U.S. Embassy Bern PAS Annual Program Statement

Overview

The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy to Switzerland and Liechtenstein is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Small Grants Program.  This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, strategic themes, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding.  Please carefully follow all instructions below.

U.S. Embassy Bern invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the United States and Switzerland or Liechtenstein through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation and dialogue.  All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with (a) U.S. expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

Examples of PDS Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to:
•    Academic and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs
•    Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions
•    Professional, apprenticeship/trainee, and academic exchanges and programs
•    Social media and awareness raising campaigns

The PDS Small Grants Program is open to applications from Swiss, Liechtenstein, and U.S. organizations and individuals.  We especially encourage and will prioritize applications from alumni of U.S. State Department Exchange Programs who are residents of Switzerland or Liechtenstein.

Priority Program Areas:
•    Recognizing and countering disinformation and misinformation
•    Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, with a special focus on:
     -  Women and girls, in all their diversity, in STEAM fields
     -  Increasing visibility, equity, inclusion, and accessibility of underrepresented groups in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, including immigrants, migrants, refugees, and asylees
•    Promoting mobility and knowledge transfer of apprenticeships between Switzerland/Liechtenstein and the United States
•    Strengthening entrepreneurship and economic collaboration between the United States and Switzerland with an emphasis on emerging and women entrepreneurs and business students

Participants and Audiences:
•    Swiss and Liechtenstein residents
•    Underrepresented groups
•    Swiss and Liechtenstein youth aged 16 to 25
•    Emerging and established professionals and leaders in the priority program areas mentioned above

The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:
•    Programs relating to partisan political activity;
•    Charitable or development activities;
•    Construction programs;
•    Fund-raising campaigns;
•    Lobbying for specific legislation or programs;
•    Scientific research;
•    Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the recipient organization.

Length of performance period:  Up to 36 months
Anticipated program start date:  No later than 30 September 2024
Funding Instrument Type:  Cooperative agreement, Fixed Amount Award (FAAs), or grant. Cooperative agreements and some FAAs differ from grants in that PDS staff are more actively involved in the implementation of the former (“Substantial Involvement”).