80 Years of Exchanges Professional Development Seminars NOFO | PAS MOROCCO FY20 02

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS MOROCCO FY20 02

The "80 Years of Exchanges Professional Development Seminars NOFO" is a U.S. Department of State funding opportunity run by the Public Affairs Office (PAO) at the U.S. Embassy in Rabat. It supports the Embassy's "80 Years of Exchanges" initiative by funding a single organization to plan and deliver a series of professional development seminars for Moroccan alumni of U.S. Government exchange programs during calendar year 2020. The core idea is to strengthen alumni skills and networks through practical, in-person training delivered in multiple Moroccan cities, while keeping the Embassy closely involved in the design and execution through a cooperative agreement.

The selected grantee is expected to organize seven one-day alumni seminars across three topic areas: leadership, project management, and digital engagement. First, the leadership component consists of three day-long seminars held in early April in Rabat, Fes, and Tangier, each serving about 30 alumni participants. These sessions are meant for a mix of younger alumni and more established professionals and focus on improving leadership effectiveness. The leadership seminars will be delivered by a visiting American speaker along with Moroccan alumni trainers identified jointly by the PAO and the grantee. The grantee is responsible for developing the agenda and providing on-the-ground logistics, including arranging or reimbursing participant transportation and, when needed, lodging; securing a venue; and providing meals, coffee breaks, and supplies. The Embassy covers the American speaker's travel and related logistics.

Second, the project management component is a single day-long seminar scheduled for early July for approximately 30 alumni. It is focused on best practices in project management and is led by Moroccan alumni who are experienced project management trainers or leaders of local or international NGOs. For this seminar, the grantee again designs the program and handles logistics such as venue rental, meals/coffee breaks, and supplies. Unlike the leadership and digital engagement activities, participants will not receive travel funding for the project management seminar.

Third, the digital engagement component includes three one-day seminars in October in Casablanca, Marrakech, and Agadir, again targeting roughly 30 alumni per seminar. These sessions focus on improving participants' ability to communicate effectively using digital platforms, with content likely centered on social media strategy, digital outreach, and modern communication tools. The program features a U.S. speaker as well as Moroccan trainers with expertise in social media and digital marketing. As with the leadership seminars, the grantee handles program development and all participant-facing logistics, including travel arrangements or reimbursements (as needed), accommodations (as needed), venue rental, meals/coffee breaks, and supplies, while the PAO covers the U.S. speaker's travel and logistics.

Funding is provided through FY20 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds. The opportunity anticipates one award, with a total funding pool of $40,000 and an award range of $20,000 to $40,000. The period of performance is listed as 6 to 12 months, with the possibility of renewal for up to three years. The anticipated start is Spring 2020, and applicants are instructed not to propose an intended start date earlier than March 15, 2020. As a cooperative agreement, the Embassy is not a passive funder; the PAO will actively shape implementation, including providing input on program content, speakers, venues, and logistics, and playing a direct role in the participant selection process, including approving final invitees.

Eligibility and compliance requirements are emphasized. Applicants must follow the policies and eligibility rules laid out in the broader "80 Years of Exchanges Training Program Implementation NOFO." The posting identifies eligible applicants as nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) and individuals, and it also requests proof of local NGO registration as part of the submission package, indicating that local registration documentation is expected for NGOs operating in Morocco. Applicants must also have the required federal registrations in place, specifically DUNS, NCAGE, and SAM registration.

The application deadline is Saturday, February 29, 2020, by close of business. Submissions must be emailed as a complete package to RabatGrants@state.gov. The required documents include a project narrative, a budget proposal (within the $20,000 to $40,000 range), the signed SF-424 and SF-424B forms, the SF-424A budget information form, proof of local registration for the NGO, and NGO banking information (RIB certificate). Questions are directed to the same email address, and the Embassy's funding opportunities webpage is provided for applicants to access the full announcement, forms, and guidance.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Morocco in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "80 Years of Exchanges Professional Development Seminars NOFO" 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 Jan 27, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 29, 2020 Deadline for Applications Saturday, February 29, 2020. (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 $40,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Individuals.

Apply for PAS MOROCCO FY20 02

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