The United States Department of State's Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) aimed at enhancing climate resilience in four Small Island Developing States (SIDS) within the Indian Ocean: Maldives, Comoros, Mauritius, and Seychelles. This cooperative agreement, with a funding ceiling of $986,500, seeks U.S.-based and foreign non-profit organizations to implement projects that address climate change impacts, specifically focusing on increasing resilience against climate-driven disasters. Key activities include conducting a climate resilience needs assessment, capacity building for disaster management professionals, and fostering information sharing among stakeholders. The application deadline is set for July 19, 2024, with a notification of recommended funding expected within 4-5 weeks post-deadline. Eligible applicants must demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with relevant local partners and possess experience in managing similar projects. This initiative reflects the U.S. commitment to regional partnerships under the Indian Ocean Rim Association, enhancing local capacities for sustainable climate adaptation and recovery efforts.
The Budget Narrative Template guides organizations applying for federal grants and RFPs in justifying their budget allocations for a project. It emphasizes the need for a detailed justification of each budget line-item, clarifying costs derived from documented policies and explaining their purpose and reasonableness. Personnel costs must include specific staff roles, responsibilities, and allocation of time. The template structures the budget narrative to correspond with the detailed budget, ensuring clarity and coherence.
Key sections include personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contractual services, construction, and other direct costs. Each section must identify requested federal funds and cost-share by the applicant. Special attention is given to subawards and their budgets, requiring distinct narratives for each organization involved. Additionally, the narrative must detail indirect costs, options for NICRA, and total project costs, which must correlate with the awarded amounts.
This comprehensive approach aims to ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment with funding requirements, showcasing the organization’s commitment to effective financial management throughout the project duration of 24 months. Overall, it plays a crucial role in the grant application process by underscoring the significance of a well-structured budget narrative in securing funding.
The document outlines Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) for grant applications to the U.S. Department of State. To be technically eligible, submissions must be filed electronically via MYGRANTS by the deadline, include required documentation as specified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), and adhere to all guidelines provided.
Key sections include Application Registration Portals, where applicants must register on sam.gov; Required Forms, focusing on the SF-424 series for non-construction programs; and Proposal Documents, outlining necessary components such as the Cover Page, Proposal Narrative, Budget Documents, Program Monitoring, and Key Personnel. The narrative must include the organization’s capabilities, objectives, methods, and an analysis of risks.
Additionally, budget requirements are emphasized, detailing expected costs, justification for expenses, and necessary accounting practices for federal and non-federal contributions. The document ensures all proposals are formatted to standard specifications and require submissions in English with U.S. Dollar costs. Applicants are encouraged to provide a summary budget and detailed line-item budget while emphasizing the importance of demonstrating cost-effectiveness and clarity in proposed activities.
This structured guideline aims to streamline the application process for federal grants and effectively communicate expectations for compliance and reporting.