Fomenting research partnerships between the U.S. and the D.R. | S DR860 20 NOFO 004

Opportunity Information: Apply for S DR860 20 NOFO 004

The U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo, through its Public Affairs Section (PAS), offered a competitive grant opportunity titled "Fomenting research partnerships between the U.S. and the D.R." (Funding Opportunity Number S-DR860-20-NOFO-004) to strengthen long-term research collaboration between higher education institutions in the United States and the Dominican Republic. The central aim was to connect universities from both countries to carry out joint research and capacity-building activities focused on problems worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, with example focus areas explicitly including gender-based violence, public health, and access to education for vulnerable populations. The program emphasized not only producing research, but also expanding the ability of institutions, faculty, and students to plan and implement research projects in a practical, skills-based way.

Eligibility was centered on organized academic institutions based in the United States and/or the Dominican Republic, including public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education, with the clear expectation that proposals would be implemented jointly by at least one U.S. higher education institution and one Dominican higher education institution. The target participants were Dominican and U.S. faculty, researchers, and students who are conducting, or preparing to conduct, research related to COVID-19-exacerbated challenges. A notable requirement was that proposals include "U.S. content," meaning the project design needed to incorporate a meaningful U.S. component rather than being solely Dominican in scope, and that it should foster dialogue and training that benefits both sides of the partnership.

The funding available for the opportunity was $25,000 total, with an expectation of making one award (award ceiling $25,000). The opportunity was categorized as a discretionary grant under CFDA 19.040 (General Department of State Assistance), within an education activity category. In practical terms, applicants were expected to propose activities that would build research capacity, such as training on research design and implementation, and to create public-facing elements that broaden impact beyond the participating institutions. Specifically, proposals were expected to include webinars open to the public that highlight the U.S.-Dominican research partnership and showcase the collaboration and learning generated by the project.

A major theme throughout the opportunity was sustainability. Applicants were expected to explain how the partnership would continue after the grant period ended, evolving into a durable, long-lasting institutional relationship rather than a one-time collaboration. That sustainability component was positioned as essential to the program purpose: the grant was meant to catalyze enduring cooperation in higher education research and training, especially in areas where COVID-19 intensified existing social and public health pressures.

Administratively, the notice opened on June 4, 2020, and applications were due by July 6, 2020 (11:59 p.m.). Applications had to be submitted electronically by email to SantoDomingoGrants@state.gov, with the listed federal agency contact being Grants Officer Luke Schtele at the U.S. Mission to the Dominican Republic.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to the Dominican Republic in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fomenting research partnerships between the U.S. and the D.R." 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 Jun 04, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 06, 2020. (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 $25,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for S DR860 20 NOFO 004

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