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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the premier government agency dedicated to the conservation, protection, and enhancement of fish, wildlife and plants, and their habitats. We are the only agency in the federal government whose primary responsibility is the conservation and management of these important natural resources for the American public. The Service's origins date back to 1871 when Congress established the U.S. Fish Commission to study the decrease in the nation’s food fishes and recommend ways to reverse that decline. Today, we are a diverse and largely decentralized organization, employing about 8,000 dedicated professionals working out of facilities across the country, including a headquarters office in Falls Church, Virginia, and eight regional offices representing the 12 Unified Interior Regions. A variety of programs within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS, Service) and the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS, Refuge System) are focused on engaging diverse youth in wildlife conservation and public land management. The Service enters into cooperative agreements with member organizations of the FWS Youth Corps to engage with youth and veterans in projects under the Authority of the Public Lands Corps Act (PLC). The current list of FWS Youth Corps member organizations, application information for organizations interested in partnering with the FWS Youth Corps, and program contact information is available at: Youth U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (fws.gov) FWS Public Lands Corps Act Overview The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partners with qualified youth and veteran serving organizations or qualified Conservation Corps with the organizational capacity and unique qualifications necessary to work collaboratively with the FWS to develop projects under the Public Lands Corps Act. The purpose of the PLC is to provide work and educational opportunities for youth in the areas of natural and cultural resource conservation, development, and scientific research. Youth perform work on our nation’s public lands that cannot be carried out by Federal agencies at existing personnel levels. The PLC allows the Service to enter into partnerships using a financial assistance/cooperative with partner organizations to employ youth in PLC projects and internships. PLC participants who complete program requirements will be eligible for non-competitive appointment to Federal positions for which they qualify. Eligible partner organizations must: Be a State or local government entity, the governing body of any Indian tribe, a nonprofit organization, or an accredited institution of higher education. Be members of the FWS Youth Corps. Have financial policies and procedures that reflect generally accepted accounting principles Have risk management policies that reflect industry standards and are proactive and thorough in mitigating and managing risk to PLC Participants. Have a contract or financial assistance agreement with the Service that clearly identifies both organization’s roles and responsibilities for implementing the PLC program, or have documentation (e.g. organizational charter or similar documentation) that they have performed conservation work on Federal, State, tribal, local or private lands and utilized young people between the ages of 16 and 30 years of age, and Veterans up to age 32. Provide liability insurance. Provide workers compensation insurance through the partnering organization or the state. (The FECA covers all civilian Federal employees except for non-appropriated fund employees. There is additional special legislation which provides potential coverage to Peace Corps and VISTA volunteers; Federal petit or grand jurors, volunteer members of the Civil Air Patrol, ROTC, Job Corps, YCC, and non-Federal law enforcement officers under certain circumstance involving crimes against the US. And of course, FWS volunteers have certain coverage dependent on VSA's.) Contribute a minimum of 25% of the total costs of the project or internship program either as direct funds or qualified in-kind services unless the project is carried out on Indian or Hawaiian homelands. Additionally, these organizations must have an established program that: Offers meaningful, full-time, productive work for PLC Participants in a natural or cultural resource setting. Provides a mix of work experience, basic and life skills, education training, and support services. Provides PLC Participants with the opportunity to develop citizenship values and skills through service to their community and the United States. Provides PLC Participants with a living allowance, stipend, or wages. Former Public Land Corps participants may be granted non-competitive hiring status for permanent competitive positions within the Department of the Interior, provided both they and the partner organization meet the above requirements. Non-competitive hiring status is granted through an approved FWS process. The former PLC participant also must be selected from a non-competitive selection certificate and appointed within two years of the candidate’s completion of PLC service qualifying him/her for the non-competitive hiring authority. PLC and Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Goals This special hiring authority provides the FWS with an opportunity to help meet the agency's goal of building a diverse and inclusive workforce. The FWS is committed to building and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the ethnic, age, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds and language diversity of contemporary America. Diversity means having many different elements, ideas and qualities. We define workforce diversity as the differences that influence personal perspectives of individuals in that workforce – not just those differences based on ethnicity, gender, color, age, race, religion, disability, national origin, and sexual orientation, but also differences in communication style, career path, life experience, educational background, geographic location, income level, marital status, military experience, parental status, and other variables that influence personal perspectives. Inclusion is about recognizing, respecting, and valuing differences that influence personal perspectives. These unique perspectives make us react differently, solve problems differently, and see different opportunities. Superior organizational performance requires employing people with a diversity of thought. Equal employment opportunity: The Service has an ongoing obligation under equal employment opportunity laws, executive orders, and other standards to prevent discrimination on the bases of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, retaliation/reprisal, disability, sexual orientation, parental status, and genetic information; we are also obliged to eliminate barriers that impede free and open competition in the workplace. We conduct an annual self-assessment to monitor progress and identify areas where barriers may exclude certain groups. In conducting this assessment, we compare our internal participation rates with corresponding rates in the relevant Civilian Labor Force (CLF) as points of reference. Equal employment opportunity is focused on equality and equal access, and is primarily concerned with protected classes. Even with these protections, it is important to treat every individual with respect and to embrace differences in the workplace. In this way, equal employment opportunity is distinct from diversity. FWS Public Lands Corps Act Programs PLC projects must be developed in collaboration with a FWS program, refuge, or field office. FWS Programs that enter into cooperative agreements under the Authority of the Public Lands Corps Act include but are not limited to the following: FWS Youth Corps Under the Authorization of the Public Lands Corps Act, FWS Youth Corps, collaboratively develops projects with PLC FWS Youth Corps member organizations to provide experiential, education, and employment program opportunities for youth between the ages of 16-30 and veterans 35 and younger to address resource conservation, community engagement, environmental education, facility and trail maintenance, invasive species management, and recreation access needs. Department of the Interior Personnel Bulletin (PB) 17-03 establishes the policy and procedures for providing former members who served a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service during PLC qualifying projects, including 120 hours in direct support of Federally managed public lands/facilities, with a non-competitive hiring status certificate for permanent competitive positions with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Directorate Fellows Program (DFP)Under the authorization of the Public Land Corp Act, Resources Assistant Program, the Department of the Interior established policy for bureaus to implement the Direct Hire Authority, Resources Assistant Internship Program (DHA/RAIP) in 2012. The key requirements of the program are: (1) students must be enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs; and (2) mandated targeted recruitment to ensure the full representation of women and participants from historically Black, Hispanic, Asian Pacific Islander and Native American schools or other schools with diverse student populations; and (3) design a rigorous project for a minimum of least 11-weeks for candidates selected to participate in the program. FWS branded the DHA/RAIP, Directorate Fellows Program (DFP), and designed it with the intent of creating a pipeline of diverse talented individuals who would qualify and be eligible for hiring into permanent entry level science positions. The FWS, DFP was implemented in 2014 with a focus on recruiting diverse students pursuing biological science, natural resources management or related degrees that support FWS conservation mission. The FWS, DFP has provided a cohort of well-qualified, motivated folks who are eligible for direct hiring authority. Since its inception, the DFP has provided 11-week rigorous fellowships for hundreds of students with exemplary talent, approximately 200 of whom have joined our workforce so far. Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF) has been selected through a directed Request for Information (RFI) as uniquely qualified to implement the Directed Fellows Program in FY 2022. In addition, several organizations have been selected through a directed RFI to provide recruitment support for the Directorate Fellows Program. Applications from qualified partner organizations for collaborative agreements to support DFP will be submitted through this announcement through GrantSolutions. Public Lands Transportation Fellows Program (PTLF) The Public Lands Transportation Fellows program (PLTF) provides fellowships to outstanding graduates in a transportation-related field to work directly with staff of Federal Land Management Agencies on key visitor transportation issues. The PLTF program began in 2012 and was modeled after the very successful Transportation Scholars program managed by the National Park Foundation (NPF) that serves the National Park Service (NPS). The PLTF program gives recent graduates (sometimes current students) in a transportation related engineering, planning, or resource management program a unique opportunity for career development and public service. Successful applicants are placed at a federal land unit facing a transportation issue to facilitate a transportation planning or implementation project. A fellow is assigned to work directly with staff at a unit or headquarters/region/field office. The assigned projects help the land units develop transportation solutions that preserve valuable resources and enhance the visitor experience. The program has three goals, which are to: Encourage emerging transportation professionals to pursue their career serving federal lands. Provide much needed transportation expertise to FMLA units and regions to help them address critical transportation issues. Support the development, implementation and evaluation of viable alternative transportation for visitors to FLMA’s. The Public Lands Transportation Fellows program is a collaborative agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Montana State University Western Transportation Institute. Youth Conservation Corps The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is a summer youth employment program that engages young people in meaningful work experiences on public lands while developing an ethic of environmental stewardship and civic responsibility. YCC programs are generally 8 to 10 weeks long. Participants are paid the minimum wage for a 40-hour work week. Most YCC opportunities are non-residential programs that provide paid daytime work. The Service anticipates entering into cooperative agreements with multiple organizations to accomplish crew-based YCC projects in fiscal year 2022. Collaborative projects must be submitted through GrantSolutions prior to the Application Due Date of this Notice of Funding Opportunity. Youth Conservation Corps U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (fws.gov) Career Discovery Internship Program Founded in 2008, the Career Discovery Internship Program (CDIP) was created in partnership with the Student Conservation Association (SCA) to help prepare the next generation of wildlife professionals and managers by: Introducing culturally and ethnically diverse college freshman and sophomores to conservation careers in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service); Giving field staff the experience of working with culturally and ethnically diverse employee; and Increasing the diversity of the applicant pool for conservation based jobs. These internships provide a diverse group of youth with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field. Interns are paid a living wage and, in some cases, are also provided with room and board for the duration of their service. CDIP interns are assigned to Service field stations for a summer of hard work and experiential education. Before beginning their assignment, interns attend a week-long training and orientation program. During this time, interns receive a variety of training units including an introduction to the Service and SCA, cultural and intergenerational awareness training, mentor/mentee training to name a few. The interns also engage in simulations and Service challenges designed and facilitated by Service and SCA staff. Interns also meet their designated mentor for the summer, who is a Service employee. Service challenges are usually management issues common to daily life on a Service field station, with topics considering public relations, invasive species, and resource conservation. The interns close their week with a presentation on their solutions to these challenges. CDIP project applications must be submitted in GrantSolutions prior to the Application Due Date of this Notice of Funding Application. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service CDIP Student Conservation Association CDIP

ECR’s Building Capacity in STEM Education Research (ECR: BCSER) supports projects that build investigators’ capacity to carry out high-quality STEM education research that will enhance the nation’s STEM education enterprise. In addition, ECR: BCSER seeks to broaden the pool of researchers who can advance knowledge regarding STEM learning and learning environments, broadening participation in STEM fields, and STEM workforce development. Researchersof races and ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities who are currently underrepresented in their participation in STEM education research and the STEM workforce,as well as faculty at minority-serving and two-year institutions, are particularly encouraged to submit proposals. Specifically, ECR: BCSER supports activities that enable researchers to expand their areas of expertise and acquire the requisite knowledge and skills to conduct rigorous research in STEM education. Career development may be accomplished through investigator-initiated professional development and research projects or through institutes that enable researchers to integrate methodological strategies with theoretical and practical issues in STEM education.

OJP is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights and racial equity, increases access to justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens community safety and protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community. This program furthers the Department’s mission by supporting juvenile justice systems reform by providing training and technical assistance to juvenile justice practitioners to assist them in meeting the needs of justice-involved LGBTQ+ and Two-Spirit youth to ensure that contact with the juvenile justice system is rare, fair and beneficial.

Funding Opportunity Title: Saudi Young Leaders Exchange Program (SYLEP) Funding Opportunity Number: DOS-SAU-PD-2207 Deadline for Applications: August 15, 2022 Total Amount Available: $350,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Office of Public Affairs (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to support English-speaking undergraduate students and recent graduates from Saudi Arabia in a three-week U.S.-based exchange program in Summer 2023 that explores the themes of community engagement to promote peace and prosperity, leadership development, respect for diversity, tolerance of religious beliefs, and a mutual cultural understanding. The program should continue after the U.S.-based exchange with follow-on activities in the participants’ home communities, including through alumni activities focused on social entrepreneurship and projects promoting peaceful coexistence with other members of society and the world at large. A total of 30 participants would travel to the United States in up to two delegations from Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2023. U.S. Embassy Riyadh funding will support the planning and implementation of U.S.-based programming, including a period of homestays with American families, and participant international travel. The U.S. Embassy Riyadh and the U.S. Consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran will recruit, screen, and select the participants and support program alumni, in coordination with the award recipient. Pending the availability of funds, it is U.S. Embassy Riyadh’s intent to award one cooperative agreement for an estimated total amount of $350,000 for a one-year program. Please follow all instructions below. Program Objectives: The U.S. Mission’s support of this youth leadership exchange, SYLEP, which seeks to build leadership, civic responsibility, respect for diversity, and community engagement among Saudi university students and recent graduates through a three-week summer exchange started in the summer of 2014. This successful program is being revised to strengthen additional components such as promotion of peace and prosperity, as well as tolerance and cultural understanding. The goals and objectives of the program are to: Promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of Saudi Arabia. Prepare youth leaders to become involved in sowing the seeds of tolerance and cross-cultural understanding in their own communities. Inspire youth leaders to become actively engaged in social entrepreneurship programs that help their communities in areas such as addressing the needs of persons with disabilities, developing opportunities for those facing unemployment and underemployment, and assisting the underprivileged in their own society. Teach students techniques for conflict analysis and resolution. Participants and Audiences: Applicants should propose to implement a three-week U.S.-based exchange for 30 recent graduate and undergraduate students. Applicants may propose a plan to break the delegation into smaller cohorts for some of the exchange activities. This is to ensure all participants benefit from exchange activities and to increase the effectiveness of monitoring and evaluation, including the participants’ safety and well-being while on the U.S.-based program. Participants will be recent graduate and undergraduate university students, who have demonstrated leadership abilities in their schools and/or communities, are able to demonstrate fluency in English, and are Saudi citizens residing in Saudi Arabia. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 9 to 12 months Number of awards anticipated: 1 award. The Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy Riyadh reserves the right to award less or more than the amount above in the absence of suitable applications or under such other circumstances as PAS may deem to be in the best interest of the U.S. Government. Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $300,000 to a maximum of $350,000 Total available funding: $350,000 Anticipated program start date: June 2023 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and the U.S. Consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran will help recruit, screen, and nominate participants beginning in early 2023. The award recipient will conduct an initial screening of applications and recommend approximately 50-75 top candidates for consideration to the Public Affairs Sections of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Saudi Arabia. The Embassy and Consulates will select the final participants for the exchange. In addition to recruitment, the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and the U.S. Consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran will provide pre-departure briefings, facilitate visa application processes, and oversee follow-on alumni projects. The award recipient must consult regularly with the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy to implement the project and coordinate participants’ international travel. The award recipients will also be responsible for preparing materials for the pre-departure briefings and providing follow-on support to participants. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12-months or less. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION The following organizations are eligible to apply: public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501 (c)(3). 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. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov. Organizations should have significant experience working with international audiences, particularly youth. Additionally, they should have a history of successful program implementation and a proven capacity for designing effective exchanges in fields such as economics, entrepreneurship, healthcare, STEAM, volunteer and community services, and capacity-building and fostering leadership skills. 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. COST SHARING OR MATCHING There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this competition; however, PAS encourages cost sharing, contributions in-kind, and other forms of cost participation. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, contact Brittani DiPaolo, Deputy Cultural Attaché, U.S. Embassy Riyadh at: Email: dipaolobm@state.gov Phone: +966-11-835-4000 ext. 4522 SUBMISSION DEADLINE Applications are due no later than midnight Eastern Standard Time on August 15, 2022. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below. Applicants should note that the following criteria (1) serve as a standard against which all proposals will be evaluated, and (2) serve to identify the significant matters that should be addressed in all proposals. The USG will award grants to the applicant whose offers represent the best value to the USG on the basis of technical merit and cost. The evaluation criteria have been tailored to the requirements of this NOFO: Project Goals/Implementation Plan (70 points): Applicants should describe what they propose to do and how they will do it. The proposed activities must directly relate to meeting the goals and objectives, and applicants should include information on how they will measure activities’ effectiveness and provide milestones to indicate progress toward NOFO-stipulated goals. The review panel will be viewing the implementation plan in terms of how well it addresses the goals and objectives, feasibility of the proposed activities and their timeline for completion, and the extent to which the impact of the project will continue beyond the conclusion of the funding period. Organizational Capability (15 points): Proposals should demonstrate the ability to develop and implement youth exchanges. Applicants must demonstrate how their resources, capabilities, and experience will enable them to achieve the stated goals and objectives. Appendices (15 points): Budget: Costs shall be evaluated for realism, control practices, and efficiency. PAS must determine that the costs paid for this award are reasonable, allowable, and allocable to the proposed project activities. This will consist of a review of the budget to determine if the overall costs are realistic for the work to be performed, if the costs reflect the applicant’s understanding of the allowable cost principles established by OMB Circular A-122, and if the costs are consistent with the program narrative. Resume: The review panel will consider the appropriateness of the selected project director; in view of the role and responsibility that person will play in guiding the project through implementation to completion. Position descriptions submitted in lieu of the resume will be reviewed for the appropriateness of the qualifications and skills identified. Review and Selection Process: A review committee will evaluate all eligible applications. Each application will be evaluated by a peer review committee of Department of State and U.S. Embassy Riyadh and other experts, as deemed appropriate. In accordance with the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities, proposals should demonstrate how the program advances equity with respect to race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability. The proposal should also demonstrate how the program will further engagement in underserved communities and with individuals from underserved communities. Proposals should demonstrate how addressing racial equity and underserved communities will enhance the program’s goals and objectives, as well as the experience of participants. The support of underserved communities will be part of the review criteria for this opportunity. Therefore, proposals should clearly demonstrate how the program will support and advance equity and engage underserved communities in program administration, design, and implementation. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates: By September 1, 2022 This information is provided as a summary reference. Please see the full Notice of Funding Opportunity located in the documents section for complete eligibility and submission requirements. All application materials must be submitted by email to RiyadhGrants@state.gov and applications may be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov.

The Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) Program is committed to funding research and practice, with continued focus on investigating a range of informal STEM learning (ISL) experiences and environments that make lifelong learning a reality. This Program seeks proposals that center equity and belonging, and further the well-being of individuals and communities who have historically been and continue to be excluded, underserved, or underrepresented, due to gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability status, neurodiversity, geographic location, and economic status, among others, as well as their intersections. The current solicitation encourages proposals from institutions and organizations that serve public audiences, and specifically focus on public engagement with and understanding of STEM, including community STEM; public participation in scientific research (PPSR); science communication; intergenerational STEM engagement; and STEM media. Projects funded by AISL should contribute to research and practice that further illuminates informal STEM learning’s role in equity and belonging in STEM; personal and educational success in STEM; advancing public engagement in scientific discovery; fostering interest in STEM careers; creating and enhancing the theoretical and empirical foundations for effective informal STEM learning; improving community vibrancy; and/or enhancing science communication and the public’s engagement in and understanding of STEM and STEM processes. The AISL Program funds five types of projects: (1) Synthesis; (2) Conference; (3) Partnership Development and Planning; (4) Integrating Research and Practice; and (5) Research in Support of Wide-reaching Public Engagement with STEM. NOTE: Activities primarily focused on formal educational systems or outcomes are outside the scope of work supported by this program. AISL does not fund formal elementary, middle, or high school, or undergraduate or graduate education, whether in-person or online. Similarly, AISL does not fund formal workforce training (e.g., professional certifications and degree-earning programs) that is not aimed directly at informal STEM learning professionals.

The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic is soliciting Statements of Interest for grants from Kyrgyz civil society and independent media organizations that focus on one of the priority areas/themes specified below. Applicants should pay close attention to PDS priority goals, program areas, target audiences, and geographic location when developing their proposals. Statements of Interest, including the short budget proposal, cannot exceed three pages. Proposals which exceed three pages limit will be disqualified from consideration. Support for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) All programs should consider strategies for expanding the pool of individuals/organizations/beneficiaries to afford opportunities for as diverse and inclusive a population as is feasible to bring perspectives based on religion, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, national origin, and age to implementation of the program. Note: A specific goal and objectives for each theme are listed below. Please ensure you pay close attention to each of the goals, objectives, and target audiences when developing your proposal. Priority Themes: 1. Advancing Business Empowerment and Social Entrepreneurship The economy of the Kyrgyz Republic relies heavily on external factors, contributing to the country’s economic instability in recent decades. The limited economic opportunities and high level of poverty, especially in rural locations, led to mass labor migration, which caused additional socio-economic problems within communities. Previous PDS-funded projects have focused on strengthening entrepreneurship and small business development initiatives by providing beneficiaries with necessary tools and knowledge; increasing the level of financial literacy and business skills; and providing business-related training programs and vocational courses to ensure economic independence and self-sustainability. This funding opportunity seeks to continue to support projects that strengthen the enabling environment for economic growth by addressing specific current challenges: ● high level of poverty in rural locations; ● lack of core competencies and skills needed in the modern workplace; and/or, ● lack of economic opportunities and resources. Project Goal: To strengthen rural entrepreneurship and small business development by increasing knowledge and tools that entrepreneurs and small businesses owners need to make their businesses successful. 2. Promoting Democratic Institutions The Kyrgyz Republic has made democratic gains since its independence; however, democracy in the Kyrgyz Republic continues to face challenges and risks. Independent observers have noted violations of electoral processes; high levels of corruption and low levels of transparency; attempts to impose regulations on NGO/CSOs in a discriminatory manner, persecution of independent media and political repression of freedom of speech; poor public understanding of democratic institutions and legal rights, especially in rural regions; and overall political instability due to social, economic and geographical divisions. Furthermore, while the Kyrgyz NGO sector is vibrant and provides a wide range of educational, social, and legal services, many NGOs lack essential capacities, especially in rural areas, that limit their impact. Previous PDS-funded projects have focused on increasing political participation in decision-making processes, promoting cooperation between local governments and civil society, and strengthening advocacy efforts and raising awareness on universal human rights, especially among vulnerable and marginalized populations. This funding opportunity seeks to promote more inclusive and accountable democracy by addressing specific current challenges: ● limited knowledge of the importance of the rule of law, civic engagement, civil society, and advocacy; ● limited CSO capacity in communication and public relations, digital storytelling and technology skills, especially in rural areas; and/or ● limited cooperation between rural civil society and local government. Project Goal: To strengthen democracy in the Kyrgyz Republic through increased civic engagement of rural youth, increased positive perceptions of the role of civil society and the rule of law at the citizen level, increased collaboration between citizens and government bodies on good governance, and/or increased organizational capacity of rural NGOs. 3. Combatting Gender-Based Violence Combatting Gender-based violence (GBV) is a key sub-theme of promoting the rule of law and gender equality, which are essential to democratic norms. Despite extensive work and assistance to ensure gender equality in the Kyrgyz Republic, GBV remains a widespread issue in the country. Due to many factors, including, but not limited to poverty, economic dependence, traditionalism, patriarchy and gender discrimination, women in particular face different types of violence such as domestic violence, sexual violence, early marriages, sexual harassment, and physical and mental abuse. GBV is disproportionately underreported, ignored, and silenced by the government and society. Previous PDS-funded projects relating to GBV have primarily focused on raising awareness about human and legal rights, providing economic and leadership empowerment programs, strengthening the capacity of relevant bodies to effectively respond to GBV, and assisting with legal counseling to GBV victims. This funding opportunity seeks to build upon previous projects and strengthen the efforts to effectively prevent and respond to gender-based violence by addressing specific current challenges: ● entrenched gender stereotypes and prejudice; ● lack of economic resources and economic vulnerability; and/or, ● normalization and general acceptance of gender-based violence. Project Goal: To strengthen civil society and government capacity to address gender-based violence in the Kyrgyz Republic through preventative measures. 4. Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) A significant number of young adults and teenagers in the Kyrgyz Republic experience challenges with social integration, including lack of educational and economic opportunities, especially in rural areas and new urban settlements around Bishkek. Without a strong sense of purpose, these young people are at risk of drifting into violent extremism, leading to further exclusion by their communities. One significant obstacle to young people’s positive engagement in society is a lack of critical thinking skills and ability to filter the information available to them. Previous PDS-funded projects on prevention of violent extremism have primarily focused on promoting tolerance, interethnic dialogue, and socio-economic empowerment of youth through employment partnerships, traineeship programs, and outreach events; increasing skills of positive interaction among youth in the multi-confessional environment of the Kyrgyz Republic; mitigating radicalization among young people through an educational program on media literacy and critical thinking; and working with an interfaith council to promote understanding between people of different faiths to increase acceptance and tolerance. This funding opportunity seeks to build upon previous projects and expand PVE programming in the Kyrgyz Republic through strengthening individual and community resilience and local capacity by addressing specific current challenges: ● lack of sense of belonging to a community, along with low civic participation and proactivity; ● lack of media literacy and critical skills to recognize and reject violent extremist narratives; and/or ● low capacity of local government and civil society actors in PVE and lack of effective collaboration in prevention of radicalization and extremism. Project Goal: To strengthen individual and community resilience among youth in rural regions and new urban communities and build capacity of rural civil society organizations to prevent radicalization through better coordination with key stakeholders, such as youth and government. 5. Countering Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) In 2019, the Kyrgyz Republic formally adopted a national referral mechanism (NRM) to help counter trafficking in persons (TIP.) The NRM established formal policies on victim identification, assistance referral, provision of social services, and protection of victims’ personal data, but the government provided very limited training on the NRM to key implementers. Previous PDS-funded projects have primarily focused on prevention of human trafficking through strengthened partnerships with government authorities, regional TIP coordination councils, and NGOs; improved understanding among local authorities and NGOs on the national referral mechanism policies; and raising public awareness on trafficking-related issues and risks of illegal migration through legal rights trainings to ensure safe migration and avoid exploitation abroad. This funding opportunity seeks to build upon previous projects and expand trafficking-in-persons programming in the Kyrgyz Republic by addressing specific current challenges: ● lack of effective standard operating procedures (SOPs) for state bodies including local administrations and local self-governments to implement NRM; ● low capacity of local government officials, including regional TIP coordination council members, as well as NGO representatives, to implement NRM and identify victims based on four identification criteria; and/or ● limited public awareness on trafficking-related issues, risks of illegal migration and the legal rights of migrants. Proposed projects should seek to address at least two of the three challenges above by leveraging local, state, and civil society stakeholders to strengthen interagency coordination in countering the problem of human trafficking; increase the capacity of officials in identification and protection of victims; and raise awareness of vulnerable migrants on their legal rights to ensure safe migration. Project Goal: To reduce trafficking-in-persons in the Kyrgyz Republic by educating and empowering labor migrants and at-risk groups, building capacity of government officials, and improving understanding of TIP issues.

OJP is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights and racial equity, increases access to justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens community safety and protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community. With this solicitation, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) seeks proposals for a nationally representative, longitudinal study examining long-term trajectories of risk for, experiences with, and recovery after experiencing interpersonal violence (IV, victimization and perpetration) among young adults who do and do not attend college. NIJ is interested in a range of IV committed by partners, family members, acquaintances, and strangers, including nonconsensual sexual contact, intimate partner violence, and stalking. Applicants are strongly encouraged to refer to and familiarize themselves with the recommended study design outlined in the final report for the National Study of Young Adults, Longitudinal Cohort Pilot Study (see https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/300704.pdf) and the relevant study data and materials at the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research’s (ICPSR) National Archive of Criminal Justice Data or NACJD (ICPSR 37914, https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/web/NACJD/studies/37914). However, applicants are not limited to these previous recommendations and study materials. Applicants who demonstrate that they will augment the study design to reflect present day contexts and conditions, and/or offer newer and innovative methods, modes, and approaches that enhance efficiency and effectiveness, will be given greater consideration. NIJ expects that this effort will be funded incrementally, subject to the availability of funds. Applicants are expected to develop their project design in phases with discrete deliverables at the end of each phase, and to budget accordingly. The funds provided with this solicitation in FY 2023 are intended to support only the initial phase(s) of this multi-year effort. The SF-424 and JustGrants budget submitted with the application should reflect the initial phase(s) to be supported by funding available under this solicitation. The applicant’s proposed deliverables for the initial phase(s) must include, at a minimum, the deliverables identified under "Interim Project Deliverables" (see below under "Deliverables"). The applicant is also expected to provide, as a separate attachment, a budget for the full multi-year study using the budget template available at https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/forms/ojp-budget-detail-worksheet. It is anticipated that upon successful completion of the initial phase(s), subsequent years of the project will be funded as a supplement, subject to the availability of funds. NIJ will give special consideration to proposals with methods that include meaningful engagement with the people with lived experience of the subject of the study, including, but not limited to, justice practitioners, community members, crime victims, service providers, and individuals who have experienced justice system involvement. Applicants are encouraged to propose multidisciplinary research teams to build on the complementary strengths of different methods and areas of subject matter expertise. NIJ also seeks proposals that include consideration and measurement of issues of diversity, discrimination, and bias across age, gender and gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation, as applicable. Applications proposing research involving partnerships with criminal justice or other agencies, should include a letter of support, signed by an appropriate decision-making authority from each proposed, partnering agency. A letter of support should include the partnering agency’s acknowledgement that de-identified data derived from, provided to, or obtained through an award funded by NIJ will be archived by the grant recipient with the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data (NACJD) at the conclusion of the award. Applicants and their potential partners are encouraged to review NIJ’s data archiving guidance. If selected for an award, grantees will be expected to have a formal agreement in place with partnering agencies by January 1, 2024. That formal agreement must include a provision to meet the data archiving requirements of the award. NIJ seeks proposals that include robust, creative, and multi-pronged dissemination strategies that include strategic partnerships with organizations and associations that are best equipped to ensure that research findings lead to changes in policies and practices related to the subjects of study. Special consideration will be given to proposals that dedicate at least 15% of the requested project award funding toward implementing such strategies, as demonstrated in the Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative. In the case of partnerships that will involve the use of federal award funds by multiple partnering agencies to carry out the proposed project, only one entity/partnering agency may be the applicant (as is the case with any application submitted in response to this solicitation); any others must be proposed as subrecipients. The applicant is expected to conduct a majority of the work proposed.

The Regional English Language Office (RELO) in the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy Islamabad of the U.S. Department of State (hereafter referred to as “RELO Pakistan”) is pleased to announce an open competition for assistance awards through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). RELO Pakistan’s purpose in funding projects under this opportunity is to improve human capacity by creating a better educated and more skillful workforce. This program will increase participants’ English language proficiency, employability, and leadership and critical thinking skills, enabling them to become productive members of their community and society.PDS Islamabad invites all eligible organizations (see Section C for Eligibility Requirements) to submit proposals for grants that address the project components listed below.Proposed budget cannot exceed $500,000 and will have a project duration of up to three (3) years. Each proposal should address the ability to implement all three program components outlined in this NOFO.Effective English language teachers can prepare Pakistanis, especially youth, to better participate in the global community and prepare them for success in the workplace, thus contributing to economic growth. The three program components announced in this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) include (1) Professional Development for English Language Teachers from Non-Mainstream Institutions; (2) Professional Development for novice Pakistani English language teachers; and (3) Professional Development for Transgender Youth and for Afghan Teachers, Students, and Young Professionals Residing in Pakistan. These program components will expand language learning opportunities for the Pakistani people, especially youth and marginalized populations. The award seeks a U.S. or Pakistani partner to promote the development of English language skills, knowledge of current English Language Teaching (ELT) pedagogies, and the leadership skills of select English language teachers, students, and young professionals, particularly from underserved, minority communities.This NOFO aims to support the Department of State’s initiatives to promote and strengthen English language teaching and learning in Pakistan through the following program components:1. Professional Development for English Language Teachers from Non-Mainstream Institutions2. Professional Development for Novice English Teachers3. Professional Development for Transgender Youth and for Afghan Teachers, Students, and Young Professionals Residing in Pakistan.Public Diplomacy GoalsPublic Diplomacy programming prioritizes communications and interaction with international audiences, educational and cultural programming, and professional and educational exchanges.English language programs are a key component of U.S. Government Public Diplomacy efforts in Pakistan, creating valuable opportunities for the Mission to engage key audiences, as well as providing lasting and meaningful professional, educational, and personal opportunities for Pakistan-based program participants.Proposals funded under this award will further the U.S. Mission to Pakistan’s following public diplomacy goals:1. Strengthen people-to-people ties between the United States and Pakistan through shared information, experiences, exchanges, and/or expertise.2. Strengthen civil society and local organizations to build long-term, self-sustaining relationships and institutional linkages between U.S. and Pakistani organizations, including capacity building for Pakistani organizations.3. Promote community cohesion through positive messages and inclusive perspectives that increase social tolerance and counter extremist narratives.More information about the Regional English Language Office can be found at:https://pk.usembassy.gov/education-culture/relopakistan/RELO Islamabad’s purpose in funding three program components under this NOFO is to improve human capacity by creating a better educated, inclusive, and more skilled workforce. Professional development for English language teachers and students in Pakistan will improve teachers’ and students’ English language proficiency and increase their classroom effectiveness, particularly for participants from marginalized and underserved communities. To this end, RELO Islamabad invites proposals that address all three program components listed in the NOFO.

The Embassy of the United States in Kathmandu announces an open competition for U.S. alumni (Nepali Graduates from U.S. institutions) or alumni from U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to submit applications to the 2023 U.S. Higher Education Guidance Counselor Training Program. Teams with at least two U.S. graduates/alumni who meet all the program's eligibility conditions are invited to submit applications. The deadline for submitting proposal to culturektm@state.gov by Sunday, April 16, 2023. Any submission received after the deadline will not be considered for this grant opportunity. A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION This program provides grants to qualified teams with experience in U.S. higher education to train Nepali teachers and guidance counselors from local secondary schools and provide them with a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. higher education system, the college application process, and the U.S. student visa process. The program’s objective is to increase the number of informed counselors who can serve as mentors to students interested in studying in the U.S. With this foundational training under their belt, the counselors will return to their home institutions ready to excel in their counseling and academic role as mentors to students interested in studying in the U.S. PAS Kathmandu will oversee successful applicants which will: · In the first phase, find suitable locations in at least three major cities in Nepal including Kathmandu for holding a two-day training conference that will train 20 – 30 guidance counselors at each location to be U.S. higher education mentors. · In the second phase, conduct the training program in Kathmandu, and then conduct the training program in at least two different provinces outside the Kathmandu Valley. These programs should enable the guidance counselors and teachers to act as mentors to their students and deliver accurate information, as well as relevant skill-building activities and resources to interested students and parents at their local institutions. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Program Office: Public Affairs Section, Embassy of the United States in Kathmandu, Nepal Funding Opportunity Title: U.S. Higher Education Guidance Counselor Training Program Announcement Type: Small Grant Deadline for Applications: Sunday, April 16, 2023, Kathmandu, Time Total Amount Available: $15,000 USD CFDA Number: 19.040 C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants: The following individuals are eligible to apply: · Applicants must be U.S. Graduates or alumni of a U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange program (https://alumni.state.gov/list-exchange-programs) · Projects teams must include 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. Not-for-profit, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions are not eligible to submit applications but can serve as partners for implementing project activities. 2. Cost Sharing Inclusion of cost share is not a requirement of this opportunity. 3. Grant Program Area: The proposed project will: · Provide open access to accurate, high-quality information that counters fee-based consultancy services’ misinformation in Nepal. · Increase the number of informed counselors to serve as mentors to students interested in studying in the U.S. · Foster strategic mentor/mentee pairings to cultivate informed families and students better prepared to apply for study in the U.S. The proposed program will take place in cities across Nepal over the course of one year, with the following requirements: · Number of participants: a minimum of 100 guidance counselors and teachers from Nepal trained, at least 50% of whom are women. · Training locations: At least one training in Kathmandu, and at least two trainings in cities in other provinces. Applicants may choose to partner with colleges, universities, and American Corners in the three cities. · Outputs: The creation of digital training resources, in both English and Nepali and targeted towards student and parent populations, on studying in the U.S. 4. Other Eligibility Requirements If the grant is awarded to a team of individuals only, those individuals are not required to have a UEI (Unique Entity ID) number or be registered in SAM.gov. However, if the team includes an organization as a partner in the project, that organization must have a UEI, as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Organizations must have a commitment to equal opportunity employment practices and to non-discrimination practices with regard to beneficiaries, without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. Note: Applicants are only allowed to submit ONE proposal. If more than one proposal is submitted, all proposals from that alumni team will be considered ineligible for funding. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION Important: Interested applicant must submit a project proposal and a clear budget electronically via email [culturektm@state.gov] to the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu no later than April 16, 2023. 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. 1. Project Team Information: At least two exchange alumni team members are required for a project to be considered for funding. Applications need to provide the name and contact information, describe the role each team member will have in the project, and their experience, qualifications, and ability to carry out that role. Applicants need to indicate what proportion of the team member’s time will be used in support of the project. 2. Proposal Summary: A short narrative which outlines the proposed project, including challenge/s to be addressed, project objectives, and anticipated impact. 3. Project Goals and Objectives: The goal/s of the proposed project need to describe what the project is intended to achieve and include the objectives which support the goal/s. Objectives should be specific, measurable, and realistically achievable in a set time frame. 4. Project Methods, Design, and Timeline: A description of how the project is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal/s. This should include a description of the project’s direct and indirect beneficiaries as well as a plan on how to continue the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable. The proposed timeline for the project activities should include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events. Applicants may also submit proposed workshop or training agendas and materials. 5. Local Project Partners: A list of partners who will support the proposed project, if applicable. 6. Communication Plan: The communication plan should include a communication and outreach strategy for promoting the proposed project. It may include social media, websites, print news, or other forms of media intended to use to share information about the project to beneficiaries and the public. 7. Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: The Monitoring and Evaluation component of the proposal should outline in detail how the proposal’s activities will advance the program’s goals and objectives. This should include any outcomes showing a change in knowledge, awareness, and attitudes; improved quality of services; increased capacity at a school, group; etc. 8. Budget Justification Narrative: Applicants must submit a detailed budget and budget narrative justification. Line-item expenditures should be listed in the greatest possible detail. Budgets shall be submitted in U.S. dollars and final grant agreements will be conducted in U.S. dollars. Note: Applicants will be required to submit additional federal forms after their proposals are shortlisted. Disclaimer: This notice is subject to availability of funding. U.S. Embassy Kathmandu does not guarantee availability of funding by receiving applications under this announcement. Only successful applicants will be contacted. E. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT Questions about the grant application process should be directed to: Culturektm@state.gov or Rekha Giri, Education Outreach Coordinator at girirk@state.gov or 01-423 4176.

OJP is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights and racial equity, increases access to justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens community safety and protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community. With this solicitation, NIJ, in collaboration with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), seeks proposals for rigorous research and evaluation projects that inform policy and practice in the field of juvenile justice. Specifically, this solicitation seeks proposals for studies that advance knowledge and understanding in the following three categories: 1. Research and evaluation of legislative and administrative policy changes affecting youth involved in the justice system. Applicants must address one or more of the following three specified juvenile justice issues: Providing community-based alternatives to youth incarceration, with a focus on very high need/risk youth who have traditionally been held securely. Sealing and expungement of juvenile justice records. Reducing racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system. 2. Research to assess dual system youth data capacity and service delivery across juvenile justice and child welfare systems. 3. Analysis on the use of the valid court order exception. In FY 2023, applications proposing research outside of these three specified categories will not be considered. Applicants may submit proposals to more than one of these categories but each proposal must be in a separate application. Applicants are expected to identify the category to which a proposal is submitted on the title page of the Proposal Narrative. NIJ will give special consideration to proposals with methods that include meaningful engagement with the people with lived experience of the subject of study; including, but not limited to, justice practitioners, community members, crime victims, service providers, and individuals who have experienced justice system involvement. Applicants are encouraged to propose multidisciplinary research teams to build on the complementary strengths of different methods and areas of subject matter expertise. NIJ also seeks proposals that include consideration and measurement of issues of diversity, discrimination, and bias across age, gender and gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation, as applicable. Applications proposing research involving partnerships with juvenile justice, criminal justice, child welfare, or other agencies, should include a letter of support, signed by an appropriate decision-making authority from each proposed, partnering agency. A letter of support should include the partnering agency’s acknowledgement that de-identified data derived from, provided to, or obtained through an award funded by NIJ will be archived by the grant recipient with the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data (NACJD) at the conclusion of the award. Applicants and their potential partners are encouraged to review NIJ’s data archiving guidance. If selected for an award, grantees will be expected to have a formal agreement in place with partnering agencies by January 1, 2024. That formal agreement must include a provision to meet the data archiving requirements of the award. NIJ seeks proposals that include robust, creative, and multi-pronged dissemination strategies that include strategic partnerships with organizations and associations that are best equipped to ensure that research findings lead to changes in policies and practices related to the subjects of study. Special consideration will be given to proposals that dedicate at least 15% of the requested project award funding toward implementing such strategies, as demonstrated in the Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative. In the case of partnerships that will involve the use of federal award funds by multiple partnering agencies to carry out the proposed project, only one entity/partnering agency may be the applicant (as is the case with any application submitted in response to this solicitation); any others must be proposed as subrecipients. The applicant is expected to conduct a majority of the work proposed.

OJP is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights and racial equity, increases access to justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens community safety and protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community. Mentoring is a prominent strategy for delinquency prevention and victimization recovery that offers at-risk youth structured support from older or more experienced mentors to provide positive role models and promote resilience. With this solicitation, in collaboration with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), NIJ seeks applications for rigorous youth mentoring research and independent evaluation projects that address one or both of the following two topical areas: Barriers/impediments for youth involved in the justice system to access mentoring services. Mentoring programs that serve youth involved in the justice system. Applicants to this solicitation must submit proposals that address one or both of these two topical areas. No other applications will be considered. NIJ will give special consideration to proposals with methods that include meaningful engagement with the people with lived experience of the subject of study; including, but not limited to, justice practitioners, community members, crime victims, service providers and individuals who have experienced justice system involvement. Applicants are encouraged to propose multidisciplinary research teams to build on the complementary strengths of different methods and areas of subject matter expertise. NIJ also seeks proposals that include consideration and measurement of issues of diversity, discrimination, and bias across age, gender and gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation, as applicable. Applications proposing research involving partnerships with mentoring, juvenile justice, or other agencies, should include a letter of support, signed by an appropriate decision-making authority from each proposed, partnering agency. A letter of support should include the partnering agency’s acknowledgement that de-identified data derived from, provided to, or obtained through an award funded by NIJ will be archived by the grant recipient with the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data (NACJD) at the conclusion of the award. Applicants and their potential partners are encouraged to review NIJ’s data archiving guidance. If selected for an award, grantees will be expected to have a formal agreement in place with partnering agencies by January 1, 2024. That formal agreement must include a provision to meet the data archiving requirements of the award. NIJ seeks proposals that include robust, creative, and multi-pronged dissemination strategies that include strategic partnerships with organizations and associations that are best equipped to ensure that research findings lead to changes in policies and practices related to the subjects of study. Special consideration will be given to proposals that dedicate at least 15% of the requested project award funding toward implementing such strategies, as demonstrated in the Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative. In the case of partnerships that will involve the use of federal award funds by multiple partnering agencies to carry out the proposed project, only one entity/partnering agency may be the applicant (as is the case with any application submitted in response to this solicitation); any others must be proposed as subrecipients. The applicant is expected to conduct a majority of the work proposed.

The purpose of this program is to prevent health and behavioral health risks (e.g., suicide, depression, homelessness, drug use, HIV) and to promote well-being for LGBTQI+ youth in the context of their families/caregivers, cultures, and communities by establishing LGBTQI+ family counseling and support programs and training providers on family counseling and support interventions.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Executive Summary: The Embassy of the United States in Kathmandu announces an open competition for the management of U.S. Embassy Youth Council (USYC) Program 2024. Every year, approximately fifty-five individuals, between 20-30 years old, are accepted to the Council. Throughout the duration of their membership term, council members participate in networking events, work on community engagement projects, and attend important events. The U.S. Embassy in Nepal is looking for an implementer to manage the USYC program through a cooperative agreement. Any not-for-profit, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions are eligible to apply. The deadline for submitting proposals to KTMgrants@state.gov is by Sunday, July 23, 2023. Any submission received after the deadline will not be considered for this grant opportunity. Background: The U.S. Embassy in Nepal created the U.S. Embassy Youth Council (USYC) in 2011 in order to interact directly with Nepal’s youth about the issues that concern them. The Council consists of 50-55 Nepalis between the age of 20-30 years from all regions of Nepal and representing various backgrounds, regions, castes, ethnicities, religions, and professions. The USYC has two primary objectives: 1) to interact with the Embassy about the challenges young Nepalis face and what can be done to address them, and 2) to encourage participation by Council members in their communities and the larger civil society. In 2022, over 2700 Nepali youth applied to become a member of this unique platform. The selected youth participated in multiple networking events, attended meetings, and designed and implemented civic engagement projects (CEPs). Past USYC members have built teams, developed solutions to problems, and launched products, organizations, and companies that have created opportunities for progress. For example, Youth Council members created: Project Upskill, a program that helped graduating students to gain employable skills for an easier transition to the job market; eConstruction, a website to support reconstruction after the April 2015 earthquake; Lunch Box, a kit to help rural women start small businesses; iconstutution: an app to widely circulate the new constitution of Nepal and help citizen’s understand their constitutionally protected rights; and Model Debate, a program to promote dialogue between electoral candidates and youth voters. This funding opportunity seeks to identify a cooperative agreement partner to manage U.S. Embassy in Nepal’s flagship youth program. The prospective implementer will recruit USYC members through an open and objective process, bring innovative approaches to youth programming, and design and implement programs and activities to engage the USYC members throughout their tenure. Project Audience(s): Primary beneficiaries for this project are youth aged 20-30 with the following demographic variables. 1. Gender: At least 50% of the USYC members should be female. 2. Geographic location: All seven provinces should be covered in terms of geographic representation. 3. Age group: between the age of 20-30. 4. Level of Education: Bachelor’s degree or above. 5. Diversity: Selected participants should reflect Nepal’s cultural, religious, ethnic, and social diversity. Project Goal: The United States Embassy in Nepal supports initiatives that promote democracy, increase economic prosperity, and create resilience. This is only possible when youth are provided with given tools and resources to support their communities and country. USYC provides the training, mentorship, and networking for youth to be leaders of social positive change. Project Objectives: This project has the following objectives. · Select 50 to 55 Nepali Youth, through an open and transparent manner, who represent Nepal’s diverse social, religious, cultural, geographic, and ethnic backgrounds. · Strengthen the capacity of all Council members through series of training and capacity building events. · Support Council members with designing and implementation of 5-7 Civic Engagement Projects. · Strengthen the U.S. Embassy’s and USYC Members relationship through events and other appropriate networking opportunities. · Increase in empowerment, exposure, and leadership skills of USYC members. · Effectively utilize the expertise of USYC alumni and recommend ways to include them in U.S. Embassy’s programming. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 15 Months Award amounts: $75,000 Type of Funding: FY23 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds Anticipated program start date: October 1, 2023 Note: The Public Affairs 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. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement. Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy will work with the grantee to select the members, approve program content, and provide experts and speakers. Support for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA): All programs should consider strategies for expanding the pool of individuals/organizations/beneficiaries to afford opportunities for as diverse and inclusive population as is feasible to bring diverse perspectives based on religion, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, national origin, and age to implementation of the program. Note: NOFO is attached in the additional document