UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE

AUTHORIZATION:

United States Institute of Peace Act; Department of Defense Authorization Act of 1985, Title XVII, Public Law 98-525, 98 Stat. 2492, 2649, 22 U.S.C. 4601, Section 1701.

OBJECTIVES:

To provide support for education and training, research, and public information on international peace and conflict resolution and on themes and topics identified by the institute.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

The Institute conducts an annual solicited grant competition on themes and topics of special interest. The type of support; i.e., research, education, library, information technology, depends on the themes and topics selected for the year. In 1999, the Institute invited proposals on: Bosnia and the Balkans; the Middle East; Training in Conflict Resolution; and the Changing Nature of Diplomacy. In 2000 the institute invited proposals on great power relations: U.S., China, and Russia; intervention and humanitarian assistance; Africa; and Training. Solicited 2001 topics will be announced in September 2000.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Nonprofit organizations, official public institutions, and individuals. Grantees may be U.S. citizens, nonprofit organizations and official public institutions, or foreign nationals and foreign nonprofit institutions.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Nonprofit organizations, official public institutions, and individuals. Grantees may be U.S. citizens, nonprofit organizations and official public institutions, or foreign nationals and foreign nonprofit institutions.

Credentials/Documentation:   Resume/curriculum vitae.

APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:   None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   All applicants must submit their project on an official application form (SG Form 10B), with accompanying documentation as described therein.

Award Procedure:   The formal grant review process involves examination of applications first by Institute staff, followed by review by expert panel drawn from outside the Institute, and finally by the full Board, which makes the final decision on awards. Outside review of an application may also be sought as part of the review process.

Deadlines:   The Solicited Grant Deadline is December 30 and notification is late March.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Approximately 4 months.

Appeals:   None.

Renewals:   Grantees may submit an application for renewed funding after all requirements on the previous grant are fulfilled. Renewed funding requests will be submitted to the Board of Directors for review. Grantees may request an extension of an ongoing project by submitting a letter to the Director of the Grant Program.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   This program has no statutory requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Grants are typically one year in duration, however, short and long-term undertakings are also appropriate. Funds are released according to the schedule negotiated between USIP and the grantee. All funds must be spent or obligated within the established grant period.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Interim financial and performance reports are submitted according to the schedule negotiated between USIP and the grantee. Final financial and performance reports are due 90 days after the end of the grant period.

Audits:   The Institute reserves the right to audit grant projects and will do so from time to time as it sees fit. For all grants of $40,000 or more, the grantee must arrange for a financial audit of grant expenditures. Audits conducted in compliance with OMB Circular No. A- 133 may be submitted by grantees to satisfy the Institute's audit requirements.

Records:   Financial records, supporting documentation, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to the grant shall be retained by the grantee for 3 years following the submission of the final report of project expenditures.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   95-1300-0-1-153.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 99 $893,000; FY 00 est $937,000; and FY 01 est $911,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   The average award in the Solicited Grant Program is $38,000, although somewhat larger grants are also awarded. The actual amount of any grant is based on the proposed budget and subsequent negotiations with successful applicants.

PROGAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

The Solicited Grant Program has made more than 315 awards. Grantees have produced more than 50 books, 90 articles and 80 unpublished monographs and manuscripts.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

Federal Register No. 3155-01.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Solicited Grant Program, United States Institute of Peace, 1200 17th Street, NW., Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036-3006. Telephone: (202) 429-3842. E-mail: grant_program @usip.org.

Headquarters Office:   Office of Public Affairs, United States Institute of Peace, 1200 17th Street, NW., Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036-3006.

Web Site Address:   http://www.usip.org.

RELATED PROGRAMS:

None.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

1. A grant to address the needs of community rebuilding, social reconciliation, democracy advancement, and conflict resolution in Banja Luka, Bosnia, through the training of community facilitators and the development of community-building activities. 2. A grant to identify and analyze existing and emerging technologies that have potential for enhancing multinational operations to promote peace. 3. A grant to examine how various types of political institutions, such as election systems, can mitigate tensions in societies deeply divided by ethnic conflict, and how such institutions can be adopted by the societies that meet them most.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: