Unity in Ukraine | PAS UKRAINE FY22 07

Unity in Ukraine Grant Opportunity: FAQs

1) What is the Unity in Ukraine grant opportunity?

The Unity in Ukraine grant opportunity is an open competition run by the U.S. Embassy Kyiv (U.S. Department of State, EUR Bureau). It funds projects designed to strengthen Ukrainian national unity by improving mutual understanding and practical cooperation among religious, ethnic, and linguistic communities across all regions of Ukraine.

2) What is the main goal of the program?

The central goal is to create real, durable connections between communities, encourage communication and information-sharing, and lead to joint initiatives that bridge regional differences. Projects should reduce stereotypes, counter segregation and disinformation, and support a more cohesive civic identity through constructive discussion at local, regional, and national levels.

3) What kinds of activities or approaches does the Embassy want to fund?

Competitive proposals typically include activities that build relationships and cooperation across regions and communities, such as:

• Student networking and inter-regional exchange initiatives that bring young people together to collaborate on social, political, environmental, health, or economic challenges
• Interfaith cooperation that addresses community issues and promotes positive change
• Efforts that protect and empower vulnerable or marginalized groups, including women, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities
• Public-facing engagement like interactive discussions, debates, public hearings, seminars, and conferences, especially when using innovative approaches and modern tools
• Building durable inter-regional partnerships among NGOs, media, and local communities around diversity and inclusion, religious freedom, minority and vulnerable-group rights, and local ethnic traditions, while actively diminishing harmful stereotypes
• Online collaboration formats such as video conferences and webinars
• Other creative approaches that advance unity

4) Does the program require projects to involve multiple regions of Ukraine?

The program emphasizes strengthening unity across all regions of Ukraine and prioritizes inter-regional cooperation and partnerships. Proposals that meaningfully connect communities across regional lines and build durable inter-regional partnerships are aligned with the stated priorities.

5) Are partnerships required?

Partnerships are strongly encouraged. The opportunity highlights partnerships as a key way to sustain results after the grant ends, and preference is given to projects that bring in multiple stakeholders.

6) Are state and private institutions expected to be involved?

Projects that engage multiple stakeholders are preferred, especially those that involve state and private institutions to help implement activities and sustain them over time.

7) Who is the intended target audience for funded projects?

The intended audiences are broad and include:

• Civic activists
• School and university students
• Educators
• Representatives of local and national government
• Leaders and members of vulnerable groups
• Religious communities
• Ethnic, racial, and other identity-based groups
• Journalists
• Decision makers
• Regional or national influencers

8) How long can a project last under this grant?

Grants are expected to run between 5 and 12 months.

9) What is the typical award size?

Individual award sizes typically range from $15,000 to $50,000.

10) How much total funding is available and how many awards are expected?

The total funding pool is $400,000. Up to 15 awards are anticipated, depending on proposal quality.

11) What is the anticipated program start date?

The anticipated program start date listed in the notice is May 1, 2022.

12) What was the application closing date?

The original closing date for applications was March 3, 2022.

13) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is aimed at nonprofit organizations, including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits, other than institutions of higher education. Individuals are not described as eligible applicants in the provided information.

14) Are institutions of higher education eligible?

The eligibility description specifies nonprofits other than institutions of higher education.

15) Do applicants need a Unique Entity Identifier and SAM.gov registration?

Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (referenced in the notice as a DUNS number) and an active SAM.gov registration.

16) Do individuals need a Unique Entity Identifier or SAM.gov registration?

No. The notice states that individuals are not required to obtain these registrations.

17) What are the key content requirements for the proposal?

Proposals are expected to clearly define a target audience, set concrete and achievable goals, explain how progress will be measured, provide a realistic activity plan and timeline, and include a reasonable, well-justified budget. They should also describe:

• The problem being addressed
• Measurable goals and objectives
• Activities and methods (including a logic model where appropriate)
• A timeline
• Staffing roles
• Partners and sub-awardees
• A monitoring and evaluation plan with output and outcome indicators
• A sustainability plan explaining how impact will continue beyond the grant period

18) Is there a page limit for the project narrative?

Yes. The project proposal is limited to up to three pages.

19) What formatting or submission components are required?

Applications must follow specific formatting rules and include required federal forms and attachments. The listed components include:

• SF-424
• SF-424A
• SF-424B (in certain cases)
• A cover sheet/summary page
• A project proposal (up to three pages)
• A detailed budget justification narrative
• Supporting attachments such as short CVs for key personnel
• Letters of support from partners

20) Are letters of support required?

Letters of support from partners are listed among the supporting attachments expected with the application.

21) What is expected in the monitoring and evaluation plan?

The proposal should include a monitoring and evaluation plan with both output indicators (what the project produces) and outcome indicators (what changes as a result). The notice also emphasizes clearly explaining how progress will be measured.

22) What is a sustainability plan and is it required?

A sustainability plan describes how the project’s impact and results will continue beyond the grant period. The application is expected to include a sustainability plan, and the review process explicitly considers sustainability of results.

23) How are applications reviewed and scored?

Applications are reviewed by a committee and scored based on:

• Program quality and feasibility
• Organizational capacity and financial controls
• Clarity and likelihood of achieving objectives
• Budget reasonableness and detail
• Monitoring and evaluation strength
• Sustainability of results

24) Are there integrity or compliance checks as part of the process?

Yes. The notice highlights standard U.S. government integrity checks through SAM-related systems, including exclusion lists and performance/integrity review where applicable.

25) What budget details are expected?

Budget guidance stresses clear line-item explanations. Categories mentioned include personnel, travel, equipment, supplies, contractual costs, other direct costs, and indirect costs.

26) Can indirect costs be included?

Yes. Indirect costs are included in the budget guidance, with mention of rules for a NICRA (Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement) or a de minimis indirect rate.

27) How much of the grant can be used for administrative needs?

Up to 10 percent of grant funds may be used for the organization’s administrative needs during implementation.

28) Are there spending restrictions on grant funds?

Yes. The notice states that grant funds cannot be used to purchase alcoholic beverages.

29) Does the opportunity encourage in-person or online activities?

Because the opportunity was developed during COVID-19 constraints, the guidance emphasizes limiting direct in-person contact and using online tools for trainings and meetings whenever possible. Online formats such as video conferences and webinars are explicitly encouraged.

30) What outreach methods are recommended?

The Embassy encourages visual and digital outreach methods such as billboards, posters, QR-code-based announcements, and video advertisements.

31) Are print materials allowed for outreach?

The guidance discourages heavy reliance on print materials.

32) What makes a proposal competitive under this program?

Based on the stated priorities, competitive proposals tend to show clear regional bridge-building and practical cooperation, measurable goals and realistic plans, strong monitoring and evaluation, a well-justified budget, credible organizational capacity and financial controls, and partnerships that help sustain impact after the grant ends. Projects that include multiple stakeholders and engage state and private institutions are given preference.