U.S. Embassy Port of Spain Fiscal Year 2022 - Public Affairs – Annual Program Statement | PASPOS 22 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for PASPOS 22 001

The U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain (Public Affairs Section) opened a Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Program Statement grant competition to support creative, sustainable projects that include a clear U.S. component and contribute to societal and institutional growth in Trinidad and Tobago. The Embassy is looking for proposals that advance the three main pillars of U.S.-Trinidad and Tobago cooperation: Security, Accountable Governance, and Inclusive Growth. Projects can fall across a wide range of themes (the notice lists areas such as agriculture, arts, community development, education, environment, and food and nutrition), as long as they clearly connect back to those core bilateral priorities and are structured to produce practical, measurable outcomes within the grant period.

The competition is primarily aimed at non-profits, NGOs, academic institutions, and social enterprises that are headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago, and these locally based organizations are given preference. U.S.-based institutions can apply as well, but they must demonstrate that they already have on-the-ground support from a local partner organization. For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible. The Department of State also signals that it welcomes applications from organizations that have not previously received U.S. Government international program funding, which can be a helpful opening for newer or first-time grantees with strong ideas and credible implementation capacity.

Funding is awarded as grants, with multiple awards anticipated. The notice states a maximum award amount of up to US $50,000 per project in the program description (while the source data fields also show an award ceiling figure that differs), so applicants would be wise to confirm the controlling ceiling in the full notice of funding opportunity and structure budgets accordingly. The period of performance cannot exceed one year, meaning proposed activities should be realistic to design, deliver, and evaluate within a 12-month timeline. Although cost sharing is not required, proposals that bring additional cash or in-kind support from non-U.S. Government sources are described as more competitive because they demonstrate commitment and cost effectiveness.

Applications have strict formatting and content requirements. The proposal narrative cannot exceed five double-spaced pages, using 12-point Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins. Proposals must include, at minimum: a project summary, project duration, objectives, organizational capacity, key personnel, previous grants received, and a detailed budget. Submissions must follow the guidance in the official notice (referenced via the “Link to Additional Information”), and all awards will be governed by the U.S. Department of State’s standard grant terms and conditions.

There are also several administrative registration requirements that must be in place to receive an award. Applicants need an NCAGE code (or CAGE code for U.S. organizations), a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and an active registration in SAM.gov. These registrations can take time to complete or update, so applicants typically need to plan ahead to avoid last-minute eligibility problems.

The Embassy places clear restrictions on what grant funds can pay for. In general, grants may not be used for salaries, for purchasing equipment costing more than $500, or for refreshments. Beyond these spending limits, the program also excludes entire categories of activities. Ineligible proposals include for-profit trade or commercial projects, scientific research, projects primarily focused on building the applicant organization’s own institutional capacity, purchasing buildings or space, development and construction projects, individual travel to conferences, scholarships for individuals, finishing work already started with other funds, fundraising/fund development activities, and any programming that is inherently political or partisan (including political party work or lobbying). Projects supporting specific religious activities are also not eligible, and the program does not allow cash prizes for competitions.

Applications had to be submitted electronically by email to posgrants@state.gov, with a deadline of September 15, 2022. The Embassy notes that only selected applicants will be contacted, and it also includes a standard federal disclaimer: even if a project is selected and funded, the Department of State is not obligated to provide any additional or future funding, and any renewal, extension, or increase is entirely at the Department’s discretion.

• The U.S. Mission to Trinidad and Tobago in the agriculture, arts, community development, education, environment, food and nutrition sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Port of Spain Fiscal Year 2022 - Public Affairs – Annual Program Statement" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-08-09.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-09-15. (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 $20,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for PASPOS 22 001

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: