project 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 project. What proportion of their time will be used in support of this project?

* **Program Partners:**List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees. * **Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan:**This is an important part of successful grants. Throughout the timeframe of the grant, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the project be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant?

* **Future Funding or Sustainability**Applicant’s plan for continuing the project beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable. **Budget Justification Narrative**: Use a separate sheet to describe each of the budget expenses in detail.

* 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 ###### STEP 2:IF YOUR PROPOSAL HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR FUNDING: ###### Mandatory application forms (three mandatory application forms) * SF424-Application for Federal Assistance Individual https://la.

usembassy. gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/142/2024/04/SF424_Individual_2_0-V2. 0-Exp-date-February-28-2026.

pdfor SF424-Application for Federal Assistance Organizationhttps://la. usembassy. gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/142/2024/04/SF424_4_0-V4.

0_Organization-Exp-date-November-30-2025. pdf * SF424A-Budget Information for Non Construction Programs https://uploads. mwp.

mprod. getusinfo. com/uploads/sites/142/2024/04/SF424A-Budget-Information-for-Non-Construction-Programs.

pdf * SF424B-Assurances for Non Construction programs Individual https://uploads. mwp. mprod.

getusinfo. com/uploads/sites/142/2024/04/SF424B-Assurances-for-Non-Construction-programs-–-Individual. pdf * Direct Deposit form in USD currency including a copy of bank book matches.

https://uploads. mwp. mprod.

getusinfo. com/uploads/sites/142/2024/04/DIRECT-DEPOSIT-SIGN-UP-outside-vendor. doc ###### 3.

Required Registration – Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from https://www. sam. gov and maintain an active registration with SAM.

gov. A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards. The registration is free of charge. The 2 CFR 200 requires that sub-grantees obtain a UEI number.

Please note the UEI for sub-grantees is not required at the time of application but will be required before an award is processed and/or directed to a sub-grantee. **_Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM. gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks.

_****_Please begin your registration as early as possible_****_. _** 1. **Submission Dates and Times** The Public Affairs Section will accept proposals throughout most of the year and will review proposals according to the following schedule.

Please note that while the deadlines for submission of applications are firm, all of the review and response dates are approximate and are subject to change, based on availability of funds. **All funding decisions are also subject to availability of funds at all times. ** Any application submitted after **July 15, 2025**, will need to be resubmitted after September 2025 if not selected for funding with FY25 funds.

* Proposals received from the date when the APS is published on the Embassy website to **Tuesday, July 15,****2025**. 1. **Funding Restrictions** Award funds cannot be used to purchase alcoholic beverages or to engage in for-profit activities.

1. **Other Submission Requirements** All application materials must be submitted by online https://shorturl. at/ApVyx **Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.

** **E. 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 – 25 points:**The project idea is well developed, with detail about how project activities will be carried out.

The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline. **Organizational Capacity and Performance Record on Any Previous Grants – 25 points:**The organization / individual has expertise in their 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 – 15 points:**Goals and objectives 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 – 15 points:**Applicant demonstrates he/she is able 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.

**Sustainability – 10 points:**Project activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program. 1. Review and Selection Process A Grants Review Committee will evaluate all eligible applications.

1. Federal Awardee Performance & Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) For any Federal award under a notice of funding opportunity, if the Federal awarding agency anticipates that the total Federal share will be greater than the simplified acquisition threshold on any Federal award under a notice of funding opportunity may include, over the period of performance (see §200.

88 Simplified Acquisition Threshold), this section must also inform applicants: * That the Federal awarding agency, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C.

2313); * That an applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM; * That the Federal awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in §200.

205 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants. 1. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates Selections will be made and awards will be signed in August to September 2025.

**F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION** 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 U.S. Embassy / 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. Embassy / Department of State.

Issuance of this APS 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:**The funds for this grant or cooperative agreement will be disbursed in in two to three installments.

Final payment will be disbursed upon submission of final report. 1. Administrative and National Policy Requirements **Terms and Conditions:**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: 2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 600, Certifications and Assurances, and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, all of which are available at: https://www. statebuy. state.

gov/fa/pages/home. aspx Note the U.S. Flag branding and marking requirements in the Standard Terms and Conditions. **Reporting Requirements:**Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports.

Financial reporting for the use of the first installment will be required at the time the request for the second installment is made. Financial reporting, through the same method, will again be required at the conclusion of the grant period. Applicants should be aware of the post award reporting requirements reflected in 2 CFR 200 Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters.

**G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS** If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact: **Public Diplomacy Grants Officer**in Public Diplomacy Section, U.S. Embassy Vientiane at VientianeACSmallGrants@state. gov or by phone at +856-21-487-000.

**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