U.S. Embassy Dhaka Public Affairs Section (PAS)

Overview

<p class="btn btn-gold btn-block"><strong>ASU Limited Submissions will host an internal competition pending faculty expressed interest. Contact RODA if interested in applying.</strong></p> <p>As Bangladesh celebrates 50 years of independence, U.S. Embassy Dhaka looks forward to celebrating 50 years of U.S.-Bangladesh diplomatic relations. Over almost five decades, the United States and Bangladesh have expanded cooperation based on people-to-people ties and friendship grounded in mutual respect. In security, development, trade, health care, education, and energy, the United States and Bangladesh work together with a shared commitment to peace, prosperity, and a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region.</p> <p>Proposals for projects must focus on one of the APS Funding Priority Areas listed below and must include elements of public outreach and U.S. culture or a connection with U.S. expert(s), organization(s), or institution(s) that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives, and promote people-to-people and institution-to-institution ties. Proposals must also include a component/element related to the 50th anniversary of U.S.-Bangladesh diplomatic ties. PAS is more likely to fund programs that directly support U.S. Embassy Dhaka’s Integrated Country Strategy, which can be found under South and Central Asia Region/Bangladesh at: <a href="https://www.state.gov/integrated-country-strategies/#sca">https://www.s…; <p>Proposed projects may* include, but are not limited to:</p> <ul> <li>Academic and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs;</li> <li>Artistic, cultural, and sports workshops, including joint performances, exhibitions, festivals, culinary diplomacy, creative writing, comedy, clinics, master classes, etc.;</li> <li>Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs;</li> <li>Professional or academic exchanges and projects, including virtual exchanges with U.S. experts or communities; and</li> <li>Professional development workshops and training for English language instructors, civil society organizers, female entrepreneurs, etc.</li> </ul> <p><em>*Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is recommended that proposals include virtual programming alternatives in the event in-person activities, including international travel, continues to be impacted by the pandemic.</em></p> <p>Proposals must focus on one of the priority areas specified below and target at least one of PAS Dhaka’s key audiences, including: youth (14-35 years old), educators, women, other minority/marginalized groups, journalists, policy makers, civil society organizations, and entrepreneurs/innovators, and must include a component/element related to the 50th anniversary of U.S.-Bangladesh diplomatic ties.</p> <ol> <li><strong>Awareness</strong>: Raising awareness of U.S.-Bangladesh relations and the importance of our bilateral partnership.</li> <li><strong>Civil Society Strengthening</strong>: Building institutional capacity of Bangladeshi non-profit, NGOs, grassroots organizations, and other civil society institutions to develop a more engaged and informed citizenry able to tackle major social challenges facing Bangladesh.</li> <li><strong>Education:</strong> Improving student-centered teaching and soft skills training to strengthen student employability; English teaching; continuing education opportunities for teachers, teaching methods, and modernizing education systems; promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education; promoting tolerance and diversity among student populations; and strengthening linkages between U.S. and Bangladeshi higher education institutions. <em><strong>NOTE:</strong> For all objectives under the Education Priority Area, priority will be given to proposals aimed at broad institutional and long-term impact beyond the life cycle of the grant. While proposals may include in-person exchange components between U.S. and Bangladeshi institutions for teachers, students, administrators, and/or other education professionals, proposals that fail to include a long-term outcome or impact sustainable beyond the life cycle of the grant award will not be considered.</em></li> <li><strong>Human Rights/Inclusiveness:</strong> Expanding women’s rights and empowerment; access and legal reform for disabled persons, LGBTI rights, and ethnic/religious minorities’ rights; supporting freedoms of expression, press, association, religion; preventing and eliminating trafficking in persons; and strengthening rule of law.</li> <li><strong>Inclusive Economic Growth and Prosperity:</strong> Promoting sustainable enterprises, small businesses, innovation, and the development of human capital in Bangladesh; encouraging implementation and enforcement of environmentally friendly business practices; reducing barriers to trade; strengthening intellectual property rights; improving opportunities for U.S. businesses; and promoting U.S. products and American business values.</li> <li><strong>State Department Exchanges Alumni Network in Bangladesh:</strong> Leveraging Bangladeshi alumni of U.S. government exchange programs to achieve long-term objectives in Bangladesh through capacity building and strengthening connections through people-to-people ties and institutional linkages.</li> </ol>