U.S.-D.R. Technology and Science Fair | S DR860 26 NOFO 0003

FAQs: U.S.-D.R. Technology and Science Fair Grant (S-DR860-26-NOFO-0003)

1) What is this grant opportunity?

This opportunity funds a large, public-facing technology and innovation event in the Dominican Republic: a U.S. Tech and Science Innovation Fair designed to connect Dominican audiences with U.S.-linked opportunities in STEM, entrepreneurship, and emerging industries. It is offered by the U.S. Mission to the Dominican Republic (U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo).

2) Who is offering the grant?

The grant is offered by the U.S. Mission to the Dominican Republic, specifically the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo.

3) What is the purpose of the fair?

The fair is meant to address a gap in direct exposure to U.S. companies, U.S. innovation ecosystems, and practical private-sector leadership models. The Embassy is looking for a high-visibility, hands-on event that helps Dominican students, young professionals, and entrepreneurs access U.S.-linked academic, professional, and entrepreneurial pathways.

4) What kinds of topics should the fair highlight?

The event is expected to showcase U.S. leadership in modern workforce and economy-shaping areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, engineering, cybersecurity, and digital innovation.

5) What activities does the Embassy envision for the event?

Typical activities include corporate booths, product/technology demonstrations, interactive exhibits, innovation showcases, panel discussions on U.S. technology leadership, storytelling sessions featuring entrepreneurs and U.S. exchange alumni, structured networking, mentorship, and outreach that highlights U.S.-connected education and professional development opportunities (including exchange-related pathways).

6) What event format is the Embassy looking for?

The Embassy is emphasizing interactive engagement rather than a passive, lecture-heavy conference. Demonstrations, exhibits, mentorship, and networking are preferred because prior Embassy programming suggests they drive stronger participation, better media attention, and more durable follow-on opportunities.

7) Who are the target audiences?

The fair targets: (1) Dominican university students and young professionals (including STEM students, coding bootcamp participants, makerspace users, and early-career tech talent); (2) entrepreneurs and innovation ecosystem leaders (startup founders, incubators, accelerators, and small business owners); (3) private-sector and industry representatives (Dominican companies, chambers of commerce, and tech associations); and (4) academic and institutional stakeholders (faculty, STEM departments, international offices, and career services). It also seeks participation from U.S. government exchange alumni and STEM professionals as mentors and connectors.

8) What is the overall goal of the program?

The overall goal is to position the United States as a leading and accessible partner for Dominican youth, entrepreneurs, and innovation leaders, while strengthening commercial ties, educational linkages, and people-to-people relationships between the United States and the Dominican Republic.

9) What are the main objectives and success requirements?

Two main objectives define success: (1) Increase awareness of U.S. technology and innovation leadership by engaging at least 500 participants through interactive programming that improves understanding of U.S.-linked academic, professional, and entrepreneurial opportunities; and (2) Strengthen direct connections to the U.S. innovation ecosystem by securing participation from at least three U.S. companies and at least one U.S. higher education institution through booths, panels, mentorship, networking, or demonstrations, with the expectation of continued collaboration after the event.

10) How many participants must the event engage?

The project must engage at least 500 participants through interactive programming tied to the Embassy objectives.

11) Are U.S. partners required?

Yes. The project must secure participation from at least three U.S. companies and at least one U.S. higher education institution.

12) What types of roles can U.S. companies and U.S. universities play?

They may participate through booths, panels, mentorship, networking, or demonstrations, as long as the participation is direct and supports the objective of strengthening connections with the U.S. innovation ecosystem.

13) What kind of organization is the Embassy looking for to implement the project?

The Embassy is looking for implementers able to manage a complex event at scale, recruit and coordinate private-sector participation, execute strong branding and communications, and coordinate closely with Embassy staff and local partners.

14) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is S-DR860-26-NOFO-0003.

15) What is the CFDA number and grant category?

The opportunity is a grant under CFDA 19.040 and is categorized under Education.

16) What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $80,000.

17) How many awards are expected?

Up to 10 awards are expected.

18) What is the application deadline?

The application closing date is 2026-07-10.

19) What type of award is this?

This award will be administered as a fixed amount award, which generally puts extra emphasis on clearly defined deliverables, strong planning, and realistic costing.

20) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include U.S. and Dominican not-for-profit organizations, chambers of commerce and business associations, entrepreneurship and innovation hubs, technology and startup incubators/accelerators, higher education institutions, alumni associations, and civil society organizations with relevant experience in STEM, entrepreneurship, workforce development, or youth programming.

21) What language must the application be submitted in?

Applications must be submitted in English.

22) What currency should the budget use?

Budgets must be presented in U.S. dollars.

23) Where must applications be submitted?

Required federal forms must be submitted through grants.gov.

24) Which federal forms are required?

The required forms are SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B.

25) How long can the narrative proposal be?

The core narrative proposal is capped at 15 pages.

26) What narrative sections are required in the proposal?

The required narrative elements include: a proposal summary; an organizational introduction with relevant past experience (including prior U.S. government funding, if any); a problem statement; program design and deliverables; a detailed schedule and timeline with dates and locations; key personnel roles and level of effort; project partners; sustainability or continuation plans; and a Monitoring and Evaluation plan.

27) What is required in the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) component?

The M&E component must include a Performance Monitoring Plan that uses "If-Then" logic to explain how activities lead to outcomes. It must also include indicators and a simple, data-oriented approach to measuring results.

28) What is required for the budget submission?

Applicants must submit a detailed line-item budget and a budget justification narrative explaining why each cost is necessary and how it supports planned activities.

29) What budget categories should be used?

The budget should be broken into standard categories such as personnel, fringe, travel, equipment, supplies, consultants/contracts, other direct costs, and indirect costs.

30) What should applicants know about indirect costs?

The announcement highlights indirect cost rules, including the need for NICRA documentation if charging indirect costs under an agreement, and using modified total direct costs when appropriate.

31) Are audit requirements mentioned?

Yes. The announcement flags compliance-related audit requirements under 2 CFR 200 Subpart F.

32) Should visa-related costs be included in the budget?

Visa-related fees should be budgeted if they are relevant to the project plan.

33) What attachments are required with the application?

Required attachments include: one-page resumes (or position descriptions if not yet hired) for key staff; one-page letters of support from partners describing roles and expected outcomes; NICRA documentation if charging indirect costs under an agreement; proof of nonprofit status; and proof of registration.

34) Are additional policies or audit documents required at the time of submission?

No. Additional organizational policies, audits, and documentation (including participant PII safeguards and financial control procedures) are not required at submission, but they may be requested later during the review process.

35) What does the Embassy mean by sustainability or continuation plans?

The narrative must include a sustainability or continuation plan explaining how engagement and benefits will continue beyond the event itself, consistent with the expectation of ongoing collaboration and follow-on opportunities after the fair.

36) What kinds of outcomes does the Embassy expect beyond the event day?

The opportunity describes expected measurable outcomes such as increased awareness, stronger networks, increased inquiries about exchanges and professional pathways, and continued engagement beyond the event.

37) What role can exchange alumni play in the fair?

U.S. government exchange alumni are specifically mentioned as participants who can serve as credible storytellers, mentors, and connectors linking Dominican audiences to U.S. innovation networks and opportunities.

38) Does the fair need branding and communications support?

Yes. The Embassy is looking for implementers that can execute strong branding and communications to help ensure high visibility and effective public engagement.

39) What should the schedule and timeline include?

The proposal must include a detailed schedule and timeline with dates and locations.

40) What should partner letters of support contain?

Letters of support should be one page and describe partner roles and expected outcomes.