Grants for Private Institutions Of Higher Education

This grant option, part of the Minnesota Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Grant Program, aims to support early-stage research into innovative treatments and rehabilitative techniques for spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. The Tier 1 Pilot Project Grant does not require preliminary data but encourages it, reflecting early investment as researchers prepare to seek larger grants. The funding amount can reach up to $125,000 for a project duration of two years with an additional one-year no-cost extension.

The Rural and Underserved Clinical Rotations grant, authorized by Minnesota Statutes Sec 144.1505, aims to enhance health professional training sites, including those for physicians, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, dental therapists, and mental health professionals. This program supports the expansion of existing clinical training programs to include rural and underserved rotations or specialized training tracks, focusing on primary care settings in rural communities. This expansion is intended to strengthen the healthcare workforce and improve access to healthcare in these communities.

Targeting projects led by members from historically excluded communities, this track offers specialized support including workshops and direct consultations. Focusing on equity and inclusion within Massachusetts narratives, the grant promotes projects that reinterpret recognized histories or highlight new stories. The funding, up to $20,000, supports up to 15 selected projects through a non-competitive review process, fostering equitable representation in the state’s cultural narrative. LOI April 5th

Focuses on funding new initiatives or expanding existing workforce training programs and studies in the offshore wind sector, with an emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEIJ) principles.

The MBRP TTDA is a product-driven award mechanism intended to provide support for the translation of promising preclinical findings into products for clinical application in resource-limited settings, particularly within the pre-hospital, or early, acute phase of care environments. Applications must address one or more of the critical gaps included in the FY24 MBRP TTDA Focus Areas. Products under development must address the needs of military Service Members, Veterans, their beneficiaries, and the American public.The product(s) to be developed may be a tangible item such as a medical device or pharmacologic agent (including, but not limited to, drugs or biologics). Knowledge products may be considered, provided that the knowledge is applicable to a technology or therapeutic under development. (A knowledge product is a non-materiel product that addresses an identified need in one or more of the FY24 MBRP TTDA Focus Areas. A knowledge product is based on current evidence, aims to transition clinical practice standards, training, or tools into clinical practice, or supports materiel solutions [systems to develop, acquire, provide, and sustain medical solutions and capabilities], and educates or impacts behavior throughout the continuum of care, including primary prevention of negative outcomes.)At the time of pre-application submission the proposed product must have achieved a minimum technology readiness level (TRL) or knowledge readiness level (KRL) of 3 (Appendix II).Proof-of-concept AND a prototype/preliminary version of the proposed product demonstrating its potential utility must be established at the time of pre-application submission. Applications must include relevant data that support the rationale for the proposed study. These data may be unpublished and/or from the published literature.This award mechanism is intended to facilitate progression of research that is supported by significant preliminary data but has not yet advanced to the level of clinical use. Examples of the types of research that may be supported include, but are not limited to: Testing new therapeutic or technologic modalities (e.g., agents, delivery systems, chemical modification of lead compounds, device testing and/or validation) using established or validated preclinical systems Designing pilot or full-scale Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) production of therapeutics and/or technologies for use in advanced preclinical studies Developing pharmacologic agents through absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity studies Investigational New Drug- or Investigational Device Exemption-enabling studiesClinical trials and clinical research studies ARE NOT PERMITTED under this award mechanism. Projects involving limited use of commercially available human cells or anatomical specimens are permitted, provided that the use of such specimens is necessary for device or product development. Applicants interested in proposing clinical research should consider submitting to the FY24 MBRP Patient-Centered Research Award mechanism (HT942524MBRPPCRA).A clinical trial is defined in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 45, Part 46.102 (45 CFR 46.102) as a research study in which one or more human subjects are prospectively assigned to one or more interventions (which may include a placebo or another control) to evaluate the effects of the interventions on biomedical or behavioral health-related outcomes.Studies that do not seek to measure safety, effectiveness, and/or efficacy outcome(s) of an intervention are not considered clinical trials.For the purposes of this funding opportunity, research that meets the definition of a clinical trial is distinct from clinical research. Clinical research encompasses research with human data, human specimens, and/or interaction with human subjects. Clinical research is observational in nature and includes:(1) Research conducted with human subjects and/or material of human origin such as data, specimens, and cognitive phenomena for which an investigator (or co-investigator) does not seek to assess the safety, effectiveness, and/or efficacy outcomes of an intervention. Research meeting this definition may include but is not limited to: (a) mechanisms of human disease, (b) diagnostic or detection studies (e.g., biomarker or imaging), (c) health disparity studies, and (d) development of new technologies.(2) Epidemiologic and behavioral studies that do not seek to assess the safety, effectiveness, and/or efficacy outcomes of an intervention.(3) Outcomes research and health services research that do not fit under the definition of clinical trial.Excluded from the definition of clinical research are in vitro studies that utilize human data or specimens that cannot be linked to a living individual and meet the requirements for exemption under 46.104(d)(4) of the Common Rule.Impact: The overall impact of the proposed research is a key component of this award mechanism. High-impact research will, if successful, lead to the development and translation of therapeutic or technologic advances for clinical application in the care of burn-injured casualties, such as detection, diagnosis, treatment, or burn complication prevention.Relevance to Military Health: Relevance to the health care needs of burn-injured military Service Members is a key feature of this award.Use of DOD or Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Resources: Applications involving multidisciplinary collaborations among academia, industry, the military Services, the VA, and other federal government agencies are highly encouraged. These relationships can leverage knowledge, infrastructure, and access to unique clinical populations that the collaborators bring to the research effort, ultimately advancing research that is of significance to Service Members, Veterans, and/or their Families. If the proposed research relies on access to unique resources or databases, the application must describe the access at the time of submission and include a plan for maintaining access as needed throughout the proposed research. Applicants are encouraged to integrate and/or align their research projects with DOD and/or VA research laboratories and programs. Collaboration with DOD or VA investigators is also encouraged. A list of websites that may be useful in identifying additional information about ongoing DOD and VA areas of research interest or potential opportunities for collaboration can be found in Appendix IV.Rigor of Experimental Design: All projects should adhere to a core set of standards for rigorous study design and reporting to maximize the reproducibility and translational potential of preclinical research. The standards are described in SC Landis et al., 2012, A call for transparent reporting to optimize the predictive value of preclinical research, Nature 490:187-191 (www.nature.com/nature/journal/v490/n7419/full/nature11556.html). While these standards are written for preclinical studies, the basic principles of randomization, blinding, sample-size estimation, and data handling derive from well-established best practices in clinical studies. Projects that include research on animal models are required to submit Attachment 8, Animal Research Plan, as part of the application package to describe how these standards will be addressed. Applicants should consult the ARRIVE guidelines 2.0 (Animal Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments) to ensure relevant aspects of rigorous animal research are adequately planned for and, ultimately, reported. The ARRIVE guidelines 2.0 can be found at https://arriveguidelines.org/arrive-guidelines.The CDMRP expects to allot approximately $4.4M to fund approximately two MBRP Technology/Therapeutic Development Award applications. Funding of applications received is contingent upon the availability of federal funds for this program as well as the number of applications received, the quality and merit of the applications as evaluated by scientific and programmatic review, and the requirements of the government. Funds to be obligated on any award resulting from this funding opportunity will be available for use for a limited time period based on the fiscal year of the funds. It is anticipated that awards made from this FY24 funding opportunity will be funded with FY24 funds, which will expire for use on September 30, 2030.The funding instrument for awards made under the program announcement will be assistance agreements, contracts, or Other Transactions. The type of instrument used to reflect the business relationship between the organization and the government is at the discretion of the government, in accordance with the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977, as amended, 31 USC 6301-6308, which provides the legal criteria to select a procurement contract or an assistance agreement. The USAMRDC will also consider the use of Other Transactions (OTs) as a vehicle for award, in accordance with the conditions in 10 USC 4021 and 10 USC 4022.An assistance agreement can take the form of a grant or cooperative agreement. The level of government involvement during the projects period of performance is the key factor in determining whether to award a grant or cooperative agreement. If no substantial government involvement is anticipated, a grant will be made (31 USC 6304). Conversely, if substantial government involvement is anticipated, a cooperative agreement will be made (31 USC 6305). Substantial involvement means that members of the U.S. government will assist, guide, coordinate, or participate in project activities.A contract is required when the principal purpose of the instrument is to acquire property or services for the direct benefit or use of the U.S. government.An Other Transaction will also be considered as a vehicle for award under this BAA, in accordance with 10 USC 4021 and 10 USC 4022. The OT authorities were created to give DOD the flexibility necessary to adopt and incorporate business practices that reflect commercial industry standards and best practices into its award instruments. When leveraged appropriately, OTs provide the government with access to state-of-the-art technology solutions from traditional and non-traditional defense contractors (NDCs), through a multitude of potential teaming arrangements tailored to the particular project and the needs of the participants. OTs can help to foster new relationships and practices involving traditional and NDCs, especially those that may not be interested in entering into FAR-based contracts with the government; broaden the industrial base available to government; support dual-use projects; encourage flexible, quicker, and cheaper project design and execution; leverage commercial industry investment in technology development and partner with industry to ensure DOD requirements are incorporated into future technologies and products; and collaborate in innovative arrangements. OTs are not FAR-based procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or cooperative research and development agreements.The award type, along with the start date, will be determined during the negotiation process.The anticipated total costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY24 MBRP Technology/Therapeutic Development Award should not exceed $2.2M. Refer to Section II.D.6, Funding Restrictions, for detailed funding information.Awards supported with FY24 funds will be made no later than September 30, 2025. For additional information refer to Section II.F.1, Federal Award Notices.

The mission of the Latin America Regional Program is to provide technical and financial assistance to partners to conserve the regions priority species and their habitats. It advances its mission by supporting projects that reduce threats to key wildlife species and strengthen local capacity that results in measurable conservation impacts that benefit biodiversity and its people in the long-term. Responding to and tackling the challenges that Latin Americas biodiversity faces requires inclusive and equitable approaches, as well as coordinated actions by stakeholders across the region. The Latin America Regional Program seeks to partner with national governments, civil society and grassroots organizations, and research and academic institutions that are willing to work with local groups that bring new perspectives and leadership. See Section C. Eligibility Conditions for more information about eligibility. Conserving Latin Americas unique assemblage of species and natural habitats requires addressing the damage that unsustainable resource use, habitat loss and fragmentation, agricultural expansion, human-wildlife conflict, and climate change have on species and ecosystems. Therefore, this NOFO will only consider projects that clearly articulate how the proposed actions will reduce these above-mentioned threats under at least one of the following categories: Species Conservation: This category seeks to support projects that promote the recovery and conservation efforts of key terrestrial species and their habitats along their range. Proposed activities can be implemented on the local, national, or regional (transnational) level, and can involve more than one priority species. Species should meet the criteria to be listed either as Endangered or Threatened on the ESA, or as Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Species listed as Data Deficient or Extinct in Wild on the IUCN Red List are not eligible under this NOFO.Conservation Stewardship: This category seeks to support projects that assist communities living in and along critical wildlife corridors and strongholds, by building on their traditional land-use practices, governance principles, ethnobiological knowledge and reduce their costs of living with wildlife. Proposed activities can be implemented on the local, national or regional (transnational) level.Important ConsiderationsProject activities should take place in eligible geographies of Latin America (see Eligibility below). If work is to be conducted in the United States, the proposal must show a clear impact on biodiversity conservation in Latin America to be eligible.Transnational projects and consortia applications are encouraged.Only one application per organization will be accepted under this announcement.Project activities that emphasize data collection and status assessment should describe a direct link to management action and explain how lack of information has been a key limiting factor for management action.Please note that a letter of government endorsement is required and must be included with your submission. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with relevant government authorities prior to preparing applications for Service funds. See Section D2. Content and Form of Application Submission for more information.The Latin America Regional Program reserves the right to fund any or none of the submissions and make adjustments to the funding amounts. The Notice of Funding Opportunity seeks to fund approximately six awards, each with a total budget not to exceed $200,000 over two years. To maximize the impact and sustainability of the awards that result from this NOFO, the Latin America Regional Program retains the right to execute non-competitive continuation amendments. The total duration of any award, including non-competitive continuation amendments, cannot exceed five years. Any non-competitive continuation amendment is contingent on performance and pending availability of federal funds, satisfactory performance and compliance with award terms and conditions.Due to other grant programs supported by the Service, the Latin America Regional Program will not fund projects related to marine turtles, tortoises, and freshwater turtles (Marine Turtle Conservation Act Fund), neotropical migratory birds (Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Fund), North America wetlands (North America Wetlands Conservation Act), songbirds (Species Conservation Catalyst Fund on Songbirds), California condor, and Mexican gray wolf. Eligibility*Projects are to be implemented in or around natural protected areas, biological corridors, and recovery units in:Mexico: Species: jaguar Geographic eligibility: Yucatan peninsula and Lacandon jungle.Central America: Geographic eligibility: Guatemala and HondurasSouth America: Geographic eligibility: Gran Chaco (Eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina) and Andes-Amazon (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru)

This grant option, part of the Minnesota Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Grant Program, aims to support early-stage research into innovative treatments and rehabilitative techniques for spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. The Tier 1 Pilot Project Grant does not require preliminary data but encourages it, reflecting early investment as researchers prepare to seek larger grants. The funding amount can reach up to $125,000 for a project duration of two years with an additional one-year no-cost extension.

The MMRDA mechanism is intended to fund the logical continuation of previously DOD-funded research or development efforts relevant to the above FY24 JWMRP Focus Areas with the highest potential to augment and accelerate medical product development and health care solutions for active-duty Service Members, their Families, Veterans, and/or the American public. Collaboration with DOD organizations is encouraged when this alliance would contribute to the success of the research effort, and any funds designated for DOD laboratories or activities should be identified in the application/proposal through submission of a Suggested Intragovernmental/Intramural Budget Form, Attachment 15. Applications/proposals from small businesses and/or partnerships with industry are also encouraged. The MMRDA mechanism supports a wide range of research projects, spanning late-stage preclinical studies, late-state technology development efforts, technology demonstration, and translational research. A Clinical Research or Clinical Trial Option is available to specifically support clinical research/observational studies, all phases of clinical trials/interventional studies, and/or correlative studies in support of the development of promising pharmaceutical or biologic candidates, medical devices, and technologies. Note: Applications/proposals submitted under this option will be required to submit additional relevant application/proposal materials.

This funding opportunity supports U.S. higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, and Tribal Nations in developing advanced algorithms to analyze large datasets for improved threat detection and assessment.

The purpose of the RRTCs, which are funded through the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, is to achieve the goals of, and improve the effectiveness of, services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act through well-designed research, training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities in important topical areas as specified by NIDILRR. These activities are designed to benefit people with disabilities, family members, rehabilitation service providers, policymakers and other research stakeholders. The purpose of this particular RRTC is to conduct research, training, technical assistance, and related activities to contribute to improved employment outcomes among transition-age youth with disabilities. NIDILRR plans to make one grant under this opportunity. The grant will have a 60-month project period, with five 12-month budget periods.

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that increase protections against gender-based violence for marginalized communities in Kosovo. Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global issue that affects one in three women in their lifetime. According to the 2022 U.S. Department of State’s Human Rights Report for Kosovo, a significant human rights issue in Kosovo included the lack of investigation of and accountability for GBV, including domestic or intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and other forms of such violence. Another issue of concern was crimes involving violence or threats of violence targeting ethnic minorities or other marginalized communities. There are also critical gaps in the systematic documentation and monitoring of the prevalence of GBV in the country. Furthermore, GBV survivors often lack awareness of their rights and access to support services. There are also social stigmas in reporting GBV coupled with cultural norms that try to keep partners together. To respond to these challenges, DRL is seeking proposals that work towards the Bureau’s goal of providing access to justice for individuals experiencing GBV, abuse, and exploitation in 2 Kosovo. The program should take an intersectional approach by considering particular issues facing LGBTQI+ women, women with disabilities, low-income women, women in public-facing positions, women from racial, religious, and ethnic minority communities, and other intersections are differently impacted by GBV. The program objectives are: 1) increasing public awareness of the various forms of GBV (i.e. psychological, physical, emotional, economic, etc.) as well as relevant laws and available protections; 2) strengthening collaboration among diverse stakeholders in all communities on rights-based, trauma-informed, and survivor-centered approaches to prevent and address GBV; and 3) providing survivor-centered support, including the provision of direct service assistance. Program activities may include but are not limited to: • Developing and implementing targeted awareness campaigns and community engagement initiatives regarding the different forms of GBV and available protections under current laws; • Strengthening the financial, technical and/or organizational capacity of local organizations in providing effective and survivor-centered support services, including, but not limited to, legal, psycho-social, and/or medical assistance; • Enhancing coordination among relevant stakeholders, including law enforcement, healthcare providers, and social services to improve GBV response mechanisms, including training direct service providers on how to engage with survivors; and • Conducting research and assessments to better understand the prevalence and dynamics of GBV in the country and inform evidence-based interventions.

With this solicitation BJA seeks to increase school safety by implementing solutions that will improve school climate. Solutions include school-based behavioral threat assessments and/or intervention teams to identify school violence risks among students, technological innovations that are shown to increase school safety such as anonymous reporting technology, and other school safety strategies that assist in preventing violence. The STOP School Violence Program is designed to improve school safety by providing students, teachers, and staff with the tools they need to recognize, respond quickly to, and prevent acts of violence.

The purpose of the RRTCs, which are funded through the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, is to achieve the goals of, and improve the effectiveness of, services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act through well-designed research, training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities in important topical areas as specified by NIDILRR. These activities are designed to benefit people with disabilities, family members, rehabilitation service providers, policymakers and other research stakeholders. The purpose of this particular RRTC is to conduct research, training, technical assistance, and related activities to contribute to improved employment outcomes among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. NIDILRR plans to make one grant under this opportunity. The grant will have a 60-month project period, with five 12-month budget periods.

To implement a project aimed at advancing U.S. foreign policy and national security priorities by supporting initiatives that ensure partner states strategic trade control systems meet international standards and by engaging on bilateral, regional and multilateral levels with foreign governments to aid in the establishment of independent capabilities to regulate transfers of weapons of mass destruction, WMD-related items, conventional arms, and related dual-use items, and to detect, interdict, investigate, and prosecute illicit transfers of such items.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Joint Office of Energy and Transportation: Communities Taking Charge Accelerator, Fiscal Year 2024 Funding Opportunity AnnouncementThis Funding Opportunity Announcement aims to help everyone ride and drive electric, foster public and private relationships, build interdisciplinary teams, advance the American blueprint for transportation decarbonization, and promote managed charging. The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office), through the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), is issuing a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) – Joint Office of Energy and Transportation: Communities Taking Charge Accelerator, Fiscal Year 2024 Funding Opportunity Announcement”. Awards made under this FOA will be funded, in whole or in part, with funds appropriated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act1, more commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The BIL is a once-in-a-generation investment in modernizing and upgrading American infrastructure to enhance U.S. competitiveness, driving the creation of good-paying union jobs, tackling the climate crisis, and securing environmental justice and economic opportunity for disadvantaged communities2. The BIL appropriates more than $62 billion to the Department of Energy (DOE)3 to invest in American manufacturing and workers; expand access to energy efficiency and clean energy; deliver reliable, clean, and affordable power to more Americans; and demonstrate and deploy the clean-energy technologies of tomorrow through clean energy demonstrations. DOE’s BIL investments will support efforts to build a clean and equitable energy economy that achieves a zero-carbon electricity system by 2035, and to put the United States on a path to achieve net-zero emissions economy-wide by no later than 20504 to benefit all Americans. The BIL includes a historic $7.5 billion dedicated investment to build out a national network of Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers. As part of this investment, the BIL includes $300 million to establish a Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to study, plan, coordinate, and implement issues of joint concern between the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The Communities Taking Charge Accelerator FOA and related activities align with the Joint Office mission to provide a modernized and interagency approach to support the deployment of zeroemission, convenient, accessible, and equitable transportation infrastructure. The activities to be funded under this FOA support BIL section Title VIII, Division J, Federal Highway Administration - Highway Infrastructure Program.

To implement a project aimed at advancing U.S. foreign policy and national security priorities by supporting initiatives that make decision-making structures and processes in fragile, conflict, or crisis-affected contexts more reflective of and responsive to the needs and perspectives of partner states to ensure strategic trade control systems meet international standards and by engaging on bilateral, regional and multilateral levels with foreign governments to aid in the establishment of independent capabilities to regulate transfers of weapons of mass destruction, WMD-related items, conventional arms, and related dual-use items, and to detect, interdict, investigate, and prosecute illicit transfers of such items.

This program provides matching grants to Illinois-based organizations, including local governments, nonprofits, and businesses, to enhance their competitiveness for federal funding in projects that support economic development and clean energy initiatives.

The Job Training and Economic Development - Teachers Apprenticeship Program aims to provide targeted job training and development opportunities through a state-funded grant. Eligible entities are encouraged to apply for funding to establish or enhance apprenticeship programs for teachers. This opportunity supports efforts to develop the educational workforce and improve economic opportunities within the community. The program is anticipated to award 4 grants, with a total funding amount of $2,000,000 available. Grants will be awarded ranging from $50,000 to $500,000. Applications are accepted from the announcement date until the specified closing date. Technical assistance sessions are available for prospective applicants. These are not mandatory but are offered to provide additional support. The session is scheduled for 03/28/2024 at 1:00 PM, and registration can be completed online.

EPA Region 2 is issuing this funding opportunity to fund Source Reduction Assistance in Communities (SRAC) grants that support research, investigation, experiments, multi-media service-learning approaches, studies, demonstrations, outreach, education, and training using source reduction approaches. EPA is particularly interested in receiving applications that offer hands-on practical pollution prevention referred to as "P2" tools, information and/or innovative P2 multi-media service-learning approaches to measurably improve public health and the surrounding environment, by reducing the use of hazardous substances, reducing toxic pollutants, supporting efficiencies in reducing resource use (e.g., water and energy), and reducing business expenditures and liability costs.EPA Region 2 is interested in receiving applications for results-oriented and multi-media community based projects that are performed in and benefit States or communities within EPA Region 2 (New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and eight federally recognized Indian Nations). These applications should create, promote, and use new and/or existing P2 tools and information, green technology solutions, innovative financing partnerships or approaches, and multi-media and multistakeholder leadership approaches to measurably improve public health and the environment, by reducing the use of hazardous substances, reducing toxic pollutants, or supporting efficiencies in the reduction of pre-consumer resources (such as greenhouse gas emissions, plastics, water, and energy), and reducing beneficiary organization costs.

The U.S. Embassy Beirut, Lebanons Public Diplomacy Section (PDS Beirut) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations or individuals to submit a statement of interest (SOI) to carry out a program to advance arts and culture, climate action, human rights and freedom of expression, sports, and experiential learning (learning by doing). Please carefully follow all instructions below. The submission of the SOI is the first step in a two-step process. Applicants must first submit a concise three-page statement of interest designed to clearly communicate program idea, objectives, and budget. This is not a full proposal. The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants to submit program ideas for evaluation prior to requiring the development of a full proposal application. Upon a merit review of eligible SOIs, selected applicants will be invited to expand on their program idea(s) by submitting a full proposal application. Full proposals will go through a second merit review before final funding decision(s) are made. Program Objectives: PDS Beirut seeks proposals that advance partnerships and connections between American and Lebanese organizations and communities. All proposals should include diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility components. Thematic priorities for this SOI are: Arts and culture. Climate action. Human rights and freedom of expression. Sports. Experiential learning (learning by doing).