Opportunity Information: Apply for PDS DHAKA NOFO FY2022 01
The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka (Public Diplomacy Section) is seeking one organization to run the day-to-day operation and programming of the Edward M. Kennedy Center for Public Services and the Arts (EMK Center) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The EMK Center is described as the U.S. Mission's flagship venue for cultural and educational engagement and serves as a major public platform for Bangladeshi youth and young professionals to participate in open dialogue, build practical skills, explore creative and innovative work, and strengthen mutual understanding between Bangladesh and the United States through the exchange of culture, ideas, and values.
This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the selected organization would not operate independently; it would manage the center in close coordination with the Embassy's Public Diplomacy Section. The recipient would be expected to staff, operate, and continuously animate the space with programming that advances U.S. public diplomacy goals while remaining accessible to the public at no cost. A core expectation is that the organization can maintain a steady pipeline of relevant, high-quality events and services and can keep the center functioning as a reliable hub for both in-person and virtual engagement.
The scope of work centers on operational management plus a large, diverse program portfolio. The selected organization would manage Bangladeshi staff who have the skills to plan and deliver programming, and it would also implement EducationUSA advising, which supports students seeking information about U.S. higher education opportunities. Programming areas explicitly referenced include STEM and skill-building content such as videography and photography, along with other fields aligned to audience interests and embassy priorities. On the operational side, the awardee must purchase, maintain, and manage the technology, equipment, materials, and supplies needed to run the facility and support hybrid programming (in-person and remote). Another major responsibility is developing and executing a flexible monthly schedule of activities in collaboration with the Embassy, while also building audience habits by encouraging repeat visitation and sustained participation in Embassy-sponsored programs.
The announcement places the EMK Center within the global network of American Spaces supported by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. As part of that network, the EMK Center is expected to deliver five core American Spaces functions: English language programming, alumni engagement (particularly with U.S. exchange program alumni), advising on U.S. higher education, cultural programming, and access to information about the United States. The opportunity also emphasizes a broader democratic principle tied to American Spaces: supporting the public's free access to information.
The EMK Center is characterized as the largest American Space in South Asia, with a track record of high-volume programming since its establishment in September 2012. The center reportedly conducts robust engagement on topics such as U.S. history and culture, English language learning, STEM and entrepreneurship, U.S. higher education pathways, and U.S. Department of State exchange programs. It also highlights a strong civic and leadership dimension, aiming to connect emerging and established leaders and promote positive change through public service and volunteerism. The programmatic themes cited for typical annual activities include democratic governance, human rights, inclusive entrepreneurship, gender equality, arts and cultural preservation, and STEM education. In addition to individual events, the center runs thematic campaigns each year, including campaigns focused on diversity and inclusion, gender equality, and STEM promotion. The scale described is significant, averaging more than 500 programs and/or events annually, with participation drawn from diverse audiences across Bangladesh.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, this is a continuation-category opportunity released by the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Bangladesh, with an expected single award. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, and the award ceiling is $650,000. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based and other nonprofits (both with and without IRS 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education in those categories) and private institutions of higher education. The opportunity is tied to CFDA numbers 19.040 and 19.441 and spans activity areas including arts and cultural affairs, community development, education, humanities, and science and technology. The notice was created May 27, 2022, and the application deadline was July 7, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. Bangladesh Standard Time.Apply for PDS DHAKA NOFO FY2022 01
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Bangladesh in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), community development, education, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda), science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Operation and Management of the Edward M. Kennedy Center" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040, 19.441.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 27, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 07, 2022 July 7, 2022 (1159 p.m. Bangladesh Standard Time). (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 $650,000.00 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, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this grant opportunity about?
This opportunity is from the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka (Public Diplomacy Section) to select one organization to run the day-to-day operations and programming of the Edward M. Kennedy Center for Public Services and the Arts (EMK Center) in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
What is the EMK Center?
The EMK Center is described as the U.S. Mission's flagship venue for cultural and educational engagement in Bangladesh. It serves as a major public platform for Bangladeshi youth and young professionals to participate in open dialogue, build practical skills, explore creative and innovative work, and strengthen mutual understanding between Bangladesh and the United States through cultural and educational exchange.
How many awards are expected?
The announcement indicates an expected single award (one organization selected).
What type of funding instrument is being used?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.
What does a cooperative agreement mean for the selected organization?
A cooperative agreement means the selected organization would not operate independently. The organization would manage and program the EMK Center in close coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka's Public Diplomacy Section.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The award ceiling is $650,000.
Is this a new program or a continuation?
The opportunity is described as a continuation-category opportunity.
Who is issuing this opportunity?
The opportunity is released by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Bangladesh (U.S. Embassy in Dhaka), through its Public Diplomacy Section.
Where will the funded work take place?
The work centers on operating and programming the EMK Center in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
What are the main responsibilities of the selected organization?
The selected organization would be expected to staff, operate, and continuously animate the EMK Center with programming that advances U.S. public diplomacy goals while remaining accessible to the public at no cost. The organization must keep the center functioning as a reliable hub for in-person and virtual engagement and maintain a steady pipeline of relevant, high-quality events and services.
Does the EMK Center have to be free and open to the public?
Yes. A core expectation stated is that the EMK Center remain accessible to the public at no cost.
What is meant by "continuously animate the space"?
Based on the notice, this means keeping a consistent, ongoing schedule of programs, events, and services so the EMK Center remains active, relevant, and reliably available for public engagement in both in-person and virtual formats.
What is the expected scale of programming?
The EMK Center is described as operating at significant scale, averaging more than 500 programs and/or events annually.
What kinds of audiences does the EMK Center serve?
The EMK Center is positioned as a platform for Bangladeshi youth and young professionals, with participation drawn from diverse audiences across Bangladesh.
What kinds of programs are specifically mentioned?
Programming areas referenced include STEM and skill-building content such as videography and photography, along with other fields aligned to audience interests and embassy priorities. The center also conducts engagement on U.S. history and culture, English language learning, STEM and entrepreneurship, U.S. higher education pathways, and U.S. Department of State exchange programs.
What are the five core American Spaces functions the EMK Center is expected to deliver?
As part of the American Spaces network, the EMK Center is expected to deliver: (1) English language programming, (2) alumni engagement (particularly U.S. exchange program alumni), (3) advising on U.S. higher education, (4) cultural programming, and (5) access to information about the United States.
Is EducationUSA advising part of the required services?
Yes. The selected organization is expected to implement EducationUSA advising to support students seeking information about U.S. higher education opportunities.
What operational capabilities are required?
The awardee must purchase, maintain, and manage the technology, equipment, materials, and supplies needed to run the facility and support hybrid programming (in-person and remote). The organization is also expected to manage day-to-day operations and support continuous delivery of programming.
Is staff management part of the scope?
Yes. The selected organization would manage Bangladeshi staff with the skills to plan and deliver programming.
Will programming be coordinated with the Embassy?
Yes. The organization is expected to develop and execute a flexible monthly schedule of activities in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy.
Does the opportunity require both in-person and virtual programming?
The notice emphasizes keeping the center as a reliable hub for both in-person and virtual engagement and requires support for hybrid programming through appropriate technology and equipment.
What are the typical themes highlighted for annual activities?
Typical annual activities are described as covering themes such as democratic governance, human rights, inclusive entrepreneurship, gender equality, arts and cultural preservation, and STEM education.
Are campaigns or thematic initiatives mentioned?
Yes. The center reportedly runs thematic campaigns each year, including campaigns focused on diversity and inclusion, gender equality, and STEM promotion.
What broader principle is emphasized for American Spaces like the EMK Center?
The opportunity emphasizes supporting the public's free access to information as a broader democratic principle tied to American Spaces.
How is the EMK Center described within the American Spaces network?
The EMK Center is placed within the global network of American Spaces supported by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is characterized as the largest American Space in South Asia.
When was the EMK Center established?
The EMK Center is described as having been established in September 2012.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include U.S.-based and other nonprofits (both with and without IRS 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education in those categories) and private institutions of higher education.
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
Private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible. The eligibility statement also notes nonprofits (with and without IRS 501(c)(3) status) but excludes institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories.
What are the CFDA numbers associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is tied to CFDA numbers 19.040 and 19.441.
What activity areas does this opportunity cover?
The notice lists activity areas including arts and cultural affairs, community development, education, humanities, and science and technology.
What is the application deadline provided in the notice?
The application deadline stated is July 7, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. Bangladesh Standard Time.
When was the notice created?
The notice was created May 27, 2022.
What does "pipeline of events and services" imply in this notice?
It implies the organization must be able to plan and deliver a steady flow of relevant, high-quality programs and services so the EMK Center remains consistently active and valuable to its audiences.
What does the notice mean by building "audience habits"?
It refers to encouraging repeat visitation and sustained participation in Embassy-sponsored programs, so the EMK Center functions as a reliable, regularly used community hub rather than a venue for occasional events.
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