PAS Kyiv – SWT Program | PAS UKRAINE 2021 020

Opportunity Information: Apply for 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 designed to expand access to the Summer Work and Travel (SWT) exchange for first-time Ukrainian participants in the 2022 season. The opportunity focuses on Ukraine, with a clear emphasis on students from Eastern Ukraine and students enrolled in universities displaced by the conflict with Russia. The core idea is to remove financial and logistical barriers so that a small cohort of students 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.

The program aims to select up to 20 university students, ages 18 to 25, prioritizing those whose social, cultural, or educational circumstances limit their ability to gain similar skills and exposure. PAS frames participants as future “SWT ambassadors” who will not only take part in the work-and-travel exchange but also build their understanding of American culture, values, and the U.S.-Ukraine relationship. 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 mission and departmental public diplomacy goals upon returning. After the exchange, participants are expected to join the U.S. Government alumni network supported by the embassy, creating ongoing opportunities for networking, follow-on programming, and community impact.

Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. Embassy will stay actively involved during implementation rather than simply issuing funds and stepping back. The embassy’s involvement is specifically highlighted around shaping selection criteria, establishing the candidate identification and selection mechanism, making the final participant selections, and deciding on the type of English language course support participants will receive. The expected performance period is about 12 months, which covers recruitment and preparation, the SWT season itself, and post-program engagement.

The selected implementing organization (an SWT agency) is expected to deliver “complex support” that covers most major participation costs and the practical details that make participation feasible. This includes coordinating closely with PAS on recruitment and selection; presenting participants with 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. The program also includes a learning component tied to media literacy and resilience: the agency is expected to identify and coordinate participants’ use of free online courses related to disinformation, critical thinking, and social media. In addition, 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.

Eligibility is limited to non-profit organizations registered in Ukraine that can demonstrate proven experience managing at least two SWT seasons. Cost sharing is not required, but proposals that include cost sharing are viewed more favorably. As with most U.S. federal assistance opportunities for 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.

Applications must be submitted by email to KyivPDGrantsEdu@state.gov, with the funding opportunity number and title (PAS-Ukraine-2021-020) included in the email subject line. Required submission materials include the standard federal forms (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. 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. The proposal is expected to clearly 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/methods (a logic model if appropriate), timeline, key personnel roles and time allocation, partners/sub-awardees, and a monitoring and evaluation plan. PAS Kyiv also notes it may request additional programmatic or financial details during review.

Key logistics and award details included in the notice are: one expected award, an award ceiling of $50,000, and an application deadline of August 16, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. EET, with final funding decisions dependent on the availability of funds.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Ukraine in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "PAS Kyiv – SWT Program" 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 Aug 05, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 16, 2021. (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 $50,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for PAS UKRAINE 2021 020

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