2017 Counter-Disinformation Special Grant Competition

Call for Proposals is now: CLOSED

Deadline: July 31, 2017

As part of its Public Affairs Grants Program, the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava is pleased to announce a special competition for projects seeking to counter the influence and harmful effects of disinformation in Slovakia.

Competitive projects will focus on increasing public awareness, strengthening critical thinking skills, expanding digital literacy, and developing electronic tools and resources to counter disinformation.

Grant proposals should range from USD 5,000 to USD 20,000 and may last up to one year. This program does not require cost sharing.

Proposals for this competition must be received by July 31, 2017 for consideration.

Applicants

The U.S. Embassy Bratislava Public Affairs Section encourages applications from committed and organized civil-society organizations, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions. We seek proposals that aim to reach geographically and demographically diverse audiences within Slovakia.

Proposal Guidelines

Proposals should be submitted via the online grant application (see below), include a written narrative in English, and follow these guidelines:

Name of the organization, address, phone number, e-mail, website address, name and title of director (or person who is to sign the grant) and project coordinators, particularly those who will be involved in the project and budget specifics.
Title of Project and Description.The proposal should contain sufficient information so that anyone not familiar with the project would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do and what the project components are. Please do not exceed one page.
Project Objectives.Please provide clear objectives for what your project will achieve. What are the expected results and how they will be measured? Why do they matter?
Who is your target audience?Please provide numbers, age ranges, gender, geographic location, and other information to help us understand who will benefit from the proposed project.
Project Justification.What are the unique merits of the project? What difference does it make for Slovak understanding and knowledge of U.S. culture and society? Please do not exceed one page.
Proposed dates and venues.Please include precise dates and locations of performances or events planned. Maximum project duration should not exceed 12 months.
Detailed Budget.The applicant should prepare a line-by-line list of expenses that will be generated by this project. The budget should be prepared in a logical manner and offer enough detail that a reviewer will be able to understand exactly what the figures mean and how they were determined. Please indicate in separate columns which costs would be covered by the U.S. government, and which would be cost-shared.

Budgets must be calculated in U.S. dollars.

The Public Affairs Section will also support inviting U.S. experts to Slovakia. Such proposals may include the name of a speaker or request a speaker with a description of desired expertise. The travel costs may include economy class airfare, stipend for meals, honorarium of maximum of $250 per day and local transportation. The application should offer a proposed schedule for the expert for each day. If participation in a conference is expected please provide its description (organizer, topics, goals and objectives, audience, other expected speakers and participants). Please note that the Fly America Act requires that anyone whose air travel is financed by U.S. Government funds to utilize the economy class services of a U.S. flag carrier.

Please also note that PAS grants may NOT be used to fund partisan political activity; trade activities; fundraising campaigns; commercial projects; scientific research; construction projects; projects whose primary aim is the institutional development of the organization itself; or representational expenses (food, alcoholic beverages, etc.).

Eligibility Requirements

If your proposal is selected for funding these criteria must be met in order to receive an award:

Organizations must obtain a Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) DUNS number and register in SAM (System for Award Management) prior to being eligible to receive federal assistance funding.

As this can be a somewhat lengthy process we advise that organizations initiate the registration as soon as a project proposal has been approved. Funding will be contingent upon successful completion of registration of the organization with SAM.

To obtain a DUNS number, go to http://www.bisnode.cz/produkt/duns-cislo/ (for a local NGO).
If you are a U.S. based organization, go to: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/index.jsp
SAM registration is available at: https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/##1

Important Notes to Applicants:

Applicants should use the same official information (organization official name, address, phone number, etc.) to obtain a DUNS number and register with SAM.
Awards to individuals are exempt from the requirement to obtain a DUNS number and register with SAM.
Obtaining a DUNS number and registering in SAM is free of charge. Any additional services offered during or after the registration process are not required, and the applicant is under no obligation to sign up for them.

Program Dates

The Embassy will accept grant proposals from June 19 to July 31, 2017.

To apply: Please complete the Embassy’s application form (DOC, 795 KB) and send this document in electronic format to Bratislava_GrantsSlo@state.gov.

We will notify you upon receiving your application.

Grant proposals should include all of the information requested in the application guidelines. Proposals will not be considered until all information is received in electronic form. Proposals must be in English or accompanied by an English translation. Supporting documents may be in Slovak.

Questions should be addressed to Bratislava_GrantsSlo@state.gov

Successful applicants will receive official written notification and detailed information on further administrative procedures to finalize grant awards. Grant awards are contingent upon availability of U.S. Government funding and signing of official grant documents.