Grants for Private institutions of higher education - Federal

Agency Name: Army Research Office The Department of Defense (DoD) Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI), one element of the University Research Initiatives (URI), is sponsored by the DoD research offices. Those offices include the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the Army Research Office (ARO), and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) (hereafter collectively referred to as "DoD agencies#8220;DoD). This publication constitutes a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) as contemplated in the Department of Defense Grants and Agreements regulations (DoDGARS) 32 CFR 22.315(a). The DoD agencies reserve the right to fund all, some, or none of the proposals received under this FOA. The DoD agencies provide no funding for direct reimbursement of proposal development costs. Technical and budget proposals (or any other material) submitted in response to this FOA will not be returned. It is the policy of the DoD agencies to treat all white papers and proposals submitted under this FOA as sensitive competitive information and to disclose their contents only for the purposes of evaluation. A formal Request for Proposals (RFP), solicitation, and/or additional information regarding this announcement will not be issued. DoD's MURI program addresses high-risk basic research and attempts to understand or achieve something that has never been done before. The program was initiated over 35 years ago and it has regularly produced significant scientific breakthroughs with far reaching consequences to the fields of science, economic growth, and revolutionary new military technologies. Key to the programs success is the close management of the MURI projects by Service Program Officers and their active role in providing research guidance. Awards will take the form of grants. FOR ARO SUBMISSIONS ONLY, awards will take the form of grants and/or cooperative agreements. Any assistance instrument awarded under this announcement will be governed by the award terms and conditions that conform to DoDs implementation of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) circulars applicable to financial assistance. Terms and conditions will reflect DoD implementation of OMB guidance in 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

Wastewater Based Epidemiology involves analyzing the chemical and biological components present in wastewater to gather information about the health and behavior of a population. Localities have used it to monitor drug consumption patterns in their communities and understand local drug usage trends. It holds promise for monitoring the emergence and geographic distribution of novel substances often referred to as emerging threats. In FY2023, the United States Government funded pilot WBE drug projects that collected wastewater samples in over 70 United States communities representing tens of millions of Americans. The samples were analyzed for parent drugs, such as fentanyl and methamphetamine, and metabolites. Researchers shared results with participating sampled communities, local and state partners, and to a limited extent, the government sponsors.

This program provides funding for organizations in Brazil to preserve important cultural heritage sites, objects, and traditions that are at risk of being lost.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations working to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in rural communities across the U.S.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for innovative projects that aim to improve the development of treatments for ultra-rare cancers, targeting both pediatric and adult populations, and is open to a variety of U.S.-based organizations and institutions.

This grant provides researchers access to valuable biospecimens and data from a national health initiative to conduct large-scale studies that advance precision medicine and improve understanding of health outcomes.

This funding opportunity is designed to help organizations acquire and assess commercial satellite imagery to improve flood monitoring and response capabilities in Alaskan communities affected by climate change.

Executive Summary: Competitive proposals will show the capacity to manage both the PD operational/programmatic and ASSF programmatic activities at the Spaces. Thus, the most competitive applicants will submit at least two proposals, as appropriate. Furthermore, applicants demonstrating the capacity to manage multiple Spaces will be highly competitive. The recipient will receive significant Public Diplomacy Section input and assistance to ensure the programming under both awards meets U.S. Embassy Dushanbe goals and objectives. The expected date range for implementation of all projects is October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. Please follow the instructions below for the application. Background American Spaces are the premier public diplomacy platform of the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan that has been strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between the people of Tajikistan and the United States of America for almost 21 years. The eight American Spaces in Tajikistan are located in Bokhtar, Dushanbe, Gharm, Isfara, Khorugh, Khujand, Kulob, and Panjakent and offer English resources and development opportunities to meet interests of diverse audiences, while also serving as gateways for Tajik citizens to learn about American society, culture and education. The American Spaces are well known in the community for their regular English-language activities, such as conversation groups with native speakers, workshops with visiting specialists, and regular presentations by Americans on U.S. life and culture. American Spaces operate based on the global standards of the American Spaces program. These standards mandate that every American Space offer programming in six core areas free of charge for all the participants: 1. English language teaching and learning: Increase English language proficiency and instructional skills of English language learners and English language teachers, particularly for underserved audiences by facilitating a wide range of programs (designed and delivered by American Space coordinators, USG grantees, and volunteer networks) that build the skills of English language teachers and promote English language learning. American Spaces provide access to English language speakers and professional development/teacher training resources provided by the State Department. 2. Information about the United States: Increase awareness and understanding of school and university students about American history, culture, and society through people-people diplomacy. American Spaces also offer collections of English books, videos, newspapers, magazines, photo galleries, and Internet access and ensure these collections remain accurate, up to date, and audience appropriate. 3. Educational advising: Increase the knowledge and skills of high-school students on higher education opportunities in the United States by providing accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date guidance on applying to U.S. colleges and universities. In collaboration with Education USA, American Spaces conduct virtual sessions providing accurate, comprehensive, current information about opportunities to study in the United States. American Spaces host students/ alumna of different exchange programs to talk about their study, life in the States, sharing tips from their personal experience. They also conduct essay writing clubs and TOEFL sessions for the student who seek opportunity to study in the States. 4. Alumni engagement: Support continuing engagement with alumni of U.S. exchange programs and cultural enrichment programs, connecting them to local audiences by sharing their U.S. experience and expertise to benefit the local communities. 5. Skills Building: Develop skills and increase capacity of the Tajik population to meet global challenges, mitigate crises, increase trade, support inclusive and sustainable economic growth and opportunity and strengthen resilience to economic, technological, environmental and other global challenges. American Spaces continue offering programs to meet interests of diverse audiences in the regions especially by organizing projects that promote English language, innovation, entrepreneurship, environmental protection, and gender equality in STEM, as well as teach skills such as critical thinking and media literacy, resume writing and job promotion, how to launch entrepreneurial or social development projects, how to use makerspace equipment to conduct projects. 6. Strategic Cultural Programs: Foster people-to-people connections, increase understanding and build respect towards the United States with Tajikistan audiences through cultural programs and holiday celebrations, that can include visual and performing arts, film, literature, health, food culture/cuisine, sports, science and technology, volunteerism, makerspace activities, environment, civil society, and entrepreneurship. The American Spaces in Tajikistan also actively partner with international and local organizations to conduct highly impactful programs. Funding Opportunity 1: Operational/Programmatic (PD): Competitive proposals will show a cost-share for space/rent or staffing. Competitive proposals will seek to maintain current Spaces locations or justify proposals to relocate to a new facility. Project Goal: Strengthen relationships, deepen trust, and expand people-to-people exchanges between the United States and Tajikistan. Objectives: Objective 1: Oversee and administer American Spaces operations within the allocated budget over a 12-month period, demonstrated by implementation of innovative solutions to technical and logistical challenges, maintenance of staffs high professional standards, and cost-efficient maintenance of spaces, while maintaining the modern aesthetic and accessibility standards of American Spaces. Provide skilled, innovative staff, comfortable with social media, to attract and work with public audiences. Objective 2: Increase the reach and engagement outreach to target American Spaces audiences by creating and launching a unified social media strategy within the second months of the programs implementation. Objective 3: Improve program management, reporting, and other professional skills of American Space Coordinators at six American Spaces through in-person and virtual professional development training and activities. a. Training topics may include but are not limited to: project planning, report writing techniques, methods on tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and metrics, budget management, data collection tools and techniques, data analysis, social media management, graphic design and content development, customer service, first aid, etc. b. Offer free-of-charge skills building workshops and educational programs to showcase American culture, holidays, and traditions at six American Spaces of Tajikistan: Gharm, Isfara, Khorugh, Khujand, Kulob, Panjakent. Objective 4: Design and execute a range of diverse programming activities across six core areas of American Spaces (described above) at six American Spaces in Tajikistan: Gharm, Isfara, Khorugh, Khujand, Kulob, and Panjakent, demonstrated by sustained participation and increases in participant turnout. Funding Opportunity 2: Programmatic (ASSF) Goal: Strengthen relationships, deepen trust and expand people-to-people exchanges between the United States and Tajikistan through the promotion of the English language, providing a supportive and tolerant community to combat violent extremism, increasing regional connectivity, and promoting economic opportunities. Objective: Design and execute a range of diverse programmatic activities across six core areas of American Spaces (explained below) in alignment with Mission goals at eight American Spaces in Tajikistan, demonstrated by sustained participation and increases in participant turnout. 7. English language teaching and learning: Increase English language proficiency and instructional skills of English language learners and English language teachers, particularly for underserved audiences by facilitating a wide range of programs (designed and delivered by American Space coordinators, USG grantees, and volunteer networks) that build the skills of English language teachers and promote English language learning. American Spaces provide access to English language speakers and professional development/teacher training resources provided by the State Department. 8. Information about the United States: Increase awareness and understanding of school and university students about American history, culture, and society through people-people diplomacy. American Spaces also offer collections of English books, videos, newspapers, magazines, photo galleries, and Internet access and ensure these collections remain accurate, up to date, and audience appropriate. 9. Educational advising: Increase the knowledge and skills of high-school students on higher education opportunities in the United States by providing accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date guidance on applying to U.S. colleges and universities. In collaboration with Education USA, American Spaces conduct virtual sessions providing accurate, comprehensive, current information about opportunities to study in the United States. American Spaces host students/ alumna of different exchange programs to talk about their study, life in the States, sharing tips from their personal experience. They also conduct essay writing clubs and TOEFL sessions for the student who seek opportunity to study in the States. 10. Alumni engagement: Support continuing engagement with alumni of U.S. exchange programs and cultural enrichment programs, connecting them to local audiences by sharing their U.S. experience and expertise to benefit the local communities. 11. Skills Building: Develop skills and increase capacity of the Tajik population to meet global challenges, mitigate crises, increase trade, support inclusive and sustainable economic growth and opportunity and strengthen resilience to economic, technological, environmental and other global challenges. American Spaces continue offering programs to meet interests of diverse audiences in the regions especially by organizing projects that promote English language, innovation, entrepreneurship, environmental protection, and gender equality in STEM, as well as teach skills such as critical thinking and media literacy, resume writing and job promotion, how to launch entrepreneurial or social development projects, how to use makerspace equipment to conduct projects. 12. Strategic Cultural Programs: Foster people-to-people connections, increase understanding and build respect towards the United States with Tajikistan audiences through cultural programs and holiday celebrations, that can include visual and performing arts, film, literature, health, food culture/cuisine, sports, science and technology, volunteerism, makerspace activities, environment, civil society, and entrepreneurship. Expected Activities by SpaceActivities and overall budget listed below, to include administrative oversight, per Space has been pre-approved by the State Departments Office of American Spaces. Please access the detailed announcement from the related documents tab.

This program provides funding to support training and resources for educators and rehabilitation professionals to improve braille literacy and nonvisual technology access for individuals who are blind.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to colleges and nonprofit organizations to help migratory and seasonal farmworkers and their families access higher education and successfully complete their first year of college.

This program provides substantial funding to a wide range of eligible entities, including states, public agencies, and rail carriers, to improve railroad safety, reduce congestion, and enhance connectivity across the national rail system.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that assist crime victims, enabling them to develop and enhance technology solutions that improve service delivery and accessibility for diverse populations.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations affiliated with the Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit for research aimed at improving land reclamation practices following energy and mineral extraction in the western United States.

This grant provides funding to rural organizations to improve and expand services for preventing and treating opioid use disorder, ensuring sustainable support for affected communities.

This funding opportunity provides a portion of the annual catch limit of Atlantic sea scallops to various eligible organizations and individuals for research projects that enhance scientific understanding and management of the scallop fishery.

The DoD Kidney Cancer, Clinical Trial Award is a funding opportunity aimed at supporting the implementation of clinical trials that have the potential to significantly impact the treatment or management of kidney cancer, with a focus on new products, pharmacologic agents, devices, clinical guidance, and emerging approaches and technologies.

This initiative provides $52.5 million in cash awards to teams developing innovative technologies for capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, with a focus on promoting environmental equity and community benefits.

This program provides funding for initiatives that foster cultural, educational, and professional exchanges between the United States and Bahrain, targeting non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and individuals with a strong U.S. connection.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to a variety of organizations to help strengthen Botswana's health data systems and public health responses to HIV, tuberculosis, and other health threats.

This funding opportunity is designed to support the establishment of collaborative research centers that enhance the study and treatment of bone, muscle, and orthopaedic conditions through shared resources and multidisciplinary approaches.