U.S. EMBASSY TO THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION

Overview

The Public Affairs Sections (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and U.S. Consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran announce an open competition for organizations or individuals to submit a statement of interest (SOI) to carry out a program (or programs) under our Public Diplomacy Annual Program Statement.  

PAS Saudi Arabia invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural, educational, or people-to-people ties between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation.  All programs must include at least one U.S. Embassy priority program area (listed below) and include a U.S. element or connection.  This should be highlighted in your proposal.  This U.S. element could be comprised of an American cultural element, use of American precepts or models, 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.

Special consideration will be given to proposals that highlight the diversity of the United States and programs whose experts represent diverse backgrounds.  Examples of grants program projects include, but are not limited to:

• Academic or professional lectures, seminars, workshops, or speaker programs
• Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and/or exhibitions
• Professional and academic exchanges and projects
• Community building and networking or mentoring initiatives
• Professional development workshops and training
• Programs that facilitate people-to-people connection among Saudis and Americans in priority thematic areas
• Programs that promote development of skills in priority program areas among Saudi youth and/or women, or other target audiences

Priority Program Areas:

• Culture and the Creative Economy:  Projects that support Saudi Arabia’s cultural programming priorities by engaging American performers, artists, creatives and other figures to perform in venues in Saudi Arabia, including via joint performances or exhibitions; or exchange programs that use U.S. experts, professionals, or speakers to help develop the emerging voices in the creative economy sector in Saudi Arabia and support emerging Saudi talent in the creative fields, such as media, comedy, film/television, music, sound engineering, the visual arts, sports entertainment and management, and e-gaming. 
• Education and English Language: Programs that increase access for Saudi students to seek U.S. higher education; promote linkages between U.S. and Saudi universities; offer exchanges or best practices in English teaching and learning; or advance U.S.-Saudi linkages in STEAM fields, to include space or robotics programming.
• Skills Building among Target Audiences:  Programs that support entrepreneurship skills, particularly among youth and women, including by creating linkages with U.S. entrepreneurs and/or investors; programs that leverage sports to develop leadership, teamwork, and rules-based values; or other programs that foster the development of skills critical to economic and social advancement among Saudi youth, women, or underserved groups (including the disabled and people living outside major cities).
• Environmental Protection:  Programs that promote the green economy, raise awareness of the environmental impacts of carbon emissions or littering, promote clean energy, encourage good stewardship of the land and sea, or emphasize partnerships on other environmental issues of concern; or programs that leverage the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference and support Saudi initiatives to promote environmental awareness among Saudi youth. 
• Cultural Heritage:  Programs that promote sustainable economic opportunities in Saudi Arabia through the protection of antiquities, exchanges that promote the protection and promotion of Saudi cultural heritage, or the development of sustainable tourism through the creation of partnerships with U.S. private, public and non-governmental heritage protection and management sectors.

The Public Affairs Section will accept proposals throughout the year until July 15, 2023. 

The submission of the SOI is the first step in a two-step process.  Applicants must first submit a concise (1-3 page) statement of interest designed to clearly communicate program ideas 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 development of a full proposal application.  Upon a merit review of eligible SOIs, selected applicants will be invited to expand on their program