FY21 Julia Taft Fund (Refugee) Small Grants in Thailand | THAILAND RMA FY21 TAFT 01

FY21 Julia Taft Fund (Refugee) Small Grants - Thailand (U.S. Embassy Bangkok) FAQs

1) What is the FY21 Julia Taft Fund (Refugee) Small Grants opportunity in Thailand?

It is a U.S. Embassy Bangkok small-grants program, coordinated with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM). The fund is designed to fill practical gaps in refugee assistance through small, quick-impact awards that address one-time needs or urgent issues not already met by UNHCR or other major multilateral refugee efforts.

2) What is the overall purpose of the fund?

The fund supports short, targeted interventions rather than ongoing or long-term programming. The intent is to address concrete, immediate gaps in assistance and produce clear outcomes, rather than provide continuing service delivery that is already covered by larger refugee programs.

3) How much funding is available?

Total funding is capped at USD 25,000 per country (Thailand). The embassy may fund more than one project as long as the combined total does not exceed USD 25,000.

4) What is the typical funding range for an individual proposal?

Individual proposals can typically range from USD 5,000 to USD 25,000.

5) Can the embassy fund more than one project under this opportunity?

Yes. The embassy may choose to fund more than one project, provided the total amount awarded across all selected projects in the country does not exceed the USD 25,000 ceiling.

6) Who must the project primarily benefit?

Projects must primarily benefit displaced and at-risk populations. A key requirement is that at least 50 percent of beneficiaries are refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), vulnerable migrants, and/or stateless persons.

7) Is there a minimum percentage of refugee-related beneficiaries required?

Yes. At least 50 percent of beneficiaries must be refugees, IDPs, vulnerable migrants, and/or stateless persons.

8) Does the program support work with vulnerable migrants?

It can include vulnerable migrants, but it is not meant to broadly or directly address the needs of undocumented or illegal migrants in general.

9) What does the non-duplication rule mean?

Proposals that replicate services already provided by UNHCR or other multilateral refugee programs (and, in practice, other large refugee assistance programs) will not be considered. Applicants are expected to propose activities that fill gaps rather than duplicate existing large-scale services.

10) What types of outcomes are expected?

The fund is oriented toward concrete outcomes. Final proposals are expected to include measurable results and indicators, and funded projects will be monitored by the U.S. Embassy.

11) What are the FY2021 proposal priorities?

For FY2021, the embassy highlighted two priority angles. Proposals should include at least one of the following: (1) advocacy that can help encourage local or national government policy changes in a positive direction, and/or (2) refugee education and work readiness (noted as new for 2021), focused on practical preparation for refugees and asylum seekers to enter or participate in the Thai education system and workforce.

12) What qualifies as the advocacy priority?

The notice describes advocacy that encourages positive local or national policy changes. Examples include pairing a direct service or intervention with a roundtable that includes government representatives, or producing a report or publication that is shared with officials and includes policy recommendations.

13) What qualifies as the refugee education and work readiness priority?

This priority covers practical activities that prepare refugees and asylum seekers to enter or participate in Thailand's education system and workforce.

14) Are proposals focused mainly on non-refugee migrants encouraged?

No. Proposals that focus mainly on non-refugee migrants are explicitly discouraged.

15) Are proposals that duplicate UNHCR or major NGO work in priority areas encouraged?

No. Proposals that duplicate UNHCR or major NGO activities in the advocacy or education/work readiness spaces are explicitly discouraged.

16) Who is eligible to apply?

Applications must come from registered, established community-based organizations (CBOs) or NGOs. Government officials and private individuals are not eligible to apply under the rules described in the notice.

17) What proof of eligibility may selected applicants need to provide?

Selected groups must be able to provide registration documents proving they are authorized to operate in Thailand as a nonprofit organization.

18) Does the organization need to already exist and operate before applying?

Yes. The organization must already be functioning prior to applying (i.e., established and operating, not newly created for the purpose of the grant).

19) Are there membership expectations for applicant organizations?

Yes. The notice specifies that eligible organizations must have diverse membership and not be a single-family group.

20) Can administrative or operating costs be included in the budget?

Some administrative or operating costs (such as stipends or rent) can be included, but they are expected to be only a small share of an otherwise program-focused budget.

21) Are salaries allowed under Taft Fund budgets?

The notice flags that, in most cases, Taft funds cannot be used for salaries.

22) Can grant funds be used to purchase food or other perishables?

The notice flags that, in most cases, Taft funds cannot be used for perishables such as food.

23) Can an applicant propose an income-generating activity?

Yes, but the embassy recommends contacting the Refugee and Migration Affairs office in advance for guidance if proposing an income-generating activity.

24) What is the application process structure?

The application process is two phases: Phase 1 is a short concept note. Phase 2 is a full proposal, by invitation after concept note review.

25) What is required in the Phase 1 concept note?

The concept note must be a maximum of 400 words (ideally 2 to 3 paragraphs) and should describe: (1) the organization and its goals, (2) the project objective and key activities, and (3) an estimated budget request.

26) When was the Phase 1 concept note due?

Concept notes were due by 11:59pm Bangkok time on Monday, January 25, 2021.

27) How and where should the concept note be submitted?

Concept notes had to be submitted by email to BnkRefugeeSection@state.gov and include the applicant's email and phone contact information.

28) What happens after Phase 1 concept note submission?

After reviewing concept notes, the embassy planned to contact selected applicants around Thursday, January 28, 2021, to invite them to submit a full proposal for Phase 2.

29) What is required in the Phase 2 full proposal?

The full proposal requires: more detailed organizational background; relevant program and project history; a full project narrative explaining community benefits; a detailed line-item budget; a project timeline; and clear goals and activities.

30) When were full proposals due?

Full proposals were due by 11:59pm Bangkok time on Monday, February 15, 2021.

31) Where should full proposals be submitted?

Full proposals were to be submitted to the same email address: BnkRefugeeSection@state.gov, with the applicant's contact details included.

32) When were funded projects expected to start?

Proposed projects were expected to start around August or September 2021.

33) Will applicants receive confirmation that their submission was received?

Yes. The notice states that applicants submitting either a concept note or a full proposal should receive an email confirmation of receipt.

34) What should an applicant do if no confirmation email is received?

If an applicant does not receive a confirmation within 72 hours, they should follow up with the U.S. Embassy Bangkok Refugee and Migration Affairs Section at BnkRefugeeSection@state.gov.

35) When were funding decisions expected?

Funding decisions were projected for June or July 2021.

36) Are awards guaranteed once a proposal is submitted?

No. Awards remain subject to U.S. congressional appropriations and overall fund availability, as noted in the announcement.

37) Can submitted proposals be shared with other embassies in Bangkok?

Yes. The embassy notes that submitted proposals may be shared with other like-minded embassies in Bangkok for possible funding unless the applicant explicitly requests that their submission not be shared.

38) How can an applicant prevent their proposal from being shared with other embassies?

The notice states proposals may be shared unless the applicant explicitly requests that their submission not be shared. Applicants would need to make that request explicitly in their submission.

39) What are examples of projects funded in past cycles?

Examples listed in the notice include: establishing legal aid clinics for asylum seekers; job or vocational training for refugees and asylum seekers; urban agriculture training; creating community centers serving refugee and asylum seeker populations; human rights education; and awareness-raising on legal options available to refugees and asylum seekers.

40) Who should applicants contact with questions?

Applicants are directed to contact BnkRefugeeSection@state.gov with questions.