Opportunity Information: Apply for KUWAIT PAS 2020 01
The U.S. Department of State, through the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait (Public Affairs Section), offered a public diplomacy grant opportunity titled "Supporting Civic Engagement, Marginalized Communities, and Education Through Exchanges and Training" (Funding Opportunity Number KUWAIT-PAS-2020-01; CFDA 19.040). The program was designed to fund small, Kuwait-focused projects that use exchanges, training, and public diplomacy-style programming to strengthen educational preparation, civic participation, and community resilience. Total funding available was listed as $85,000, with an expectation of roughly 10 awards depending on final award sizes. Individual awards were capped at $25,000 (with a minimum around $1,000), and projects were generally expected to be completed within 10 months, with an allowable performance period of 1 to 12 months. Funding was provided through FY20 public diplomacy funds associated with Fulbright-Hays/Smith-Mundt authorities, and proposed activities were anticipated to run in the October 2020 to September 2021 window, subject to funds availability.
The Embassy structured the application as a two-step process to reduce the burden on applicants. The first step required a short Statement of Interest (SOI), limited to 1 to 2 pages, that clearly explains the project idea and what it is meant to achieve. This initial submission was not a full proposal; instead, it functioned as a screening round. After a merit review of eligible SOIs, selected applicants would be invited to submit a complete proposal package for a second-round review before final award decisions were made. The SOI submission deadline stated in the notice was July 31, 2020, and submissions were made by email to PASKuwaitM@state.gov, including a brief project summary and an estimated budget in U.S. dollars. All materials needed to be in English, and the funded work had to primarily benefit target audiences inside Kuwait.
Projects were expected to address at least one of the Embassy's stated objectives. These objectives included helping students in Kuwait prepare for U.S. higher education (such as English language instruction, college readiness, or advising), strengthening participation of marginalized communities, youth, and women in politics and the economy, improving awareness and enforcement related to intellectual property rights, building people-to-people ties between the United States and Kuwait through educational, cultural, or civic activities aimed at youth and young professionals, supporting innovative approaches to social, economic, or political challenges, and promoting community resiliency during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The target audiences were described broadly but clearly, emphasizing youth and young professionals, educators, women, stateless residents, and other underserved groups in Kuwait.
Eligibility was open to a wide range of applicants, including not-for-profit organizations (such as think tanks and NGOs), not-for-profit educational institutions, individuals, and certain foreign public entities like public international organizations or government institutions. Cost sharing was encouraged but not required, meaning applicants could strengthen competitiveness by contributing resources or securing partner support, but it was not a condition of applying. For administrative readiness, organizations ultimately needed a Unique Entity Identifier (historically referenced as DUNS) and active SAM.gov registration to receive an award; however, the Embassy did not require those registrations at the SOI stage. If invited to submit a full proposal, the organization would need to complete those registrations before the full application was submitted, and applicants were warned that registration can take weeks. Individuals were not required to register in SAM.gov for eligibility at the SOI stage.
The SOI itself had to include a short project description covering goals, objectives, intended outcomes, performance indicators, beneficiaries, and a proposed timeline, along with a clear statement showing the applicant's capacity to implement the activities and responsibly manage U.S. government funds. During review, SOIs were scored using three main criteria: quality of the program idea (50 points, including responsiveness to the program framework, feasibility, clarity, creativity, and a reasonable timeline), organizational capacity and past performance (35 points, including experience running similar programs and the role of any local partners), and program planning/ability to achieve objectives (15 points, focused on whether activities and expected results were well articulated). The Embassy noted that reviewers would not read beyond the page limit, and that for consistency panelists might only consider the first page if the SOI exceeded the limit, making concise presentation especially important. The Grants Review Committee could also attach conditions or recommendations to improve a concept, which would then need to be addressed in the full proposal stage.
For applicants invited to the second step, the full proposal package would include standard federal assistance forms such as the SF-424 (or SF-424-I for individuals), SF-424A (budget information), and SF-424B (assurances), along with compliance with U.S. Department of State terms and conditions and federal regulations (including 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 600). The notice also emphasized that entities listed on the SAM Excluded Parties List System (debarred or suspended parties) were not eligible to receive funds or participate in award activities. Questions about the opportunity and the SOI process were directed to the same email address used for submissions: PASKuwaitM@state.gov.Apply for KUWAIT PAS 2020 01
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kuwait in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), business and commerce, community development, disaster prevention and relief, education, employment, labor and training, environment, health, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda), law, justice and legal services, regional development, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Public Diplomacy Grants in Kuwait" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 11, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 31, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $25,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Supporting Civic Engagement, Marginalized Communities, and Education Through Exchanges and Training."
Which U.S. government office is offering this opportunity?
It was offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, Public Affairs Section (PAS).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA listing?
Funding Opportunity Number: KUWAIT-PAS-2020-01. CFDA: 19.040.
What is the overall purpose of the program?
The program was designed to fund small, Kuwait-focused public diplomacy projects that use exchanges, training, and related programming to strengthen educational preparation, civic participation, and community resilience.
How much total funding was available under this notice?
Total funding available was listed as $85,000.
How many awards were expected?
The notice anticipated roughly 10 awards, depending on final award sizes.
What was the minimum and maximum award size?
Individual awards were capped at $25,000, with a minimum award amount described as around $1,000.
How long could a project last?
Projects were generally expected to be completed within 10 months. The allowable performance period was 1 to 12 months.
When were activities expected to take place?
Proposed activities were anticipated to run in the October 2020 to September 2021 window, subject to funds availability.
What type of activities did the Embassy want to fund?
The opportunity focused on exchanges, training, and public diplomacy-style programming, with the aim of strengthening education, civic participation, and resilience in Kuwait.
Do proposed projects have to focus on Kuwait?
Yes. The work had to primarily benefit target audiences inside Kuwait, and the projects were described as Kuwait-focused.
What were the Embassy's program objectives applicants needed to address?
Projects were expected to address at least one objective, such as: preparing students in Kuwait for U.S. higher education (e.g., English instruction, college readiness, advising); strengthening participation of marginalized communities, youth, and women in politics and the economy; improving awareness and enforcement related to intellectual property rights; building U.S.-Kuwait people-to-people ties through educational, cultural, or civic activities aimed at youth and young professionals; supporting innovative approaches to social, economic, or political challenges; and promoting community resiliency during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Who were the intended target audiences?
Target audiences included youth and young professionals, educators, women, stateless residents, and other underserved groups in Kuwait.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was open to a wide range of applicants, including not-for-profit organizations (such as think tanks and NGOs), not-for-profit educational institutions, individuals, and certain foreign public entities such as public international organizations or government institutions.
Were individuals allowed to apply?
Yes. Individuals were included among eligible applicant types.
Were government institutions or international organizations eligible?
Yes. Certain foreign public entities were eligible, including public international organizations or government institutions.
Was cost sharing required?
No. Cost sharing was encouraged but not required. The notice indicated it could strengthen competitiveness, but it was not a condition of applying.
Was the application process one step or two steps?
The Embassy structured the application as a two-step process to reduce the burden on applicants: first a Statement of Interest (SOI), then a full proposal package for those invited to the second round.
What is a Statement of Interest (SOI) for this opportunity?
The SOI was a short initial submission (not a full proposal) intended as a screening round. It needed to clearly explain the project idea and what it is meant to achieve.
How long could the SOI be?
The SOI was limited to 1 to 2 pages.
What happens if the SOI exceeds the page limit?
The Embassy stated reviewers would not read beyond the page limit, and for consistency panelists might only consider the first page if an SOI exceeded the limit.
What did the SOI need to include?
The SOI needed to include a short project description covering goals, objectives, intended outcomes, performance indicators, beneficiaries, and a proposed timeline. It also needed a clear statement showing the applicant's capacity to implement the activities and responsibly manage U.S. government funds.
Did the SOI need to include budget information?
Yes. The SOI email submission needed to include a brief project summary and an estimated budget in U.S. dollars.
What language were applications required to be in?
All materials needed to be in English.
How was the SOI submitted?
Submissions were made by email to PASKuwaitM@state.gov.
What was the SOI deadline listed in the notice?
The SOI submission deadline stated in the notice was July 31, 2020.
How were SOIs evaluated and scored?
SOIs were scored using three criteria: quality of the program idea (50 points, including responsiveness, feasibility, clarity, creativity, and timeline); organizational capacity and past performance (35 points, including experience and local partner roles); and program planning/ability to achieve objectives (15 points, focusing on whether activities and expected results were well articulated).
What happens after the SOI is reviewed?
After a merit review of eligible SOIs, selected applicants would be invited to submit a complete proposal package for a second-round review before final award decisions were made.
Could the Embassy request changes to a concept before the full proposal stage?
Yes. The Grants Review Committee could attach conditions or recommendations to improve a concept, which would need to be addressed in the full proposal stage.
What forms were expected in the full proposal package?
For applicants invited to the second step, the full proposal package would include federal assistance forms such as the SF-424 (or SF-424-I for individuals), SF-424A (budget information), and SF-424B (assurances), along with compliance with Department of State terms and conditions and federal regulations.
Which federal regulations and requirements applied?
The notice referenced U.S. Department of State terms and conditions and federal regulations including 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 600.
Were applicants required to have a UEI (formerly DUNS) and SAM.gov registration?
Organizations ultimately needed a Unique Entity Identifier (historically referenced as DUNS) and active SAM.gov registration to receive an award. The Embassy did not require those registrations at the SOI stage.
When would UEI/SAM registration be required?
If invited to submit a full proposal, the organization would need to complete required registrations before the full application was submitted. The notice warned registration can take weeks.
Did individuals need SAM.gov registration at the SOI stage?
No. Individuals were not required to register in SAM.gov for eligibility at the SOI stage.
Are debarred or suspended entities allowed to apply or participate?
No. The notice emphasized that entities listed on the SAM Excluded Parties List System (debarred or suspended parties) were not eligible to receive funds or participate in award activities.
What funding authority supported this opportunity?
Funding was provided through FY20 public diplomacy funds associated with Fulbright-Hays/Smith-Mundt authorities.
Who can applicants contact with questions?
Questions about the opportunity and the SOI process were directed to PASKuwaitM@state.gov.
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| Public Diplomacy Grants in Kuwait Apply for KUWAIT PAS 2021 01 Funding Number: KUWAIT PAS 2021 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kuwait Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Business and Commerce, Community Development, Disaster Prevention and Relief, Education, Employment, Labor and Training, Environment, Health, Humanities (see Cultu Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Public Diplomacy Grants in Kuwait Apply for KUWAIT PAS 2022 01 Funding Number: KUWAIT PAS 2022 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kuwait Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Business and Commerce, Community Development, Disaster Prevention and Relief, Education, Employment, Labor and Training, Environment, Health, Humanities (see Cultu Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Public Diplomacy Grants in Kuwait Apply for KUWAIT PAS 2023 01 Funding Number: KUWAIT PAS 2023 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kuwait Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Business and Commerce, Community Development, Disaster Prevention and Relief, Education, Employment, Labor and Training, Environment, Health, Humanities (see Cultu Funding Amount: $25,000 |
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