Embassy of the United States

MEPI-Small Grants Program

Embassy invites application for MEPI-Small Grants Program.

Grants application submission Information

Statement of Purpose: The US Embassy in Manama administers a small-grants program made available by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), which is intended to support the strengthening of the Bahraini civil society and private development institutions. Private-sector non-profit organizations may submit proposals in the fields of popular participation, women’s and youth programs, and management of non-governmental organizations, civic education, and leadership skills, market economics. Priority will be given to programs that will reach youth groups, women associations, and those focused on capacity building at grassroots level.

General Guidelines: To be considered for a grant award in this competition, grantees must be a non-profit, non-governmental organizations (NGO) or private institutions that provide services or capacity-building for defined constituents (which can include other NGOs).

Proposals must address one or more of the four MEPI pillars, which are:

¨ Economic Development.
¨ Civic Education.
¨ Education initiatives.
¨ Women/ Youth programs.

The grant proposal should help groups sharpening their messages and activities extend their outreach through publications and public programs, foster contacts with government officials, establish public-private partnerships, and support networking and resource/information sharing among NGOs.

Submissions should be in English. In the program description, applicants should present a clear and convincing plan for carrying out project components to achieve the expected outcomes. The implementation plan should not extend beyond one year from the awarding of the grant and must be accompanied by a month-by-month timeline.

Budget guidelines: The proposal should be presented with a detailed Financial Plan. Budget notes should be included on additional pages and should indicate the location of each proposed activity; the number of participants expected and the materials needed (indicating unit cost for each item). If funding, other than MEPI grants will be used to complete project, this should be indicated in the budget. The U.S. Embassy will consider applications in the $10,000 to 25,000 range. Embassy support for a grant activity may not exceed $25,000.

The budget should give priority to program-related activities or materials rather than salaries and administrative costs. Each expense should be listed on a separate line. Administrative overhead must not exceed 15% of the total amount requested. Sub-agreements are not permitted.

Allowable expenses include the following:
General program expenses such as orientation- and program-related supplies, educational materials, consultants, interpreters, and room rental for program activities.

Participant expenses such as domestic travel and per diem payments. Per diem must not exceed $271 (Only Two Hundred and Seventy One US Dollars per day).

Administrative expenses such as telephone/fax charges and other direct administrative costs.

A number of items cannot be covered with funds from the grant:

Food and refreshments.
Office rental and utilities, except for communications expenses (telephone and fax).
Construction.
“Miscellaneous expenses.” All proposed expenses must be specific.

Reporting requirements: Every grantee will be required to submit a final program and financial report within thirty (30) days of the proposed completion date of grant activities. Interim program and financial status reports are required upon completion of six months (biannual) as well. Financial reports must reflect expenditures against each item set forth in the final approved grant budget. Copies of receipts must be submitted for all expenses.

Review Criteria: Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed according to the following criteria.

Quality of program idea (20%): Program objectives should be clearly and precisely stated and respond to the priority topics of this grant competition that falls within MEPI four determined pillars. Priority will go to proposals targeting youth and women’s groups, and to those promoting volunteerism and democratic values.

Implementation plan (20%): The plan should demonstrate a comprehensive and well thought-out strategy with easily understood milestones of achievement and sound organization, including the timing and integration of discrete tasks, realistic workloads and clear lines of responsibility.

Results (20%): The proposal should provide lasting benefits (measurable, quantifiable and qualifiable) to a maximum number of beneficiaries.

Ability to achieve objectives (10%): The proposal and supporting documentation should prove the applicant’s experience and capacity for completing the proposed task(s) successfully.

Sustainability (15%): Proposed activities must take place within twelve months of the start of the grant but should seek to achieve long-term impact, including by establishing structures and funding sources that will continue or further develop the proposal’s activities beyond the end of the grant period.

Cost-effectiveness (15%): Administrative costs should be kept to a minimum. Further plans, if any, to leverage additional funds or achieve multiplier effects with the requested funding should be highlighted in the budget notes.

Click Here to Download the Application Form.

The MEPI Coordinator Office at the US Embassy of Manama must receive all proposals. If submitted by surface mail, the original and three copies should be sent to:

MEPI Coordinator, U.S. Embassy
P.O. Box 26431 Manama
Fax: (+973) 1724-2707

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Tel: (+973) 1724-2706