Public Diplomacy Grant Programs:

The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Israel administers grants for projects that aim to strengthen ties between the United States and Israel.  The most competitive proposals will include a people-to-people component (i.e., a connection with U.S. experts, organizations, and/or institutions in relevant fields) that promotes increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.  These grants usually serve as one-time opportunities; therefore, projects should be either self-sustaining or fully implemented/completed by the conclusion of the grant period.  Grants available through this program CANNOT be used to support on-going operational costs, construction, scientific research, partisan political activity, trade activities, fundraising campaigns, or commercial products.  Further restrictions may apply.  This page is periodically updated to reflect current funding opportunities, so please check back occasionally for the latest notices.

Current Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO):

Rapid-Response Peacebuilding Grants in Israel
NEA/Embassy Jerusalem, Public Diplomacy, Department of State
Grant Opportunity number: PD-TLV-2025-001|
Application deadline:  February 11, 2025. Applications may be submitted starting from January 12, 2025.

• Full Transcript of the Q&A held on December 19, 2024 
• FAQ about the Notice of Funding Opportunity

 1. Overview

Funding Opportunity Title	Rapid-Response Peacebuilding Grants in Israel
Funding Opportunity Number	PD-TLV-2025-001
Announcement Type	Initial announcement
Deadline for Applications	February 11, 2025, before midnight Israel time
Assistance Listing Number	19.040
Length of performance period	6-18 months
Number of awards anticipated	8-12 (dependent on amounts)
Award amounts	Awards may range from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $150,000 (first time grantees are reviewed for capacity and may be limited to an award of $50,000)
Total available funding	$600,000 pending availability of funds
Type of Funding	FY24-25 (Diplomatic Programs Israel Security Supplemental – PL118-50, Funding Opportunity Number: CN 24-214)
Anticipated project start date	May 1, 2025

 

Funding Instrument Type:  Grant or cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements include substantial involvement of the bureau or embassy in program implementation of the project.  Examples of substantial involvement and a description are included in section 4b below.   

Project Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 18 months or less.

This notice is subject to availability of funding. 

2. Executive Summary

The ongoing Gaza war has significantly impacted the attitudes of Jews towards Arabs and vice versa, leading to increased fear, anger, and resentment, and resulting in higher levels of distrust. The current environment is marked by heightened hostility and polarization. This funding opportunity aims to support rapid-response peacebuilding initiatives in Israel and other affected areas. Grants will be awarded to eligible applicants to support local interventions aimed at preventing violence in mixed communities, assisting youth and teachers in productive communication, supporting community-based initiatives that foster dialogue and mutual understanding, countering violent messaging, and promoting post-conflict planning for a non-violent, safe, and just path forward for all communities.

Priority Region:  Israel and other areas affected by the current Gaza war.

3. Eligibility

 

a. Eligible Applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply: 

• Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
• Public and private educational institutions
• Individuals

b. Cost Sharing or Matching not required

c. Other Eligibility Requirements

All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.gov. Please see Section 5.d, Submission Requirements for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov. 

Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding.

 4. Program Description

a. Goals and Objectives

The primary objective of this funding opportunity is to support rapid-response peacebuilding initiatives in Israel and other areas affected by the current Gaza war. The grants will support local interventions aimed at:

• Preventing violence in mixed communities in Israel, which frequently increases with cross-border conflict;
• Assisting youth and teachers in productive communication during and after the conflict;
• Supporting community-based initiatives that foster dialogue and mutual understanding, trust-building, empathy, and reconciliation;
• Countering violent messaging, and disinformation; and/or
• Promoting post-conflict planning for a non-violent, safe, and just path forward for all communities.

Proposals must advance the goals stated above and should incorporate activities mainly among and between Jewish Israelis, Arab citizens of Israel, and Palestinians, while advancing U.S. values pertaining to democracy, tolerance, inclusion, non-violent conflict resolution, and peacebuilding.

Proposals that address one or more of the following objectives will be considered competitive:

• Create and implement interventions to help mixed communities in Israel prevent violence through trust-building, conflict resolution, and non-violent communication, mainly among teachers and youth,
• Enable organizations and individuals in the peacebuilding field to reassess needs and modify strategies, by application of reliable data and relevant peacebuilding methods to the current context,
• Decrease tension and mistrust in the workplace and/or academic institutions by positively engaging with communities from among Israel’s heterogeneous population,
• Develop skills that can help mitigate the negative impact of mis-/dis-information such as: media literacy, fact-checking, and balanced sourcing,
• Maintain and continue the work and relationships with alumni of previously implemented U.S. government conflict resolution and peacebuilding programs and exchanges, and/or
• Develop mutually beneficial economic and/or civic partnerships between Palestinian and Israeli individuals, organizations, and/or businesses.

b.      Substantial Involvement

Substantial involvement includes, but is not limited to:

• Active collaboration with the recipient in the implementation of the award.
• Review and approval of one stage of work before another can begin.
• Joint preparation or presentation of results with the recipient.
• Involvement in the selection of participants or program venues.
• Specific programmatic oversight in the award, beyond normal monitoring.

5. Application Contents and Format

Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.

Please ensure:

• The PD Application Form Proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity
• All documents are in English
• All budgets are in U.S. dollars
• All pages are numbered
• All documents are formatted to fit 8 ½ x 11 paper, and
• All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12-point Calibri font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

The following documents are required: 

a. Mandatory Application Forms

 

• SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) here
• SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance –individuals) here
• SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) here
• SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs). Note: the SF-424B is only required for individuals, organizations exempt from registration, and for organizations not required to fully register in SAM.gov. here
• PD Grants Budget Worksheet here
• PD Application Form Proposal here

b. Summary Page

Cover sheet stating the applicant’s name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, brief purpose of the program and geographical location.

c. Budget Justification Narrative

 

After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above) and the PD Grants Budget Worksheet (above) use a separate file to explain each of the budget expenses in detail as follows:

Personnel and Fringe Benefits: Describe the wages, salaries, and benefits of temporary or permanent staff who will be working directly for the applicant on the program, and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the program.

Travel: Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for this program, for program staff, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries. If the program involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel.

Equipment: Describe any machinery, furniture, or other personal property that is required for the program, which has a useful life of more than one year (or a life longer than the duration of the program), and costs at least $10,000 per unit.

Supplies: List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are needed for the program. If an item costs more than $10,000 per unit, then put it in the budget under Equipment.

Contractual: Describe goods and services that the applicant plans to acquire through a contract with a vendor.  Also describe any sub-awards to non-profit partners that will help carry out the program activities.

Other Direct Costs: Describe other costs directly associated with the program, which do not fit in the other categories. For example, shipping costs for materials and equipment or applicable taxes. All “Other” or “Miscellaneous” expenses must be itemized and explained.

Indirect Costs:  These are costs that cannot be linked directly to the program activities, such as overhead costs needed to help keep the organization operating.  If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, attach a copy of your latest NICRA. Organizations that have never had a NICRA may request indirect costs of 15% of Modified Total Direct Costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.1.

“Cost Sharing” refers to contributions from the organization or other entities other than the U.S. Embassy.  It also includes in-kind contributions such as volunteers’ time and donated venues.

Alcoholic Beverages:  Please note that award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.

d. Other Attachments

 

• 1-page Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program
• Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner
• If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, include your latest NICRA as a PDF file.
• Official permission letters, if required for program activities.

Submission Requirements

 

Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov), Required Registrations: All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM.gov.

 

A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards. An applicant must maintain an active registration while it has a proposal under review by the Department and must continue to keep the registration active for the entire duration of the period of performance of any Federal award that results from this NOFO. The 2 CFR 200 requires subrecipients to obtain a UEI.  Please note the UEI for subrecipients is not required at the time of application but will be required before an award is processed and/or directed to a subrecipient. 

The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks.  Please begin your registration as early as possible.

• Organizations based in the United States or that pay employees within the United States will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a UEI prior to registering in SAM.gov.
• Organizations based outside of the United States and that do not pay employees within the United States do not need an EIN from the IRS but do need a UEI prior to registering in SAM.gov.
• Organizations based outside of the United States that do not intend to apply for U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awards are no longer required to have a NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) code to apply for non-DoD foreign assistance funding opportunities. If an applicant organization is mid-registration and wishes to remove an NCAGE code from their SAM.gov registration, the applicant should submit a help desk ticket (“incident”) with the Federal Service Desk (FSD) online at fsd.gov using the following language: “I do not intend to seek financial assistance from the Department of Defense. I do not wish to obtain an NCAGE code. I understand that I will need to submit my registration after this incident is resolved in order to have my registration activated.” 

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO NOT plan to do business with the DoD should follow the below instructions: 

Step 1:  Proceed to SAM.gov to obtain a UEI and complete the SAM.gov registration process.  SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually.

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO plan to do business with the DoD in addition to Department of State should follow the below instructions: 

Step 2:  Apply for an NCAGE code by following the instructions on the NSPA NATO website linked below:

NCAGE Homepage:

https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/sc/CageList.aspx

NCAGE Code Request Tool (NCRT):

NCAGE Code Request Tool (nato.int)

Exemptions

An exemption from the UEI and sam.gov registration requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis.  See 2 CFR 25.110 for a full list of exemptions.

Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or SAM.gov requirements must email the point of contact listed in the NOFO at least two weeks prior to the deadline in the NOFO providing a justification of their request. Approval for a SAM.gov exemption must come from the warranted Grants Officer before the application can be deemed eligible for review.

e. Funding Restrictions

Funding Restrictions for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)

None of the funds awarded resulting from this Notice of Funding Opportunity may be made available for subawards, direct financial support, or otherwise used to provide any payment or transfer to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

f.  Other Submission Requirements

All application materials must be submitted by email to TelAvivGrants@state.gov.

6. Application Review Information

 

a.      Review Criteria: Each application will be evaluated and rated based on the evaluation criteria outlined below:

• Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea – 20 points: The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline.
• Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants – 20 points: The organization 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.
• Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 15 points: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.
• Budget – 10 points: The budget justification is detailed. 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.
• Monitoring and evaluation plan – 15 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 program includes output and outcome indicators and shows how and when those will be measured.
• Sustainability – 10 points: Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program.
• Support of Equity and Underserved Communities – 10 points: Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the program will support and advance equity and engage underserved communities in program administration, design, and implementation.

b. Review and Selection Process

A review committee will evaluate all eligible applications. 

c. Risk Review

Under the merit review as required by 2 CFR 200.206, prior to making a Federal Award the Department will review and consider the following risk factors:

• Financial stability
• Management systems and standards
• History of performance
• Audit reports and findings
• Ability to effectively implement requirements
• If there are any program specific risk factors that will be considered, describe them here.
• Responsibility/Qualification Information in SAM.gov

7. Award Notices

The award or cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The award agreement is the authorizing document, which will be provided to the recipient for review and countersignature. The recipient may only start incurring project expenses beginning on the start date shown on the award document signed by the Grants Officer.

If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding.

Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the U.S. government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received. 

Unsuccessful applicants: Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by April 1, 2025.

Payment Method:  Payment will be made as needed to carry out the program activities and according to the program milestones as indicated in the award provisions.

1. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

 

a. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply.

These include: In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department of State will review and consider applications for funding, as applicable to specific programs, pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity in accordance with the following:

• Guidance for Grants and Agreements in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR), as updated in the Federal Register’s 89 FR 30046 on April 22, 2024, particularly on:
• Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an impartial process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR part 200.205),
• Promoting the freedom of speech and religious liberty in alignment with Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty (E.O. 13798) and Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities (E.O. 13864) (§§ 200.300, 200.303, 200.339, and 200.341),
• Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR part 200.322), and
• Terminating agreements pursuant to the U.S. Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, including, to the greatest extent authorized by law, if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR part 200.340).
• 2 CFR 25 – UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT
• 2 CFR 170 – REPORTING SUBAWARD AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION INFORMATION
• 2 CFR 175 – AWARD TERM FOR TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
• 2 CFR 182 – GOVERNMENTWIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE)
• 2 CFR 183 – NEVER CONTRACT WITH THE ENEMY
• 2 CFR 600 – DEPARTMENT OF STATE REQUIREMENTS
• U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

In accordance with the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities, if proposals demonstrate how the program advances equity with respect to race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability, the proposal should also demonstrate how the program will further engagement in underserved communities and with individuals from underserved communities. These proposals should demonstrate how addressing racial equity and underserved communities will enhance the program’s goals and objectives, as well as the experience of participants.

Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports, the frequency of which will be determined during the grant negotiation phase.  The award document will specify what reports are required and how often these reports must be submitted

Foreign Assistance Data Review: As required by Congress, the Department of State must make progress in its efforts to improve tracking and reporting of foreign assistance data through the Foreign Assistance Data Review (FADR). The FADR requires tracking of foreign assistance activity data from budgeting, planning, and allocation through obligation and disbursement.  Successful applicants will be required to report and draw down federal funding based on the appropriate FADR Data Elements, indicated within their award documentation.  In cases of more than one FADR Data Element, typically program or sector and/or regions or country, the successful applicant will be required to maintain separate accounting records.

If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact:  TelAvivGrants@state.gov