Fencing Futures – Bridging Algeria and the U.S.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy in Algiers/ Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a fencing training camp program for female Algerian fencers. This program will bring U.S. fencing coaches to Algeria and be conducted in collaboration with the Algerian Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Algerian Fencing Federation. The camp will provide training, mentorship, and skill development, focusing on empowering young female athletes. Please follow all instructions below. Priority Region: Algeria. Program Objectives: The proposed program, a collaboration between the U.S. Embassy in Algiers, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Algerian Fencing Federation, aims to empower Algerian fencers by providing them with opportunities to advance both academically and athletically. This initiative includes a weeklong camp featuring U.S. university coaches and scouts, offering "train-the-trainer" programs for local coaches, and identifying talented athletes for scholarship opportunities in the United States. The program also seeks to inspire young athletes by including renowned U.S. fencers, fostering cultural exchange and inclusivity. Through formalized partnerships and ongoing development efforts, the program aspires to create a sustainable model for nurturing fencing talent in Algeria. The proposal must outline and meet the following objectives: 1. Enhance Coaching and Training Expertise: Develop and elevate the skills of Algerian fencing coaches through a "train-the-trainer" program led by U.S. university coaches, ensuring the adoption of best practices and modern training techniques within the Algerian Fencing Federation. 2. Create Academic and Athletic Pathways: Establish clear pathways for Algerian fencers to pursue higher education and athletic careers at U.S. universities, offering scholarships and support to balance both pursuits. 3. Foster Cultural Exchange and Inclusivity: Promote cultural exchange and inclusivity by involving prominent U.S. athletes, to inspire Algerian youth and highlight the inclusive nature of U.S. sports programs. 4. Strengthen Community Engagement and Awareness: Increase local engagement and awareness of fencing in Algeria by organizing tournaments and exhibitions, featuring both local and international athletes, to showcase the sport's potential and the program's benefits. 5. Ensure Long-term Sustainability and Impact: Secure the program's long-term sustainability through formalized partnerships, continuous professional development for coaches, and the creation of an alumni network to mentor future athletes, while regularly monitoring and evaluating the program's impact. Participants and Audiences: The targeted audience for the program includes young Algerian fencers, particularly those seeking opportunities to further their academic and athletic careers in the United States. This group encompasses aspiring athletes, especially female fencers, who have the potential to excel in the sport but face challenges due to limited local resources and support. The participants in the program include: 1. U.S. Coaching Fencers: Experienced coaches from top U.S. universities with fencing programs, who will provide advanced training and mentorship. 2. Algerian Fencing Coaches: Local coaches participating in the "train-the-trainer" program to enhance their coaching techniques and strategies. 3. U.S. Top Fencer(s): at least one prominent U.S. fencer who will serve as an inspirational figure, highlighting the inclusive and supportive nature of the program. 4. Young Algerian Fencers: The primary beneficiaries, who will receive training and potentially secure scholarships for further education and athletic development in the U.S. 5. Officials from the Algerian Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Algerian Fencing Federation: Key stakeholders involved in organizing and facilitating the camp, ensuring its alignment with national sports development goals. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 8 to 12 months Number of awards anticipated: 01 awards (dependent on amounts) Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $25,000.00 to a maximum of $50,000.00. Total available funding: $50,000.00 Type of Funding: Smith-Mundt FY2024 Public Diplomacy funding. Anticipated program start date: October 1, 2024 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Grant Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months from Program start date or less. C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants The following organizations are eligible to apply: •U.S. Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations. •Algerian Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations • Public and private educational institutions • Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions • Social enterprises: public or private. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing is not required but allowed. Applicants who plan to include a cost share component to their proposal should clearly outline it in their budget breakdown and budget narrative. The Cost share will not be considered as a criteria in the proposal’s review. 3. Other Eligibility Requirements a. In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov. b. Applicants should be authorized by the Ministry of Youth and Sport and the Algerian Federation of Fencing to implement the project and other local authorities to work on the project. If not, they should include in their proposal how they anticipate establishing those relationships and obtaining approvals from local authorities to work on the program. c. For profit entities are not Eligible to apply for this project. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1. Address to Request Application Package NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ALG-PAS-FY24-10 Application forms required below are available below and at Funding Opportunities - U.S. Embassy in Algeria (usembassy.gov) 2. 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. Content of Application Please ensure: • The proposal clearly addresses the goals 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 Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12-point Calibri font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins. The following documents are required: 1. Mandatory application forms • SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) • SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs). • SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs). (note: the SF-424B is only required for individuals and for organizations not registered in SAM.gov) 2. 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. 3. Proposal (5 pages maximum): The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. You may use your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below. • Proposal Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed program, including program objectives and anticipated impact. • Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. government agencies. • Problem Statement: Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed • Program Goals and Objectives: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable. • Program Activities: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives. • Program Methods and Design: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. Include a logic model as appropriate. • Proposed Program Schedule and Timeline: The proposed timeline for the program activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events. • Key Personnel: Names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program. What proportion of their time will be used in support of this program? • Program Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees. • Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful grants. Throughout the time-frame of the grant, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant? • Future Funding or Sustainability Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable. 4. Budget Justification Narrative: After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use a separate file to describe each of the budget expenses in detail. See section H. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information. 5. Attachments: • 1-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 •If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be included as a PDF file. • Official permission letters, for program activities. 3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Required Registrations: All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration with the 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. Note: As of April 2022, a DUNS number is no longer required for federal assistance applications. 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. • 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 number 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 number prior to registering in SAM.gov. •Please note that as of November 2022 and February 2022 respectively, organizations based outside of the United States that do not intend to apply for U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awards are no longer required to have a NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) code or CAGE code to apply for non-DoD foreign assistance funding opportunities. If an applicant organization is mid-registration and wishes to remove a CAGE or NCAGE code from their SAM.gov registration, the applicant should submit a help desk ticket (“incident”) with the Federal Service Desk (FSD) online at www.fsd.gov using the following language: “I do not intend to seek financial assistance from the Department of Defense. I do not wish to obtain a CAGE or NCAGE code. I understand that I will need to submit my registration after this incident is resolved in order to have my registration activated.” 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. SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually. Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO plan to do business with the DoD in addition to Department of State should follow the below instructions: Step 1: Apply for an NCAGE code by following the instructions on the NSPA NATO website linked below: NCAGE Homepage: https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/sc/CageList.aspx NCAGE Code Request Tool (NCRT): Exemptions An exemption from the UEI and sam.gov registration requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis if: •An applicant’s identity must be protected due to potential endangerment of their mission, their organization’s status, their employees, or individuals being served by the applicant. •For an applicant, if the Federal awarding agency makes a determination that there are exigent circumstances that prohibit the applicant from receiving a unique entity identifier and completing SAM registration prior to receiving a Federal award. In these instances, Federal awarding agencies must require the recipient to obtain a unique entity identifier and complete SAM registration within 30 days of the Federal award date. Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or SAM.gov requirements must email the point of contact listed in the NOFO at least two weeks prior to the deadline in the NOFO providing a justification of their request. Approval for a SAM.gov exemption must come from the warranted Grants Officer before the application can be deemed eligible for review. 4. Submission Dates and Times Applications are due no later than September 5, 2024. 5. Funding Restrictions Award funds may not be used for construction, vehicle purchases, and Alcoholic beverages. 6. Other Submission Requirements Applications may be submitted electronically through www.Grants.gov or by email to [email protected].