Poland: American Center Warsaw Program | WAW NOFO FY19 02

Opportunity Information: Apply for WAW NOFO FY19 02

The Poland: American Center Warsaw Program is a U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to Poland) cooperative agreement intended to fund the operation, staffing, and programming of the American Center Warsaw (ACW) as a public outreach hub that advances U.S. Embassy Warsaw public diplomacy goals. The award is designed to cover one year of activity, with the possibility of up to two additional years of funding to maintain and upgrade the Center if the recipient successfully delivers the required programming and operations. The opportunity was released April 26, 2019 under funding opportunity number WAW NOFO FY19 02, with an award ceiling of $200,000, one expected award, and eligibility limited to U.S. nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The assistance instrument is a cooperative agreement, which means close coordination with the Embassy is built into the project, especially through the Public Affairs Section (PAS).

A central expectation is that the recipient organization will run ACW in a way that looks and functions like a full-scale, modern public-facing center open five days per week. The proposal is expected to lay out a practical operational plan covering staffing schedules to ensure daily coverage, procurement and replenishment of supplies, and the ongoing services needed to keep the space running smoothly. This includes reliable internet and IT support (including software), maintenance of office and event equipment such as copiers and audiovisual systems, management of ACW communications channels (telephone and postal services), and upkeep of the ACW website. The plan should also anticipate routine needs like marketing materials and signage, plus contractual services that keep the facility usable and welcoming, such as cleaning, repairs, interpretation support when needed, and basics like drinking water delivery. The Embassy also notes that supplemental furniture or replacement technology (for example, additional or replacement iPads, computers, monitors, printers, or copiers) may be part of ongoing maintenance and upgrades as required.

Staffing is treated as a major component of the award. Applicants must propose how they will retain current ACW staff while also recruiting and selecting additional local Polish staff when needed, with U.S. Embassy Warsaw approval of hiring decisions. The Embassy signals the kinds of roles it expects to see covered: staff who can drive innovative programming by identifying initiatives and partners aligned with Embassy goals; staff focused on IT and technology innovation to keep ACW tech-forward and to expand event audiences through current digital tools; outreach and communications staff to actively promote events and resources and keep the website and social media (such as Facebook) active and engaging; and administration and operations staff to handle day-to-day management in compliance with Embassy policies. Importantly, the recipient organization becomes the employer of record for all locally hired full-time and temporary staff. That means the recipient must establish transparent and fair employment practices, prepare and sign labor agreements in full compliance with Polish law, and correctly and on time handle social security contributions and tax withholdings. Employees must be clearly informed that working for a U.S. Government partner does not exempt them from any Polish taxes. The U.S. Government explicitly disclaims liability for employee benefits or welfare under those employment agreements and notes that employment at ACW does not confer U.S. Government employment credit if an individual later applies for a U.S. Government job.

Programming at ACW is expected to be active, varied, and cost-conscious, and it must be planned in consultation with the Embassy Public Affairs Section. The Center is described as supporting a dynamic calendar that can include English conversation clubs, film screenings, workshops for U.S. exchange alumni, cultural events, receptions, and engagements involving senior U.S. and Polish officials. While ACW has a physical space, the grant encourages programming beyond the walls of the Center through partnerships with outside organizations, which both broadens reach and helps keep costs low by leveraging volunteers and local collaborators. Within the cooperative agreement budget, the recipient should propose specific program activities that will be supported by grant funds, with examples including virtual lectures and discussions with Americans, translation support programs tied to exchange alumni activities, arts master classes and performances, presentations by representatives of U.S. universities, training workshops, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), and honoraria for local guest speakers. The opportunity indicates that roughly 15 percent of the funding should be allocated to program activities, implying that the remaining resources will primarily support staffing, operations, and the infrastructure needed to keep the Center consistently open and functional.

Another key feature is that the recipient will not be the sole source of ACW programming. The Embassy, especially PAS, will regularly plug additional programming into the Center through its own cultural and academic exchange portfolio, which can include visiting artists, musicians, academics, students, and American speakers. Partner-run activities such as EducationUSA advising, alumni events, and Fulbright-related lectures are also expected to continue at ACW. The recipient must therefore operate the Center in a way that integrates Embassy-sponsored events and partner programs smoothly into the calendar and facilities. In practice, this means the recipient is responsible for creating a reliable platform: staffing, communications, technology, scheduling, promotion, and day-to-day readiness so that both recipient-led and Embassy-led events can be delivered consistently and professionally.

Overall, this grant is essentially about managing and operating a flagship American cultural and information space in Warsaw with strong Embassy coordination. The successful applicant is expected to function as an operational backbone (employer, facilities manager, communications lead, and program implementer), while also serving as a creative partner that can build low-cost, high-impact programming and partnerships that advance U.S. public diplomacy goals in Poland.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Poland in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), business and commerce, community development, education, energy, environment, health, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda), information and statistics, other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification), science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Poland: American Center Warsaw Program" 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 Apr 26, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 17, 2019. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for WAW NOFO FY19 02

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