U. S. Department of state

participants. 
• Budget – 20 points: The budget and narrative justification are sufficiently detailed. The 
budget demonstrates that the organization has devoted time to accurately determine 
expenses associated with the project instead of providing rough estimates. Costs are 
reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The results and 
proposed outcomes justify the total cost of the project. Budget items are reasonable, 
allowable, and allocable.  
• Monitoring and Evaluation - 10 points: Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure 
program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress 
toward goals outlined in the proposal. The organization has clearly articulated how it 
will assess and measure its own performance throughout the project implementation 
phase using concrete quantitative and qualitative assessment tools.  
o Expenses directly associated with monitoring and evaluation are considered 
allowable. The suggested template includes a space to list the portion of the total 
budget amount directly associated with monitoring and evaluation activities.
 
• Sustainability – 15 points: The project proposal describes clearly the approach that will 
be used to ensure maximum sustainability or advancement of project goals after the end 
of project activity. 
H. Federal Award Notices  

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The grant award or cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by 
the Grants Officer. The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document, and it will be 
provided to the recipient for review and signature by email. The recipient may only start 
incurring project expenses beginning on the start date shown on the grant award document 
signed by the Grants Officer. 
If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any 
additional future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of 
performance is at the discretion of the Department of State.
The Federal government is not obligated to make any Federal award as a result of the 
announcement. Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of 
the U.S. government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the 
preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the U.S. government reserves the right to 
reject any or all proposals received. The U.S. government also reserves the right to make an 
award in excess of the award ceiling.