U.S. Mission to Costa Rica, Embassy San Jose Public Diplomacy Section Annual Program Statement

Overview

The U.S. Embassy San Jose Public Diplomacy (PD) Section of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) to implement cultural or educational programs that strengthen ties between the United States and Costa Rica. A SOI should include cultural, exchange, and outreach activities that promote shared values and people-to-people ties between the United States and Costa Rica. The thematic areas for the projects must be aligned with Public Diplomacy priorities and the strategic goals of the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica, detailed below. 

Priority Program Areas: 

• Programs that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility including, but not limited to: skills building programming, awareness-building, cultural programming, sports, countering gender-based violence, or educational opportunities.

• Programs that promote shared United States and Costa Rican values through English language learning, the arts, music, sports, entrepreneurship, STEAM education, and university preparation skills. 

• Activities that foster long-term student and academic collaboration between U.S. and Costa Rican universities, technical schools, and community colleges, particularly in the fields of STEAM, semi-conductor workforce development, and English language teaching. 

• Activities that increase media literacy and/or combat the spread of disinformation. 

Activities that may be funded include, but are not limited to:  

• Public-facing programs that include U.S. subject matter experts conducting speaking tours/public talks, roundtable discussions, workshops, etc.

• Academic and professional lectures and seminars  

• Skills building and education programs that help young people learn technology-based job skills  

• Awareness-building campaigns 

• Professional and academic exchanges and programs  

• Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions 

Applicants are only allowed to submit one Statement of Interest per organization. If more than one SOI is submitted from an organization, ALL proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding.

Awards may range from a minimum of $35,000 to a maximum of $50,000 pending funding availability. 

2024 SOI Deadline: May 15, 2024  
Selected SOIs will then need to submit the full grant package by June 15, 2024. 
 
The submission of the SOI is the first step in a two-step process. Applicants must first submit a concise (2-page maximum) SOI designed to clearly communicate program ideas, objectives, and an estimated budget. This is not a full proposal. The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants to submit program ideas for evaluation prior to requiring the development of a full proposal application.

Program Performance Period: 12 months or less