U.S. Embassy Managua - Annual Program Statement | PAS MANAGUA FY22 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS MANAGUA FY22 01

The U.S. Embassy in Managua, through its Public Affairs Section (PAS), opened its 2021-2022 Annual Program Statement (APS) Small Grants Program to support projects that advance PAS priorities and strengthen connections between Nicaragua and the United States. The opportunity is run by the U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to Nicaragua) under CFDA 19.040 and may be issued as a grant, cooperative agreement, or other award type. The program anticipates making about seven awards, with a maximum funding level of USD 60,000 per award, and projects may be short-term or run for up to 24 months. While cost-sharing is welcomed, it is not required, and all awards depend on available funding.

Eligibility is limited to Nicaraguan and U.S. applicants. That includes registered non-profit or non-governmental organizations (including civil society groups with relevant programming experience), Nicaraguan and U.S. individuals, and institutions of higher education. Organizations that apply for U.S. federal funding are expected to complete required entity registrations before submitting an application package, including NCAGE/CAGE (as applicable), DUNS and/or the newer Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and an active SAM.gov registration. The Embassy notes the U.S. government transition away from DUNS toward UEI and encourages applicants to provide both identifiers when possible. There are no fees for these registrations.

Applications are not submitted through Grants.gov Workspace. Instead, applicants must submit a complete application package by email to PASManagua@state.gov, using the subject line "PAS Small Grants Application." Files must be sent in standard formats such as PDF, Word, Excel, or JPG. The Embassy will not accept emails containing zipped attachments (such as WinZip or WinRAR). Proposals missing required documentation are rejected without review, so completeness is treated as a basic threshold requirement. The application window opened in December 2021 and closed on March 31, 2022 (with the notice also warning that no applications would be accepted after March 30, 2022), meaning applicants needed to plan for submission ahead of the deadline.

The program has several clear restrictions on what it will not fund. Ineligible activities include projects that are primarily partisan political or religious in nature, lobbying for specific legislation or programs, international air travel unless it is essential to achieving project goals, charitable giving, for-profit or commercial/trade activities, fundraising campaigns, scientific research, general institutional development or organizational support as the main purpose, duplicative activities that mirror existing projects, construction or infrastructure, vehicle purchases, proposals where salaries are the central purpose of the grant, and proposals where refreshments are a main cost driver rather than a minor support expense.

Proposals are scored competitively using four main criteria. First, the "quality of the program plan" matters: PAS is looking for original ideas, clearly stated objectives, and specific expected results that align with PAS goals in the APS. A meaningful U.S. component is important and should be explicit, such as collaboration with U.S. partners or an exchange element connecting Nicaraguan and American participants. Second, applicants must show an "ability to achieve program objectives" by presenting feasible activities, a realistic implementation approach, measurable objectives, and a clear timeline. Third, applications must include "project evaluation" and sustainability, meaning applicants should explain how they will measure success during and after implementation (for example, by attaching draft survey questions or describing another evaluation method) and how positive impacts will continue beyond the grant period. Fourth, the "budget and narrative justification" must be complete, detailed, and reasonable, with realistic cost estimates tied directly to proposed activities and anticipated results. The Embassy also recommends budgeting for outreach, advertising, and promotion to recruit participants and ensure visibility for program activities.

After submission, a review committee evaluates proposals, and the initial review process may take up to two months, during which some applicants might be contacted for clarifications. Funding decisions were expected around May 2022, and the overall evaluation and award process typically takes four to five months, although the notice cautions that timelines can shift based on funding availability. The Embassy also states it will not provide consultations or application guidance during the competition and will not discuss submissions with applicants until the review process is complete. Finally, the Embassy advises all grantees to read Nicaragua's Foreign Agents Law (issued in October 2020), signaling that applicants should consider local compliance obligations when planning and implementing activities.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Nicaragua in the education, employment, labor and training sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Managua - Annual Program Statement" 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 Dec 16, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 31, 2022 Submit the application package to PASManagua@state.gov only. It is required to submit the full application package. No application will be received after March 30, 2022.. (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 $60,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 7 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: 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, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for PAS MANAGUA FY22 01

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