Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS MOROCCO FY23 03
The U.S. Mission to Morocco (Public Affairs Section) opened a FY2023 public diplomacy grant competition to fund one project that strengthens skills and professional capacity among emerging Moroccan filmmakers. Titled "Support for Emerging Moroccan Filmmakers" (Funding Opportunity Number PAS-MOROCCO-FY23-03; Assistance Listing 19.040), the opportunity provides a total of up to $30,000 to run a training-focused program that helps early-career Moroccan film professionals build practical competencies, confidence, and industry connections. The project is framed as part of the American Film Showcase (AFS), a collaboration between the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, with an added public diplomacy aim of strengthening Morocco-U.S. ties through cultural exchange and shared values.
At the center of the program is an intensive workshop model designed to develop entrepreneurial and production-related skills for Morocco's next generation of filmmakers. Proposals are expected to include strong hands-on training elements and prioritize in-person activities when feasible. The workshop should ideally bring one or two U.S.-based filmmaker(s), particularly screenwriter-producers, to Morocco to deliver tailored masterclasses and mentorship to participants. Beyond classroom-style instruction, the program is meant to create real networking pathways between senior and emerging professionals in Morocco and the United States, and may use virtual tools or social media platforms to extend reach, sustain engagement, or showcase outcomes. A major emphasis is placed on ensuring that the selected cohort reflects diverse perspectives and comes from varied geographic areas, including underserved regions and underrepresented groups.
The target audience is a cohort of up to sixteen emerging Moroccan film talents, generally current students or individuals who graduated within the last two years, ages 20 to 35. Participants must be proficient in written and spoken English, and may include aspiring filmmakers, producers, directors, or screenwriters. The implementing organization (the grantee) is expected to take the lead in determining recruitment focus areas (cities, regions, and populations), conducting outreach to film schools, universities, and cultural institutions, and proposing a participant list, while the U.S. Mission retains final approval of the selected participants. In practice, this means applicants should design a recruitment and selection process that is transparent, inclusive, and aligned with the program's diversity and geographic representation goals.
Because the award is structured as a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, the U.S. Mission will be substantially involved in planning and implementation. Mission staff will authorize when costs may be incurred after dates and program details are confirmed, approve the final workshop theme in consultation with the awardee, and coordinate selection of U.S. experts in collaboration with AFS. The awardee must show credible film-industry expertise, a solid track record (including prior grant implementation where relevant), and strong financial management capacity. Operationally, the awardee is responsible for core logistics such as securing an appropriate venue, arranging travel and local transportation, covering lodging and meals and incidental expenses for participants and facilitators as applicable, and handling printing and workshop materials. The awardee must also obtain any necessary film permits and authorizations from local authorities, particularly if participants will produce original content during the workshop.
The funding details are straightforward: one award is anticipated, ranging from $25,000 to $30,000, using FY23 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy funds. The performance period runs from approximately June 2023 through January 2024, with the expectation that proposed programs be completed by December 31, 2023, and an anticipated start in Fall 2023. The application deadline listed is May 30, 2023, and inquiries are directed to Rabatgrants@state.gov. While cost sharing is not required and is not scored during evaluation, applicants may propose in-cash or in-kind contributions if they choose, with the understanding that any cost share must be tracked throughout the grant lifecycle.
Eligibility is limited to Moroccan citizens and/or organizations, specifically registered public or private non-profit entities (including NGOs and civil society organizations), non-profit educational institutions, non-profit cultural institutions, and individuals. For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and maintain an active SAM.gov registration to be eligible for an award; individuals are not required to have a UEI or SAM registration. Only one proposal may be submitted per organization, and submitting multiple proposals makes all of that organization's submissions ineligible.
Application requirements emphasize compliance and completeness. Proposals must be written in English and submitted as a PDF with specific formatting (single-spaced, 12-point Calibri, 1-inch margins, 8.5 x 11 pages, numbered pages). The budget must be in USD with a narrative explanation for each line item, and the total request may not exceed $30,000. The project should not propose a start date before June 30, 2023. Required forms and attachments include the SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, a proposal narrative form, an applicant organization information form, a detailed budget proposal with narrative (noting the suggested exchange rate guidance of 1 USD to 10 MAD for budgeting), CVs for the director and key personnel, and the organization's final registration papers. Finally, applicants are expected to build in monitoring and evaluation from the start, developing an M and E plan with the U.S. Mission to measure the program's impact on participants and outcomes.Apply for PAS MOROCCO FY23 03
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Morocco in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Support for Emerging Moroccan Filmmakers" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 24, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 30, 2023. (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 $30,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Support for Emerging Moroccan Filmmakers
1) What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Support for Emerging Moroccan Filmmakers.
2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number and Assistance Listing?
Funding Opportunity Number: PAS-MOROCCO-FY23-03
Assistance Listing: 19.040
3) Who is offering this grant competition?
The competition is offered by the U.S. Mission to Morocco (Public Affairs Section).
4) What is the main goal of the project being funded?
The funded project is expected to strengthen skills and professional capacity among emerging Moroccan filmmakers through a training-focused program that builds practical competencies, confidence, and industry connections.
5) How many awards will be made under this opportunity?
The opportunity anticipates making one award to fund one project.
6) How much funding is available?
The total funding available is up to $30,000.
7) What is the expected award range?
The award is anticipated to range from $25,000 to $30,000.
8) What type of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
This award is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. Mission will be substantially involved in planning and implementation.
9) What does “substantial involvement” by the U.S. Mission mean in practice?
Based on the description provided, the U.S. Mission will be involved in ways that include: authorizing when costs may be incurred after dates and program details are confirmed; approving the final workshop theme in consultation with the awardee; and coordinating selection of U.S. experts in collaboration with the American Film Showcase (AFS).
10) What is the American Film Showcase (AFS), and how does it relate to this program?
This project is framed as part of the American Film Showcase (AFS), a collaboration between the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. The program also has a public diplomacy aim of strengthening Morocco-U.S. ties through cultural exchange and shared values.
11) What kind of program model is expected?
The opportunity centers on an intensive workshop model focused on developing entrepreneurial and production-related skills for early-career Moroccan film professionals, with strong hands-on training elements.
12) Are in-person activities required?
Proposals are expected to prioritize in-person activities when feasible.
13) Are U.S.-based experts expected to be involved?
Yes. The workshop should ideally bring one or two U.S.-based filmmaker(s), particularly screenwriter-producers, to Morocco to deliver tailored masterclasses and mentorship.
14) Can the program use virtual tools or social media?
Yes. The program may use virtual tools or social media platforms to extend reach, sustain engagement, or showcase outcomes.
15) Who is the target participant audience?
The target audience is a cohort of up to sixteen emerging Moroccan film talents, generally current students or individuals who graduated within the last two years, ages 20 to 35. Participants may include aspiring filmmakers, producers, directors, or screenwriters.
16) Is English proficiency required for participants?
Yes. Participants must be proficient in written and spoken English.
17) How many participants should the program serve?
The cohort is expected to include up to sixteen (16) participants.
18) Is diversity and geographic representation a requirement?
Yes. A major emphasis is placed on ensuring the cohort reflects diverse perspectives and comes from varied geographic areas, including underserved regions and underrepresented groups.
19) Who is responsible for recruiting and selecting participants?
The implementing organization (the grantee) is expected to lead recruitment and selection by determining recruitment focus areas, conducting outreach to film schools, universities, and cultural institutions, and proposing a participant list.
20) Does the U.S. Mission approve the final participant list?
Yes. The U.S. Mission retains final approval of selected participants.
21) What does the opportunity expect from the recruitment and selection process?
Applicants should design a recruitment and selection process that is transparent, inclusive, and aligned with the program’s diversity and geographic representation goals.
22) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to Moroccan citizens and/or Moroccan organizations, specifically: registered public or private non-profit entities (including NGOs and civil society organizations), non-profit educational institutions, non-profit cultural institutions, and individuals.
23) Are for-profit or commercial entities eligible to apply?
No. For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
24) Do organizations need a UEI and SAM.gov registration?
Yes. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and maintain an active SAM.gov registration to be eligible for an award.
25) Do individual applicants need a UEI or SAM.gov registration?
No. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or SAM.gov registration.
26) How many proposals can an organization submit?
Only one proposal may be submitted per organization.
27) What happens if an organization submits multiple proposals?
Submitting multiple proposals makes all of that organization’s submissions ineligible.
28) What is the application deadline?
The listed application deadline is May 30, 2023.
29) When does the performance period run?
The performance period runs from approximately June 2023 through January 2024.
30) When is the anticipated program start date?
The opportunity notes an anticipated start in Fall 2023.
31) By when should the program be completed?
Proposed programs are expected to be completed by December 31, 2023.
32) Can an application propose a project start date before June 30, 2023?
No. The project should not propose a start date before June 30, 2023.
33) What is the maximum amount that can be requested in the budget?
The total request may not exceed $30,000.
34) What currency should the budget be prepared in?
The budget must be prepared in USD and include a narrative explanation for each line item.
35) Is any exchange rate guidance provided for budgeting?
Yes. The materials note suggested exchange rate guidance of 1 USD to 10 MAD for budgeting.
36) Is cost sharing required?
No. Cost sharing is not required and is not scored during evaluation.
37) Can an applicant include in-kind or in-cash cost sharing anyway?
Yes. Applicants may propose in-cash or in-kind contributions if they choose, but any cost share must be tracked throughout the grant lifecycle.
38) What are the expected responsibilities of the awardee (implementing organization)?
The awardee is responsible for core logistics such as securing an appropriate venue, arranging travel and local transportation, covering lodging and meals and incidental expenses for participants and facilitators as applicable, and handling printing and workshop materials.
39) Who is responsible for film permits and authorizations?
The awardee must obtain any necessary film permits and authorizations from local authorities, particularly if participants will produce original content during the workshop.
40) What qualifications or capabilities should applicants demonstrate?
Applicants are expected to show credible film-industry expertise, a solid track record (including prior grant implementation where relevant), and strong financial management capacity.
41) What format and language must the proposal use?
Proposals must be written in English and submitted as a PDF.
42) What formatting requirements are specified for the proposal document?
The proposal is expected to follow these formatting rules: single-spaced, 12-point Calibri, 1-inch margins, 8.5 x 11 pages, and numbered pages.
43) Which standard federal forms are required?
Required forms include: SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B.
44) What attachments and supporting documents are required?
Required items include: a proposal narrative form, an applicant organization information form, a detailed budget proposal with budget narrative, CVs for the director and key personnel, and the organization’s final registration papers.
45) Is monitoring and evaluation (M&E) required?
Yes. Applicants are expected to build in monitoring and evaluation from the start and develop an M&E plan with the U.S. Mission to measure the program’s impact on participants and outcomes.
46) Where should questions about the opportunity be sent?
Inquiries are directed to Rabatgrants@state.gov.
47) What is the funding source noted for this opportunity?
The opportunity is funded using FY23 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy funds.
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