Opportunity Information: Apply for PRMECON 16 GR 001 WHA 030116
Apply for PRMECON 16 GR 001 WHA 030116
- The DOS-CRI in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Strengthen Citizen Security through Economic and Social Opportunity" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.750.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 01, 2016 and posted on Mar 01, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 30, 2016. (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 $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The U.S. Department of State, through the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica, issued this discretionary grant opportunity to support projects that strengthen citizen security by expanding economic and social opportunity. The funding sits under the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI), a broader U.S. government effort across Central America (including Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama) aimed at countering organized crime, reinforcing rule of law and human rights, and pairing institutional strengthening with prevention programs that keep at-risk youth away from gangs and criminal activity. In practical terms, this NOFO is looking for prevention-focused proposals that make communities safer by improving legitimate pathways to education, employment, and income, especially in places where poverty and exclusion can make illegal economies seem like the easiest option.
The core objective is to provide workforce development, education, or entrepreneurship opportunities that reduce poverty in historically marginalized and economically disadvantaged communities, with particular emphasis on youth and women. The Embassy frames these interventions as a public safety strategy: by increasing access to job skills, schooling, and small business creation, programs can offer credible alternatives to crime and illicit drug economies and contribute to safer streets. Proposals are expected to include a clear implementation strategy that explains what will be delivered, who will be served, how participants will be recruited and supported, and how outcomes related to economic opportunity and risk reduction will be achieved within the project period.
Funding is expected to be distributed across about five awards, with total available funding not to exceed USD 1,500,000. Individual awards are anticipated to range from USD 100,000 to USD 500,000. Projects must be time-bound, with performance periods not to exceed two years, and the anticipated start date listed is September 30, 2016. The Embassy also notes that awards are subject to funding availability and internal approval processes, and it reserves the right to fund any, all, or none of the applications, as well as to set final award amounts.
Eligible applicants include U.S. nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status, overseas-based NGOs, U.S. and overseas public and private institutions of higher education, and public international organizations. The legal authority for the opportunity is the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended. The opportunity is administered as a grant (not a procurement contract), and consistent with U.S. Department of State assistance policy, it will not pay profit. However, reasonable, allowable, and allocable direct and indirect costs associated with carrying out the project may be covered, provided they align with the applicable federal cost principles and standards, including 2 CFR 200 for nonprofits and universities (with overseas-based nonprofits also required to comply).
Applications are to be submitted through Grants.gov, and applicants are responsible for ensuring they submit a complete package, including any required forms and attachments referenced in the opportunity listing. The posting indicates that if an applicant encounters persistent technical issues that Grants.gov support cannot resolve, the Embassy may consider emailed submissions on a limited basis, provided the applicant documents the Grants.gov problem (for example, with a screenshot) and sends the materials to the designated Embassy email address. The opportunity also emphasizes that the NOFO may be amended and that applicants should monitor Grants.gov for updates to requirements or clarifications.
Key administrative dates included in the notice are a question deadline of March 31, 2016 at 5:00 PM local time in San Jose, with answers to questions to be shared via an amendment on Grants.gov, and an application closing date of April 30, 2016. The listed point of contact is the U.S. Embassy San Jose CARSI/ESF email (SanJoseCarsiESF@state.gov) and a local telephone number. The notice also makes clear that publishing the NOFO does not guarantee an award or reimburse proposal preparation costs; applicants incur those costs at their own expense, and awards cannot be finalized until funds are fully appropriated, allocated, and committed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this grant opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity issued by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica. It supports projects intended to strengthen citizen security by expanding economic and social opportunity through prevention-focused programming.
2) What broader initiative does this funding fall under?
The opportunity sits under the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI), a U.S. government effort across Central America aimed at countering organized crime, reinforcing rule of law and human rights, and supporting prevention programs that keep at-risk youth away from gangs and criminal activity.
3) Which countries are included in CARSI?
CARSI is described as covering Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
4) What is the main goal of the NOFO?
The core objective is to fund workforce development, education, or entrepreneurship opportunities that reduce poverty in historically marginalized and economically disadvantaged communities, with particular emphasis on youth and women, as a strategy to improve public safety and reduce the appeal of illicit economies.
5) What types of projects are being requested?
The notice emphasizes prevention-focused proposals that make communities safer by strengthening legitimate pathways to education, employment, and income. Projects may focus on workforce development, educational opportunity, and/or entrepreneurship and small business creation.
6) Who is the primary target population?
The opportunity highlights historically marginalized and economically disadvantaged communities, with particular emphasis on youth and women.
7) How does the Embassy connect economic opportunity to citizen security?
The NOFO frames these interventions as a public safety strategy: increasing access to job skills, schooling, and small business opportunities can provide credible alternatives to crime and illicit drug economies and contribute to safer communities.
8) What should a proposal include, based on the notice?
Proposals are expected to include a clear implementation strategy describing what will be delivered, who will be served, how participants will be recruited and supported, and how outcomes related to economic opportunity and risk reduction will be achieved within the project period.
9) How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?
Funding is expected to be distributed across about five awards.
10) How much total funding is available?
Total available funding is not to exceed USD 1,500,000.
11) What is the anticipated size of individual awards?
Individual awards are anticipated to range from USD 100,000 to USD 500,000.
12) How long can a project last?
Projects must be time-bound, with performance periods not to exceed two years.
13) What is the anticipated project start date?
The anticipated start date listed in the notice is September 30, 2016.
14) Is an award guaranteed if an application is submitted?
No. The notice states that publishing the NOFO does not guarantee an award. The Embassy reserves the right to fund any, all, or none of the applications.
15) Can the Embassy change the final award amount?
Yes. The Embassy reserves the right to set final award amounts, and awards are subject to funding availability and internal approval processes.
16) What type of funding instrument is this (grant or contract)?
This opportunity is administered as a grant, not a procurement contract.
17) Are applicants allowed to earn profit under this award?
No. Consistent with U.S. Department of State assistance policy, the grant will not pay profit.
18) What costs may be covered?
Reasonable, allowable, and allocable direct and indirect costs associated with carrying out the project may be covered, as long as they align with applicable federal cost principles and standards, including 2 CFR 200.
19) What cost standards apply to nonprofits and universities?
The notice references compliance with 2 CFR 200 for nonprofits and universities, and indicates that overseas-based nonprofits are also required to comply.
20) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include: U.S. nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status; overseas-based NGOs; U.S. and overseas public and private institutions of higher education; and public international organizations.
21) What is the legal authority for this opportunity?
The legal authority cited is the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended.
22) How must applications be submitted?
Applications are to be submitted through Grants.gov. Applicants are responsible for ensuring they submit a complete package, including required forms and attachments referenced in the opportunity listing.
23) What if an applicant cannot submit through Grants.gov due to technical problems?
If an applicant encounters persistent technical issues that Grants.gov support cannot resolve, the Embassy may consider emailed submissions on a limited basis. The applicant must document the Grants.gov problem (for example, with a screenshot) and send the materials to the designated Embassy email address.
24) Should applicants monitor Grants.gov after the NOFO is posted?
Yes. The notice emphasizes that the NOFO may be amended and applicants should monitor Grants.gov for updates, requirement changes, or clarifications.
25) What is the deadline to submit questions?
The question deadline is March 31, 2016 at 5:00 PM local time in San Jose.
26) How will answers to questions be shared?
Answers to questions are expected to be shared via an amendment on Grants.gov.
27) What is the application deadline?
The application closing date is April 30, 2016.
28) Who is the point of contact for this opportunity?
The listed point of contact is the U.S. Embassy San Jose CARSI/ESF email: SanJoseCarsiESF@state.gov. The notice also references a local telephone number.
29) Will proposal preparation costs be reimbursed?
No. The notice states that proposal preparation costs are incurred at the applicant's own expense and will not be reimbursed.
30) Are awards contingent on appropriations and internal approvals?
Yes. The notice indicates awards cannot be finalized until funds are fully appropriated, allocated, and committed, and they are subject to funding availability and internal approval processes.
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