ELIGIBILITY
Q. Who is eligible to apply for funding?
A. U.S.-based and foreign non-profits, nongovernmental organizations (including faith-based organizations), for-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and public international organizations (PIOs) are eligible to apply for funding under this solicitation. For-profit organizations are not permitted to generate profits from grant-funded activities. The Department of State’s Office of the Procurement Executive must provide additional approval for grants awarded to for-profit entities. Foreign governments are not eligible to apply, although governments may be beneficiaries of funded programs, provided that funding does not pay salaries of government agency personnel and that such assistance is not restricted by U.S. law or policy.
Q. Will this be an international application process? Example: I am based in the U.K., my organization is based in France, and our project area is Ukraine.
A. Yes. Organizations with a parent agency headquartered outside of the country are welcome to apply to the solicitation. Organizations eligible to apply include U.S. based and foreign non-profits, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), for-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and public international organizations (PIOs). For-profit organizations are not permitted to generate profits from grant-funded activities. U.S. government agencies may respond to this NOFO with proposals for projects that would be funded through an Interagency Acquisition Agreement. While foreign governments are not eligible to apply, governments may be beneficiaries of programs provided that funding does not pay salaries of government agency personnel and that such assistance is not restricted by U.S. law or policy.
Q. Is it possible to apply jointly with another organization?
A. While applicants may designate one or more partner organizations as sub-grantees, there can only be one prime award recipient. When applying to the funding opportunity, there must be a single or primary applicant.
Q. For a multi-country regional project, can you confirm if only one joint proposal needs to be submitted?
A. Yes, only one proposal should be submitted per project, even if you plan to partner with another organization or utilize cost share.
Q. May an organization submit one proposal as the prime applicant and submit another proposal as a sub-grantee?
A. Yes.
LOGISTICS
Q. How much funding does the TIP Office have for 2022?
A. All awards under this announcement are pending the availability of funds.
Q. How much money will be allocated to each region or country?
A. The TIP Office does not have specific regional or country budgets. The final amount allocated for each country and region will depend on many factors, including the quality of applications received and the nature of the proposed activities.
Q. What is the maximum number of awards to be granted?
A. The number of awards depends on the availability of funds and the quality of applications received.
Q. Where can I find the Notice of Funding Opportunity?
A. The funding opportunity is available on SAMS-Domestic and on Grants.gov.
Q. From the solicitation it is unclear whether the full SF-424 package is required by the deadline at this SOI stage.
A. Only the SF-424 form is required with the SOI Project Narrative submission. Instructions on how to complete the SF-424 form can be found in the Guidelines for Submitting Statements of Interest. If you are unable to attach a document once the forms are completed, please contact the ILMS Support Desk at 1 (888) 313-4567 or submitting a ticket through the ILMS Self Service Portal .
Q. What has changed in this NOFO compared to previous solicitations for Statements of Interest?
A. Please note applicants are required to submit only the project narrative and online SF-424 form for the SOI submission. Any additional document will result in the failure of the technical review. Applicants are required to use the project narrative template on SAMS Domestic and must type within the template’s grey box. The project narrative has a 9,000-character limit (not longer than 3 pages). Applicants should carefully read the Funding Opportunity and Guidelines (Guidelines for Submitting TIP Office Statements of Interest) when preparing their proposal.
Q. May we submit additional attachments in our application?
A. No. An applicant may only submit the documents requested: project narrative and the online form SF-424. Any additional attachments will result in a failure of the technical review.
Q. Does the Project Narrative character limit include spaces?
A. Yes, the character count includes spaces, footnotes, etc. It is a good idea to check your character count before submission.
Q. May an applicant include footnotes in the project narrative?
A. Yes, an applicant may include footnotes within the project narrative. However, the footnotes will be included within the character count limit.
Q. Is there a budget floor/ceiling?
A. While the SAMS-Domestic funding opportunity lists Estimated Total Program Funding between $250,000 – $5,000,000, please list the budget that is most appropriate to your proposed activities, collaboration with other potential donors/partners, and project duration. Most of our programs range between $500,000 and $3,000,000. We encourage you to view our ongoing projects.
Q. Is there any restriction regarding the cost share (e.g., max. amount)?
A. No, there is no cap on cost share, but applicants must be able to clearly justify the quantity of funding they plan to allocate to a sub-grantee and explain why that funding is being allocated. Please also note that any cost sharing must be raised fully by the end of the project, or the federal portion of funds will be reduced proportionally. Cost sharing falls under the same rules and regulations (2 CFR 200) as J/TIP funding.
Q. Is there a minimum or maximum project duration?
A. Projects should not exceed five years. There is no minimum.
Q. Is there a limit to the number of applications we may submit?
A. Organizations are permitted to submit multiple applications.
May applicants submit more than one SOI per region?
A. Yes.
May applicants submit more than one SOI per priority country or priority region?
A. No, applicants may not submit more than one application per priority country or priority region. However, applicants may submit one application per priority country or priority region.
Q. If an organization passes through stage one of the application process, can it add partners not identified in stage one in the subsequent (full proposal) stage?
A. Yes.
Q. If our organization wants to host a summit or workshop, will this be covered separately by the TIP Office?
A. Applicants should include all planned activities in their budget to include summits and workshops, along with lodging and travel expenses.
Q. Should letters of intent/cooperation be submitted in stage one?
A. No, this will be requested in stage two of the competitive process. However, since stakeholder relationships may take time to build and documents time to procure, it is a good idea to start thinking about them now.
Q. Can we indicate a budget figure in the SOI but adjust it later if we are invited to submit a full proposal?
A. Yes, there is flexibility to adjust the budget figure in stage two of the competitive process. During stage one, the TIP Office requests an estimated budget, and we recognize that number might change. During stage two, we will ask for a more detailed line-item budget.
Q. Can we indicate a project duration in the SOI but adjust it if we are invited to submit a full proposal?
A. Yes.
CONTENT
Q. How can we find the programming priorities specific to our country of interest?
A. Please refer to the FY22 TIP Office Bilateral Statement of Interest NOFO. Programming priorities begin on page five.
Q. What is the distinction between a bilateral and regional priority?
A. A bilateral programming priority is specific to one country. A regional programming priority is specific to a group of two or more countries in the same region, as identified in the NOFO.
Q. For regional priorities, do we need to propose a project for all the countries listed in the funding opportunity or can we select only a few?
A. An applicant may propose a regional project either for a select number of countries listed or for all the countries listed in regional priorities.
Q. May applicants submit a Statement of Interest for work in a country that is not listed as a funding priority in the NOFO?’
A. No.
Q. Do we need to address all programming objectives listed under a country in our SOI, or may we select one or two?
A. Applicants must carefully read the programming priorities included in the NOFO. Each country priority states if an applicant must address one or more programming priorities. SOIs are required to address a minimum of one programming priority under each country or region selected.
Q. Kindly inform whether a project proposal to combat trafficking in persons for the removal of organs would be considered or if this fund will not include this form of trafficking in persons.
A. This proposal would not be considered. Statements of interest must address at least one of the programming priorities identified in the NOFO as a TIP Office priority. Trafficking for the purposes of organ removal is not a stated priority for FY 2022 and is not a form of trafficking recognized under the U.S. Trafficking in Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000.
Q. What is the 3 P paradigm?
A. The “3P” paradigm—prosecution, protection, and prevention—continues to serve as the fundamental framework used around the world to combat human trafficking. The United States also follows this approach, reflected in the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo Protocol) and in the United States’ Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, as amended (TVPA). The U. S. Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office) employs a range of diplomatic and programmatic tools to advance the 3P paradigm worldwide. In addition, a fourth “P”—for partnership—serves as a complementary means to achieve progress across the 3Ps and enlist all segments of society in the fight against modern slavery. Visit 3Ps: Prosecution, Protection, and Prevention for more information.
Q. Do applicants have to address all the “3 Ps” in their submission?
A. No. Address as many Ps that makes sense for your project.
Q. Could you review the way you define systemic, institutional, and sustainable change?
A. Find general definitions below. Projects are not expected to respond to all three changes if they do not apply to the intent of the project. Please note that you will have an opportunity to expand on these changes if invited to stage two of the competitive process. Please focus on submitting a competitive project description that clearly describes project activities, a justification for the locale, target populations and other stakeholders selected, engagement with individuals with lived experience in human-trafficking, and how the project will deconflict or supplement existing efforts.
Systemic Change: Systemic changes are fundamental changes that require adjustments or transformations in policies, practices, power dynamics, social norms, or mindsets that underlie the issue you are addressing. Systemic change occurs when change reaches all or most parts of a system, in turn affecting the general behavior of the entire system.
Institutional Change: Institutional changes can only be solved by collaboration between multiple parties, whether that be individuals, departments, programs, institutions. Generally, this requires new or improved technology, policy, behaviors, and practices, including standard operating procedures, processes, and standards that impact how an entity operates.
Sustainable Changes: These are changes that generate conditions necessary for results to continue outside of the project.
Q. Could you please explain the national policy requirements as part of the federal restrictions? E.g., “Leahy Vetting.”
A. Some examples of nation policy requirements are the Anti-Prostitution Policy and Requirements, Training Certifications, EO Strengthening Protections Against Trafficking in Persons in Federal Contracts, and Leahy Vetting Requirements.
The Leahy Vetting requirement applies to training or other assistance to be furnished to any unit or individual member of the security forces of a foreign country. Leahy vetting is required when training or assistance is provided to foreign security forces, including when such assistance is provided under a grant or cooperative agreement. Department guidance provides the following information on the type of personnel who are considered security forces and thus must be vetted under Leahy: “The Leahy amendment refers to the ‘security forces of a foreign country.’ It makes no distinction between military and civilian. The key is whether the individual is a member of a security force unit. In broad terms, any division or entity (to include an individual) authorized by a State or political subdivision (city, county, etc.) to use force (including but not limited to the power to search, detain, and arrest) to accomplish its mission would be considered a security force. ‘Security forces’ thus could be units of law enforcement or the military. Prison guards, customs police, border police, tax police, and the coast guard would be examples of the types of units included in the category of ‘security forces.’ Members of these types of units should be considered as subject to the Leahy Amendment and be vetted either as individuals or as part of the unit being trained. Examples of persons who are not considered ‘security forces’ include: government bureaucrats, prosecutors, judges, civilian members of NGOs, international organizations or task forces and forensic lab workers.” Leahy Vetting requirements will be fully outlined in the award agreements for recipients. The vetting process may take considerable time, and applicants should plan training activities with sufficient time for vetting to be completed. All successful applicants, including prior grantees, will be required to complete a new Leahy Vetting training module prior to the award of new projects.
For more information on Leahy Vetting and other resources, kindly refer to our website.
Q. Is it possible to include activities in countries that are relevant to addressing the situation in the region? For example, in the case of Mexico, can we include activities in Guatemala and Honduras?
A. Please review the NOFO carefully and plan your activities around the priority countries. If the NOFO says bilateral, it should only have activities in one country. If it is regional, you can include other countries in the region.
Q. Can organizations with survivor-led programs apply?
A. Yes, survivor-led programs are encouraged.
Q. Can we also address issues which are not mentioned in the NOFO?
A. Please focus on the priorities listed in the NOFO. If you want to add on additional or adjacent issues you hope to address with your proposal, please make sure you are addressing at least one programming priority in the NOFO.
Q. Are there repercussions if an applicant garners government buy-in prior to launching the project, but government officials change during the project and the new officials no longer agree to the buy-in?
A. Prior to award selection, we hold panel reviews to discuss strengths and weaknesses of proposals, including government buy-in. However, we know situations change. Please consider how changing circumstances will affect your project design, especially if you plan to include cost share and rely heavily on government buy-in.
Q. Can a proposal include funding to shelters?
A. Yes, provided that the funding does not pay salaries of government agency personnel (to include shelter staff salaries if they are government agency personnel) and that such assistance is not restricted by U.S. law or policy.
Q. Can we provide goods and services (training, supplies, & materials) to collaborating government organizations?
A. Yes. However, we cannot provide direct financial assistance to governments. Please refer to Award Resources on our website.
Q. There is a lot of focus on Ukrainian refugees in the NOFO. Can we submit a proposal if it is not only about Ukrainian refugees?
A. While we cannot address country-specific questions directly, we encourage you to read the programming priorities in the NOFO carefully to ensure your proposal addresses at least one of the priorities.
Q. Can we provide training to non-military staff without vetting, such as teachers and child welfare workers?
A. Yes. Please refer to Leahy Vetting guidance.
Q. Are Theories of Change or logframes required?
A. No, not at this stage.
COMPETITIVE REVIEW
Q. How will the TIP Office decide which SOIs to fund?
A. All SOIs received will first undergo a technical review to ensure they meet the technical requirements. SOIs which pass the technical review are reviewed by TIP Office colleagues and are forwarded to the relevant U.S. embassy and regional bureau colleagues for review and comment. Recommendations are compiled and reviewed by the TIP Office staff, based on the criteria in the NOFO, and then are sent to the TIP Office leadership for decision.
Q. When can applicants expect a decision from the TIP Office on its SOI?
A. Applicants should receive a status update within about 60 days from the submission deadline. If an applicant is invited to submit a full proposal, the applicant will have approximately 45 days to complete the full proposal.
Q. Where may I find additional advice about preparing the SOI or full application? For a foreign NGO, is it useful to present our project to the U.S. embassy in our country before application?
A. The TIP Office must ensure a fair, transparent, competitive grants process. No one from the Office or other Department of State personnel, including Embassy personnel, is permitted to advise you on the content of your application. Persons with additional questions about the requirements of the solicitation may contact JTIPGrants@state.gov.
Q. What percentage of stage one applications are invited to submit a full proposal in stage two? What percentage of stage two applicants are funded based on what you have done in past years?
A. We are unable to give a percentage due to the nature of the selection process and the fluctuating number of applications during each funding cycle. Proposals are not ranked against each other and there is not a set number of awards the TIP Office hopes to make. Awards are granted based off the quality and impact of the proposal.
Q. Is there an exemplar concept application we can refer to?
A. Unfortunately, we cannot provide an example application due to the need to ensure a fair and competitive grants process. The best way to get an idea of a good proposal concept is to review our current programming on our website. It may also be helpful to note which programs are active in your country of interest and how your proposal can complement rather than duplicate ongoing activities.
Q. How do I unlock my SAMS-Domestic account or change my SAMS-Domestic password? What should I do if I encounter difficulty using the SAMS-Domestic website?
A. The TIP Office is unable to unlock SAMS-Domestic account or reset passwords. For assistance with SAMS-Domestic contact the ILMS Support Desk at 1-888-313-4567 (toll free for international callers) or submit a ticket using the ILMS Self Service Portal . Please let us know if you have any questions by emailing JTIPGrants@state.gov.
Q. Where can I find more information?
A. For information on how to apply for our Office’s funding opportunities and more resources, please visit our website.
Q. Where do I apply?
A. You must be registered with grants.gov as well as SAMS-Domestic (https://mygrants.service-now.com/grants) to apply for our Office’s funding opportunities and submit your application. For detailed instructions on how to submit a proposal , refer to the NOFO and the Guidelines for Submitting 2022 TIP Office Statements of Interest documents in the Related Documents tab of the funding opportunity by searching Funding Opportunity Number: SFOP0009089.
If you are having difficulties, please visit the support center on grants.gov .