[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 200 (Thursday, October 16, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59674-59675]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-26185]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 4514]
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Request for Grant
Proposals: Human Rights and Democratization Cross-Regional Initiatives
in the Non-Arab Muslim World
SUMMARY: The Office for the Promotion of Human Rights and Democracy of
the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL/PHD) announces an
open competition for assistance awards. Organizations may submit grant
proposals that focus on promotion of human rights, political
participation and freedom of opportunity in the non-Arab Muslim World.
Awards are contingent upon the availability of Fiscal Year 2003
funds. Up to $4,500,000 may be available under the Economic Support
Fund for projects that address cross-regional Bureau objectives in the
non-Arab Muslim World. Funds will be targeted toward Muslim populations
outside the Middle East. Regions that fall into this category may
include Africa, East Asia and the Pacific, South Asia, and Eurasia.
Projects must be targeted at multiple countries, either within a single
region or across regions. Projects may also include countries with
sizeable Muslim minority populations, such as Russia, India and
Thailand, among others. The Bureau anticipates awarding between 5-15
grants in amounts of $250,000--$1,000,000.
Background: DRL/PHD supports innovative, cutting-edge programs
which uphold democratic principles, support and strengthen democratic
institutions, promote human rights, and build civil society in
countries and regions of the world that are geo-strategically important
to the U.S.
DRL/PHD funds projects that have an immediate impact but that also
have potential for continued funding beyond DRL/PHD resources. Projects
must not duplicate or simply add to efforts by other entities.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and
Labor has identified the following issues as priorities. Projects that
address these issues may receive a higher priority, but DRL is open to
innovative programming ideas on other issues that meet our general
criteria:
1. Empowerment of Muslim women, including projects that promote
capacity building and/or networks of women or women's organizations,
especially as they relate to human-rights;
2. Addressing the problem of disenfranchised youth and the need to
reach out to this group to prevent growth of extremism;
3. Political reform programs that would entail support for
conducting free and fair elections, issues of good governance and
corruption;
4. Independent media and access to a diversity of sources of
information;
5. Judicial systems, especially in the context of Shari'a;
6. Promotion of the compatibility of democracy with Islam; and
7. Civil society and increasing political participation.
Project Criteria
[sbull] Project implementation should begin no earlier than March
2004.
[sbull] Projects should not exceed two years in duration. Shorter
projects with more immediate outcomes may receive preference.
[sbull] Project activity should take place abroad. U.S.-based or
exchange projects are strongly discouraged.
[sbull] Projects that have a strong academic or research focus will
not be highly considered. DRL will not fund health, technology,
environmental, or scientific projects unless they have an explicit
democracy, human rights, or rule of law component.
[sbull] Projects should include a follow-on plan that extends
beyond the grant period ensuring that Bureau-supported programs are not
isolated events.
In order to avoid the duplication of activities and programs,
proposals should also indicate knowledge of similar projects being
conducted in the regions and how the submitted proposal will complement
them.
Applicant/Organization Criteria
Organizations applying for a grant should meet the following
criteria:
[sbull] Be a U.S. non-profit organization meeting the provisions
described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3). Applicant
must submit proof of its non-profit status in the application at the
time of submission.
[sbull] Have demonstrated experience administering successful
projects in the regions in which it is proposing to administer a
project.
[sbull] Have existing, or the capacity to develop, active
partnerships with in-country organization(s).
[sbull] Organizations that have not previously received and
successfully administered U.S. government grant funds will be subject
to additional scrutiny before an award can be granted.
Note: Organizations are welcome to submit more than one
proposal, but should know that DRL wishes to reach out to as many
different organizations as possible with its limited funds.
Budget Guidelines
Please refer to the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) for
complete budget guidelines and formatting instructions.
Deadline for Proposals
All proposals must be received at the Bureau of Democracy, Human
Rights and Labor by 5 p.m. eastern standard time (e.s.t.) on Thursday,
November 13, 2003. Please refer to the PSI for specific delivery
instructions.
Review Process
The Bureau will acknowledge receipt of all proposals and will
review them for eligibility. Proposals will be deemed ineligible if
they do not fully adhere to the guidelines stated herein and in the
PSI. Eligible proposals will be subject to compliance with Federal and
Bureau regulations and guidelines and forwarded to Bureau grant panels
for advisory review. Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of
the Legal Adviser or by other Department elements.
Review Criteria
Eligible applications will be competitively reviewed according to
the criteria stated below. Further explanation of these criteria is
included in the PSI. These criteria are not rank-
[[Page 59675]]
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation: Quality
of the program idea; program planning and ability to achieve program
objectives; multiplier effect/impact; institution's record/ability/
capacity; cost-effectiveness.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Office for the Promotion of Human
Rights and Democracy of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor
(DRL/PHD). Please specify Sondra Govatski 202-647-9734 on all inquiries
and correspondence.
Please read the complete Federal Register announcement before
sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFP deadline has
passed, Bureau staff may not discuss this competition with applicants
until the proposal review process has been completed.
To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet
The Solicitation Package consists of this RFP plus the Proposal
Submission Instructions (PSI). The PSI contains detailed award
criteria, specific budget instructions, and standard guidelines for
proposal preparation. The PSI may be downloaded from the HRDF section
on the Bureau's Web site at http://www.state.gov/g/drl/.
Notice
The terms and conditions published in this RFP are binding and may
not be modified by any Bureau representative. Explanatory information
provided by the Bureau that contradicts published language will not be
binding.
Issuance of the RFP does not constitute an award commitment on the
part of the Government. The Bureau reserves the right to reduce,
revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of
the program and the availability of funds. Awards made will be subject
to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements. Final technical
authority for assistance awards resides with the Office of Acquisition
Management's Grants Officer.
Notification
Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by
Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures.
Dated: October 9, 2003.
Lorne W. Craner,
Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Department
of State.
[FR Doc. 03-26185 Filed 10-15-03; 8:45 am]
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