Funding Opportunity: Julia Taft Refugee Fund for FY 2023
Date Open: 12/19/2022
Date Closed: 01/19/2023
CFDA: 19.517 – Overseas Refugee Assistance Programs for Africa
Funding Instrument: Grant
Award Amount: Up to $25,000
Background and funding opportunity description
U.S. Embassy Bamako in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) is pleased to welcome proposals via the Julia Taft Refugee Fund from potential partners working to assist refugees in Mali. This support is meant to meet low-cost gaps in refugee protection and assistance. Similarly, the intent of this initiative is to provide U.S. Ambassadors with the means to respond to critical gaps that have not been addressed in larger multilateral refugee programs.
Note: This funding opportunity targets refugees, asylum-seekers, or refugee returnees; it does not support proposals aimed at internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Eligibility criteria and funding guidelines for the Taft Refugee Fund
- The funds are meant to support projects that assist refugees or refugee returnees.
- The fund is not meant as an emergency fund.
- Applicants must be a registered national or local non-governmental organization (NGO).
Application package
Applications that do not include ALL of the components below will automatically be rejected.
- Proposal (see Annex, below, for required proposal format)
- Detailed project timeline/calendar
- Detailed budget
- CV/Resume of project manager and other key project personnel
- At least one reference/recommendation letter from other donors or stakeholders
- Proof of national registration of the organization
- Copy of bank statement or other proof of existing bank account of the organization
- Completed and signed federal forms: SF424, SF424A and SF424B (these forms can be found here: https://www.grants.gov/forms/sf-424-family.html)
- gov registration
- A copy of the Signed Code of Conduct of the organization that is consistent with the 2019 IASC’s six core principles (https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/inter-agency-standing-committee/iasc-six-core-principles-relating-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse)
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:
- NCAGE/CAGE code
- Unique Entity Identifier on www.SAM.gov
- SAM.gov registration
Apply for an NCAGE number and a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
When applying for a Unique Entity Identifier, make sure the addresses used are EXACTLY the same as in NCAGE registration to link your organization in the two systems.
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.
After receiving the NCAGE Code, proceed to register in SAM by logging onto: www.sam.gov (please use Chrome browser). Start by creating an individual account, log in, and then proceed to register your entity. SAM registration must be renewed annually.
All applications should be in English. However, applicants may provide an additional copy in French if desired.
Review and Selection Process
A selection committee at U.S. Embassy Bamako, Mali, will review all applications received under this announcement based on the following criteria:
- Capacity of the organization – the organization has experience in implementing activities related to vulnerable groups, is focused on economic and social development, and demonstrates the ability to implement the activities proposed;
- Sustainability Plan – the proposal demonstrates a clear sustainability plan beyond the life of the award;
- Cost Application – the proposed costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results;
- Monitoring and Evaluation – the applicant should provide a clear monitoring and evaluation plan that includes specific, measurable, and achievable indicators.
Once the review process is completed, U.S. Embassy Bamako will notify successful applicant as well as unsuccessful applicants. Prospective grantees will receive further instructions along with the notification of successful proposal. Once awarded, each grantee will be responsible for the program and financial reporting as specified in the award agreement.
Below are just a few examples of activities that can be funded under this program (Please make sure that there is a strong tie to the local context, building on the competencies / capacity of the proposing organization):
- Improve the mental health of the refugee community.
- Build a playground for refugee children.
- Support an education program for refugees.
- Develop a youth program for refugees.
- Support livelihoods training and sports programs.
- Support a transit center for unaccompanied minor refugees and asylum seekers.
- Support early childhood education, health, and nutrition activities.
- Support water, sanitation, health care.
- Provide protection for vulnerable refugees.
- Provide a shelter for women and girls refugees who are survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).
- Support a vocational training program for refugees.
- Provide agricultural support to returnee families.
- Any other activities that support refugees or returnees.
In order to be considered for this funding opportunity, please submit your applications NO LATER THAN 01/19/2022 by email to BamakoEcon@state.gov.
Please contact BamakoEcon@state.gov should you need any additional information.
ANNEX
Proposal Format
Problem statement
Give a brief description of the primary problem that your application wishes to address.
Objectives
The objectives should correspond directly to the problem stated in your Problem Statement and should be concise. Objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound.
Strategy
Provide a broad statement of your approach to solving the problem.
Activities
Describe the major activities that will be carried out to reach the grant objectives.
Sustainability Plan
Provide a brief outline stating how the organization proposes to sustain its activities beyond the completion and end of the grant.
Implementation Plan
Provide concise timeframes and sequencing for the implementation of each activity.
Monitoring and Evaluation Plan
Provide indicators and target number of beneficiaries you plan to achieve. Describe how outputs and outcomes will be measured.
Institutional Capacity Statement
Describe your organization’s capabilities and qualifications for implementing the grant. Present evidence to prove how and why your organization is likely to succeed in implementing the grant.
Detailed Budget
The cost/budget application should be provided as a separate document. Total budget should not exceed $25,000. This should detail all direct costs associated with the implementation of grant activities in USD.
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. Please provide a description of the costs included in the budget and how each expenditure or procurement contributes to project results.
Please provide if available:
– Organizational Chart
– CV/Résumé of Key Personnel
– Copy of Proof of Registration
– Other attachments as deemed relevant
