American Spaces Grant Funding 2022

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

MISSION MOROCCO AMERICAN SPACES

Notice of Funding Opportunity

We are pleased to announce the American Spaces Grant Funding 2022, with a total of $114,000 available. Funding will be for projects and programming that will take place in Morocco’s two American Spaces: Dar America in Casablanca and the American Space in Oujda for the 2022-2023 programming season (September 2022 through July 2023). The funding will be divided between the two spaces. Please read this document carefully and follow all instructions.

A.     ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Mission Morocco American Spaces’ primary audiences are students and young professionals, ages 15 – 30 in the Casablanca and Oujda regions. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), foundations, think tanks, and academic institutions may apply for funding. Grantees must have non-profit status. Awards to individuals will be considered on a case-by-case basis. As noted above, we seek proposals for activities that will engage audiences at our two American Spaces. While U.S.-based NGOs and individuals may apply, preference is given to local Moroccan NGOs.

Notice: For Fiscal Year 2022 all proposals submitted in response to this announcement must include a contingency plan describing in detail: 1) how the proposed activity would be implemented if health restrictions are in place during the anticipated period of performance, and 2) the applicant's capacity to conduct programs virtually.

B.     OBJECTIVES AND PROGRAM OUTCOMES

The objectives of this round of American Spaces grant funding is to create and produce strategic programming for the American Spaces network in Morocco. All proposals must have a clear American component and seek to address the following themes and strategic objectives: 

• Professional Development for Moroccan Youth: Promote professional and soft skills development, entrepreneurship and innovation through mentoring and training to promote positive community engagement and increase employability.  
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Programming: Create creative STEM programs to engage youth at Morocco’s American Spaces. 
• American-inspired Cultural Programming that highlights diversity and inclusion: Engage audiences through American-inspired cultural programming, including film, music, literature, history, or art, with a focus on themes of diversity and inclusion. 
• Environment and Climate Programming: Expand understanding of environmental and climate change challenges through innovative programming.
• Countering Disinformation: Promote media literacy and other skills to help young people effectively identify online disinformation.

Please note, the U.S. Mission in Morocco will only consider proposals where a majority of proposed programming takes place inside one of our two American Spaces. Any outside programming (at schools, in other cultural institutions, at NGOs, etc.) will only be considered if it is directly tied to a larger program taking place within an American Space.

Participants and Audiences:

Moroccan youth and young professionals (15-30 years of age) addressing the above objectives

C. U.S. CONTENT

To be eligible for funding consideration, proposals must demonstrate significant U.S. content. U.S. content can include, for example, the participation of U.S. experts, the application or adaptation of U.S. models and best practices, or pedagogical materials related to American history, society, culture, government, or institutions. Please do not submit proposals without significant U.S. content, as they will not be considered for funding.

Activities that could be funded include, but are not limited to:

·       Programs that reinforce and amplify lessons learned by alumni of State Department-funded exchange programs (both American and Moroccan alumni)

·       Youth engagement, leadership, and educational programs

·       Workshops, seminars, trainings, and master classes on American themes or issues of mutual interest mentioned in the above goals of the program

·       Cultural programs that target youth and underserved communities

·       Programs to empower women and girls 

·       Radio, television, and social media training and programming in support of the above program objectives

·       Programs that focus on climate crisis education, nature conservation, or clean energy innovation

Activities that are not typically funded include, but are not limited to:

·       fees and travel costs to attend conferences in the United States

·       ongoing salary costs and office equipment

·       paying to complete activities begun with other funds

·       projects that are inherently political in nature or that contain the appearance of partisanship/support to individual or single party electoral campaigns

·       social welfare projects

·       political party activities

·       projects that support specific religious activities

·       trade activities; fundraising campaigns; commercial projects; scientific research; construction projects; projects whose primary aim is the institutional development of the organization itself

D.     APPLICATION PROCESS

Application Deadlines

Applications are due by midnight Morocco time on Friday, May 20, 2022. Completed applications should be sent as soon as they are complete. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL MAY 20TH. 

Proposal Format

To have a complete grants package, all forms listed below must be submitted together electronically in English, via e-mail to: Rabatgrants@state.gov

1. Applicant Organizational Information Form

2. Project Narrative

3. Budget Proposal (in USD)

4. SF424 (Application for Federal Assistance – Must be signed)

5. SF424A (Budget Information)

6. SF424B (Assurances – Must be signed)

7. CVs for Director and key project personnel

An organization or individual may submit only one application for American Spaces grant funding. All applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of proposals. Proposals will not be considered until all information is received. Please note that the last day to submit proposals is by May 20, 2022 by midnight Moroccan time.

Nonprofit

• Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)