-Improve the quality of English language education at the preschool, elementary, secondary and higher education levels; - Improve the quality of, and access to, science, technology, engineering, arts and design, and mathematics (STEAM) education for girls at the elementary and secondary education levels;

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- Inspire entrepreneurship in under-represented communities particularly among migrant, women, Afro–descendent, and indigenous communities.

Project Objectives:
The Public Affairs Section (hereafter, PAS) of the U. S. Embassy in Costa Rica (hereafter, Embassy) works with government and non-government partners throughout Costa Rica to improve mutual understanding between the people of Costa Rica and the United States, and to expand and improve educational opportunities for Costa Ricans (including English language, STEAM, and entrepreneurship, among other priorities) in order to support sustainable and inclusive economic development.

The goal of the projects solicited through this Notice of Funding Opportunity is to complement Embassy initiatives to promote mutual understanding through cultural, educational, and professional development programs.

Proposals should address one or a combination of the following areas:
English, entrepreneurship, and/or STEAM education.

Note that only organizations based in Costa Rica are eligible to apply for this NOFO; see full eligibility details below.

English language projects should focus on improving English education and empowering young English learners by increasing their exposure to educational opportunities or improving the skills of English language teachers.

Proposals may include classroom instruction, but priority will be given to projects that include beyond-the-classroom enhancement activities and/or demonstrate coordination with NGO or Government of Costa Rica initiatives, including the Ministry of Education (in particular, bilingual schools).

Priority will be given to projects that incorporate under-represented communities, including but not limited to migrant, women, Afro-descendent, and indigenous communities as well as populations residing outside the San Jose metropolitan area.

STEAM education projects should improve the quality of, and/or access to, STEAM education for girls and encourage girls to enter STEAM fields.

Priority will be given to projects that include beyond-the-classroom enhancement activities in coordination with private sector partners and/or the Ministry of Education (in particular, public schools implementing the national STEAM curriculum).

Priority will be given to projects that incorporate under-represented communities, including but not limited to migrant, women, Afro-descendent, and indigenous communities as well as populations residing outside the San Jose metropolitan area.

Entrepreneurship projects should promote exposure to and knowledge of basic business skills, for example, creation of business plans/strategies, access to finance, business pitches, digital marketing, scaling, resilience, etc.

Priority will be given to projects that aim to respond challenges and opportunities resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Priority will also be given to projects that incorporate under-represented communities, including but not limited to migrant, women, Afro-descendent, and indigenous communities as well as projects that deepen the entrepreneurship ecosystem across Costa Rica.

Project activities should comply with health and safety regulations established by Costa Rican authorities during the COVID pandemic.

Applicants should consider activities that can be implemented virtually and/or demonstrate that in-person activities could be shifted to a virtual format as local conditions require.

Participants and Audiences:
Depending on the project, 7 to 30 years old, from economically disadvantaged communities, including those outside the San Jose metropolitan area.

1. Mandatory application forms can all be found at https://www.grants.gov · SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance --individuals) · SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) · SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) 2. Summary Page:
Cover sheet stating the applicant name and organization, proposal date, project title, project period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the project.

3. Proposal (5 pages maximum):
The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do.

You may use your own proposal format (following the previously stated guidelines under content of application), but it must include all the items below.

· Proposal Summary:
Short narrative that outlines the proposed project, including project objectives and anticipated impact.

· Introduction to the Organization or Individual Applying:
A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the project, including information on all previous grants from the U. S. Embassy and/or U. S. government agencies.

· Problem Statement:
Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed project is needed · Project Goals and Objectives:
The “goals” describe what the project is intended to achieve.

The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals.

These should be achievable and measurable.

· Project Activities:
Describe the project activities and how they will help achieve the objectives.

· Program Methods and Design:
A description of how the project is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal.

Include a logic model as appropriate.

· Proposed Project Schedule and Timeline:
The proposed timeline for the project activities.

Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events.

· Key Personnel:
Names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the project.

What proportion of their time will be used in support of this project? · Project Partners:
List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees.

· Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan:
This is an important part of successful grants.

Throughout the time-frame of the grant, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant? · Future Funding or Sustainability Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable.

4. Budget Justification Narrative:
After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use a separate sheet of paper to describe each of the budget expenses in detail.

See section H.

Other Information:
Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information.

5. Attachments:
· 1-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the project · Letters of support from project partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner · If your organization has a NICRA and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be included as a PDF file.

· Official permission letters, if required for project activities · Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Required Registrations:
Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) 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.” Additionally, no entity listed on the EPLS can participate in any activities under an award.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the EPLS in SAM to ensure that no ineligible entity is included.

All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations.

All are free of charge:
· Unique entity identifier from Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS number) · NCAGE/CAGE code · www.SAM.gov registration Step 1:
Apply for a DUNS number and an NCAGE number (these can be completed simultaneously) DUNS application:
Organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet.

If your organization does not have one already, you may obtain one by calling 1-866-705-5711 or visiting http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform NCAGE application:
Application page here:
https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx Instructions for the NCAGE application process:
https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCAGE.pdf For NCAGE help from within the U.S., call 1-888-227-2423 For NCAGE help from outside the U.S., call 1-269-961-7766 Email NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil for any problems in getting an NCAGE code.

Step 2:
After receiving the NCAGE Code, proceed to register in SAM.gov by logging onto:
https://www.sam.gov.

SAM registration must be renewed annually.

3. Submission Dates and Times Applications are due no later than July 8, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

Costa Rica time.

4. Funding Restrictions None 5. Other Submission Requirements All application materials must be submitted by email to PAgrantapplications@state.gov for processing (you may also submit them to grants.gov but they must be sent to PAgrantapplications@state.gov).

E.

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION 1. Criteria Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below.

Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea – 25 points:
The program idea is well developed, with detail about how project activities will be carried out.

The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline.

Project Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 25 points:
Goals and objectives are clearly stated and project approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.

Monitoring and evaluation plan – 20 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 project includes output and outcome indicators, and shows how and when those will be measured.

Organizational or Individual Capacity and Record on Previous Grants – 10 points:
The organization or individual 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.

Budget – 10 points:
The budget justification is detailed (including quantity descriptions) of each budget item included.

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.

Sustainability – 10 points:
Project activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the project.

2. Review and Selection Process A Grants Review Committee will evaluate all eligible applications.

3. Federal Awardee Performance & Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) For any Federal award under a notice of funding opportunity, if the Federal awarding agency anticipates that the total Federal share will be greater than the simplified acquisition threshold on any Federal award under a notice of funding opportunity may include, over the period of performance (see §20 0. 88 Simplified Acquisition Threshold), this section must also inform applicants:
i.

That the Federal awarding agency, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C.

2313); ii.

That an applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM; iii.

That the Federal awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in §20 0. 205 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.