Deadline: November 12 2020
US-Russia Social Expertise Exchange (SEE) Partnership Projects Competition 2020-2021
The US-Russia Social Expertise Exchange (SEE) is pleased to announce the launch of its 2020-2021 project competition. Teams composed of at least one US and Russian organization or higher education institution are invited to propose innovative bilateral initiatives that will benefit both countries and address a common issue in one of the four following socially-oriented themes:
- Arctic and environmental conservation
- Indigenous peoples’ empowerment
- Disability and inclusion
- Public health
Details on specific eligibility criteria, project design requirements, and submission instructions are specified in the official Request for Applications (RFA), which is detailed below.
Project teams may request up to $43,000 in funding for a period between six and up to twelve months. The deadline for funding consideration is 11:59 pm EST on November 12, 2020.
ELIGIBILITY
Projects must meet the following criteria to be eligible:
- Projects must address one or more of SEE’s four thematic areas (Arctic and environmental conservation, Indigenous peoples’ empowerment, Disability and inclusion, and Public health).
- Projects must include one U.S.-based partner and one Russia-based partner as implementing organizations. Lead partners may also include other organizations/individuals as additional implementers to assist with project activities as necessary.
- Project applications must be submitted by the U.S.-based partner on behalf of the partnership. EF will only disburse funds to the U.S. lead organization to manage on behalf of the partnership.
- Projects must achieve clear and measurable impact with equal or near-equal benefit to both the U.S. and Russia.
- Projects must impact at least 250 direct beneficiaries* in each country (500 total).
- Projects may not directly engage in political activism, public policy reform, or the influence of public opinion.
- Russian federal, regional, state, and local government bodies; government-funded social institutions (e.g. orphanages, nature preserves); as well as federal academic and research institutions are not eligible to serve as project partners (except for student groups, which may do so).
- While partnerships that previously received EF funding are eligible to apply, preference will be given to projects submitted on behalf of new partner organizations. If one of the applying organizations have previously received EF partnership project funding but is now applying with a different partner, this partnership would be eligible to apply.
While U.S.-based universities and other research institutions are eligible to apply, funded projects must expand beyond pure research. Projects falling outside the four thematic areas will also be considered for funding if the project will facilitate greater understanding of shared values in the U.S. and Russia. Applicants are encouraged to include innovative methodologies and technologies to accomplish program goals and collaboration between U.S. and Russian peers.
* “Direct beneficiaries” are identifiable individuals who receive measurable benefit from project activities (e.g. obtain new knowledge or skills by attending a training, gain access to new community resources generated or enhanced by the project, or increased understanding of an issue due to project outreach).
USE OF FUNDS
Project funding may only be used for activities directly connected with the implementation of the project, such as:
- Direct costs of project-related events (e.g., organizing meetings, rental of conference facilities, translation services);
- Communication between partner organizations (e.g., phone, email, web conferencing);
- Travel expenses associated with the project (e.g., transportation, accommodation, per diem, health insurance, visa fees, interpretation and other related expenses);
- Funds used to conduct outreach and marketing activities, and dissemination of project deliverables (e.g., publications, email marketing, social media promotion, website maintenance costs);
- Prorated portion of salaries for project team members;
- Modest honoraria for key project experts;
- Other expenses directly related to project implementation.
In accordance with EF policy, funding may not be used for the following costs: an organization’s ongoing expenses; construction expenses, purchase of real estate, alcoholic beverages, entertainment, business/first-class travel, and the repayment of debts. Applicants are advised that EF funding may not be used to directly benefit (monetarily or non-monetarily) the Russian federal, regional, state, and local government bodies; government-funded social institutions (e.g. orphanages, museums, nature preserves); as well as federal academic and research institutions.
The U.S. lead organization will conclude an official funding agreement with Eurasia Foundation and accept sole legal responsibility for the project on behalf of the project team. Teams will use their funding for direct expenses related to the project as designated in the project budget, and cannot use EF funding for sub-awards with Russian organizations.
US-Russia Social Expertise Exchange (SEE) Partnership Projects Competition Application Process
All applicants must use EF’s online grant management system. The application process has two stages. The only document required in the first stage is a statement of interest.
Statements should not exceed two single-spaced pages using 12 pt. Times New Roman font. Margins should be one inch or greater. While the applicant may determine the concept note’s format, please ensure that all the following questions are addressed:
- What is the main issue/problem?
- What is the project’s main objective?
- What are some key activities that will help the project achieve its objective?
- How will the project improve US-Russian collaboration?
- Who will be the project’s main implementing organization and Russian partner(s)?
- How are the applicant organization and partner(s) equipped to implement the initiative?
If this is the first time that an applicant has applied to an EF funding opportunity using the online grant management system, a representative from the organization must create an account on the grant management system by following the instructions on the right of the login page linked above. If an applicant already has an account, they may simply log in without creating a new account.
Upon review of initial applications after November 12, 2020, prospective statements of interest will be invited to submit full funding applications, which will consist of the following documents:
- Detailed project narrative;
- Completed logical framework form;
- Letter of commitment from the lead organization in the other country;
- Resumes for all key personnel;
- Detailed project budget form;
- Budget narrative;
- Financial management questionnaire;
- Application certification form.
Semi-finalists will have a chance to consult directly with the SEE team during the full application process.
To be considered for funding, the initial statement of interest must be submitted by 11:59 pm EST on November 12, 2020.
Applicants will receive notification by email upon successful submission of the statement of interest. If you encounter difficulty in completing the application process, please contact [email protected] immediately for assistance. Before proceeding with the statement of interest, candidates are strongly encouraged to read the Partnership Projects section of the SEE website and the Frequently Asked Questions for Partnership Projects.
All materials and documents submitted in connection with this competition will be retained by Eurasia Foundation during the review process and will not be returned to the applicant. Eurasia Foundation does not use the information presented by applicants for purposes other than review and does not provide this information to any outside persons or institutions, except in such cases where it is required by U.S. or Russian law, or by donor agreements with Eurasia Foundation.
US-Russia Social Expertise Exchange (SEE) Partnership Projects Competition -TIMELINE
October 29, 2020: Proposal-Writing Webinar for prospective applicants. Interested applicants can register here.
November 12, 2020: Statement of interest (SOI) deadline
November 2020: Semi-finalists invited to submit full application
December 21, 2020: Full applications due
January 2021: Clarifying questions and Financial Management Questionnaires assigned to applicants
February- March 2021: Final review period
March 2021: Applicants selected for SEE funding
April 2021: Partnership Projects launch
CRITERIA FOR PROJECT VALUATION AND SELECTION
After registering on EF’s grant management system, you will need to enter an access code to view the application form. Please use the following access code to access the application form: SEEPP21.
If you encounter any issues with accessing the form, please contact [email protected] for assistance. We strongly recommend that you start working on your application as early as possible. If you encounter technical issues with your application and contact us less than 48 hours before the final deadline, we might not be able to assist you on time.
For more Information: Visit the webpage for Apply- US-Russia Social Expertise Exchange (SEE) Partnership Projects Competition 2020-2021
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