Dominican-U.S. Higher Education Network Building Initiative | S DR860 24 NOFO 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for S DR860 24 NOFO 001

The Dominican-U.S. Higher Education Network Building Initiative is a U.S. Mission to the Dominican Republic grant opportunity designed to deepen and formalize collaboration between universities in the Dominican Republic and the United States. The project is framed as a higher education collaboration network that brings institutions closer through practical activities like faculty workshops, joint training efforts, and the exploration or development of cooperative academic programs, including degree-related partnerships. At its core, the initiative is meant to strengthen relationships, increase sustained communication between institutions, and make it easier for Dominican and U.S. universities to work together in concrete, repeatable ways.

The program places strong emphasis on three main outcomes. First, it aims to enhance collaboration by building partnerships and encouraging ongoing dialogue between Dominican and U.S. institutions. Second, it focuses on training and capacity building, with the intent to improve teaching, research, and administrative capabilities through workshops and training sessions offered both in-person and virtually. Third, it includes a public-diplomacy-style objective of promoting the value of partnering with U.S. universities, including sharing success stories and highlighting the benefits and practical pathways for collaboration. This combination suggests the awardee should not only run activities, but also help make collaboration more visible and easier to replicate across institutions.

The anticipated work is organized around several key components. Applicants are expected to assess Dominican universities to understand current partnerships, identify gaps, and map opportunities for further internationalization. The program then calls for workshops and trainings on internationalization and best practices, alongside active promotion of exchange programs by facilitating conversations about student and faculty mobility and sharing information that helps participants navigate processes such as visas. Another major deliverable is an online collaboration platform intended to support communication, resource sharing, and network continuity beyond individual events. The initiative also includes networking events that bring together representatives from both countries, paired with monitoring and evaluation to track progress, measure success, and gather feedback to improve implementation.

From a funding and timing standpoint, the award is a single grant (one expected award) funded through FY24 Fulbright Hays Public Diplomacy funds. The award ceiling is $40,000, and the project performance period is expected to run 12 to 18 months, with an overall completion period of 18 months or less. This structure signals a relatively focused, pilot-style network building effort where the grantee needs to prioritize high-impact activities, clear deliverables, and practical sustainability plans that can outlast the grant period.

Eligibility is open to both U.S. and Dominican entities, specifically not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks, NGOs, and civil society organizations) as well as public and private educational institutions in either country. Cost sharing is not required, but it is encouraged, which can be interpreted as a way to demonstrate buy-in from partners and improve the project’s sustainability. A non-negotiable requirement is that applicant organizations must have an active registration in SAM.gov, since this is a standard U.S. federal assistance compliance step.

Applications must be prepared in English, with budgets in U.S. dollars, and formatted single-spaced in 12-point Times New Roman. The submission package includes the federal forms SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B, plus a summary page or cover sheet with basic program details. The main proposal narrative is limited to 10 pages and should clearly lay out objectives, planned activities, and an evaluation plan. Applicants must also include a budget justification narrative explaining how costs were calculated and why they are necessary. Common supporting attachments include CVs for key personnel, letters of support, any applicable NICRA documentation for indirect cost rates, required permission letters if relevant, and proof of SAM.gov registration. The deadline is August 29, 2024, and submissions are made by email to SantoDomingoGrants@state.gov. The application package is available through the U.S. Embassy website.

Proposals are scored using a defined set of criteria. The largest scoring areas are the quality and feasibility of the program idea (25 points) and organizational capacity to carry it out (25 points). Additional points are assigned for ability to achieve objectives (15 points), monitoring and evaluation (15 points), budget (10 points), and sustainability (10 points). Applications are reviewed by a Grants Review Committee, so proposals that are clearly organized, realistic in scope, and supported by credible partners and implementation plans will typically be more competitive than broad concepts without operational detail.

Award administration follows standard U.S. government grant practices. The Grants Officer will manage and issue the grant agreement, and there is no promise of additional funding beyond the initial award. Payments are made based on immediate cash needs rather than all upfront, and up to 20 percent of the total award may be withheld until final reports are submitted and accepted. Recipients must comply with required financial and program reporting as laid out in the award document, so applicants should be ready to track expenditures and program results consistently throughout the project.

Budget guidance is relatively straightforward and aligns with typical federal cost categories. Allowable costs can include personnel (wages, salaries, benefits), travel and per diem, equipment (generally defined here as items costing at least $5,000 with a useful life over one year), supplies, contractual expenses for goods and services, and other direct costs tied to project delivery. Indirect costs may be claimed using a negotiated rate if the organization has a NICRA; otherwise, a 10 percent de minimis rate may be used. Alcoholic beverages are explicitly unallowable. Applicants are also directed to follow Federal Standard Terms and Conditions and the OMB Uniform Guidance, which collectively govern allowability, documentation, procurement standards, and financial management expectations.

For questions or clarification, the point of contact is the same grants email address: SantoDomingoGrants@state.gov.

• The U.S. Mission to the Dominican Republic in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Dominican-U.S. Higher Education Network Building Initiative" 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 2024-07-17.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-08-29. (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 $40,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for S DR860 24 NOFO 001

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