U.S. Embassy Rangoon AEIF 2026 Grants Competition

AEIF 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity_Burma

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
U.S. Embassy Rangoon AEIF 2026
Grants Competition
U.S. Embassy Rangoon, Department of State
Opportunity number: 26-MMR-AEIF-001
Application deadline: May 3, 2026
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Table of Contents
A. BASIC INFORMATION ............................................................................................ 2
B. ELIGIBILITY .......................................................................................................... 4
C. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ...................................................................................... 5
D. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT ............................................................. 6
E. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES ............................................... 12
F. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION ............................................................. 15
G. AWARD NOTICES ................................................................................................. 17
H. POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION .................................. 18
I. OTHER INFORMATION ........................................................................................ 21
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U.S Department of State
U.S. Embassy Rangoon, Public Diplomacy Section
Notice of Funding Opportunity
A. BASIC INFORMATION
1. Overview
Funding Opportunity Title U.S. Embassy Rangoon AEIF 2026 Grants Competition
Funding Opportunity Number 26-MMR-AEIF-001
Announcement Type Initial Announcement
Deadline for Applications May 3, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (GMT+6:30)
Assistance Listing Number 19.022
Length of performance period 6-12 months
Number of awards anticipated 2 awards
Award amounts Awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a
maximum of $35,000
Total available funding $70,000 pending availability of funds
Type of Funding FY26 Educational and Cultural Exchanges (ECE)
Anticipated project start date September 1, 2026
Funding Instrument Type: Grant, Fixed Amount Award.
Project Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 12 months or less.
This notice is subject to availability of funding. The Public Diplomacy Section reserves the
right to award less or more than the funds described under circumstances deemed to be in the
best interest of the U.S. government, pending the availability of funds and approval of the
designated grants officer.
2. Executive Summary
Priority Region: Burma
The U.S. Department of State’s U.S. Embassy Rangoon announces an open competition for past
participants (“alumni”) of U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-sponsored exchange
programs to submit applications to the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF
2026). We seek proposals from teams of at least two alumni that meet all program eligibility
requirements below. Alumni are strongly encouraged to apply to this notice of funding
opportunity, even if currently residing outside of Burma, provided the proposed project
will impact communities inside Burma and/or displaced persons from Burma residing outside the
United States.
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B. ELIGIBILITY
1. Eligible Applicants
The following individuals are eligible to apply:
● Applicants must be alumni of a U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange
program or a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program
(https://j1visa.state.gov/ ).
● Projects teams must include teams of at least two (2) alumni.
● Alumni who are U.S. citizens may not submit proposals, but U.S. citizen alumni
may participate as team members in a project.
● Alumni teams may be comprised of alumni from different exchange programs and
different countries.
● Applications must be submitted by exchange alumni or alumni associations of USG
exchange alumni. Exchange alumni can partner with not-for-profit or non-
governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions to implement
project activities. The grant can be issued to the individual alumni or the partner
organization.
For-profit entities, even those that may fall into the categories listed above, are not eligible to
apply for this NOFO. Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-
profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting
with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal. For
more information on the difference between sub-contract and sub-recipient, please refer to 2
CFR 200.331.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Cost sharing or matching is encouraged but not required for this funding opportunity.
3. Other Eligibility Requirements
All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a
valid registration in SAM.gov. Please see Section E.3 for more information. Individuals are not
required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.
Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal
is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible
for funding under this funding opportunity.
4. This opportunity will not support:
● Projects relating to partisan political activity;
● Charitable or development activities; including direct social services such as medical,
psychological, and/or humanitarian support
● Construction projects;
● Projects that support specific religious activities;
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● Fund-raising campaigns;
● Lobbying for specific legislation or programs
● Scientific research or surveys;
● Commercial projects;
● Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the
organization;
● Projects that duplicate existing projects;
● Illegal activities
C. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
1. Project Background, Goals, and Objectives
AEIF 2026 projects must clearly advance America First foreign policy principles
by demonstrating how alumni-led engagement makes the United States safer, stronger, and more
prosperous, while celebrating Freedom250 and American excellence.
Priority will be given to projects that deliver tangible benefits to U.S. interests, elevate U.S.
leadership, reinforce the United States as Burma’s partner of choice, and focus on one of the
priority areas outlined below.
Priority Areas:
1. Artificial Intelligence, Digital Innovation, and Workforce Competitiveness: Projects
that strengthen job-relevant skills, productivity, and workforce readiness through
responsible, applied use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, while explicitly
highlighting U.S. leadership and models in AI innovation, STEM education, ethical
technology development, and private-sector-driven digital growth. Projects should
emphasize practical applications of AI that enhance economic competitiveness,
efficiency, and innovation, and reinforce the United States’ position as the global leader
in advanced technologies.
2. Security and Protection from Transnational Threats: Projects that counter
online scams, cyber fraud, illicit finance, and related transnational threats through
prevention-focused education and public awareness, demonstrating U.S. leadership in
technology and cybersecurity.
3. Applied Education and Human Capital for National Development: Projects that
improve practical education, skills training, or research collaboration in key sectors that
support economic growth and stability, while highlighting U.S. leadership in innovation
and research.
4. Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Market-Based Growth: Projects that promote
innovation and small business development by helping individuals build practical
business and innovation skills, reflecting the strength and competitiveness of the U.S.
economy
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Additionally, projects must clearly articulate how activities and messaging:
• Promote positive perceptions of the United States and American excellence.
• Advance U.S. economic, security, or strategic interests.
• Contribute to long-term partnerships that benefit the United States.
Project Audience: Primary beneficiaries of AEIF 2026 projects may include, but are not limited
to:
• Emerging leaders across Burma seeking to expand professional collaboration and
leadership impact;
• Youth and early-career professionals developing workforce, digital, entrepreneurial, or
technical skills aligned with economic growth sectors;
• Educators, entrepreneurs, civil society professionals, or public and private sector
practitioners engaged in innovation, applied education, or digital security initiatives.
Target audiences may vary depending on project design but should clearly identify geographic
reach, professional background, and demographic characteristics relevant to project objectives.
Project Goal: AEIF is designed to increase the impact of the U.S. government’s investment in
exchange participants and programs by helping alumni implement projects that support U.S.
policy objectives and promote shared strategic interests
Project Objectives: All AEIF projects must support at least one of the following objectives:
Objective 1) Convene alumni from different exchange programs to build or expand an
alumni network capable of working together on common interests and increasing regional
and global collaboration of alumni.
Objective 2) Strengthen the relationship between alumni and the U.S. government to
work together on activities that address U.S. strategic interests.
Objective 3) Support alumni in developing their leadership and project management
capacities.
D. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT
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:
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● 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 applicant authorized signatures are provided where indicated on the various, required
forms.
The following documents are required:
1. Mandatory application forms

AEIF 2026 Proposal Form

AEIF 2026 Budget Form

SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for

Federal Assistance – individuals)

SF-424A

SF-424B (note: the SF-424B is only required for individuals, organizations exempt from

registration, and for organizations not required to fully register in SAM.gov)
2. Proposal
The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would
understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. You must use the AEIF proposal form linked
here which includes all the items below:
• About Your Project: Please choose a concise and/or catchy title, in English, for your
project which will get the attention of our audience.
• Project Team Information: The team needs to include at least two U.S. Government-
sponsored exchange alumni. Please clearly indicate the role of the team member within
the project and the percentage of time the team member will spend developing and/or
implementing the project. This should clearly relate to the proposed project budget and
any requested project management fees. Please include information about any non-
alumni team members in this section as well.
• Project Summary (250-word limit): The project summary should describe the specific
need and/or challenge that your project will address and how you will address it. Think
about who your target audience is, when and where your project will take place, what
activities you will include and why, and what change in attitudes you set out to see.
• Project Goals (1-2 sentences): What is the aim of your project? State in one or two
sentences the overall goal/s of your project and what outcome or change you expect to
see. Example: Conduct a two-week AI camp with direct subject matter expert input from
at least two Americans.
• Project Objectives (3-5 objectives): List your project objectives which will support your
project goal/s. Remember to create project objectives which are SMART (Specific,
Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time Bound). Example: Provide training
workshops for secondary school teachers on effective use of American e-learning tools to
improve content delivery and boost student attendance by 50% by the end of school year
X.
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• Project Design & Methods (500 word limit): Explain how the project is expected to
work to solve the stated problem and achieve your established goal/s. Include who will
benefit from your planned activities and how you plan to build on the outcome of this
project. You may want to include workshop or training agendas or any curricula
developed for the use in your project.
• Project Timeline (Bullet points preferred): Please provide a timeline of your project
activities. Be realistic and incorporate appropriate time for project planning. Please
include when you will submit your final project report to the U.S. Embassy.
• Beneficiaries: Please provide the estimated number of direct and indirect beneficiaries.
Direct beneficiaries are defined as persons who directly participate in your project.
Indirect beneficiaries are usually not directly connected with the project but will still
benefit from it. Example: Direct beneficiaries: 200 trained teachers; Indirect
beneficiaries: 10,000 students (taught by trained teachers).
• Local Project Partners: List any partners (individuals/organizations, etc.) with whom
you will work to support or implement your project. Local community involvement is a
strong sign that the project will engage a broad array of experts, such as subject matter
experts, community centers, academic institutions, businesses, local/national government,
non-governmental organizations, American Spaces. Please note if you have an existing
relationship with your partner organization(s) and describe their role in the project. If you
do not yet have an existing relationship, how do you anticipate establishing a partnership
with the organization(s)?
• Communication and Outreach Plan: The communication and outreach plan should lay
out how you will promote your project and through which channels. Include social
media, websites, print news, or other forms of media you intend to use to share
information. Include in the plan how you intend to engage your local U.S. Embassy or
Consulate and how you will report project highlights and achievements.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Please use the form included in the proposal applicattion to
lay out the monitoring and evaluation plan for your project. Refer back to your
established project goal/s and project objectives. Consider the data needed to effectively
monitor progress toward specific outputs and outcomes as well as how you will collect
the data. Use well-crafted indicators to measure a project’s progress toward the desired
results. Refer the Monitoring and Evaluation Resource Guide for more information.
3. Budget Justification Narrative
● Detailed Budget - Applicants must submit a detailed line-item budget using the required
budget spreadsheet linked here. Line-item expenditures should be listed in the greatest
possible detail. The budget must identify the total amount of funding requested, with a
breakdown of amounts to be spent in the following budget categories: contractual;
supplies, travel/lodging/per diem; equipment; and other direct costs. See the “Important
Budget Guidance” tab of the budget spreadsheet for a description of the types of costs
that should be included in each category. Personnel salaries should include the level of
effort and the rate of pay, which should cover the percentage of time each staff member
will dedicate to grant-based activities. If an organization is charging an indirect cost rate
without a NICRA, it must apply it to the modified total budget costs (MTDC), refer to
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2CFR§200.1. Budgets shall be submitted in U.S. dollars and final grant agreements
will be conducted in U.S. dollars.
● Budget Justification Narrative – Applicants must fill out the budget justification
narrative portion of the budget spreadsheet to accompany the detailed line-item budget.
The purpose of the budget justification narrative is to supplement the information
provided in the detailed budget spreadsheet by justifying how the budget cost elements
are necessary to implement project objectives and accomplish the project goals. The
budget justification narrative is a tool to help Embassy staff fully understand the
budgetary needs of the applicant and is an opportunity to provide descriptive information
about the requested costs beyond the constraints of the budget template. Together, the
detailed budget spreadsheet, the budget justification narrative, and the SF-424A should
provide a complete financial and qualitative description that supports the proposed
project plan and should be directly related to the specific project components described in
the applicant’s proposal.
Additional Budget Notes:
● Awards to Individuals: Please note the following budget guidelines for the Individual
Award:
ο Salary/Honoraria: Only the award recipient may receive salary/honoraria from
this funding mechanism. The Recipient must be the primary point of contact and
manage all programmatic activities.
ο Contractual Costs: Additional individuals working on the award are only
permissible through contracted services, as long as the services are not related to
the core programmatic activities. Expenses for services such as accounting, legal
support, social media management, website designer, etc., are allowable.
ο Other Direct Costs: Expenses related to securing venues, managing logistics,
catering, etc. are allowable.
● Audit Requirements: Please note the audit requirements for Department of State awards
in the Standard Terms and Conditions https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm and
2CFR200, Subpart F – Audit Requirements. The cost of the required audits may be
charged either as an allowable direct cost to the award OR included in the organization’s
established indirect costs in the award’s detailed budget.
● Visa Fees: Include all visa application and related fees in your budget as applicable.
Please note DS-2019s for post-funded programs must be submitted directly by the award
recipient. If you anticipate your program will include the DS-2019 visa processing, your
organization must be a registered Designated Sponsoring Organization. For more
information go to: https://j1visa.state.gov/sponsors/become-a-sponsor/
● Costs NOT supported by AEIF include:
ο Staff salaries & office space
ο Large items of durable equipment or construction programs
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ο Alcohol, excessive meals, refreshments not integral to the project, or
entertainment
ο Any airfare to/from the United States and its territories (except U.S. Citizen
alumni in support of AEIF project implementation)
ο Activities that take place in the United States and its territories
ο Academic or scientific research
ο Charitable or development activities
ο Provision of direct social services to a population
ο Individual scholarships
ο Social travel/visits
ο Gifts or prizes
ο Duplication of existing programs
ο Institutional development of an organization
ο Venture capital, for-profit endeavors, or charging a fee for participation in the
project
ο Support for specific religious activities
ο Fund-raising campaigns
ο Support or opposition of partisan political activity or lobbying for specific
legislation
4. Attachments (if applicable)
● Key Personnel Resumes: A résumé, not to exceed one page in length, must be included
for the proposed key staff persons, such as the Project Director and Finance Officer, as
well as any speakers or trainers (if applicable). If an individual for this type of position
has not been identified, the applicant may submit a 1-page position description,
identifying the qualifications and skills required for that position, in lieu of a résumé.
● Letters of support from program partners: Letters of support should be included for
sub-recipients or other partners. The letters must identify the type of relationship to be
entered into (formal or informal), the roles and responsibilities of each partner in relation
to the proposed project activities, and the expected result of the partnership. The
individual letters cannot exceed 1 page in length.
● Indirect Costs: If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement
(NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be
included in the application submission.
● Proof of Non-profit Status: Documentation to demonstrate the applicant’s non-profit
status (e.g., U.S.-based organizations should submit a copy of their 501(c)(3) Internal
Revenue Service determination letter, and non-U.S. organizations should provide evidence
of non-profit status issued by a government entity).
● Proof of Registration: A copy of the organization’s registration should be provided with
the proposal application. U.S.-based organizations should submit a copy of their IRS
determination letter. Burma-based organizations should submit a copy of their certificate
of registration from the appropriate government organization.
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Other items NOT required/requested with the application submission, but which may be
requested if your application is approved to move forward in the review process include:
a. Copies of an organization or program audit within the last two (2) years
b. Copies of relevant human resources, financial, or procurement policies
c. Copies of other relevant organizational policies or documentation that would help the
Department determine your organization’s capacity to manage a federal grant award
overseas
d. Documentation that demonstrates the recipients’ plan and/or policy to safeguard PII
of participants and beneficiaries. It is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure
protection of personally identifiable information (PII) and safeguard PII when
collecting, maintaining, using and disseminating such information
e. Information to determine what financial controls and standard operating procedures
an organization uses to procure goods and services, hire staff and track time and
attendance, pay for grant-related travel, and identify other financial transactions that
may be necessary to undertake the project activities
f. The Embassy reserves the right to request any additional programmatic and/or
financial information regarding the proposal.
E. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES
1. Address to Request Application Package
Application forms required above are available at https://mm.usembassy.gov/aeif-2026/
2. Department of State Contacts
If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact:
RangoonUSECA@state.gov.
3. Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)
Required Registration: All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another
country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in 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.
An applicant must maintain an active registration while it has a proposal under review by the
Department and must continue to keep the registration active for the entire duration of the period
of performance of any Federal award that results from this NOFO.
The 2 CFR 200 also requires subrecipients to obtain a UEI. Please note the UEI for
subrecipients is not required at the time of application but will be required before an award is
processed and/or directed to a subrecipient.
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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 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 prior to registering
in SAM.gov.
● 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 to apply for non-DoD foreign
assistance funding opportunities. If an applicant organization is mid-registration and
wishes to remove an 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 an 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.
Exemptions
An exemption from the UEI and sam.gov registration requirements may be permitted on a case-
by-case basis. See 2 CFR 25.110 for a full list of exemptions.
Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or SAM.gov requirements must email the point of
contact listed in the NOFO at least one week 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.
Please note: Any applicant with an exclusion in the System for Award Management (SAM) is not
eligible to apply for an assistance award in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that
implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp.,
p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.”
4. Submission Dates and Times
Submission Deadline: All applications must be received by May 3, 2026, 11:59 p.m.
(GMT+6:30). For the purposes of determining if an award is submitted on time, PDS will utilize
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the timestamp provided by Grants.gov. This deadline is firm and is not a rolling deadline. If
organizations fail to meet the deadline noted above their application will be considered ineligible
Submission Method: Submitting all application materials directly to the following email
address: RangoonUSECA@state.gov. Applicants opting to submit applications via email to
RangoonUSECA@state.gov must include the Funding Opportunity Title and Funding
Opportunity Number in the subject line of the email.
5. Funding Restrictions
i. Funding Restrictions for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA): None
of the funds awarded resulting from this Notice of Funding Opportunity may be made
available for subawards, direct financial support, or otherwise used to provide any
payment or transfer to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
ii. Certification Regarding Compliance with Applicable Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws”
If the place of performance or delivery of any award made under this NOFO will be
within the United States, applicants are advised that they will be required to certify the
following at the time of award:
a. Its compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws
is material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of section
3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code and;
b. It does not operate any programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that
violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws. A program promoting
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion means a program whose purpose is to promote
preferences based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origins, such as in
training or hiring.
iii. Certification of Trafficking in Persons Compliance and Compliance Plan: Applicants are
advised that they will be required to certify the following at the time of award for awards
where the estimated value of services to be performed outside the United States exceeds
$500,000:
a. To the best of the Recipient’s knowledge, neither the Recipient, nor any
subrecipient, contractor, or subcontractor of the Recipient or any agent of the
recipient or of such a subrecipient, contractor, or subcontractor, is engaged in any
of the activities described in 2 CFR 175.105(a);
b. The recipient has implemented a Trafficking in Persons compliance plan to
prevent activities described in 2 CFR 175(a) and is compliant with this plan; and
the compliance plan must follow the minimum requirements described in 2 CFR
175(b)(5).
c. That the Recipient has and will implement procedures to prevent activities
described in 2 CFR 175.105(a) and to monitor, detect, and terminate any
subrecipient, contractor, subcontractor, or employee of the recipient engaging in
these activities.
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i. Recipients do not need to submit a copy of the plan. However, they must provide it to
the Grants Officer upon request, and as appropriate, must post the useful and relevant
contents of the plan or related materials on its website and at the workplace.
Recipients must re-certify on an annual basis for the entire award period of
performance.
iv. Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Manufactured or Assembled by American
Security Drone Act-Covered Foreign Entities
(a) Definitions.
American Security Drone Act-covered foreign entity means an entity included on
a list developed and maintained by the Federal Acquisition Security Council
(FASC) and published in the System for Award Management (SAM) at
https://www.sam.gov
FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system means an unmanned aircraft
system manufactured or assembled by an American Security Drone Act-covered
foreign entity.
Unmanned aircraft means an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of
direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.
Unmanned aircraft system means an unmanned aircraft and associated elements
(including communication links and the components that control the unmanned
aircraft) that are required for the operator to operate safely and efficiently in the
national airspace system.
(b) Prohibition. Recipients of funding under this Notice of Funding Opportunity
(including subawards and subcontracts issued by the recipient) will be prohibited
from:
(1) delivering any FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system, which
includes unmanned aircraft (i.e., drones) and associated elements;
(2)Operating a FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system in the performance of
the award; and
(3) Using Federal funds for the purchase or operation of a FASC-
prohibited unmanned aircraft system .
c) Exemptions, exceptions, and waivers. The prohibitions described above will not
apply if the agency determines that an exemption, exception, or waiver applies and
the award indicates that such a determination has been made. [See sections 1823
through 1825 and 1832 of Public Law 118-31 ( 41 U.S.C. 3901 note prec.) for
statutory requirements pertaining to exemptions, exceptions, and waivers.].
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v. Pre-Award Costs: Pre-award costs are not an allowable expense for this funding
opportunity.
vi. Construction: Any award made as a result of this NOFO will not allow for construction
activities or costs.
vii. Direct Social Services: Costs that cover and provide direct social services, such as
welfare, charity, health or economic relief, are unallowable. Medical assistance, such as
costs to include medical professionals, including but not limited to doctors, nurses, and
psychiatrists to participate in the project activities are not allowed.
6. Other Submission Requirements: Copyrights and Proprietary Information
If any of the information contained in your application is proprietary, please note in the
footer of the appropriate pages that the information is Confidential – Proprietary. Applicants
should also note what parts of the application, program, concept, etc. are covered by
copyright(s), trademark(s), or any other intellectual property rights and provide copies of the
relevant documentation to support these copyrights.
Applicants must acquire all required registrations and rights in the United States and Burma.
All intellectual property considerations and rights must be fully met in the United States and
Burma.
Any sub-recipient organization must also meet all the U.S. and Burma requirements
described above.
F. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION
1. Review Criteria
Criteria: Each application submitted under this announcement will be evaluated and rated on the
basis of the criteria enumerated below. The criteria are designed to assess the quality of the
proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of its success.
Relevance to Application Theme
The proposal provides sufficient information on how the activities will support the theme(s) of
the competition. The narrative explains any relevant local context the D.C. Selection Committee
may not be aware of in relation to this project. Proposed project ideas must be public diplomacy
in nature (i.e. not development or military).
Purpose and Summary, Description, and Implementation Plan
When developing the purpose, summary, description, and implementation plan, applicants should
aim to make all descriptions clear, concise, and compelling. Reviewers will judge the proposals
based on the likelihood for the project to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the community
where it is undertaken. Does the project address an important gap of understanding or need? If
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the aim of the project is achieved, how will existing knowledge or practice be improved? What
audience do the applicants hope to reach with this project? How many will participate? How
will they be selected?
Degree of Alumni Involvement
Projects must include the involvement of at least two (2) exchange alumni. They may be the
project team leaders or collaborate directly with PAS in formulating the project. More than two
alumni may comprise the team, however, the minimum is two. As the team leaders, the alumni
must be closely involved in project planning, implementation, etc. Applicants should ensure that
the proposal includes the following information for each alumni team member: first name, last
name, e-mail address, exchange program, country of citizenship, roles and responsibilities.
Participation and Support from Local Partners
The proposal demonstrates buy-in and support from the community where the project will take
place. Local partner involvement is a strong sign that there is community support and that the
project will engage a broad array of experts, such as subject matter experts, community centers,
academic institutions, businesses, local/national government, non-governmental organizations,
American Spaces, etc.
Evaluation and Impact of the Project
A monitoring & evaluation (M&E) plan is pivotal to project implementation and important
tracking progress towards the project’s objectives and goals. An M&E plan should consider the
data needed to effectively monitor progress toward specific outputs and outcomes as well as how
that data collection will be accomplished. Well-crafted indicators should be used to understand a
program’s progress toward the desired results. An M&E plan should be reviewed for the
following:
• Completion
• Applicability and logic of objectives and indicators
• Clear approach to monitoring
• Adherence to SMART criteria
• Feasibility of baselines and targets
• Data quality plan
• Capacity to implement plan
Communication, Media, and Outreach Plan
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The project should include a clear plan and timeline for how and when the team will share
information about the project. It is important to ensure that the U.S. Embassy gets recognition
throughout the process, if circumstances permit.
Budget and Budget Narrative
The budget and narrative justification are sufficiently 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. The results and proposed outcomes justify the
total cost of the project. Budget items are reasonable, allowable, and allocable.
2. Indirect Costs
If two or more applications receive equivalent scores based on the evaluation criteria outlined in
this NOFO, preference will be given to the applicant with the lower indirect cost rate, as
consistent with Executive Order 14332, Section 4(b)(iii). This preference will only be applied as
a tie-breaking mechanism and does not supersede the primary evaluation criteria.
3. Review and Selection Process
a. Acknowledgement of receipt. Applicants will receive acknowledgment of receipt of their
proposal.
b. Review. All submissions are screened for technical eligibility. If a submission is
missing any required forms/documents listed above in Section D. Application
Contents and Format, it will be considered ineligible and will not be reviewed by the
grants review committee. A technical review panel will review eligible proposals based
upon the criteria noted in this NOFO.
c. Follow up notification. Applicants will generally be notified within 120 days after the
NOFO deadline regarding the results of the review panel.
4. Risk Review
i. Under the merit review as required by 2 CFR 200.206, prior to making a Federal Award
the Department will review and consider the following risk factors:
a. Financial stability
b. Management systems and standards
c. History of performance
d. Audit reports and findings
e. Ability to effectively implement project requirements
f. Country and programmatic risk considerations, including operational and
security risks associated with project implementation in Burma. Certain
geographic areas may present elevated risks due to ongoing conflict, civil unrest,
restricted access, infrastructure limitations, or disruptions to transportation,
communications, or financial services. Applicants proposing activities in higher-
risk locations should demonstrate appropriate risk mitigation measures, including
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contingency planning, participant safety considerations, and flexible
implementation approaches.
ii. High Risk Designation
Awardees that are deemed to be high risk based on the above risk factors will be held to
special award conditions. At a minimum, the recipient and/or project designated as High
Risk will be required to submit monthly narrative reports and/or quarterly detailed financial
reports. Recipients may also be required, upon request of the Grants Officer or Grants
Officer Representative, to provide electronic copies of receipts or other supporting
documentation (e.g., timesheets, travel documents) for costs incurred. The Grants Officer
may withhold 20% of the award amount until final reports have been reviewed and approved
by the GO. The recipient may be required to pay all salaries supported by the grant via
electronic funds transfer. Other special award conditions may also be included if deemed
appropriate by the Grants Officer.
G. AWARD NOTICES
The award or cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the
Grants Officer. The award agreement is the authorizing document, and it will be provided to the
recipient for review and counter-signature. The recipient may only start incurring project
expenses beginning on the start date shown on the 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.
Payment Method:
Recipients will be required to request payment by completing form SF-270—Request for
Advance or Reimbursement and submitting the form to the Grants Officer and Grants Officer
Representative.
Recipients may not draw down funds without the affirmative authorization of the Department of
State. In addition, recipients must submit, with each SF-270 payment request, a detailed
explanation justifying the request.
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H. 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. These include:
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:
● 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:
o 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),
o 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),
o 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), and
o Terminating 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).
For the avoidance of doubt, the Department has sole discretion over the
determination that an award no longer effectuates program goals or agency
priorities, and this provision permits awards to be terminated at the Department’s
convenience, including when it determines that the award no longer advances the
national interest.
● 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
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● 2 CFR 600 – DEPARTMENT OF STATE REQUIREMENTS
● U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS
● Recipients must comply with all applicable Executive Orders. A searchable list can be
found in the Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/ .
2. Reporting
Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and
program reports. The award document will specify what reports are required and how often
these reports must be submitted. Note: most recipients will be required to submit quarterly
program progress and financial reports throughout the project period. The quarterly progress
report should include an up-to-date copy of the PMP datasheet. Progress and financial reports
are due 30 days after the reporting period. Final certified programmatic and financial reports
are due 120 days after the close of the project period.
All reports are to be submitted electronically.
The Awardee must also provide the Embassy on an annual basis an inventory of all the U.S.
government provided equipment using the SF428 form.
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 program or sector
and/or regions or country, the successful applicant will be required to maintain separate
accounting records.
3. Branding and Marking
The Department of State, its programs, and U.S. Government funding and assistance should
be easily identifiable to the Department's global audiences.
Recipients of federal assistance awards must follow the branding guidance published at
Guidance for Contracts and Grants - U.S. Department of State Brand System. Branding
policy exceptions are outlined in the U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual 10
FAM 416, Policy Exceptions.
For more information, visit: https://brand.america.gov/
I. OTHER INFORMATION
Guidelines for Budget Justification
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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 $10,000 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 $10,000 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 15% of Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC) as defined in 2 CFR 200.1.
“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 and
other entertainment related expenses.
STEP Enrollment
U.S. citizens who travel to Burma are encouraged to enroll in the Department of State's Smart
Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) available at: https://step.state.gov/step/. Enrollment
enables citizens to receive security-related messages from the Embassy and makes it easier for us
to locate you in an emergency. The Embassy also recommends that all travelers review the State
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Department's travel website at travel.state.gov for the Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts,
and Burma Specific Information.
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