objectives

Apply to Participate in MDLI East Africa Freedom of Expression Litigation Surgery

Deadline: 16 May 2016

The Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI) is seeking applications from lawyers based in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi to participate in a forthcoming litigation surgery on the right to freedom of expression that will held in Kampala, Uganda from 8 – 11 August 2016.

All applicants are required to submit for discussion and workshopping a current or potential case involving a violation of the right to freedom of expression.

Objectives

To identify and provide substantive support to cases on the right to freedom of expression that could be pursued before domestic and/or international fora;
To assist and build working relationships with lawyers undertaking such cases;
To equip the participants with the necessary skills and knowledge regarding the international human rights mechanisms available for pursuing freedom of expression cases in East Africa.

Focus Areas

Defamation (criminal)
Privacy
Restriction of the media by means of regulatory measures
Physical safety of journalists
Protection of sources
National security

Eligibility Criteria

The surgery is open to lawyers from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi;
The lawyers can either be working in private practice, or be working for or be affiliated with NGOs promoting the right to freedom of expression in East Africa through litigation;
Exceptionally strong applications from lawyers who have not yet undertaken freedom of expression work, but have experience litigating other human rights cases and have a strong interest in undertaking freedom of expression work will be considered as well. A maximum of 12 participants will be selected;
The lawyers must have a demonstrated interest in, and/or knowledge of the right to freedom of expression and/or related issues;
The lawyers must have a demonstrated interest in, and/or knowledge of international and regional human rights law;
The lawyers must be involved in, or considering, litigating a case or cases that address violations of the right to freedom of expression. With their application, they must submit a case study of a case that they are litigating or intend to litigate that could be discussed and workshopped during the litigation surgery;
The cases submitted must involve a violation of the fundamental right to freedom of expression as protected in a national constitution, African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the East African Community Treaty or any other relevant domestic/international human rights instrument;
The working language for the surgery will be English.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply via given website.

For more information, please visit East Africa Freedom of Expression Litigation Surgery.

ViiV Healthcare Small Grants Program: Positive Action for MSM and Transgender

Deadline: 20 May 2016

ViiV Healthcare is seeking applications from organisations for its “Positive Actions for MSM & Transgender” Small Grants programme which is a new global initiative designed to support and inform the global effort to alleviate the impact of HIV and AIDS among MSM (men who have sex with men) and transgender populations around the world and to enable MSM and transgender individuals to safely seek culturally competent HIV care and services.

The program focuses on vulnerable communities and the stigma and discrimination they face on a daily basis due to sexual orientation, gender identity/expression and/or HIV status and will continue to support MSM/T communities as they strengthen their capacity to lead, participate in policy-making and advocate addressing the health disparities and health service access issues keeping MSM/T individuals from lifesaving prevention and treatment.

Objectives

Reduce the level and impact of stigma experienced by MSM/T individuals
Increase access to health related services through community-based collaborations with local governments and health care enablers
Strengthen the capacity of community-based organizations that engage MSM/T communities in reducing HIV

Grant Information

In 2016 ViiV Healthcare will provide a series of small grants covering a two year period with funding amounts up to £25,000/year within two funding tracks;

Applications for MSM community-led projects that are limited to applications of 50,000 over two years
Applications for Transgender community-led projects that are limited to applications of £50,000 over two years.

Funding Priorities

Community engagement, participation and leadership
Community-centred approaches
Evidence-based and Evidence-generating
New technology and Innovation
Advocacy and Empowerment

Eligibility Criteria

There are no geographical restrictions on applications.
For applicants applying from India must have the following documentation in place to submit an application and be able to meet ViiV Healthcare due diligence process:
- Proof of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration, and
- Copy of current 80g

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply via given website.

For more information, please visit ViiV Healthcare.

U.S. Mission to Niger: Integrated Gender Equality Advancement Program

Deadline: 23 May 2016

The United States Embassy is seeking applications from qualified Nigerien local organizations for a program entitled “Niger Integrated Gender Equality Advancement: Empowering Adolescent Girls for a more Prosperous and Stable Life” that will contribute to the U.S. Mission’s efforts in promoting gender equality with an aim to address the needs and challenges of adolescent girls, including those with physical disabilities, within a positive, nurturing and supportive environment.

The program will help to empower vulnerable adolescent girls to become change agents in their communities through capacity building and leadership development trainings.

Objectives

Provide opportunities and growth experiences that will enable participants to become independent, self-sufficient and confident young women.
Provide assistance to adolescents with physical, visual and hearing disabilities to reach their full potential.
Create a network for adolescent girls to ensure sustainability.

Funding Information: Approximate total funding is 850,000 US dollars.

Activities

Empowering adolescents with physical, visual and hearing disabilities
Changing the mindset of adolescent girls
Youth Resource Centers
Vocational training

Eligibility Criteria

Local Nigerien Non-Governmental Organizations are eligible to apply
Funds will be allocated to more than one recipients based on the proposed activities.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply via given website.

For more information, please visit Niger Integrated Gender Equality Advancement.

DHHS/FDA: Promoting Safety of FDA Regulated Products & Advance Public Health

Deadline: 2 July 2016

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an agency of Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking applications from organisations with an aim to promote the safety of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated products and advance public health through strengthened collaboration and partnerships with State legislatures.

Objectives

Inform FDA of proposed State legislation regarding FDA regulated products and provide status updates.
Provide technical assistance to FDA, State legislatures, and State, local, territorial, and tribal agencies on legislation regarding FDA regulated products.
Provide outreach to State legislatures and regulatory agencies on proposed and existing FDA regulations.
Provide FDA with situational awareness of State legislative activities.
Promote informed decision-making by State legislatures and regulatory agencies on regulatory issues impacting FDA regulated products.

Funding Information

FDA intends to fund up to $175,000, for fiscal year 2016 in support of this grant program.
The scope of the proposed project should determine the project period. The maximum project period is five (5) years.

Eligibility Criteria

National associations/organizations
- The association/organization must serve as a bipartisan organization of by and for state legislatures.
- The association must be dedicated to serving all state legislators and legislative staff through research, publications, consulting assistance, meetings, seminars and electronic services.
- The association must serve to improve the quality and effectiveness of state legislatures, promote policy innovation and communication among state legislatures.
Foreign Institutions
- Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not eligible to apply.
- Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.
- Foreign components are not allowed

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply via given website.

For more information, please visit Strengthening Partnerships with State Legislatures.

Department of Justice: Seeking Applications for Research and Evaluation on Victims of Crime

Deadline: 3 June 2016

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is inviting applicants for funding for research and evaluation studies that will improve the understanding of victims of crime and/or will improve the programs designed to address their needs.

The program furthers the Department’s mission by sponsoring research to provide objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to meet the challenges of victims of crime, particularly at the State and local levels.

Priority Areas

Victim-Offender Overlap.
Secondary Data Analyses that Improve our Understanding of Violent Victimization Experiences of At-Risk Groups.
Research on Restorative Justice Practices with Victims of Crime.
Financial Costs of Crime Victimization

Funding Information: NIJ estimates that it will make up to two (2) awards per focus area of up to $750,000 per award for a 24-36 month project period, beginning on January 1, 2017.

Eligibility Criteria

NIJ is authorized to make grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, States (including territories), units of local government, federally recognized Indian tribal governments that perform law enforcement functions (as determined by the Secretary of the Interior), nonprofit and for-profit organizations (including tribal nonprofit and for profit organizations), institutions of higher education (including tribal institutions of higher education), and certain qualified individuals.
For-profit organizations must agree to forgo any profit or management fee.
Foreign governments, foreign organizations, and foreign institutions of higher education are not eligible to apply.
NIJ welcomes applications that involve two or more entities that will carry out the funded federal award activities, however, one eligible entity must be the applicant and the other(s) must be proposed as subrecipient(s).
The applicant must be the entity with primary responsibility for conducting and leading the research project.
If successful, the applicant will be responsible for monitoring and appropriately managing any subrecipients or, as applicable, for administering any procurement subcontracts that would receive federal program funds from the applicant under the award.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply via given website.

For more information, please visit Research and Evaluation on Victims of Crime.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Seeking Proposals for White-Nose Syndrome from State Wildlife Agencies

Deadline: 31 May 2016

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking proposals from state wildlife agencies to fund for the management of White-Nose Syndrome (WNS).

Objectives

Increase survival of bats and persistence of colonies facing WNS;
Stop or slow the spread of Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd);
Prevent the arrival and establishment of Pd in non-affected areas while preparing for its potential arrival;
Maintain and support populations of bats in the regions where the WNS is now endemic.

Priority Areas

Implement actions to curtail the spread of WNS;
Support WNS-related research activities;
Monitor bat populations and WNS progression;
Conduct outreach on WNS and bats,
Participate in the Service’s 2017 annual WNS Workshop.

Funding Information

Up to $1 million will be available to assist states with developing their capacities to respond to WNS.
Grant requests between $2,500 and $40,000 per applicant will be considered for awards.
Only one application will be considered for each state.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants for this competitive grant program include fish and wildlife or natural resources agencies in all states.
Eligible applicants must also be established grantees with the USFWS Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program.
An eligible proposal is a plan of action to address WNS in the applicant’s state using grant funds.
The proposal must include a grant request for specified activities and a clear plan and proposed timeline for completing these activities within a one year.
Funds may be used to support activities addressing WNS including population monitoring, disease surveillance, containment (decontamination and controls on cave access), management of WNS affected bats, and outreach.
The use of grant funds for such activities requires adherence to established protocols and methodologies developed or espoused by the national WNS working groups for surveillance, diagnostics, conservation and recovery, and disease management.
Applicants must be in good standing on previously awarded Federal grant agreements, with no outstanding reports or obligations and a record of successful use of funds from previous WNS grants to states awards.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply by downloading the application packages available on the given website.

For more information, please visit White-Nose Syndrome.

Bureau of INL Enforcement Affairs: Seeking Applications for Justice Sector Support Project

Deadline: 1 June 2016

The United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is seeking applications from qualified Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Educational Institutions and other qualified organizations to implement a program entitled “Justice Sector Support Project (JSSP)” with an aim to improve the transparency, efficiency and effectiveness of Peru’s criminal justice system while improving access to justice.

Project Objectives

Support an effective transition to the accusatorial criminal justice system.
Support the judiciary’s efforts to implement the flagrancy procedure included in Peru’s criminal code.
Support the judiciary’s efforts to improve access to justice for underserved populations.
Support efforts by Peruvian institution to adapt a rehabilitative approach to juvenile justice.

Project Activities

Support an effective transition to the accusatorial criminal justice system
Support the judiciary’s efforts to implement the flagrancy procedure included in Peru’s criminal code
Support the judiciary’s efforts to improve access to justice for underserved populations that historically face obstacles in accessing justice, such as, but not limited to, indigenous populations, LGBT populations, and persons living in poverty.
Support efforts by Peruvian criminal justice institutions to adapt a rehabilitative approach to juvenile justice.

Funding Information: The anticipated total federal funding amount is not to exceed $ 1,000,000.

Eligibility Criteria

U.S. non-profit organization or a U.S. private/state educational institution meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) and can demonstrate current country registration in Peru.
Applicants in the process of registration must submit proof that they are seeking non-profit status from the Internal Revenue Service at the time of proposal submission.
Should the applicant be selected for an award, funding will be contingent upon 501(c)(3) status;
Local, in-country, non-profit organization, educational institution, or private institutions that can demonstrate current country registration in Peru, competent programmatic ability, and ability to meet INL reporting requirements;
Must have demonstrated experience implementing similar education or capacity building programs, preferably in Peru and the region. INL reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering similar programs and/or federal grant awards.
Applicants must have the ability to produce course materials, deliver training, and conduct evaluations in Spanish and English. The applicant’s staff should be proficient in English in order to fulfill reporting requirements.
Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with stakeholders in order to successfully carry out the proposed program.
Organizations may form a consortium and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant.
Applicants must be able to respond to the NOFO and be able to mobilize in a short period of time.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply via given website.

For more information, please visit Justice Sector Support Project.

USAID’s TRANSFORM/WASH Program: Increasing Use of Improved WASH Products & Services in Ethiopia

Deadline: 19 May 2016

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for Assistance Agreement from qualified and eligible U.S. and non-U.S. organisations for funding to support a program entitled “TRANSFORM/Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) with an aim to increase the use of improved WASH products and services in Ethiopia and the TRANSFORM’s overall goal of ending preventable child and maternal death.

The objective of TRANSFORM/WASH is to capacitate an organization or consortium to support the Government of Ethiopia (GOE) to increase the use of improved WASH products and services in Ethiopia. All activities should aim to achieve sustained (product-facilitated) behavior change by combining hygiene promotion, small-scale private sector hardware interventions, and enabling environment activities that reduce barriers to attaining scale.

Objectives

Increased WASH governance and management capacity at the sub national level
Increased demand for low-cost quality WASH products and services, with a focus on sanitation
Increased supply for low-cost quality WASH products and services, with a focus on sanitation
Increased knowledge base to bring WASH innovations to scale

Funding Information: Pending the availability of funding, USAID anticipates awarding one or more Cooperative Agreement award with a value of $24,000,000.

Eligibility Criteria

All qualified U.S. and non-U.S. organizations (other than those from foreign policy restricted countries) are eligible to apply.
Applicants must have established financial management, monitoring and evaluation processes, internal control systems and policies and procedures that comply with established U.S. Government standards, laws and regulations.
The Recipient must be a responsible entity.
USAID encourages applications from potential new partners.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply via given website.

For more information, please visit TRANSFORM/WASH.

USAID/South Sudan: Livelihoods, Vulnerability and Resilience Program

Deadline: 10 October 2016

United States Agency for International Development Mission in South Sudan (USAID/South Sudan) is seeking concept papers from qualified applicants for USAID’s Livelihoods, Vulnerability, and Resilience Program (LVRP) Annual Program Statement (APS) with an aim to disseminate the necessary information to enable prospective applicants to apply for funding to support USAID’s goal of improving livelihoods in conflict affected areas of South Sudan with stressed and crisis levels of food insecurity.

The goal of LVRP is to increase the resilience of chronically vulnerable households and communities, leading in the long term to a reduction in need for humanitarian assistance, as well as reduced poverty, household hunger, and acute malnutrition.

Under this program, USAID/South Sudan prioritizes the most conflict-affected states of South Sudan that are stable enough to begin early livelihood recovery interventions.

Objectives

To restore and diversify household level livelihoods
To strengthen the resilience of community and inter-communal systems
To improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and nutrition conditions in order to strengthen household level livelihoods and community resilience.

Funding Information

USAID/South Sudan intends to award estimated 1 – 3 cooperative agreements lasting 5 years each of at least $20M per award.
USAID will not consider any individual Concept Paper below a minimum of $20M or above a maximum of $70M.

Eligibility Criteria

USAID invites Concept Papers from all eligible and qualified entities including: U.S. and non-U.S., nonprofit or for-profit NGOs, or Public International Organizations or international organizations (PIO or IO), respectively.
USAID strongly encourages submissions from new and varied partners.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply via given website.

For more information, please visit USAID’s Livelihoods, Vulnerability and Resilience Program.

DHHS/FDA: Strengthening & Promoting the Role of Local Health Departments

Deadline: 13 June 2016

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an agency of Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking applications from organisations for funding with an aim to strengthen and promote the role of local health departments in retail food safety regulation and support effective city and county regulatory programs responsible for retail food protection in the United States.

Objectives

Collaborate with an organization to enhance and expand an existing peer mentoring program that pairs local health department officials who have experience successfully implementing the Retail Program Standards with those who have experienced difficulty implementing the standards or are just beginning to implement the Retail Program Standards.
Conduct research on how regulatory authority is exercised at the local level (e.g., identify regulatory programs that exercise regulatory authority directly and / or via delegation or contractual agreements.)
Conduct research on how retail food regulatory programs categorize / inspect establishments by risk (e.g., identify different approaches that retail food regulatory programs are using to categorize establishments, learn more about inspection frequency employed in local health departments, and share best practices).
Conduct research to learn more about how the Retail Program Standards are used as a tool for interacting with and fostering continuous improvement among local health departments and state agencies. From this research, identify and share best practices.
Conduct research to learn more about the roles local health departments are playing on regulatory policy issues such as menu labeling regulations, food defense, food donations, food banks, cottage foods and how food safety interfaces with these issues. From this research, identify best practices to share with local health departments.

Funding Information: FDA intends to award one five (5) year limited competition cooperative agreement with funds up to $800,000 total costs for fiscal year 2016.

Eligibility Criteria

This opportunity is only available to the following nonprofit organizations/associations:

National organization/associations whose membership includes, but is not necessarily limited to, State, local, territorial, and/or tribal retail food safety regulators.
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not eligible to apply.
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.
Foreign components, as defined in the HHS Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.
Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with his/her organization to develop an application for support.
Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for FDA support.

How to Apply

Interested applicants must obtain application packages via given website.

For more information, please visit Role of Local Health Departments.