Opportunity Information: Apply for SCS 800 21 GR 001 WHA 042221
The U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica is offering a competitive grant opportunity called Strengthening Government Through Civil Society Engagement. The goal is to help make government institutions stronger, more capable, and more accountable by supporting projects where civil society organizations work alongside government counterparts to improve how public services are delivered and how citizens can hold institutions responsible for results. The funding is provided through Economic Support Funds (ESF) and aligns with broader U.S. objectives under the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI), which focuses on strengthening institutions, countering organized crime, supporting the rule of law, and protecting human rights across the region.
In practical terms, the Embassy is looking for proposals that focus on governance improvements in Costa Rica, especially outside the Central Valley and with clear benefits for vulnerable or marginalized communities. Projects should be designed to complement government efforts, not replace them, and they should strengthen the relationship between communities and public institutions so that services are more effective, transparent, and responsive. A central theme across the opportunity is accountability: proposals are expected to build citizens ability to participate, monitor, and demand performance from public institutions.
The total amount the Embassy expects to award under this opportunity is up to $750,000, depending on the availability of funds. The grant ceiling per award is $250,000, and the Embassy anticipates making about four awards. Projects can run for up to two years, and the anticipated start date listed is September 30, 2021. The Department of State makes clear that it is not obligated to fund any proposal submitted and may choose to fund some, all, or none, and at whatever funding level it determines appropriate.
Eligible applicants include U.S. non-profit organizations (including those with IRS 501(c)(3) status), non-U.S. NGOs, and U.S. or non-U.S. public and private institutions of higher education. While the projects are meant to improve government performance, an important restriction is that proposals cannot provide direct support to Costa Rica central, regional, or municipal governments. Instead, the funding is intended to flow through civil society or academic partners who engage government institutions through collaborative activities, technical support, citizen engagement, oversight, and similar approaches that strengthen governance without directly financing government operations.
The Embassy provides several examples of the kinds of projects it wants to see. These include efforts that increase citizen participation with local government and judicial institutions to strengthen neighborhood security, initiatives that expand transparency and improve e-government capacity, projects that improve delivery of basic government services, and programs that support improved government revenue collection alongside responsible and accountable public investment. The opportunity also highlights two optional but relevant areas: support for Costa Rica marine governance goals, and support for cyber governance tied to e-government. On the marine side, Costa Rica plans to launch new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in 2022 and will need citizen and NGO support to strengthen governance so access and activities in MPAs can be monitored and managed sustainably, with benefits for communities dependent on tourism and fisheries. On the cyber side, proposals may help improve coordination and strategic planning around cybersecurity in the public sector, supporting an open and reliable internet while building capacity to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber incidents, especially as more government services move onto digital platforms.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant from the Department of State (U.S. Mission to Costa Rica) under CFDA 19.750, authorized under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 as amended. The funding opportunity number is SCS 800 21 GR 001 WHA 042221. The NOFO was created April 22, 2021, with an original closing date of June 22, 2021. Questions were directed to the Embassy at SanJoseCarsiESF@state.gov.Apply for SCS 800 21 GR 001 WHA 042221
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Costa Rica in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Strengthening Government Through Civil Society Engagement" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.750.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 22, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 22, 2021. (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 $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is called Strengthening Government Through Civil Society Engagement.
Who is offering this funding?
The funding is offered by the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica (U.S. Mission to Costa Rica) through the U.S. Department of State.
What is the main purpose of the grant?
The goal is to help make government institutions stronger, more capable, and more accountable by supporting projects where civil society organizations work alongside government counterparts to improve public service delivery and strengthen citizen oversight and accountability.
What type of funding supports this program?
The program is funded through Economic Support Funds (ESF).
How does this opportunity connect to CARSI?
This opportunity aligns with broader U.S. objectives under the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI), which focuses on strengthening institutions, countering organized crime, supporting the rule of law, and protecting human rights across the region.
Where should projects be implemented?
Projects are focused on governance improvements in Costa Rica, with an emphasis on areas outside the Central Valley.
Are there priority groups or communities the program wants to benefit?
Yes. Proposals are expected to show clear benefits for vulnerable or marginalized communities.
What is the central theme the Embassy expects across proposals?
A key theme is accountability. Proposals are expected to strengthen citizens ability to participate, monitor, and demand performance from public institutions.
What kinds of activities or project approaches are encouraged?
The Embassy is looking for projects where civil society or academic partners engage public institutions through collaborative activities such as technical support, citizen engagement, oversight, and other approaches that strengthen governance and improve responsiveness and transparency.
Can projects replace government services or functions?
No. Projects should be designed to complement government efforts, not replace them.
Can an applicant provide direct support to Costa Rica government entities?
No. Proposals cannot provide direct support to Costa Rica central, regional, or municipal governments. Funding is intended to flow through civil society organizations or academic partners that engage government institutions without directly financing government operations.
What are some example project topics mentioned in the opportunity?
Examples provided include:
- Increasing citizen participation with local government and judicial institutions to strengthen neighborhood security
- Initiatives that expand transparency and improve e-government capacity
- Projects that improve delivery of basic government services
- Programs that support improved government revenue collection alongside responsible and accountable public investment
Are marine governance projects eligible under this opportunity?
Marine governance is listed as an optional but relevant area. The opportunity notes Costa Rica plans to launch new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in 2022 and will need citizen and NGO support to strengthen governance so access and activities in MPAs can be monitored and managed sustainably, with benefits for communities dependent on tourism and fisheries.
Are cyber governance or cybersecurity-related projects eligible?
Yes, cyber governance tied to e-government is listed as an optional but relevant area. Proposals may focus on improving coordination and strategic planning around cybersecurity in the public sector, supporting an open and reliable internet, and building capacity to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber incidents as more government services move onto digital platforms.
How much total funding does the Embassy expect to award?
The Embassy expects to award up to $750,000 in total under this opportunity, depending on the availability of funds.
What is the maximum amount that can be awarded per grant?
The grant ceiling per award is $250,000.
How many awards does the Embassy anticipate making?
The Embassy anticipates making about four awards.
How long can a funded project run?
Projects can run for up to two years.
What is the anticipated start date for projects?
The anticipated start date listed is September 30, 2021.
Is the Department of State required to fund proposals submitted?
No. The Department of State is not obligated to fund any proposal and may choose to fund some, all, or none, and at whatever funding level it determines appropriate.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- U.S. non-profit organizations (including those with IRS 501(c)(3) status)
- Non-U.S. NGOs
- U.S. or non-U.S. public and private institutions of higher education
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.750.
What is the legal authority for this grant?
It is authorized under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is SCS 800 21 GR 001 WHA 042221.
When was the NOFO created and when was it originally due?
The NOFO was created on April 22, 2021, and the original closing date was June 22, 2021.
Where could applicants send questions about the opportunity?
Questions were directed to the Embassy at SanJoseCarsiESF@state.gov.
Is this a discretionary grant?
Yes. This is described as a discretionary grant from the Department of State (U.S. Mission to Costa Rica).
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