Reel American: The Road to the Olympic Rings

The U.S. Department of State’s U.S. Mission to Jordan is soliciting proposals for Reel American: The Road to the Olympic Rings, a 21-month public diplomacy initiative running from October 2026 through June 2028 to engage 1,000 youth aged 16 to 25 in Jordan and surrounding regions. The program will feature one monthly film screening of classic American sports movies designed to highlight U.S. values such as teamwork, perseverance, and competitive excellence, aligning with the broader narrative of American leadership ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. Applicants must demonstrate a strong program concept with clear objectives, a feasible timeline, and direct alignment with U.S. foreign policy goals of promoting American cultural influence and athletic legacy. Proposals must be submitted exclusively via email to Ammangrants@state.gov by 11:59 p.m. Amman time on August 31, 2026, and must include a 10-page narrative, completed SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B forms, key personnel resumes, letters of support from partners, proof of nonprofit status and legal registration, and a detailed budget with narrative justification. The evaluation is merit-based, weighted toward program quality and feasibility (30 points), organizational capacity (25 points), and project planning (20 points), with budget (10 points), monitoring and evaluation (10 points), and sustainability (5 points) also considered; cost is not a primary factor and is only used to break ties, with preference given to applicants with lower indirect cost rates as mandated by Executive Order 14332. Award recipients must comply with all federal grant requirements under 2 CFR Part 200, maintain a valid Unique Entity Identifier through SAM.gov, and ensure compliance with U.S. Department of State branding standards in all materials. Indirect costs require a current Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, and all salary payments must be made via electronic funds transfer. The contract explicitly prohibits construction, direct social services, and the use of unmanned aircraft systems without prior approval. Pre-award costs are unallowable unless pre-approved, and trafficking in persons compliance is mandatory for awards exceeding $500,000. Recipients must submit quarterly program and financial reports and a final report within 120 days of program completion. The award is non-renew