Notice of Funding Opportunity for Grants to Support Programs that Promote Rule of Law in Poland | WAW NOFO FY22 04

Opportunity Information: Apply for WAW NOFO FY22 04

The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Poland issued this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to fund in-person programs that strengthen and promote the rule of law in Poland. The opportunity is a discretionary grant under CFDA 19.900 (Law, Justice and Legal Services) and is open to organizations only (not individuals). The funding cap is up to USD 50,000 per award, with projects required to start no earlier than November 1, 2022, and to run no longer than 12 months. The NOFO number is WAW-NOFO-FY22-04, created June 9, 2022, with an original closing date of July 4, 2022 (and application materials due by 5:00 PM on June 27, 2022, by email).

Eligibility is focused on non-profit entities with a presence and relevance in Poland, specifically local representatives of Polish non-governmental organizations, cultural or educational institutions, and media organizations, as long as their proposals align with the program themes. Only one application may be submitted per organization, and organizations that already have an open Embassy grant are instructed not to apply. U.S.-based NGOs can apply, but they are expected to demonstrate a real partnership with a local Polish partner operating in Poland as part of the proposal. A key administrative requirement is that applicants must have an NCAGE code and an active SAM.gov registration (valid for one year). Because NCAGE and SAM registration can take days or even weeks, applicants are urged to begin registration immediately, and to ensure their organization name and address are entered identically across Polish registries (such as KRS and REGON), NCAGE, and SAM to avoid delays.

The Embassy is looking for projects that deliver practical educational programming on rule of law topics. The NOFO highlights two main activity tracks: first, educational activities such as trainings, workshops, or expert speaker events aimed at legal professionals and legislators; and second, educational workshops for university students and/or high school students focused on rule of law. While the NOFO is centered on Poland, it also signals a preference for projects that build connections between people and institutions in Poland and the United States, especially initiatives that create durable networks or partnerships.

Funding is contingent on the availability of U.S. Department of State funds, and the Embassy will not reimburse any costs incurred before an award is made. The NOFO also lays out a fairly strict list of costs and project types that are typically not fundable. In general, proposals should avoid activities that are inherently political or that look partisan, including support for individual candidates or party electoral campaigns. The funding also does not support exchange programs, social welfare projects, projects promoting specific religious activities, trade or commercial activities, fundraising campaigns, scientific research, construction, or projects mainly aimed at strengthening the applicant organization itself rather than delivering public programming. Several specific budget exclusions are called out as well, including travel to the United States for conferences or related trips, book publishing or translation intended for publishing a book, ongoing salary costs for regular staff, and equipment purchases (such as office equipment, cameras, sports equipment). Food and drink are limited to modest coffee breaks and working lunches, and alcohol is not allowable under any circumstances. Administrative and coordination costs are allowed, but they are capped: project coordination fees and administrative expenses (like accounting or office supplies) together should not exceed 20 percent of the total grant amount.

To apply, organizations must email a complete application package to grantspoland@state.gov by 5:00 PM on Monday, June 27, 2022, using a subject line that includes the organization name and the NOFO number WAW-NOFO-FY22-04. Required components include: a completed application form limited to six pages total (including the budget), CVs for both the project coordinator and the head of the applying organization, and the U.S. government forms SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) and SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs), plus proof of the organization’s SAM.gov registration. The NOFO emphasizes compliance: proposals that do not follow the instructions are removed during technical review and will not reach the committee for consideration. All proposals must be written in English, limited to six pages in Times New Roman 12-point font, and budgets must be provided in U.S. dollars using the template included in the application form rather than as a separate attachment. Every line item in the budget must also be explained in the narrative, with clear units (for example, hours of design work, months of coordination, or number of workshops).

Applications are reviewed by a committee at the U.S. Embassy and Consulate, and all applicants are notified of the outcome. The decision is final, with no appeal process and no feedback offered to unsuccessful applicants. Beyond fitting the rule-of-law themes, the Embassy indicates it will prioritize innovative projects that create people-to-people ties between Americans and Poles, strengthen institutional connections between U.S. and Polish entities, and meaningfully include or benefit diverse audiences, including people with disabilities, immigrants, ethnic minorities, and residents of rural areas.

If selected, grantees must comply with program and financial reporting requirements according to a schedule defined in the award agreement, and funding disbursements may be linked to timely submission of those reports. Other administrative details are governed by the U.S. Department of State’s Standard Terms and Conditions. The NOFO also clarifies an ethics-related limitation: the Embassy generally cannot provide honorary patronage, letters of support, or permission to use the Embassy seal for projects that do not receive U.S. government funding. Questions are directed to the same program inbox, grantspoland@state.gov, and additional forms and instructions are referenced on the Embassy website page dedicated to this NOFO.

• The U.S. Mission to Poland in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Notice of Funding Opportunity for Grants to Support Programs that Promote Rule of Law in Poland" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.900.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-06-09.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-07-04. (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.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for WAW NOFO FY22 04

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