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.Apply for PAS PAN FY20 06
- 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).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
FAQs: U.S.-Panama Think Tank Collaboration (PAS-PAN-FY20-06)
What is the U.S.-Panama Think Tank Collaboration?
It is a U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to Panama) Public Affairs Section funding opportunity intended to strengthen Panama's civil society and policy ecosystem by building the capacity of think tanks, policy research institutes, business consortiums, and related watchdog or guidance organizations.
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The core aim is to support more resilient, transparent, and democratic Panamanian institutions by backing organizations that promote accountability, counter misinformation, and contribute to improved governance.
What is the secondary or parallel objective of the program?
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.
What kinds of organizations is the program trying to support?
The opportunity is designed for local and regional think tanks, policy research institutes, business consortiums, and related watchdog or guidance organizations. It also signals openness to a broad cross-section of civil society and policy actors rather than a single sector.
What types of activities does the grant expect projects to use?
Projects are expected to be implemented through structured engagement between U.S. and Panamanian counterparts using forums, seminars, workshops, and similar convenings.
What should the activities focus on?
Activities should focus on practical capacity-building for organizations involved in transparency, oversight, monitoring, whistleblowing, and policy guidance, with an emphasis on strengthening accountability and governance-related functions.
Is there a specific technical emphasis mentioned in the opportunity?
Yes. A notable emphasis is placed on sharing technical and regulatory know-how, particularly around the oversight of agreements that involve international partners, with the aim of improving scrutiny, governance standards, and decision-making where cross-border arrangements can raise public-interest concerns.
Does the program require U.S. participation or expertise?
U.S. think tank expertise is described as central to the program, indicating that structured engagement with U.S. counterparts is a key feature of the intended approach.
Can the project collaborate with countries other than the United States and Panama?
Yes. The program allows 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.
What can the grant funds be used for?
Funding can be used broadly to cover program costs, including event-related expenses and travel. This indicates support for both convening logistics and relationship-building that may involve in-person engagement.
What type of award is being offered?
The award is offered as a discretionary grant or a cooperative agreement.
How many awards are expected?
The opportunity indicates an anticipated single award.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The award ceiling is $60,000.
What subject areas or funding activity categories are associated with this opportunity?
The 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. This reflects an expectation that participating organizations may approach governance and public policy from multiple angles, including evidence-based research and public communication.
Who is the "ideal implementer" for this project?
The notice describes an ideal implementer as an organization that can coordinate across institutions, facilitate conferences or convenings, and deliver effective training, and that understands how think tanks operate and the challenges they face at different stages of maturity. Familiarity with Panama's institutions and current issues is treated as a strong advantage.
Are any example U.S. partner organizations mentioned?
Yes. The opportunity points to potential U.S. partners that could be engaged for expertise or participation, including the Atlantic Council, Inter-American Dialogue, IRI, NDI, and the Heritage Foundation.
Are any example Panamanian participant organizations mentioned?
Yes. The notice provides examples 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.
Does listing example organizations mean applicants must partner with them?
The opportunity presents these organizations as possible partners or participants, which signals openness to their involvement, but it does not state that partnering with them is required.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is relatively broad for non-commercial applicants. Eligible applicants include registered not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs), universities and other educational institutions, governmental institutions, and individuals.
Are for-profit or commercial entities eligible to apply?
No. For-profit or commercial entities are explicitly ineligible.
What types of higher education institutions are included in the eligible entity types?
The eligible entity types include public and state controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education.
Are nonprofits required to have 501(c)(3) status to be eligible?
The eligible entity list includes nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status.
Are local government entities eligible?
Yes. The eligible entity types include local government entities such as city or township governments.
What registrations or identifiers are required for U.S. federal award eligibility?
Applicants must meet standard U.S. federal registration requirements referenced in the opportunity, including having a DUNS number (as cited in the notice), an NCAGE/CAGE code, and an active registration in SAM.gov.
What was the application deadline?
Applications were accepted up to the stated deadline of January 31, 2020.
When could proposed activities start?
The Embassy indicated proposed activities should not be scheduled before April 1, 2020 to allow time for grant processing.
How were applications submitted?
Submissions were to be sent by email to PanCultural@state.gov.
What documents were required in the application package?
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.
Where could applicants find templates and required federal forms?
Templates and required forms were made available through the Embassy's grants webpages.
What is the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) identifier?
Applicants were directed to consult the full Notice of Funding Opportunity identified as PAS-PAN-FY20-06 for detailed instructions and compliance requirements.
What is the role of convenings like forums, seminars, and workshops in this project?
These convenings are the primary formats described for structured engagement and practical training, supporting the capacity-building and network-expansion goals of the program.
Is countering misinformation part of the program's goals?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes countering misinformation as part of the broader goal of promoting accountability and strengthening democratic resilience.
Does the opportunity specify that activities must involve oversight, monitoring, or whistleblowing themes?
The notice emphasizes practical capacity-building for organizations involved in transparency, oversight, monitoring, and whistleblowing, indicating these themes are central to the intended program focus.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Community Development, Consumer Protection, Education, Information and Statistics, Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification), Science and Tech
Next opportunity: U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help FY 2019
Previous opportunity: Head Start and/or Early Head Start Grantee -- Multnomah County East of Portland Public School District including the Cities of East Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village and the Town of Corbett, Oregon
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for PAS PAN FY20 06
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "PAS PAN FY20 06", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.