U.S.- Panama Think Tank Collaboration | PAS PAN FY20 06

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS PAN FY20 06

The U.S.-Panama Think Tank Collaboration is a U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to Panama) Public Affairs Section funding opportunity designed to strengthen Panama's civil society and policy ecosystem by building the capacity of local and regional think tanks, policy research institutes, business consortiums, and related watchdog or guidance organizations. The core aim is to make Panamanian institutions more resilient, transparent, and democratic by supporting organizations that promote accountability, counter misinformation, and contribute to better governance. A parallel objective is to deepen U.S.-Panama cooperation on key policy issues by expanding professional networks, encouraging sustained institutional relationships, and facilitating the exchange of ideas, information, and practical expertise.

The project is expected to be implemented through structured engagement between U.S. and Panamanian counterparts, using formats such as forums, seminars, workshops, and similar convenings. These activities should focus on practical capacity-building for organizations involved in transparency, oversight, monitoring, whistleblowing, and policy guidance. A notable emphasis is placed on sharing technical and regulatory know-how, especially around the oversight of agreements that involve international partners, suggesting a focus on improving scrutiny, governance standards, and institutional decision-making in contexts where foreign or cross-border arrangements may raise public-interest concerns. While U.S. think tank expertise is central, the program also allows for collaboration with other countries in the region to exchange best practices and lessons learned, as long as the overall effort supports the primary U.S.-Panama collaboration and capacity-building goals.

Funding can be used broadly to cover program costs, including event-related expenses and travel, indicating the grant is meant to support both convening logistics and the relationship-building that comes from in-person engagement. The award is offered as a discretionary grant or cooperative agreement, with an anticipated single award and an award ceiling of $60,000. The funding activity categories connected to the opportunity are wide-ranging and include community development, consumer protection, education, information and statistics, science and technology, and other research and development, reflecting the expectation that participating organizations may address governance and public policy from multiple angles, including evidence-based research and public communication.

The opportunity describes an "ideal implementer" as an organization with demonstrated ability to coordinate across institutions, facilitate conferences or convenings, and deliver effective training, paired with a working understanding of how think tanks function and the challenges they face at different stages of maturity. Familiarity with Panama's institutions and current issues is treated as a strong advantage. The notice also points to potential U.S. partner organizations that could be engaged for expertise or participation, including the Atlantic Council, Inter-American Dialogue, IRI, NDI, and the Heritage Foundation, while suggesting possible Panamanian participants such as Instituto de Estudios para una Sociedad Abierta, Centro de Iniciativas Democraticas, SENACYT, Knowledge in Panama, Asociacion Nacional para la Conservacion de la Naturaleza, Fundacion para el Desarrollo Sostenible de Panama, and Fundacion Espacio Civico. These examples signal that the Embassy is open to a cross-section of policy, democracy, research, and civil society actors rather than limiting participation to one sector.

Eligibility is relatively broad for non-commercial applicants. Registered not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs), universities and other educational institutions, governmental institutions, and individuals may apply, while for-profit or commercial entities are explicitly ineligible. The listing of eligible entity types also includes public and state controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, and local government entities such as city or township governments. Applicants must meet U.S. federal registration requirements, including having a DUNS number (as referenced in the opportunity), an NCAGE/CAGE code, and an active registration in SAM.gov, which are standard prerequisites for receiving U.S. federal financial assistance.

Applications were accepted up to the stated deadline of January 31, 2020, and the Embassy indicated that proposed activities should not be scheduled before April 1, 2020 to allow time for grant processing. Submissions were to be sent by email to PanCultural@state.gov, and the application package needed to include a proposal with a budget narrative, a budget worksheet, and the required federal forms SF-424 and SF-424A. Templates and required forms were made available through the Embassy's grants webpages, and applicants were directed to consult the full Notice of Funding Opportunity identified as PAS-PAN-FY20-06 for detailed instructions and compliance requirements.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Panama in the community development, consumer protection, education, 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 "U.S.- Panama Think Tank Collaboration" 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 Dec 05, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 31, 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 $60,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: City or township governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for PAS PAN FY20 06

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