NOFO: U.S. Embassy Prague PDS Annual Program Statement (Czech Republic)

The Embassy plans to fund projects that strengthen social, political, and cultural ties between the United States and Czechia and support their Priority Program Areas.

Priority Areas

• The U.S.-Czech Bilateral Relationship: Programs that seek to present U.S. policies, history, culture, and values to Czech audiences and produce a positive impact on the bilateral relationship.
• Economic Prosperity, Science and Technological Cooperation, And Innovation: Programs that promote and support economic prosperity, innovation or bilateral trade between the United States and Czech, including programs that address scientific and technological cooperation, innovation, green technologies, and environmental issues.
• Human Rights, Democratic Values, And Civil Society: Programs that promote human rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of women; that strengthen democratic values and encourage strong civic engagement and participation by all sectors of society; that support the development of a thriving civil society and non-governmental sector, including through the use of U.S. models. This program area could include sports diplomacy programs.
• Independent Media and Foreign Information Manipulation: Programs that strengthen an independent media, investigative journalism or media literacy among the public. This can include programs that counter disinformation and respond to foreign information manipulation.
• Security: Programs that promote research security, energy security, cybersecurity, or support a strong NATO security alliance.

Funding Information

• Award Ceiling: $50,000
• Award Floor: $10,000

Eligible Projects

• Projects should specifically target Czech audiences living within Czech. All programs must:
  • include an American cultural or policy element, AND/OR
  • involve a connection with American expert/s, performers, organization/s, or institution/s relevant to the proposed project, AND
  • promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.
• Examples of successful programs include, but are not limited to:
  • Academic or professional lectures, seminars, workshops, discussions and speaker programs by U.S. experts and/or about the United States, or reciprocal exchanges to advance joint work on a shared challenge.
  • Community or civic engagement projects or campaigns promoting shared U.S. Czech values.
  • Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, masterclasses by U.S. artists

Eligibility Criteria

• The following organizations are eligible to apply:
  • Total available funding: $300,000
  • Not-for-profit organizations, including civil society/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and think tanks with a connection to the Czech Republic
  • Public and non-profit educational institutions with a connection to the Czech Republic
  • Czech governmental institutions and international organizations
  • Individuals with a connection to the Czech Republic

Ineligibility Criteria

• The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:
  • Programs relating to partisan political activity
  • Humanitarian aid
  • Construction programs
  • Fund-raising campaigns
  • Scientific research
  • Programs that don’t support an Embassy Priority Program Area or that don’t involve an American component
  • Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization
  • Projects seeking funds for personal use

Evaluation Criteria

• Each application will be evaluated and rated based on the evaluation criteria outlined below.
  • Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea – 20 points: The program idea supports at least one of the Embassy’s Priority Program Areas. (Projects that do not strongly support a Priority Area will not be considered further.) Programs are well developed, detailing how program activities will be carried out and how they will have a positive impact beyond the end of the program. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline.
  • Inclusion of American Component – 20 points: The program includes a strong American component, such as addressing an American policy, subject matter, or an aspect of American culture; or involving an American speaker, artist, performer, organization or author; or involves an exchange with the United States.
  • Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants – 20 points: The organization has expertise in its stated field and has the internal controls in place to manage federal funds. This includes a financial management system and a bank account. The organization has expertise in its stated field and has the internal controls in place to manage federal funds, including a financial management system and a bank account.
  • Program Planning and Potential to Achieve Objectives – 10 points: Goals and objectives are clearly stated, and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results with the target audience(s) and includes public outreach components/activities.
  • Monitoring & Evaluation Plan – 10 points: Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators and shows how and when those will be measured.
  • Budget – 10 points: The budget justification is 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. Utilizing a free venue such as an American Center in order to save costs is advantageous.
  • Support of Equity and Underserved Communities – 10 points: Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the program will support and advance equity and engage underserved communities in program administration, design, and implementation. Applicants should be committed to gender-balanced participation in activities.

Application Requirements

• 1-page Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program
• Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner
• If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, include your latest NICRA as a PDF file.
• Official permission letters, if required for program activities.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.