Grants for Individuals - Federal

The Public Diplomacy section (PD) of the U.S. Embassy in Madagascar and Comoros, part of the U.S. Department of State, is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This Notice of Funding Opportunity outlines our funding priorities, our strategic themes, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Purpose of Small Grants: The Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program supports projects proposed by U.S., Malagasy, and/or Comorian educational, cultural, and other non-profit organizations or individuals that promote U.S. values, strengthen understanding between U.S. and Malagasy and/or Comorian people and institutions, and/or support U.S. Embassy goals of promoting human rights, transparency and good governance, economic and social prosperity, environmental stewardship, and sustainable development of natural resources. All programs must include a U.S. cultural element or a connection with U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions that will encourage increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. Priority Program Areas: Promoting human rights, civic engagement, and democracy; Advancing a free and responsible press and combatting disinformation including election disinformation; Promoting the free exercise of religion and ensuring laws and government policies do not interfere with its practice; Developing skills in innovation technology, STEM, and entrepreneurship for women, girls, and/or underrepresented populations; and, Promoting U.S.-Madagascar/Comoros exchange in sports, music, and art. Participants and Audiences: The list below delineates our target audiences: Professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators; Media professionals; Civil society professionals; Women, girls, minorities, and underrepresented populations. The following types of programs are not eligible for funding: Programs relating to partisan political activity; Charitable or development activities; Construction programs; Programs that support specific religious activities; Fund-raising campaigns; Lobbying for specific legislation or programs; Scientific research; Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; or Programs that duplicate existing programs. Authorizing legislation, type and year of funding: Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt Act or the Fulbright-Hays Act. The source of funding is FY2024 Public Diplomacy Funding. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: up to 18 months Number of awards anticipated: Up to 4 awards (depending upon amounts) Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $2,000 to a maximum of $5,000 Total available funding: $20,000 (pending the availability of funds) Type of funding: Fiscal Year 2024 Public Diplomacy Funding Anticipated program start date: September 01, 2024 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Grants, Fixed Amount Awards, Awards to Individuals, or Cooperative Agreements. Cooperative agreements require substantial involvement and are different from grants in that Public Diplomacy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 18 months or less. The Public Diplomacy Section may entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.

The FY 2025 MARFIN grant aims to fund research and development projects that enhance the sustainability and management of marine fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the South Atlantic states.

This funding opportunity supports projects that foster mutual understanding and cooperation between Kenya and the United States, targeting young Kenyans, civil society leaders, and educational institutions.

This funding opportunity is designed for alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs in Georgia to implement innovative community projects that promote democracy, economic prosperity, and cultural ties with the West.

This funding opportunity supports early-career researchers at U.S. academic or nonprofit institutions to develop innovative solutions for national security challenges, with mentorship from DARPA.

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) at U.S. Embassy Tunis of the U.S. Department of State (hereafter referred to as PAS Tunis) is pleased to announce this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This an Annual Program Statement (APS) outlines our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Based on availability of funding, PAS Tunis will award grants, fixed amount awards, or cooperative agreements between a minimum of $10,000 and up to $250,000 (U.S. dollars) each for projects that advance the priorities outlined in this APS. Please carefully follow all instructions. Applications may be submitted at any time for consideration before the closing date of this annual program statement on August 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. U.S. EDT. Proposals will be reviewed, and awards made by no later than September 30, 2024, pending the availability of funds. Purpose of PAS Public Diplomacy Grants: PAS Tunis invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural, educational, professional, and scientific ties between the United States and Tunisia through programming that highlights shared values, strengthens people-to-people ties and institutional linkages, and promotes bilateral cooperation. Competitive proposals should focus on at least one grant priority area outlined below. Proposals that do not address one of the grant priority areas outlined below will not be considered for funding. All proposed programs must include an American cultural element or connection with American expert(s), organization(s), or institutions in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policies, values, and perspectives and incorporate cross-cutting approaches to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Examples of PAS Tunis PD Small Grant proposals include, but are not limited to: Subject-matter expert, academic, and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs that include U.S. speakers/experts. Programs that strengthen relationships and linkages between U.S. colleges/universities and Tunisian higher education institutions. Educational, artistic, and cultural programs, including programs that strengthen English language teaching and learning, musical and/or dance workshops, master classes, and performances, live theatre performances, art exhibitions, and culinary diplomacy initiatives. Programs that promote economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, and/or that address environmental and urban development challenges. Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programming, including through the use new technologies, such as VR technology. (Note: PD funding cannot be used to support construction-related activities. End note.) Grant Priority Areas: Grant proposals should address at least one of the four Public Affairs priority areas outlined below: 1. Strengthening civil society and fostering shared interests in democracy, good governance, rule of law, and civic participation. Projects targeting this priority area could focus on advocacy and inclusion efforts for disabled persons and other disadvantaged groups, promoting media freedom and literacy, countering disinformation, strengthening civil society organizations, promoting local cultural heritage, traditional and modern art forms, and other forms of creative expression, and projects that engage emerging leaders in any of these fields through linkages with U.S. counterparts. 2. Advancing inclusive economic prosperity through programs aimed at helping Tunisian citizens, particularly youth, women, disabled persons, first generation Tunisian university students, and geographically marginalized populations fully benefit from economic development. Programs could focus on topics such as entrepreneurship, soft skills training, hospitality, ecotourism, environmental tourism, and creative economy industries, job creation, intellectual property rights and protection, corporate social responsibility, access to finance, and university linkage programs focused on such topics. 3. Fostering innovation together to address climate change and urban development challenges, conservation, science, and technology. Programs could focus on promoting STEM education and/or encouraging youth to pursue STEM careers, or on topics such as environmental conservation, climate change mitigation, technological innovations to tackle challenges related to climate change and urbanization (e.g., water management, waste management, urban planning, mitigating impact of built environment on cultural heritage preservation and green spaces, etc.) and involving communities in developing solutions to such challenges, and linkage programs with U.S. universities focused on such topics. 4. Strengthening the capacity of U.S. government exchange program alumni through programming in the priority areas listed above and bolstering engagement between alumni and the Embassy. Programs could include tailored training for alumni in areas such as project management, grant writing, business plan development and pitching startup ideas, developing and executing community service projects, advocacy for civic projects and policies, leadership, public speaking, DEIA-related training, and other soft skills training, including English language training and/or community service projects or other projects benefitting PAS Tunis priority audiences implemented by exchange program alumni. In addition to the specific requirements listed above, all proposals must: 1. Clearly indicate the primary grant priority area the program is focused on 2. Clearly indicate the key public diplomacy audience(s) that will be targeted by the program and the key activities to be delivered through the program 3. Identify the cities/districts in which activities will take place 4. Identify specific outcomes to be achieved by the end of the grant period 5. Clearly delineate how elements of the proposed program will have a multiplier effect and be sustainable beyond the life of the grant 6. Provide a traditional and/or social media plan for marketing program activities and outcome, if applicable 7. Identify any tools (surveys, beneficiary interviews, focus groups, etc.) that will be developed and used for Monitoring and Evaluation purposes Participants and Audiences: Proposals must focus on one of the priority areas specified above and target at least one of PAS Tunis key audiences, including: youth (14-35 years old), first-generation university/higher education students, alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange program, women, disabled persons, and other minority or geographically marginalized groups, including audiences outside of the Greater Tunis area, educators, media practitioners, policy makers, civil society organizations, and entrepreneurs and innovators. In addition, U.S. Embassy Tunis seeks creative proposals that build upon existing partnerships between U.S. organizations and Tunisian counterparts, as well as those that create new partnerships and expand operational capabilities of existing organizations. The following types of programs are not eligible for funding: Programs relating to partisan political activity; Programs that do not contain people-to-people exchanges or interactions; Charitable or development activities; Construction programs; Programs that support specific religious activities; Fund-raising; Lobbying for specific legislation or programs; Scientific research; Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; and Programs that duplicate existing programs. Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt Act. The source of funding for this NOFO is Public Diplomacy Funding

The Public Diplomacy Section (PD) of the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg, U.S. Department of State, announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out programs strengthening bilateral ties between the United States and Luxembourg on Accelerating STEM and Climate Ambitions. The U.S. Embassy Luxembourg invites proposals from non-governmental organizations, think tanks, government institutions, academic institutions, and individuals for programs strengthening the bilateral ties between the United States and Luxembourg and Accelerating STEM and Climate Ambitions, including, but not limited to: Programs that raise awareness about space and satellite technology, space exploration, biotechnology, green technology, clean energy, climate change, the climate crisis, or sustainable finance. This could include educational programs for young people, trainings for educators, public debates, exhibits, speakers, etc. Educational programs with a focus on interactive STEM skills, such as computer programming, coding, and robotics, or programs about the importance of protecting the environment, clean air and water and sustainability measures. Projects that share American best practices in STEM and space research, climate change, sustainability, sustainable finance, renewables, environmental protection, or biotechnology by bringing U.S. experts to engage with Luxembourg audiences. All programs must engage Luxembourg audiences. All programs must include a U.S. element or connection with U.S. experts that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. Any speaker paid with grant funding must hold U.S. citizenship. Please review the complete NOFO on the Funding Opportunities page on our website: https://lu.usembassy.gov/grants-program/ , or in the related documents tab on the announcement on grants.gov.

This competition provides funding and flight testing opportunities for U.S.-based individuals, teams, and organizations to develop innovative space technologies that address critical challenges identified by NASA.

This grant provides funding for alumni of U.S. Department of State exchange programs to implement community-focused projects that address disaster prevention and relief in the Eastern Caribbean.

This funding opportunity supports a variety of organizations and individuals in Togo to create projects that strengthen cultural ties and promote mutual understanding between the United States and Togo, focusing on themes like peace, democracy, and economic growth.

This initiative seeks input from various stakeholders, including businesses, researchers, and government entities, to enhance the recycling and reuse of products and materials, ultimately promoting environmental sustainability and economic resilience.

This funding opportunity supports U.S. and Canadian organizations in creating public diplomacy projects that foster mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries, focusing on shared interests like innovation, security, and cultural exchange.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to implement innovative projects in the Philippines that address key issues in peace and security, economic prosperity, and organizational capacity building.

This funding opportunity supports cultural, educational, and informational initiatives that promote mutual understanding and cooperation between the United States and the Philippines, targeting not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions.

The U.S. Embassy Rangoon of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations or individuals to submit a statement of interest (SOI) to carry out a program (or programs) to strengthen the cultural ties between the U.S. and Myanmar through cultural programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. Please carefully follow all instructions below. The submission of the SOI is the first step in a two-step process. Applicants must first submit a concise (two-page maximum) statement of interest designed to clearly communicate a program idea and objectives. This is not a full proposal. The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants to submit program ideas for evaluation prior to requiring the development of a full proposal application. Upon a merit review of eligible SOIs, selected applicants will be invited to expand on their program idea(s) by submitting a full proposal application. Full proposals will go through a second merit review before a final funding decision is made. Priority Program Areas: Priority will be given to proposals that address one or more of the following program areas: 1. U.S.MYANMAR BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP - Programs that seek to promote a greater understanding of U.S. policies, culture, and society to Myanmar audiences; activities that promote shared values and interests between the American and Myanmar people; and projects that build people-to-people ties. 2. SUPPORTING INCLUSIVE DIVERSE SOCIETY - Programs that seeks to build inclusive society, promote a deepened understanding of diversity and inclusion, and encourage tolerance and peace through socio-economic development, dialogue, skills development, and economic empowerment. 3. EDUCATION CULTURE - Programs that promote understating of U.S education and culture or that help prepare for study in the United States; the building of linkages between American and Myanmar private academic cultural institutions; and training opportunities for Myanmar students or faculty and artists. 4. MEDIA LITERACY, INDEPENDENT MEDIA PRESS FREEDOM - Projects that promotes digital media literacy, support independent citizen journalism, and counter disinformation.

The U.S. Embassy Luanda is pleased to announce the availability of a funding opportunity through the 2024 Ambassadors Special Self-Help Fund. The Ambassadors Special Self-Help (SSH) program is a grass-roots grant assistance program that allows U.S. Ambassadors to support local requests for small community-based development projects. The purpose of the Special Self-Help Program is to support communities through modest grants that will positively impact local communities. The SSH philosophy is to help communities ready to help themselves.

This initiative provides up to $10 million in prizes to innovators developing advanced LED lighting solutions that improve energy efficiency, quality, and accessibility for commercial use.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to individuals for projects that foster collaboration and understanding between the United States and Timor-Leste, focusing on themes like education, economic development, and democratic values.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to eligible organizations and individuals for projects that strengthen the U.S.-Jamaica relationship by addressing issues like youth at risk, economic prosperity, and human rights.

This funding opportunity supports teams of alumni from U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to implement innovative community projects in Guatemala that address issues like disaster resilience, migration, rule of law, economic growth, and civil society capacity building.