U.S. Embassy Guatemala - PAS Annual Program Statement

Overview

Purpose of Small Grants:  

PAS Guatemala invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural, educational, professional, and/or scientific ties between the United States and Guatemala through cultural, educational, and/or exchange programming that highlights our shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural or educational 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.

Examples of projects that may be eligible to receive funding through the PAS Small Grants Program include, but are not limited to:
 

• Academic and professional lectures, seminars, workshops, and speaker programs
• Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions
• Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs
• Professional or academic exchanges and programs

All proposed activities must take place in Guatemala. Virtual and/or hybrid programs that focus on Guatemalan audiences may also be considered.  

Proposed activities must support one or more of the following Embassy goals:

• Reduce irregular migration to the United Stats
• Expand good governance 
• Improve citizen prosperity 
• Increase citizen security 
• Improve export and investment opportunities for U.S. firms

Priority consideration will be given to those which specifically address one or more of the following themes:

• Climate change and environmental sustainability.  The U.S. Government is committed to climate change mitigation and education.  We welcome proposals that seek to educate and increase awareness of the problems and challenges around the issues of climate change and environmental sustainability and that promote solutions or alternatives.
• Empowerment of Guatemalan women and/or girls.  The U.S. Government is committed to diversity and social inclusion and to promoting gender equity. We welcome proposals that seek to educate and/or increase civic engagement and participation by Guatemalan women or girls, especially from indigenous communities and/or rural/non-urban areas of the country and/or areas marked by high rates of irregular migration.
• Empowering and connecting diverse Guatemalan communities.  The U.S. Government is committed to ensuring that U.S. government programs and exchanges are inclusive of Guatemalans of all backgrounds, including original communities, Garifuna communities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community, or Guatemalans with disabilities. We welcome proposals that offer ways to include and promote the participation of all Guatemalans.  
• Media freedom. The U.S. Government is committed to media freedom at home and around the world; a free and independent press holds leaders accountable, protects the rights of citizens, and ensures our communities are well informed. We welcome proposals that seek to explore issues around media freedom and its importance to a functional democracy, as well as those that promote community-based reporting or expanded press opportunities for junior journalists. We also welcome proposals that seek to create synergies or exchanges between U.S. and Guatemalan news agencies to improve elections reporting and the exposure of disinformation.

• PAS will accept proposals throughout the year and will review proposals the first week of each month.  Responses will usually go out by the 15th of each month.  Organizations whose applications will not receive funding will also be notified via email.
• Ideally, applications should be submitted at least six to eight months prior to the planned start date of a project. Applications submitted less than three months prior to the planned start date of a project present significant challenges for processing and may not be approved. 
• The statutory authorities for awards made under this announcement are limited to Fulbright-Hayes and Smith-Mundt.
• All application materials must be submitted by email to [email protected].