Demonstrating and Supporting U.S. Values and Leadership in the Global Scientific Enterprise | SFOP0007150

Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0007150

The U.S. Department of State, through the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) and its Office of Science and Technology Cooperation (STC), released this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to strengthen and showcase U.S. scientific values and leadership internationally. The program is designed to support the global scientific enterprise not only through substantive programming, but also through the practical logistical and administrative support needed to run international science cooperation activities effectively. The funding is provided as FY 2020 Public Diplomacy (PD) funds and will be administered through cooperative agreements, which typically means the Department of State expects to remain actively involved in guiding or coordinating work during the project period rather than simply issuing a grant with minimal federal participation.

The NOFO is structured around five distinct lines of effort, and applicants can propose to implement one or more of these components. In total, the State Department anticipates issuing up to five cooperative agreements with combined funding up to $1,325,000, depending on funds availability. The funding is allocated by program area as follows: up to $125,000 for the Value-Aligned R&D Networks Program; up to $600,000 for GIST Expansion Activities (GIST is commonly associated with entrepreneurship and innovation networks linked to science and technology); up to $100,000 for U.S. Science Dialogues and Public Outreach; up to $200,000 for the APEC Women in STEM Principles and Actions Program; and up to $300,000 for Media Resources that help demonstrate U.S. science and technology values. Each award is expected to run for a 24-month period of performance, giving implementers time to build partnerships, deliver programming, and demonstrate outcomes.

From a legal and policy standpoint, the opportunity is rooted in U.S. public diplomacy and exchange authorities, specifically the U.S. Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 (the Smith-Mundt Act) and the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (the Fulbright-Hays Act). That framing signals that the projects are meant to advance U.S. engagement, relationships, and credibility in international science and technology environments, with an emphasis on values-based leadership, dialogue, and cooperation. The NOFO also notes that all awards depend on the availability of funds and that additional funding could become available later to continue or expand activities that prove successful in this cycle.

Administrative details in the source record include the opportunity number SFOP0007150, a creation date of June 26, 2020, and an original closing date of August 10, 2020. The instrument type is a cooperative agreement under a discretionary funding opportunity, categorized under science and technology and other research and development activities (CFDA 19.017). Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with further clarification referenced in the full announcement, which usually indicates that a range of non-federal organizations may apply depending on the specific eligibility language in the NOFO. Overall, the opportunity is essentially a multi-track funding package aimed at reinforcing U.S. leadership in global science through networks, international programming expansion, public-facing dialogues, women-in-STEM initiatives in the APEC context, and media tools that communicate U.S. science and technology values.

• The Department of State, Bureau of Oceans - Int. Environmental - Scientific in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Demonstrating and Supporting U.S. Values and Leadership in the Global Scientific Enterprise" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.017.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 26, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 10, 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 $1,325,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for SFOP0007150

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