Grant Procedures and Guidelines

Cipe Proposals

CIPE prizes innovation and strategy and we do not subscribe to restrictive program categories; thus we welcome grant proposals from non-profit organizations throughout the world. Potential applicants for grants are urged to submit a brief concept paper explaining the proposed project before a complete proposal is prepared. The purpose of this step is to ensure that the proposed project is in accord with CIPE's stated goals. When preparing formal proposals, applicants should review the criteria described below and carefully follow the proposal format.

The review process for proposals may require up to six months. Receipt of proposals is acknowledged by letter. CIPE staff reviews all proposals for completeness and compliance with CIPE requirements. Applicants will be contacted if further clarification is required. CIPE's Executive Committee evaluates all proposals and makes recommendations for approval or rejection. The Committee meets four times a year. Proposals approved for funding are presented to the National Endowment for Democracy for final approval. At the conclusion of the review, grant award documents or notifications of rejection are sent to the applicant organization.

Both concept papers and proposals should be submitted to:

Center for International Private Enterprise
1155 15th Street, N.W.
Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005

Telephone: (202) 721-9200
Fax: (202) 721-9250

Criteria

In evaluating proposals, CIPE is guided by the following criteria:

Project Scope

• CIPE funds specific projects and does not provide support for general organizational costs.
• CIPE project support shall generally not exceed 25-30 percent of the applicant organization's annual operating budget.
• Projects conceived as ongoing efforts must demonstrate a decreasing level of CIPE support with a goal of self-sufficiency.
• Generally CIPE will not be the sole source of project funding. Applicants must include matching funds from their own budget or other sources of revenue or provide a compelling reason why this criterion should be waived.
  

Project Design

• Proposed project objectives must clearly address the purpose and objectives of CIPE.
• Project design must include specific, measurable outcomes which can be used to evaluate the degree to which the project's objectives are met.
• Project design must describe post-grant activities which would continue and enhance the success of the project.
  

Regional Strategy

CIPE's priority is to support projects in countries where conditions provide greatest potential for lasting success. In general CIPE projects will be in countries that:

• Show at least some characteristics of a political democracy;
• Have an economic base that is sufficient to support a private sector business community; and
• Have a government inclined toward, or at least tolerant of, pragmatic economic policies and private sector growth.

Download a printable version of all the information available in How To Apply for a CIPE Grant