A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Vienna of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to increase understanding of the United States and strengthen support for the transatlantic relationship and our common goals among young, emerging voices in Austrians. Please follow all instructions below. Although Austrians – especially the younger generations – tend to be eager consumers of American technology and popular culture, and view America’s economic prowess and entrepreneurial spirit as world class, there is skepticism toward U.S. global leadership, including the impression that the United States acts unilaterally on the world stage, concern about the stability of democracy, societal divides, and polarization in the United States. U.S. Embassy Vienna invites proposals for a Youth and Education Exchange to be carried out between September 2024 and December 2025. In times of increasing discord and mis- and disinformation, this program promises to contribute to coming generations of Austrian leaders’ understanding of the United States. Priority Region: None Program Objectives: This exchange program will focus on U.S. culture, shared values, disinformation, DEIA, and the contemporary American political and media landscape. The goal is to reinforce the power of shared democratic values, provide a first-hand look at the U.S. political process and the role of civil society, and enhance people-to-people ties between young Austrians and Americans. The program will reduce stereotypes and produce informed young Austrians who can act as citizen ambassadors, thus benefiting the Austrian-American relationship in the years ahead. As this will be a cooperative agreement, U.S. Embassy Vienna will have substantial involvement in this effort including participant selection and approval of the program structure and content of the U.S. component. The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy is providing maximum flexibility for applicant organizations to offer program models that effectively meet the overall goals of the program. In addition to those listed above, required elements of the program are as follows: - Participants should learn about the essential elements of contemporary American life, in particular leadership, civil society, community engagement, and politics and how these elements inter-relate. Participants should have the opportunity to experience these elements in a local U.S. community through interactive, hands-on training, which might include, for example: formal presentations, meetings with stakeholders, discussions, and cultural or social events. - Participants should have interaction with policy experts, media professionals, civil society representatives, and academics and students in both countries. - The program should include elements for post-program engagement with the Austrian participants that include mentoring and supporting participants as alumni of this program. - The recipient will identify specific and measurable outputs and outcomes based on the project specifications provided in the solicitation. Additional program goals include: - Promote future Austrian leaders’ awareness of the American political process and the resilience of U.S. democracy. - Encourage identification of the United States as a destination for future academic, business, or other partnerships, and ongoing education. - Foster professional and personal ties with participants and U.S. citizens in the local community. - Promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of Austria. Participants and Audiences: Target audience and participants are 10-15 Austrian university students and young professionals, between age 21 and 28 and residing permanently in Austria, with demonstrated leadership capacity to participate in a tailored and compact hybrid (with a virtual pre-program phase) program in Austria and the United States, focusing on education and leadership. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 12 to 24 months Number of awards anticipated: 1 award (dependent on amounts) Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $150,000 Total available funding: $150,000 (pending availability of funds) Type of Funding: FY24 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds Anticipated program start date: September 15, 2024 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements and some FAAs are different from grants in that bureau/embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation (“Substantial Involvement”). U.S. Embassy Vienna will have substantial involvement including participant selection and approval of the program structure and content of the U.S. component. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 24 months or less. Optional: The Department of State 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. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants The following organizations are eligible to apply: · Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations · Public and private educational institutions · For-profit organizations CANNOT apply. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching U.S. Embassy Vienna encourages cost-sharing, which may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this competition, but a very competitive application will include cost sharing that allows for more participants. The recipient of an assistance award must maintain written records to support all allowable costs which are claimed as its contribution to cost participation, as well as costs to be paid by the federal government. Such records are subject to audit. 3. Other Eligibility Requirements 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. For the following sections please see the attached A2A FY24 NOFO Youth and Education Exchange document D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact:
[email protected] H. OTHER INFORMATION