Opportunity Information: Apply for NEAAC ACMEPI 16 013

The grant opportunity titled "Encouraging Marginalized Voices in the Lebanese Political Process" is a U.S. Department of State funding call issued through the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), housed within the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC). It is structured as a discretionary Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and uses a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument, which typically means the U.S. government expects to be more actively involved in guiding or collaborating on the project compared with a standard grant. The overall purpose is to bolster and support existing organizations in Lebanon that work on gender-related issues, with a strong emphasis on connecting those civil society efforts to formal political and governance processes.

At its core, the opportunity focuses on strengthening relationships between established civil society organizations and elected officials in Lebanon. The idea is that gender-focused organizations can have more influence and achieve more durable results when they are able to engage decision-makers directly, build ongoing channels for dialogue, and translate advocacy into concrete policy or institutional reforms. The NOFO frames this relationship-building as a pathway to two main outcomes: increased government accountability and meaningful reform on gender-related issues. In practice, this implies support for activities that help civil society groups articulate policy priorities, gather and present evidence, mobilize constituents, and engage legislators or other elected bodies in ways that result in oversight, responsiveness, and measurable changes to laws, regulations, public services, or governance practices affecting women and other marginalized populations.

The funding is offered under CFDA number 19.500 and is categorized under "Other" as the funding activity area, with additional clarification referenced in the original notice. The program anticipates making a single award, with an award ceiling of $1,500,000. This suggests the Department of State was seeking one lead implementer to run a sizable, centralized program rather than dispersing smaller grants to multiple recipients, and it also implies an expectation of a coherent strategy, clear implementation capacity, and strong monitoring and reporting.

Eligibility is broad and includes U.S. and non-U.S. organizational types typically allowed under State Department assistance programs, as reflected in the listing: nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (also excluding institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses, along with an "Others" category that would have been defined in more detail in the full eligibility section of the NOFO. The opportunity was created on December 5, 2016, and had an original application deadline of February 1, 2017.

In summary, this MEPI opportunity was designed to strengthen gender-focused civil society in Lebanon by helping existing organizations engage more effectively with elected officials, push for accountability, and drive reforms related to gender. It paired a relatively high funding ceiling with a cooperative agreement structure and an expectation of one award, signaling an interest in a substantial, coordinated initiative capable of producing tangible governance and policy impacts rather than stand-alone, small-scale activities.

  • The Department of State, Near East Affairs - Assistance Coordination in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Encouraging Marginalized Voices in the Lebanese Political Process" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.500.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Dec 05, 2016.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 01, 2017 No Explanation. (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 $1,500,000.00 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, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
Apply for NEAAC ACMEPI 16 013

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Encouraging Marginalized Voices in the Lebanese Political Process

What is the name of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Encouraging Marginalized Voices in the Lebanese Political Process."

Which U.S. government entity is offering this funding?

The funding call is issued by the U.S. Department of State through the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), housed within the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC).

What type of funding announcement is this?

It is a discretionary Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.

What does a cooperative agreement mean for the project?

A cooperative agreement typically means the U.S. government expects to be more actively involved in guiding, collaborating on, or participating in the project than it would under a standard grant.

What is the main purpose of the program?

The overall purpose is to bolster and support existing organizations in Lebanon that work on gender-related issues, with a strong emphasis on linking civil society efforts to formal political and governance processes.

What problem or gap is this opportunity trying to address?

The opportunity is designed to strengthen the connection between gender-focused civil society organizations and elected officials in Lebanon so that advocacy can translate into accountability and concrete reforms on gender-related issues.

What are the core activities or approaches emphasized by the NOFO?

The NOFO emphasizes strengthening relationships between established civil society organizations and elected officials, building ongoing channels for dialogue, and supporting engagement that can lead to policy or institutional reforms affecting women and other marginalized populations.

What outcomes is the program trying to achieve?

The NOFO frames relationship-building between civil society and elected officials as a pathway to two main outcomes: increased government accountability and meaningful reform on gender-related issues.

What does "increased government accountability" imply in this context?

Based on the description, it implies efforts that encourage oversight, responsiveness, and measurable changes in laws, regulations, public services, or governance practices related to gender and marginalized populations.

What does "meaningful reform on gender-related issues" imply in practice?

It implies reforms that are concrete and measurable, potentially including changes to policies, legal frameworks, institutional practices, or service delivery that affect women and other marginalized groups.

What kinds of applicant organizations is the program intended to support?

The opportunity is aimed at strengthening and supporting existing organizations in Lebanon that work on gender-related issues, rather than creating brand-new entities.

Is the program focused more on civil society, government, or both?

It is focused on civil society organizations working on gender-related issues, with a strong emphasis on structured engagement with elected officials and formal political/governance processes.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number is 19.500.

What is the funding activity area/category?

The funding activity area is listed as "Other," with additional clarification referenced in the original notice.

How many awards does the program anticipate making?

The program anticipates making a single award.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $1,500,000.

What does it mean that the program expects to make one award?

It suggests the Department of State was seeking one lead implementer to run a sizable, centralized program rather than distributing multiple smaller awards to different organizations.

What does the funding ceiling suggest about the scale of the project?

A ceiling of $1,500,000 suggests an expectation of a substantial, coordinated initiative with a coherent strategy, strong implementation capacity, and solid monitoring and reporting.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes: nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and an "Others" category defined in more detail in the full eligibility section of the NOFO.

Are U.S. organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. The eligibility listing includes U.S. organizational types commonly allowed under State Department assistance programs.

Are non-U.S. organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. The opportunity states that eligibility is broad and includes non-U.S. organizational types typically allowed under State Department assistance programs.

Are universities or institutions of higher education eligible?

No. The eligibility listing explicitly excludes institutions of higher education for both nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status.

Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.

What is the creation date of the opportunity?

The opportunity was created on December 5, 2016.

What was the application deadline?

The original application deadline was February 1, 2017.

What is the geographic focus of the opportunity?

The opportunity focuses on Lebanon, specifically supporting organizations in Lebanon working on gender-related issues and improving their engagement with Lebanese elected officials.

What is the program’s target issue area?

The program targets gender-related issues and is framed around encouraging marginalized voices within the Lebanese political process.

How does the opportunity define the pathway to impact?

It defines the pathway to impact as strengthening ties between gender-focused civil society organizations and elected officials so advocacy can translate into accountability mechanisms and durable reforms.

Does the NOFO emphasize policy engagement or service delivery?

Based on the description provided, the emphasis is on policy and governance engagement (e.g., dialogue with elected officials, accountability, and reforms) rather than stand-alone service delivery.

What kinds of engagement with elected officials are implied?

The description implies building ongoing channels for dialogue and supporting direct engagement that helps move from advocacy to concrete policy or institutional reforms.

What kinds of organizational capabilities does the opportunity appear to favor?

Because it anticipates a single, relatively large award under a cooperative agreement, it implies a preference for a lead implementer with the capacity to run a coordinated program and handle strong monitoring and reporting requirements.

Is this opportunity intended for small, stand-alone projects?

The structure (one award and a high ceiling) signals an interest in a substantial, coordinated initiative with tangible governance and policy impacts rather than multiple small, stand-alone activities.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Department of State, Near East Affairs - Assistance Coordination

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)

Next opportunity: Conservation Innovation Grant (FY) 2017 Announcement for Program Funding

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 NEAAC ACMEPI 16 013

 

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (NEAAC ACMEPI 16 013) also looked into and applied for these:

Funding Opportunity
Outcome-Based Evaluation of Conifer Removal in Lakeview District, Oregon Apply for F17AS00043

Funding Number: F17AS00043
Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $600,000
WACA 1904 Ranger Cabin National Register of Historic Places Amendment Apply for P17AS00028

Funding Number: P17AS00028
Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $30,000
ECONOMIC SUPPORT FUND- INTERETHNIC RECONCILIATION AND YOUTH CAMPS Apply for APP002BIHIE

Funding Number: APP002BIHIE
Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $50,000
ECONOMIC SUPPORT FUND-SMALL GRANTS PROGRAMS Apply for APP003BIHIE

Funding Number: APP003BIHIE
Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $25,000
OVW FY 2017 Grants to Tribal Governments to Exercise Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction Apply for OVW 2017 11906

Funding Number: OVW 2017 11906
Agency: Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $450,000
Fiscal Year 2016 Program to Prepare Communities for Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attacks Apply for DHS 16 NPD 133 00 01

Funding Number: DHS 16 NPD 133 00 01
Agency: Department of Homeland Security, Department of Homeland Security - FEMA
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $2,500,000
Multi-scale factors influencing occurrences of Topeka Shiner (Notropis topeka) in the Flint Hills, Kansas Apply for F17AS00052

Funding Number: F17AS00052
Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $150,000
Geologic Mapping and Stratigraphic Analyses of Northwestern Aeolis Mons, Gale Crater, Mars Apply for USGS 17 FA 0039

Funding Number: USGS 17 FA 0039
Agency: Department of the Interior, Geological Survey
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $111,000
2017 U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) Small Grants Competition Apply for PAS KGN 006 AFCP SMALL 2017

Funding Number: PAS KGN 006 AFCP SMALL 2017
Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Jamaica
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $180,000
2017 Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation Large Grants Program Apply for PAS KGN 007 AFCP LARGE 2017

Funding Number: PAS KGN 007 AFCP LARGE 2017
Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Jamaica
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $500,000
Journey through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area Apply for NPS 17 NERO 0002

Funding Number: NPS 17 NERO 0002
Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $57,240
Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area Apply for NPS 17 NERO 0003

Funding Number: NPS 17 NERO 0003
Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $126,691
NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD: Fort Hancock HOPE Crew – Historic Preservation and Rehabilitation of the Overlook at Fort Wadsworth Apply for NPS 17 NERO 0004

Funding Number: NPS 17 NERO 0004
Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $167,021
Provide park-wide law enforcement dispatch services Apply for NPSNOIPAIS1400087 0005

Funding Number: NPSNOIPAIS1400087 0005
Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Administrative History for Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park - Notice of Intent to Fund Task Agreement Apply for NOIP17AC00065

Funding Number: NOIP17AC00065
Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $120,000
Sahel Training Logistics Support Project Apply for INL17CA0006 INLAMEREGIONAL 12142016

Funding Number: INL17CA0006 INLAMEREGIONAL 12142016
Agency: Department of State, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affair
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $2,000,000
Notice of Intent: Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) Apply for USGS FA 17 0047

Funding Number: USGS FA 17 0047
Agency: Department of the Interior, Geological Survey
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $8,116,355
NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD: NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD Apply for NPS 17 NERO 0007

Funding Number: NPS 17 NERO 0007
Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $233,000
OVW FY 2017 Grants for Outreach and Services to Underserved Populations Program Apply for OVW 2017 11922

Funding Number: OVW 2017 11922
Agency: Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $300,000
NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD - Increasing soil organic carbon to mitigate greenhouse gases and increase climate resiliency for California Apply for USGS 17 FA 0040

Funding Number: USGS 17 FA 0040
Agency: Department of the Interior, Geological Survey
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $60,000

 

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

  • 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.
Access Applicants Portal

 

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 "NEAAC ACMEPI 16 013", 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.

 

Ask a Question: