FY 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity: NGO Small Grants Program | DOS PAS SLO 2024 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS PAS SLO 2024 001

The FY 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the NGO Small Grants Program is a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Mission to Slovenia (U.S. Embassy Ljubljana). The program is designed to support well-planned, well-managed projects that strengthen ties between the United States and Slovenia while advancing U.S. Embassy priorities. In practical terms, the Embassy is looking for projects that not only deliver a concrete local benefit in Slovenia, but also increase understanding of the United States, including American society, politics, and values, and make the U.S.-Slovenia connection visible through the project itself.

The Embassy frames eligible project content broadly, with emphasis on democracy and human rights, security and defense issues, and economic and business development. Within that wide umbrella, the NOFO highlights several priority themes that proposals should align with. These include decarbonization of the energy sector (including civil nuclear energy), international and collective security and military cooperation, regional and transatlantic cooperation with an emphasis on Slovenia's regional leadership, strengthening economic growth and innovation ties with the United States, cybersecurity, building resilience to counter disinformation, mutual understanding through exchange and educational programs, protection of the environment and climate change issues, building support for shared values (including diversity, inclusion, and tolerance), and creating more opportunities for women and youth to drive economic prosperity. Proposals are expected to connect clearly to at least one of these themes, rather than treating them as general background.

In terms of what makes an application competitive, the Embassy is explicit about several features they want to see. Strong proposals will build or deepen relationships between Slovenians and Americans, and they should include an American component rather than being purely domestic activities. In many cases, that can mean incorporating an American speaker, expert, author, trainer, or partner organization, or otherwise demonstrating a substantive U.S. connection that improves the quality and credibility of the project. The Embassy also emphasizes sustainability, meaning projects should aim for impact that lasts beyond the grant period, with clear goals, measurable outcomes, and a logical plan for how activities lead to results. Another key expectation is visibility: projects should acknowledge U.S. Embassy support and include a realistic plan to amplify the cooperation through traditional media and/or digital outreach, which signals that public communication is viewed as part of the project deliverables.

The opportunity has an award ceiling of USD 15,000 per grant, and the Embassy anticipates making around 30 awards. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the activity areas are broad and cross-cutting, including education, employment and training, environment, humanities, law and justice, and science and technology/research and development. The CFDA number listed is 19.040. The opportunity was created on January 31, 2024, and the original application closing date is March 31, 2024. Applications submitted after the deadline are not considered, so timing is treated as a strict eligibility factor.

Eligibility for this NOFO is specifically limited to Slovenian entities. The call identifies eligible applicants as Slovenian not-for-profits/NGOs/social enterprises, Slovenian educational and research institutions, and public entities. While the source data also lists common U.S.-centric organizational categories (such as nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status and institutions of higher education), the narrative eligibility restriction makes clear that the intended applicant pool is based in Slovenia. Applicants should therefore be prepared to demonstrate that they are a Slovenian organization that fits one of the allowed categories.

The application package is document-heavy and follows standard U.S. federal grant formatting expectations. Applicants are asked to submit a table of contents listing all included sections and attachments, completed and signed federal forms SF-424 and SF-424A (as directed on grants.gov), and a completed and signed NGO Small Grants Program application form. Organizations that engage in lobbying activities must also include the SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities). A budget is required in U.S. dollars and must include both a summary and a detailed line-item budget, plus a detailed budget narrative explaining each cost item and describing any cost share offered (including the source and what it covers). A monitoring and evaluation plan is listed as optional, but including one can help demonstrate seriousness about outcomes and measurement. Additional attachments can be included, such as letters of commitment from the applicant institution and any sub-award partners, CVs of key personnel, and evidence of relevant project experience, but the Embassy notes these should not be unreasonably lengthy and applicants should follow the NOFO for any required attachments.

Submission is electronic and handled directly by the Embassy. Completed applications must be emailed to LjubljanaNGOGrants@state.gov. The NOFO also provides a physical address for the Public Affairs Section at U.S. Embassy Ljubljana (Attn: NGO Small Grants Program, Presernova 31, 1000), but the instruction emphasizes electronic submission. Overall, the program is best suited to Slovenian organizations that can design a focused, outcome-driven project tied to one of the Embassy's priority themes, demonstrate a meaningful American component, and communicate results publicly in a way that visibly strengthens U.S.-Slovenia cooperation.

• The U.S. Mission to Slovenia in the education, employment, labor and training, environment, humanities, law, justice and legal services, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity: NGO Small Grants Program" 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 2024-01-31.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-03-31. (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 $15,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, 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, Private institutions of higher education.

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