U.S. Mission to Costa Rica San Jose Embassy Annual Program Statement

Overview

<p class="btn btn-gold btn-block"><strong>Limited Submission: updated 2/12/2022 with internal submission information</strong></p> <p>The U.S. Embassy San Jose Public Diplomacy Section (PD) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that grants funding is available. This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below.</p> <p>Purpose: PD San Jose invites proposals for programs that strengthen people-to-people ties between the U.S. and Costa Rica through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an U.S. cultural 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.</p> <p>Priority Program Areas:</p> <ul> <li>Improving the skills of English language teachers and empowering young English learners by increasing their exposure to educational opportunities, particularly among the underserved audiences described below. Projects should demonstrate coordination with the Ministry of Education.</li> <li>Encouraging girls to enter Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) careers and improving the skills of STEAM teachers in order to increase the quality of, and access to, STEAM education for girls at the elementary and secondary education levels. Projects should demonstrate coordination with the Ministry of Education.</li> <li>Promoting entrepreneurship and knowledge of basic skills to increase business development among small and medium-sized businesses, particularly among the underserved populations described below.</li> <li>Media-related projects to support freedom of the press, counter disinformation, and/or improve media literacy in Costa Rica, or leverage Costa Rican journalists’ expertise to support these lines of effort in the region. Proposals with a regional element should demonstrate a clear nexus to Costa Rica</li> <li>Advancing climate action, including engaging U.S. and Costa Rican experts to raise awareness, increase environmental justice, and encourage eco-friendly entrepreneurial initiatives.</li> </ul> <p>Target Audiences in Costa Rica:</p> <ul> <li>Women and girls</li> <li>Migrant populations</li> <li>Afro-descendant populations</li> <li>Indigenous communities</li> <li>Youth from underserved communities</li> <li>Rural and semi-rural populations outside the San Jose metropolitan area</li> <li>NGOs and think tanks</li> <li>National and regional media</li> <li>Cultural and educational leaders</li> <li>Next generation leaders (e.g., innovators, digital influencers, university campus leaders)</li> </ul> <p>Activities that may be funded include, but are not limited to:</p> <ul> <li>Public-facing programs that include U.S. subject matter experts conducting speaking tours/public talks, roundtable discussions, workshops, etc</li> <li>Academic and professional lectures and seminars</li> <li>Skills building and education programs that help young people learn technology-based job skills</li> <li>Professional and academic exchanges and programs</li> <li>Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions</li> <li>Development of initiatives aimed at maintaining contacts with alumni of our exchange programs.</li> </ul> <p><em><strong>COVID-19 Special Announcement to All Potential Applicants:</strong></em> In light of the restrictive travel and public gathering environments caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Embassy in San Jose expects interested applicants to submit proposals that include a virtual programming option. Depending upon the public health restrictions in force at the time the program takes place, applicants should have plans to execute in-person, hybrid, or virtual programming in compliance with COVID health and safety guidelines issued by the Government of Costa Rica. Please reflect these options in the budget submitted. As always, submitted budgets are subject to negotiation and approval by the Grants Officer before finalizing any grant award.</p>