Opportunity Information: Apply for WAW NOFO FY21 05
The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Poland is offering a discretionary grants opportunity focused on climate change and clean energy under Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) WAW-NOFO-FY21-05. The program provides grants of up to USD 20,000 per project for activities that strengthen public understanding of climate and environmental challenges, promote clean energy solutions, and highlight practical approaches that can be applied in Poland. Projects funded under this call must start no earlier than September 2021, run no longer than 12 months, and are subject to the availability of U.S. Department of State funds. The application deadline for this round was Monday, July 5, 2021 at 17:00, and application materials and forms were hosted on the Embassy website at https://pl.usembassy.gov/education-culture/grants/climategrants/.
Eligibility is aimed primarily at Poland-based, non-profit entities, including local representatives of Polish non-governmental organizations, cultural institutions, educational institutions, and media organizations, as long as their proposals directly support the program themes. Each organization may submit only one application, and organizations that already have an open Embassy grant are expected not to apply. U.S.-based NGOs are allowed to apply, but they must show clear evidence of a working relationship with a local partner operating in Poland. A key compliance requirement is that applicants must have a DUNS number and an active SAM.gov registration (renewed annually). The NOFO emphasizes starting the DUNS, NCAGE (where applicable), and SAM registration process early because it can take days or even weeks, and it notes there should be no fee to obtain these registrations.
To be considered, proposals must squarely fit within one of four required project themes, and applications that do not clearly address at least one of them are disqualified. The eligible themes are: (1) awareness-raising programs on clean energy and/or climate change, which can include youth education, educator trainings, public debates, exhibits, and similar public-facing outreach; (2) broader environmental education focused on issues like clean air and water, environmental protection, and nature preservation; (3) conferences specifically centered on clean energy and/or climate change; and (4) projects that bring in U.S. expertise to share American best practices on climate action, renewable energy, creation of clean energy jobs, and environmental protection with Polish audiences. In practice, the Embassy is signaling that successful projects should be topical, clearly structured, and designed to reach defined audiences with measurable engagement.
Funding preferences and limitations are spelled out fairly clearly. While the maximum award is USD 20,000, projects that include local cost-sharing are preferred, which means applicants who can contribute their own funds or secure other sponsor support may be more competitive. The Embassy also makes it explicit that costs incurred before an award is issued will not be reimbursed, so applicants need to plan timelines and commitments carefully. The NOFO lists several common ineligible cost categories, including activities that are inherently political or appear partisan; exchange programs; social welfare projects; projects supporting specific religious activities; trade and commercial activities; fundraising campaigns; scientific research; construction; projects mainly intended to build the applicant organization itself; travel to the United States for conferences or similar events; book publishing; ongoing salary costs for regular staff; office equipment; completing activities already started with other funds; and most food and drink beyond basic coffee breaks and working lunches (with alcohol not fundable at all). It also caps project coordination fees at no more than 20 percent of the total grant amount, allowing coordination support but discouraging budgets dominated by overhead.
The application process is email-based and document-heavy, with strict formatting rules. Applicants were required to submit one email to grantspoland@state.gov containing: the completed application form (within stated word limits), CVs for both the project coordinator and the head of the organization, the U.S. government SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance), the SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs), and proof of the organization’s SAM.gov registration. Proposals must be written in English and must not exceed six pages total, including the budget, using Times New Roman size 12. Budgets must be presented in U.S. dollars and entered into the budget template embedded in the application rather than provided as a separate attachment. The NOFO also requires that every budget line item be clearly tied to the narrative description of program activities, with units (for example, hours, months, or number of workshops) and a final row showing total project cost and how much is covered by Embassy funds versus applicant and other sponsor contributions. Email subject lines must include the organization name and the NOFO number WAW-NOFO-FY21-05, which is a small detail but one that can matter in administrative screening.
Selection is handled internally by an Embassy committee, with decisions described as final: applicants are informed of outcomes, but there is no appeal process and the Embassy states it cannot provide feedback on unsuccessful submissions. Beyond simply matching one of the four themes, the Embassy indicates additional competitive priorities. Stronger proposals are expected to be innovative, build people-to-people connections between Americans and Poles, create durable ties between U.S. and Polish institutions or networks, and include or benefit diverse audiences such as people with disabilities, immigrants, ethnic minorities, and residents of rural areas. This points to a preference for projects that do more than deliver information, instead creating relationships, collaboration, and inclusion as part of the climate and clean energy work.
Finally, grantees should expect standard U.S. government accountability requirements once funded. Award recipients must provide both programmatic and financial reports on a schedule defined in the award agreement, and funding disbursements may be linked to timely submission of these reports. The Embassy also notes an ethics-related limitation on "honorary patronage" or letters of support: it generally cannot provide patronage or use of the Embassy seal for projects that are not receiving U.S. government funding. Questions about the program are directed to grantspoland@state.gov.Apply for WAW NOFO FY21 05
- The U.S. Mission to Poland in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Poland Grants Program - Climate Change and Clean Energy" 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 2021-06-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-07-05. (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 $20,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this grant opportunity?
This is a discretionary grants opportunity from the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Poland focused on climate change and clean energy. It is published under Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) WAW-NOFO-FY21-05.
2) What is the main purpose of the program?
The program is intended to strengthen public understanding of climate and environmental challenges, promote clean energy solutions, and highlight practical approaches that can be applied in Poland.
3) How much funding is available per project?
Grants are available for up to USD 20,000 per project.
4) Is cost-sharing required?
Cost-sharing is not described as mandatory, but projects that include local cost-sharing are preferred. Applicants that can contribute their own funds or secure other sponsor support may be more competitive.
5) When can projects start, and how long can they run?
Projects must start no earlier than September 2021 and may run no longer than 12 months.
6) Is funding guaranteed?
No. Awards are subject to the availability of U.S. Department of State funds.
7) What was the application deadline for this round?
The deadline for this round was Monday, July 5, 2021 at 17:00.
8) Where were the application materials posted?
Application materials and forms were hosted on the Embassy website at https://pl.usembassy.gov/education-culture/grants/climategrants/.
9) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is aimed primarily at Poland-based, non-profit entities, including local representatives of Polish non-governmental organizations, cultural institutions, educational institutions, and media organizations, as long as proposals directly support the program themes.
10) Can a U.S.-based NGO apply?
Yes. U.S.-based NGOs may apply, but they must show clear evidence of a working relationship with a local partner operating in Poland.
11) How many applications can one organization submit?
Each organization may submit only one application.
12) Can an organization apply if it already has an open Embassy grant?
The opportunity states that organizations that already have an open Embassy grant are expected not to apply.
13) What project themes are allowed?
Proposals must fit within at least one of four required themes:
- Awareness-raising programs on clean energy and/or climate change (for example youth education, educator trainings, public debates, exhibits, and similar public outreach).
- Broader environmental education (for example clean air and water, environmental protection, and nature preservation).
- Conferences specifically centered on clean energy and/or climate change.
- Projects bringing in U.S. expertise to share American best practices on climate action, renewable energy, creation of clean energy jobs, and environmental protection with Polish audiences.
14) What happens if a proposal does not clearly match one of the required themes?
Applications that do not clearly address at least one of the required themes are disqualified.
15) What kinds of projects does the Embassy appear to prefer?
Based on the NOFO language, stronger projects are described as topical, clearly structured, designed to reach defined audiences, and built around measurable engagement. The Embassy also signals a preference for projects that are innovative, build people-to-people connections between Americans and Poles, and create durable ties between U.S. and Polish institutions or networks.
16) Are there any inclusion or diversity priorities?
Yes. The NOFO indicates that proposals that include or benefit diverse audiences such as people with disabilities, immigrants, ethnic minorities, and residents of rural areas may be more competitive.
17) Are costs incurred before the award reimbursable?
No. The Embassy states that costs incurred before an award is issued will not be reimbursed.
18) What types of activities or costs are specifically listed as ineligible?
The NOFO lists several common ineligible categories, including:
- Activities that are inherently political or appear partisan
- Exchange programs
- Social welfare projects
- Projects supporting specific religious activities
- Trade and commercial activities
- Fundraising campaigns
- Scientific research
- Construction
- Projects mainly intended to build the applicant organization itself
- Travel to the United States for conferences or similar events
- Book publishing
- Ongoing salary costs for regular staff
- Office equipment
- Completing activities already started with other funds
- Most food and drink beyond basic coffee breaks and working lunches (and alcohol is not fundable at all)
19) Are there limits on coordination or management fees?
Yes. Project coordination fees are capped at no more than 20 percent of the total grant amount.
20) What registrations are required to apply?
Applicants must have a DUNS number and an active SAM.gov registration (renewed annually). The NOFO also references NCAGE where applicable and encourages starting the DUNS, NCAGE (if needed), and SAM registration process early because it can take days or weeks.
21) Do DUNS, NCAGE, or SAM.gov registrations cost money?
The NOFO notes there should be no fee to obtain these registrations.
22) How do applicants submit an application?
The process is email-based. Applicants were required to submit one email to grantspoland@state.gov with all required documents.
23) What documents had to be included in the application email?
The submission required:
- The completed application form (within stated word limits)
- CV for the project coordinator
- CV for the head of the organization
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs)
- Proof of the organization’s SAM.gov registration
24) What language must the proposal be written in?
Proposals must be written in English.
25) Are there formatting and length requirements?
Yes. Proposals must not exceed six pages total (including the budget) and must use Times New Roman, size 12.
26) How should the budget be presented?
Budgets must be presented in U.S. dollars and entered into the budget template embedded in the application rather than submitted as a separate attachment.
27) How detailed does the budget need to be?
The NOFO requires that every budget line item be clearly tied to the narrative description of program activities, include units (such as hours, months, or number of workshops), and include a final row showing total project cost and how much is covered by Embassy funds versus applicant and other sponsor contributions.
28) Does the email subject line matter?
Yes. The subject line must include the organization name and the NOFO number WAW-NOFO-FY21-05.
29) How are applications reviewed and selected?
Selection is handled internally by an Embassy committee. The Embassy describes decisions as final.
30) Is there an appeal process or feedback for unsuccessful applications?
No. The opportunity states there is no appeal process and that the Embassy cannot provide feedback on unsuccessful submissions.
31) What reporting requirements apply if an organization receives a grant?
Recipients should expect standard U.S. government accountability requirements, including programmatic and financial reports on a schedule defined in the award agreement. Funding disbursements may be linked to timely submission of these reports.
32) Can the Embassy provide honorary patronage, letters of support, or permission to use the Embassy seal?
In general, the Embassy cannot provide honorary patronage or use of the Embassy seal for projects that are not receiving U.S. government funding.
33) Who can be contacted with questions?
Questions about the program are directed to grantspoland@state.gov.
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