U.S. Embassy Port Moresby PAS Annual Program Statement

Overview

The U.S. Embassy Port Moresby Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce the availability of funding through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This Annual Program Statement outlines our funding priorities, strategic themes, and procedures for submitting funding requests. Please carefully follow all instructions below. 

Purpose of Small Grants: 

Programs should promote strategic objectives of our countries and meet mission goals, incorporating an American cultural element or connection with American experts, organizations, or institutions. These programs should focus on strengthening economic, social, and environmental conditions in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and/or Vanuatu. 

Proposals must support initiatives aligning with our core objectives of promoting economic empowerment, media literacy, and STEM/STEAM education, with a particular emphasis on women and girls. Grant proposals submitted for consideration must fall under the following lines of effort:  

Economic Empowerment: 

• Providing opportunities for skill development, including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and STEAM (adding Arts to STEM) education, for all individuals, including marginalized populations, women, and girls.
• ​​​​Promoting sustainable resource management and enhancing women’s participation in decision-making processes. 
• Access to and participation in STEM/STEAM education and careers among women and girls.
• Supporting initiatives such as educational programs, mentorship initiatives, and outreach efforts to empower women and girls in STEM/STEAM-related fields. 
• Strengthening democratic institutions to facilitate economic growth, promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance. 
• Empowering women to actively engage in shaping the socio-political landscape of their communities and nations. 
• Creating economic opportunities for women in sectors such as agriculture, forestry, and fisheries while safeguarding the environment. 

Media Literacy and Promotion: 

• Promoting media literacy and engagement, emphasizing the role of media in democratic societies.
• Enhancing citizens’ ability to critically analyze media content, recognize false information, and participate in media discourse. 
• Understanding the importance of a free and independent press. 
• Empowering individuals to become active contributors to media discourse by promoting media literacy and providing tools to navigate media environments effectively. 

In addition to these focus areas, proposals must align with the core goals of the U.S. Embassy, which include promoting education, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding between the United States and partner countries. This includes providing accurate, compelling, timely, and audience-appropriate information about the United States – including its history, culture, society, values, and foreign policies. Facilitating business English, English for job skills, CV and resume writing, research skills, and technical writing. Promoting higher education study in the United States by providing international students with accurate, comprehensive, and current guidance on applying to U.S. colleges and universities. 

Applicants are encouraged to develop innovative and impactful projects that contribute to advancing gender equality, promoting inclusive economic growth, and strengthening democratic institutions. Proposals should clearly outline project objectives, activities, expected outcomes, and sustainability plans. 

Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding. 

Funding Instrument Type: Grant, Fixed Amount Award, or Cooperative Agreement dependent on activity. 

Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less. 
Total Amount Available: $500,000 subject to funding availability. 
Maximum for Each Award: Local organizations: $24,000, International: $250,000  

PAS will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.