Venezuela Affairs Unit, PAS Annual Program Statement | FY2020VE001

Opportunity Information: Apply for FY2020VE001

The Venezuela Affairs Unit (VAU) Public Affairs Section (PAS) Annual Program Statement is a U.S. Department of State public diplomacy small-grants opportunity (FY2020VE001) that funds cultural and educational projects aimed at strengthening democratic initiatives and economic empowerment in Venezuela. The program is designed to highlight shared U.S.-Venezuelan values, encourage constructive bilateral cooperation, and increase understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. A core requirement is that every project includes a clear U.S. cultural element, such as collaboration with U.S.-based experts, organizations, or institutions, so that participants engage directly with U.S. ideas, approaches, or professional standards relevant to the project topic.

The kinds of activities VAU PAS is looking to support include subject-matter expert engagements like lectures, seminars, and academic programming; training efforts that build economic empowerment and promote citizen participation; and professional or academic exchanges. The intended primary audience is Venezuelans ages 16 to 35, and the program places strong emphasis on geographic reach by setting a goal that at least 50 percent of funded programming occurs outside Caracas. This signals a priority for outreach to regional communities and underserved areas, not just capital-based audiences.

Several categories are explicitly not eligible. Proposals will be rejected if they involve partisan political activity, charitable or development/humanitarian aid, construction, religious activities, fundraising, lobbying, scientific research, or projects mainly intended to grow the applicant organization rather than deliver public programming. The announcement also excludes duplicative projects that replicate existing programs, commercial ventures, and requests to cover complete salaries for personnel (staff costs can be included, but the grant cannot be used to pay an entire salary as the primary purpose).

Awards are issued as grants and/or cooperative agreements under the Smith-Mundt Act of 1948, using FY2020 Public Diplomacy funding. The expected project performance window is generally 3 to 9 months, with proposed programs to be completed within 12 months or less, and an anticipated start date of January 15, 2020 (subject to funding availability). The award ceiling is listed as $50,000, with about 10 awards expected. VAU PAS notes it may fund proposals at amounts lower or higher than requested if that serves U.S. government interests. Continuation funding beyond the initial period may be considered non-competitively, but only if funds are available, performance is strong, and continued support is deemed in the Department of State’s interest.

Eligibility is handled with a key administrative limitation: only one proposal may be submitted per organization. If an organization submits more than one, all submissions from that organization become ineligible. Cost sharing or matching is not required, which lowers the barrier for smaller organizations that may not have substantial outside resources.

Applications must be submitted in English, with budgets in U.S. dollars, formatted to 8.5 x 11 pages, numbered pages, and Word documents in single-spaced 12-point Times New Roman with 1-inch margins. Required components include the standard federal forms (SF-424 or SF-424-I, SF-424A, and SF-424B or SF-424B-I), a cover sheet summarizing the project basics, and a proposal narrative capped at five pages. The proposal must clearly explain what will be done and why, and it must include specific sections: a concise program summary with objectives and expected impact; an organizational introduction demonstrating capacity and past performance (including prior U.S. government funding); a problem statement; measurable goals and objectives; a detailed description of activities; methods and design; a schedule with dates and locations; key personnel roles and time commitments; partner organizations and sub-awardees; a monitoring and evaluation plan; and a sustainability or future funding plan when applicable. Applicants must also provide a budget justification narrative that explains each cost line in detail, plus attachments such as one-page CVs for key staff, letters of support from partners, and permission letters where required.

Submission is handled entirely by email to VAUCultural@state.gov, and PAS accepts proposals on a rolling basis throughout the year. Proposals are reviewed monthly, with decisions communicated by the 15th of the month following receipt. Applications are evaluated by a Grants Review Committee, and the decision is final. Scoring focuses on organizational capacity and past performance, the quality and feasibility of the idea, alignment with embassy priorities, clarity and appropriateness of goals and objectives, budget realism, the strength of monitoring and evaluation, and sustainability beyond the grant period.

If selected, the award is formalized and administered by a Grants Officer, and recipients may only begin charging expenses on or after the official start date listed in the signed award document. Payments are typically made in at least two installments tied to program needs. Recipients must comply with federal and State Department terms, including relevant regulations (such as 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 600), required certifications, standard branding/marking rules (including U.S. flag branding requirements), and routine financial and program reporting. Budget guidance highlights common cost categories (personnel, travel, equipment over $5,000 per unit, supplies, contractual/subawards, other direct costs, and indirect costs), allows a 10 percent de minimis indirect rate for organizations without a NICRA, and explicitly prohibits using award funds for alcoholic beverages.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Venezuela in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Venezuela Affairs Unit, PAS Annual Program Statement" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on Dec 15, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 01, 2020. (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 $50,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for FY2020VE001

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