The 2022 Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Regional Workshop | SVM700 21 PAS 010

FAQs: 2022 YSEALI Regional Workshop (Ocean Pollution) Grant Opportunity

1) What is this grant opportunity?

This is the 2022 Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Regional Workshop funding opportunity, a discretionary U.S. Department of State competition administered by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Mission to Vietnam. The project supported by this award is intended to develop and deliver a regional YSEALI workshop focused on reducing ocean pollution.

2) Who is administering this opportunity?

The opportunity is administered by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Mission to Vietnam under the U.S. Department of State.

3) What type of award is it?

The award is structured as a cooperative agreement. This generally means the selected awardee should expect close coordination with the U.S. government during planning and implementation rather than operating fully independently.

4) What does a "cooperative agreement" mean for implementation?

Because the instrument is a cooperative agreement, the implementer should plan for regular consultation, potential approvals, and/or joint decision-making with the U.S. Mission team during planning and delivery, as outlined in the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

5) What is the main purpose of the project?

The core purpose is to design and deliver a regional YSEALI workshop focused on reducing ocean pollution, combining leadership and civic engagement elements with technical, policy, data, innovation, and partnership-oriented content as appropriate.

6) Where is the workshop expected to take place?

The event is intended to take place in Nha Trang, Vietnam.

7) Is funding guaranteed?

No. The award is described as contingent on the availability of funds.

8) What kinds of activities can the project include?

The opportunity indicates broad activity categories reflecting the cross-cutting nature of ocean pollution work. Listed categories include community development, education, energy, environment, information and statistics, natural resources, regional development, and science and technology (including other research and development). This suggests the workshop can integrate environmental outcomes with community and economic priorities, and can incorporate data, innovation, and partnerships.

9) What funding program classification is this associated with?

The program is framed under CFDA number 19.040, which is commonly associated with U.S. Department of State public diplomacy-type programming.

10) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is SVM700 21 PAS 010.

11) When was the opportunity posted and what was the application deadline?

It was originally posted on April 28, 2021, with an original application deadline of June 30, 2021.

12) How many awards are expected?

The competition anticipates making one award.

13) What is the maximum funding amount available?

The award ceiling is USD 250,000.

14) If only one award is made, what responsibilities would the awardee likely have?

With a single award anticipated, the selected applicant would likely serve as the primary implementer responsible for designing the workshop agenda and training approach, recruiting or selecting participants consistent with YSEALI aims, arranging speakers and partners, managing logistics in Vietnam, and ensuring measurable outcomes tied to reducing ocean pollution.

15) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as "Others," with specifics deferred to the Additional Information on Eligibility section in the full NOFO. This suggests eligibility may extend beyond a narrow applicant category, but the exact eligible entity types and any requirements must be confirmed in the NOFO.

16) Where can applicants find the definitive eligibility requirements?

Applicants should review the Additional Information on Eligibility section in the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), which is referenced as the source for detailed eligibility criteria.

17) Are there specific applicant types mentioned as possible examples?

The information provided notes that eligible entity types may include organizations such as NGOs, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, or other eligible organizations, but it also stresses that the exact eligible types must be verified in the NOFO.

18) What should applicants pay close attention to when preparing an application?

The description emphasizes following the NOFO carefully. This is a strong indication that proposal formatting, required attachments, budget rules, monitoring and evaluation expectations, and mandatory compliance items will be important for an application to be considered responsive.

19) What does "responsive" mean in this context?

In this context, it refers to an application that follows the NOFO instructions closely, including required components and rules (such as formatting, attachments, budget requirements, and monitoring and evaluation expectations) so it can be properly reviewed.

20) Can the workshop combine leadership development with technical content?

Yes. The broad activity categories suggest the workshop can pair leadership and civic engagement elements with technical or policy content related to ocean pollution reduction, and may incorporate data, innovation, and partnerships.

21) Does the opportunity indicate anything about measurement or outcomes?

Yes. The implementer is expected to ensure measurable outcomes tied to reducing ocean pollution, and the emphasis on monitoring and evaluation expectations in the NOFO suggests outcome measurement will be a key part of the project design and reporting.

22) Will the awardee be able to operate independently?

Not fully. Because this is a cooperative agreement, the awardee should expect close coordination with the U.S. government during planning and implementation.

23) What role does the U.S. Mission to Vietnam likely play after an award is made?

Based on the cooperative agreement structure, the U.S. Mission team would likely be involved through ongoing coordination, consultation, and potentially approvals or joint decision points during planning and delivery, as specified in the NOFO.