PAS Kyiv – SWT Program | PAS UKRAINE 2021 020

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the PAS Kyiv - SWT Program (PAS-Ukraine-2021-020)?

The PAS Kyiv - SWT Program (Funding Opportunity Number PAS-Ukraine-2021-020) is a U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Ukraine Public Affairs Section (PAS) grant competition. It is designed to expand access to the Summer Work and Travel (SWT) exchange for first-time Ukrainian participants in the 2022 season by reducing financial and logistical barriers to participation.

What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?

The main purpose is to support a small cohort of Ukrainian students so they can participate in SWT, gain first-hand exposure to the United States, and return home better prepared to contribute to their communities and to share accurate, experience-based perspectives about the U.S.

Where is the program focused geographically?

The opportunity focuses on Ukraine, with an emphasis on students from Eastern Ukraine and students enrolled in universities displaced by the conflict with Russia.

How many students is the program expected to support?

The program aims to select up to 20 university students.

Who is eligible to participate as a student (participant profile)?

Participants are expected to be university students ages 18 to 25, and they should be first-time Ukrainian participants in the 2022 SWT season. The program prioritizes students whose social, cultural, or educational circumstances limit their ability to gain similar skills and exposure.

What does PAS mean by “SWT ambassadors”?

PAS frames participants as future “SWT ambassadors” who will participate in the work-and-travel exchange, build their understanding of American culture and values, and strengthen their understanding of the U.S.-Ukraine relationship.

Are participants expected to engage with the U.S. Embassy before departure?

Yes. Before departure, participants are expected to engage with U.S. Embassy Kyiv diplomats and learn about bilateral ties, which is intended to strengthen their ability to represent Ukraine while in the United States and to support public diplomacy goals after returning.

What happens after participants return from the SWT exchange?

After the exchange, participants are expected to join the U.S. Government alumni network supported by the embassy. This is intended to create ongoing opportunities for networking, follow-on programming, and community impact.

What type of award is being offered (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement. This means the U.S. Embassy will stay actively involved during implementation rather than only issuing funds.

How will the U.S. Embassy (PAS Kyiv) be involved during implementation?

The notice highlights embassy involvement in shaping selection criteria, establishing the candidate identification and selection mechanism, making final participant selections, and deciding on the type of English language course support participants will receive.

What is the expected performance period for the program?

The expected performance period is about 12 months, covering recruitment and preparation, the SWT season, and post-program engagement.

Who can apply for this funding (organizational eligibility)?

Eligibility is limited to non-profit organizations registered in Ukraine that can demonstrate proven experience managing at least two SWT seasons.

Does the applicant organization need to be an SWT agency?

Yes. The selected implementing organization is described as an SWT agency expected to deliver “complex support” that covers major participation costs and practical arrangements.

Is cost sharing required?

No. Cost sharing is not required, but proposals that include cost sharing are viewed more favorably.

How many awards does PAS Kyiv expect to make?

The notice indicates one expected award.

What is the maximum funding amount available under this opportunity?

The award ceiling is $50,000.

Are final funding decisions guaranteed?

No. Final funding decisions are dependent on the availability of funds.

What kinds of costs and support is the implementing organization expected to provide?

The implementing organization is expected to provide “complex support” that covers most major participation costs and the practical details that make participation feasible. This includes coordinating recruitment and selection with PAS, presenting a range of job offers across different U.S. regions, purchasing international airfare in compliance with the Fly America Act, covering insurance and other PAS-approved participant costs, and paying reasonable operational costs required to run the program.

Does the program include educational or training components beyond the SWT experience?

Yes. The agency is expected to identify and coordinate participants’ use of free online courses related to disinformation, critical thinking, and social media, tied to media literacy and resilience.

Are participants expected to travel within the U.S. beyond their job location?

The agency should design and promote structured travel breaks or opportunities so participants can visit culturally significant U.S. sites and gain a broader understanding of the country beyond their job location.

What compliance requirement applies to purchasing international airfare?

International airfare must be purchased in compliance with the Fly America Act.

What registrations or identifiers are required for applicant organizations?

Applicants must have a unique entity identifier (DUNS), an NCAGE/CAGE code, and an active SAM.gov registration, and they must not be listed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) within SAM.

How must applications be submitted?

Applications must be submitted by email to KyivPDGrantsEdu@state.gov.

What must be included in the email subject line?

The email subject line must include the funding opportunity number and title: PAS-Ukraine-2021-020.

What required forms and documents must be included in the application package?

Required materials include SF-424 and SF-424A, plus SF-424B for organizations not registered in SAM, a one-page summary cover sheet, a proposal narrative of no more than four pages, and a detailed budget using the embassy’s provided template.

What are the language, currency, and formatting requirements for the application?

All documents must be in English, budgets must be in U.S. dollars, pages must be numbered, and materials should be formatted for A4 paper.

What should the proposal narrative cover?

The proposal is expected to explain the organization’s capacity and past work (including any prior U.S. government funding), the problem being addressed, measurable goals and objectives, planned activities, program design and methods (a logic model if appropriate), timeline, key personnel roles and time allocation, partners and sub-awardees, and a monitoring and evaluation plan.

Can PAS Kyiv request additional information after submission?

Yes. PAS Kyiv notes it may request additional programmatic or financial details during review.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is August 16, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. EET.