Opportunity Information: Apply for SCAIN 12 GR 001 SCA 062612
Apply for SCAIN 12 GR 001 SCA 062612
- The U.S. Mission to India in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda) humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Building U.S. India Connections through Dance" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040 Public Diplomacy Programs.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 4, 2012 and posted on Jun 26, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 17, 2012. (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 $75,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education.
- Indian applicants must be FCRA compliant
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Opportunity Summary:
Building U.S.-India Connections through Dance is a U.S. Embassy New Delhi Public Affairs Section grant opportunity aimed at using contemporary dance as a cultural diplomacy tool to deepen ties between India and the United States. The core idea is to connect Indian audiences with the energy, diversity, and innovative creativity of U.S. society through performances and related programming that explore similarities and differences between the two countries. Projects are expected to feature at least one American dancer or choreographer, or an American, Indian, or mixed dance company, and while the focus is contemporary dance, proposals can reference traditional forms where it helps enrich the artistic and cultural conversation.
The Embassy is looking for programs that go beyond staging shows and instead create a broader, more accessible cultural exchange. A strong proposal includes an educational component such as workshops, master classes, lecture demonstrations, or interactive sessions designed especially for young people and for audiences who may not already be familiar with contemporary dance. Applicants are expected to spell out practical needs as well, including any required equipment and materials for both performances and workshops. The most competitive concepts are described as multi-faceted, meaning they create multiple ways for participants and audiences to engage, encourage ongoing interaction after events conclude, and use amplification tools like social media to extend reach beyond the people physically attending.
On-the-ground programming in India should run about two to four weeks and include travel and activity in multiple locations, with final locations determined by the U.S. Mission in India. A major emphasis is outreach beyond the biggest metro areas and beyond elite audiences. The opportunity is tied to a wider Embassy programming goal of increasing community engagement and building institution-to-institution linkages, particularly through empowerment-oriented programming for youth, women, and underserved communities, including in areas outside New Delhi and other major consulate cities. Proposals that are likely to create lasting partnerships between U.S. and Indian institutions are explicitly rated more highly, signaling that the Embassy wants durable networks, not one-off tours.
Publicity and media engagement are also built into the program expectations. Applicants should plan for local publicity and a thoughtful media strategy that uses both traditional and social media to raise awareness of U.S. public diplomacy cultural and educational programs. This publicity is meant to be coordinated with the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi (including the American Center) and the U.S. Consulates in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad, reinforcing that the project is intended to be visible, collaborative, and aligned with broader mission outreach.
Awards are offered as either grants or cooperative agreements, with funding ranging from $15,000 to $75,000, and the Embassy notes it may ultimately award less or more than the stated range if it serves U.S. government interests. Although the dance activities in India are expected to take place over a two-to-four-week period, the overall grant project is generally expected to be completed within one year. Continuation funding may be possible on a noncompetitive basis, depending on available funds, strong performance, and a determination that continued support is in the Department of State’s interest. The opportunity anticipates making one award and does not require cost sharing or matching.
Eligibility is centered on legally registered nonprofit organizations in the United States and/or India, including civil society organizations, NGOs, and think tanks, with at least two years of experience designing and implementing programs in India. Applicants must meet all required registrations in both countries and handle intellectual property rights properly in both jurisdictions. The listing also notes that Indian applicants must be FCRA compliant. Applications must be submitted in English, and the final grant agreement will be executed in English as well.
The submission process runs through Grants.gov and also requires emailing the application materials to NDGrantApplications@state.gov with a specific email subject line format that includes the applicant organization name and the identifier “NDRFP12 01 Dance.” The guidance strongly encourages registering early on Grants.gov because obtaining a DUNS number and completing CCR registration (as described in the notice) can take weeks, especially for non-U.S.-based organizations. Applications must be submitted by an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) in Grants.gov, or they will be rejected. Required components include a proposal narrative and a completed SF-424 form, along with a detailed budget and budget narrative; indirect costs or administrative overhead must be clearly itemized unless the organization has an approved NICRA with documentation.
Proposals are evaluated competitively using a points-based rubric. Reviewers prioritize clear and measurable goals tied to Mission India public diplomacy objectives (20 points), innovation and a credible strategy to deliver within the timeframe (15 points), demonstrated organizational capacity and well-defined partner roles with resumes for key staff (15 points), a complete and reasonable budget with strong justification (25 points), a detailed monitoring and evaluation plan that may include pre- and post-program assessment (15 points), and sustainability showing how the work and partnerships will continue after the grant ends (10 points). Operationally, awards are administered by a Grants Officer, successful applicants are typically notified within about 90 days after the deadline, and recipients must submit both program and financial reports as required by the award agreement, with funding disbursement potentially linked to timely reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Building U.S.-India Connections through Dance
1. What is the "Building U.S.-India Connections through Dance" grant?
This is a U.S. Embassy New Delhi Public Affairs Section funding opportunity that uses contemporary dance as a cultural diplomacy tool. The goal is to deepen ties between India and the United States by connecting Indian audiences with the energy, diversity, and innovative creativity associated with U.S. society through performances and related engagement activities.
2. What types of projects is the Embassy trying to fund?
The Embassy is looking for multi-faceted programs that go beyond staging performances. Competitive projects combine performances with broader cultural exchange activities, expand access to contemporary dance (especially for audiences unfamiliar with it), and create multiple ways for people to engage during and after the program, including through amplification such as social media.
3. Is the program limited strictly to contemporary dance?
The main focus is contemporary dance. However, proposals may reference traditional dance forms when it meaningfully enriches the artistic and cultural conversation and helps explore similarities and differences between the two countries.
4. Does the project need to include American artists?
Projects are expected to feature at least one American dancer or choreographer, or involve an American, Indian, or mixed dance company.
5. What is meant by "cultural diplomacy" in this opportunity?
In this context, cultural diplomacy means using dance and related programming to build people-to-people connections, encourage mutual understanding, and support broader U.S. public diplomacy objectives in India through cultural and educational engagement.
6. Are educational activities required, or just recommended?
A strong proposal includes an educational component such as workshops, master classes, lecture demonstrations, or interactive sessions. The educational component is particularly encouraged for young people and for audiences that may not already be familiar with contemporary dance.
7. Who are the priority audiences and communities?
The opportunity emphasizes outreach beyond elite audiences and beyond the biggest metro areas. It also aligns with Embassy goals related to community engagement and empowerment-oriented programming for youth, women, and underserved communities, including in areas outside New Delhi and other major consulate cities.
8. How long should the in-country programming in India last?
On-the-ground programming in India is expected to run about two to four weeks.
9. Does the project have to take place in more than one location?
Yes. The programming is expected to include travel and activity in multiple locations in India. Final locations are determined by the U.S. Mission in India.
10. How long is the overall project period?
Even though the in-country dance activities are expected to occur over two to four weeks, the overall grant project is generally expected to be completed within one year.
11. How much funding is available?
Funding is expected to range from $15,000 to $75,000.
12. Can the award be outside the published funding range?
Yes. The Embassy notes it may award less or more than the stated range if doing so serves U.S. government interests.
13. How many awards will be made?
The opportunity anticipates making one award.
14. Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. Cost sharing or matching is not required for this opportunity.
15. What kind of award instrument will be used?
Awards may be issued as either a grant or a cooperative agreement.
16. What is the difference between a grant and a cooperative agreement for this opportunity?
The notice indicates the Embassy may use either mechanism. Both are federal financial assistance instruments, and the award type will be determined as part of the funding decision. (The opportunity description itself does not provide additional detail beyond stating both are possible.)
17. Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are legally registered nonprofit organizations in the United States and/or India, including civil society organizations, NGOs, and think tanks.
18. What experience is required for applicant organizations?
Applicants must have at least two years of experience designing and implementing programs in India.
19. Are there compliance requirements for Indian organizations?
Yes. Indian applicants must be FCRA compliant, according to the opportunity description.
20. Are there registration requirements that applicants must meet?
Yes. Applicants must meet all required registrations in both countries, and the notice strongly encourages early registration in Grants.gov. The notice also mentions that obtaining a DUNS number and completing CCR registration (as described in the notice) can take weeks, especially for non-U.S.-based organizations.
21. What language must the application be submitted in?
Applications must be submitted in English, and the final grant agreement will be executed in English as well.
22. How do applicants submit the application?
Submission has two parts: (1) submit via Grants.gov, and (2) email the application materials to NDGrantApplications@state.gov.
23. Is a specific email subject line required?
Yes. The email subject line must follow the format described in the notice and include the applicant organization name and the identifier "NDRFP12 01 Dance."
24. Who must submit the application in Grants.gov?
The application must be submitted by an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) in Grants.gov. Applications not submitted by an AOR will be rejected.
25. What documents are required in the application package?
Required components include a proposal narrative, a completed SF-424 form, a detailed budget, and a budget narrative.
26. How should indirect costs or administrative overhead be handled in the budget?
Indirect costs or administrative overhead must be clearly itemized unless the organization has an approved NICRA, in which case documentation should be provided.
27. What should applicants include about equipment and materials?
Applicants are expected to spell out practical needs, including any required equipment and materials for both performances and workshops.
28. What kind of publicity and media strategy is expected?
Applicants should plan for local publicity and a thoughtful media strategy that uses both traditional and social media to raise awareness of U.S. public diplomacy cultural and educational programs and to extend reach beyond in-person attendees.
29. Does the project need to coordinate publicity with U.S. government entities in India?
Yes. Publicity is meant to be coordinated with the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi (including the American Center) and the U.S. Consulates in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad.
30. What kinds of proposals are considered most competitive?
The most competitive concepts are described as multi-faceted: they provide multiple engagement formats, encourage ongoing interaction after events conclude, incorporate educational elements, plan for amplification (including social media), and align with Mission India public diplomacy objectives. Proposals likely to create lasting partnerships between U.S. and Indian institutions are rated more highly.
31. Are lasting partnerships an evaluation factor?
Yes. Sustainability and durable institution-to-institution linkages are emphasized. Proposals that are likely to create lasting partnerships are explicitly rated more highly, and sustainability is a scored evaluation category.
32. How will proposals be evaluated?
Proposals are evaluated competitively using a points-based rubric. Scored areas include: clear and measurable goals tied to Mission India public diplomacy objectives (20 points), innovation and a credible strategy to deliver within the timeframe (15 points), organizational capacity and well-defined partner roles with resumes for key staff (15 points), budget completeness and justification (25 points), monitoring and evaluation plan (15 points), and sustainability after the grant ends (10 points).
33. What is expected for monitoring and evaluation (M&E)?
Applicants should include a detailed monitoring and evaluation plan, which may include pre- and post-program assessment.
34. Who administers the award once it is made?
Awards are administered by a Grants Officer.
35. When should applicants expect to hear back after submitting?
Successful applicants are typically notified within about 90 days after the deadline.
36. What reporting obligations will recipients have?
Recipients must submit both program and financial reports as required by the award agreement. The notice also indicates that funding disbursement may be linked to timely reporting.
37. Are intellectual property requirements mentioned?
Yes. Applicants are expected to handle intellectual property rights properly in both U.S. and Indian jurisdictions.
38. Is continuation funding possible after the initial award?
Continuation funding may be possible on a noncompetitive basis, depending on available funds, strong performance, and a determination that continued support is in the Department of State's interest.
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