U.S. Consulate General Chennai Public Affairs Section (PAS) Annual Program Statement

Overview

<p><strong>Project Goal</strong>: The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to implement small programs that strengthen and increase academic and cultural exchanges between U.S. and India, highlight shared values and promote bilateral cooperation, expand partnership in technology innovation, promote a shared Indo Pacific vision, and foster inclusivity in India. All programs must include an American 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. The audience for all initiatives must be the Indian public in South India.</p> <p><strong>Project Audience(s):</strong></p> <ul> <li>Youth (15-30), including students;</li> <li>Emerging voices, including civil society leaders and social influencers;</li> <li>Innovative Digital and Social Media influencers</li> <li>National and regional media</li> <li>Business leaders and entrepreneurs, innovators;</li> <li>Established opinion leaders, including cultural and/or academic institution leadership;</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="font-size:1em">Examples of PAS Small Grants Program include, but are not limited to: </span></strong></p> <ul> <li>U.S. experts conducting speaking tours and public talks, roundtable discussions, workshops, etc.</li> <li>Academic and professional lectures and seminars; </li> <li>Cultural and arts programs/workshops/ performances and exhibitions; </li> <li>Development of initiatives aimed at maintaining contacts with alumni of our exchange programs.</li> </ul> <p>This funding opportunity seeks to invite project proposals on four areas: Transformative Technologies, Inclusive India, Indo Pacific Cooperation, and Higher Education.  While proposals may address multiple project and objectives, each proposal should focus primarily on one of the following priority project areas.</p> <p><strong>Transformative Technologies:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Programs to support and promote U.S. and India partnership in emerging technologies sectors, for example artificial intelligence.</li> <li>Programs to promote U.S.-India space diplomacy by developing the next generation of U.S. and Indian space experts.</li> <li>Programs to create awareness about cybersecurity</li> </ul> <p><strong>Inclusive Democracy:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Programs to encourage women to become more engaged in politics, the democratic process, and civic engagement.</li> <li>Programs to create a network of young leaders to have a better understanding of democratic values and participate in their community to solve problems of inequity and injustice.</li> <li>Programs that highlight the U.S. experience combatting racism, sexism and discrimination and offer opportunities for conversations with young Indians on the topic of discrimination.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Indo-Pacific Strategy:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Programs to support initiatives that utilize various means to educate, advocate, and collaborate with India to create a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.</li> <li>Programs to promote and leverage America’s technological and science expertise; and support educational institutions to explore the Indian Ocean as a shared natural resource with a focus on ocean health and disaster management, involving public institutions and officials as appropriate.</li> <li>Programs to develop social and intellectual connections, creating bridges of understanding and connection among Indo-Pacific countries by providing opportunities for participants to identify and appreciate common values.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Higher Education:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Programs related to the India’s new National Education Policy implementation and its opportunities for U.S.-India education collaboration.</li> <li>Programs to promote an increase and deepen partnership between U.S. and Indian higher education institutions.</li> <li>Programs to increase the awareness of higher education opportunities in the United States and enriching people-to-people engagement through higher education.</li> </ul> <p>While PAS Chennai is focusing on the above four areas, we also welcome competitive proposals on other topics per above.</p>