Opportunity Information: Apply for PASPOS 21 001
The U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain (U.S. Mission to Trinidad and Tobago) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity under its Fiscal Year 2021 Public Affairs Annual Program Statement (Funding Opportunity Number: PASPOS 21 001, CFDA 19.040). The program is designed to support creative, sustainable projects that include a clear U.S. component and contribute to societal and institutional growth in Trinidad and Tobago. Projects are expected to align with at least one of three priority themes: creating a more open society, improving the rule of law, and strengthening mutual understanding between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago. The activity areas are broad and can span fields such as community development, law and justice, business, energy, environment, humanities, science and technology, and related research and development topics, as long as the proposal clearly advances the Embassy's public diplomacy and governance-focused goals.
Funding will be provided through multiple awards, with a maximum award size (ceiling) of USD 50,000 per project. The grant period cannot exceed one year, so proposals should be designed with realistic outputs and outcomes that can be achieved within that timeframe and sustained beyond the grant through local capacity, partnerships, or follow-on support. While applicants are not required to bring other funding sources, proposals that include cost-sharing (either cash or in-kind support from non-U.S. Government sources) are considered more competitive because they demonstrate commitment and cost effectiveness. The Embassy also notes that it encourages organizations that have not previously received U.S. Government international program funding to apply, signaling an interest in expanding the pool of local implementers.
Eligibility is centered on non-profit organizations, NGOs, academic institutions, and social enterprises with offices headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago, and these locally based applicants will receive preference. U.S.-based institutions may apply as well, but only if they can demonstrate that they already have on-the-ground support from a local partner organization. For-profit or commercial entities are explicitly ineligible. In addition to programmatic eligibility, organizations must meet standard U.S. federal award registration requirements, including obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier (noted in the announcement as DUNS), an NCAGE code (and CAGE for U.S. organizations), and maintaining an active registration in SAM.gov. All awards are governed by the U.S. Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions for grants, which applicants are expected to review and follow.
The application package must be concise and structured. The narrative proposal is capped at five double-spaced pages using 12-point Times New Roman with 1-inch margins, and it must include, at minimum, a project summary, proposed duration, objectives, organizational capacity, key personnel, information on previous grants received, and a detailed budget. Budget planning needs to reflect the Embassy's cost rules and typical restrictions; the announcement highlights that grant funds generally may not be used for salaries, equipment purchases over USD 500, or refreshment expenses, so applicants should design activities and cost categories accordingly and be prepared to justify how each cost directly supports the project outcomes. Applications are submitted electronically by email to posgrants@state.gov by the stated deadline, and applicants are advised to consult the full notice of funding opportunity for any additional required forms, formatting, or compliance instructions.
Selection and post-selection expectations are also clearly stated. Only applicants whose proposals are chosen for an award will be contacted, and even if a project is selected, the Department of State does not commit to providing any future or additional funding beyond the awarded amount. Any renewal, extension, or increase in funding is entirely at the Department's discretion. Overall, this opportunity is aimed at organizations that can deliver measurable, locally grounded programs with a strong U.S. linkage, clear governance or civic impact, and a plan that is feasible within one year and within the Embassy's cost and compliance framework.Apply for PASPOS 21 001
- The U.S. Mission to Trinidad and Tobago in the agriculture, business and commerce, community development, energy, environment, humanities, law, justice and legal services, natural resources, regional development, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Port of Spain Fiscal Year 2021 - Public Affairs – 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 2021-05-28.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-09-15. (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: Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this grant opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain (U.S. Mission to Trinidad and Tobago) under the Fiscal Year 2021 Public Affairs Annual Program Statement. The funding opportunity is identified as PASPOS 21 001 (CFDA 19.040).
2) What is the overall purpose of the program?
The program supports creative, sustainable projects that include a clear U.S. component and contribute to societal and institutional growth in Trinidad and Tobago. Proposals should clearly advance the Embassy's public diplomacy and governance-focused goals.
3) What are the priority themes projects should align with?
Projects are expected to align with at least one of the following themes:
- Creating a more open society
- Improving the rule of law
- Strengthening mutual understanding between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago
4) What kinds of activities or sectors are eligible?
The activity areas are broad. Proposals may span fields such as community development, law and justice, business, energy, environment, humanities, science and technology, and related research and development topics, as long as the project clearly supports the Embassy's public diplomacy and governance objectives and includes a clear U.S. component.
5) What does a "clear U.S. component" mean in this context?
The opportunity requires proposals to include a clear U.S. component and strengthen mutual understanding between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago. The specific form of that U.S. component is not defined in the summary provided, so applicants should ensure the proposal explicitly describes the U.S. linkage and how it supports the stated themes.
6) How much funding is available per project?
The maximum award size (ceiling) is USD 50,000 per project. The Embassy plans to make multiple awards.
7) How long can the project period be?
The grant period cannot exceed one year. Proposals should be designed with outputs and outcomes that are realistic within that timeframe.
8) Is cost-sharing required?
No. Applicants are not required to bring other funding sources. However, proposals that include cost-sharing (cash or in-kind support from non-U.S. Government sources) are considered more competitive because they demonstrate commitment and cost effectiveness.
9) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, NGOs, academic institutions, and social enterprises with offices headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago. Locally based applicants receive preference.
10) Can U.S.-based organizations apply?
Yes, U.S.-based institutions may apply, but only if they can demonstrate that they already have on-the-ground support from a local partner organization in Trinidad and Tobago.
11) Are for-profit or commercial entities eligible?
No. For-profit or commercial entities are explicitly ineligible for this opportunity.
12) Does the Embassy encourage first-time U.S. Government international program grantees?
Yes. The Embassy encourages organizations that have not previously received U.S. Government international program funding to apply, indicating an interest in expanding the pool of local implementers.
13) What registrations or identifiers are required to receive an award?
Organizations must meet standard U.S. federal award registration requirements, including obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier (noted in the announcement as DUNS), an NCAGE code (and a CAGE code for U.S. organizations), and maintaining an active registration in SAM.gov.
14) What rules govern awards under this opportunity?
All awards are governed by the U.S. Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions for grants. Applicants are expected to review and follow those terms and conditions.
15) How long can the narrative proposal be and what formatting is required?
The narrative proposal is capped at five double-spaced pages. It must use 12-point Times New Roman, 1-inch margins, and be concise and structured.
16) What must be included in the narrative proposal?
At minimum, the narrative must include:
- Project summary
- Proposed duration
- Objectives
- Organizational capacity
- Key personnel
- Information on previous grants received
- A detailed budget
17) What budget restrictions or cost rules should applicants plan for?
Budget planning must reflect the Embassy's cost rules and typical restrictions. The announcement highlights that grant funds generally may not be used for:
- Salaries
- Equipment purchases over USD 500
- Refreshment expenses
Applicants should design activities and cost categories accordingly and be prepared to justify how each cost directly supports the project outcomes.
18) How and where do applicants submit proposals?
Applications are submitted electronically by email to posgrants@state.gov by the stated deadline.
19) Should applicants review any additional instructions beyond this summary?
Yes. Applicants are advised to consult the full notice of funding opportunity for any additional required forms, formatting requirements, or compliance instructions.
20) Will all applicants be contacted after submission?
No. Only applicants whose proposals are chosen for an award will be contacted.
21) Does selection guarantee future funding or follow-on support from the U.S. Department of State?
No. Even if a project is selected, the Department of State does not commit to providing any future or additional funding beyond the awarded amount.
22) Can an award be renewed, extended, or increased?
Any renewal, extension, or increase in funding is entirely at the Department of State's discretion.
23) What makes a proposal more competitive based on the information provided?
Based on the description provided, competitive proposals tend to be locally grounded, measurable, feasible within one year, aligned to at least one priority theme, include a clear U.S. component, fit within the Embassy's cost and compliance framework, and may include cost-sharing to demonstrate commitment and cost effectiveness.
24) What does the Embassy expect regarding sustainability after the one-year grant period?
Projects should be designed so results can be sustained beyond the grant through local capacity, partnerships, or follow-on support. The proposal should reflect realistic outcomes achievable within one year and a credible path for continuation after the grant ends.
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