U.S. Mission to NATO Public Affairs Annual Program Statement

Overview

The Office of the Public Affairs Advisor (PAA) at the U.S. Mission to NATO (USNATO) is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. 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.

Purpose of Small Grants: PAA invites proposals for programs and initiatives that help promote an increased understanding of NATO’s role in promoting regional peace and security, as well as the rules-based international order.  All programs must include a direct tie to the United States. This could be via American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. foreign policy interests within the Alliance. Examples of PAA Small Grants Program projects include, but are not limited to:

• Academic and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs
• Artistic and cultural workshops, performances, and exhibitions
• Professional and academic exchanges, programs, and trainings
• Digital engagements and content creation
• Establishing core leadership/influencer groups, such as a young leaders network
• Developing educational materials

Priority Region: While activities targeting NATO Allies and partner countries will be prioritized, programs that support NATO objectives or increase understanding of NATO in other strategically important countries will also be considered.

Priority Program Areas:

USNATO PAA invites proposals for programs and initiatives on the following priority program areas:

• Countering disinformation and misinformation
• Media independence or media literacy
• NATO deterrence and defense, including its new military plans
• Hybrid security threats and emerging technologies
• Science and technology
• NATO and Africa, Asia, or Latin America
• NATO partnerships
• Russian malign influence in the Euro-Atlantic area
• The People’s Republic of China’s expanding use of economic, political, and military power
• Climate security
• Women, Peace, and Security
• Young professionals and next generation engagement

We strongly encourage:

• New and creative approaches that utilize emerging technologies, innovative audience engagement, and targeted audience reach 
• Programs that seek to reflect diversity of thought and backgrounds, gender balance, and focus on intersectionality
• Programs and initiatives that incorporate and empower emerging voices, such as youth audiences
• Product outputs with multiplying effects
• Product outputs in two or more languages
• Forthright analysis about the gaps in NATO strategies along with practical solutions to address deficiencies
• Implementation plans that incorporate evaluation components, such as key performance indicators (KPIs) to track a quantifiable measure of performance

Participants and Audiences:

Successful proposals will emphasize the ability to affect attitudes and behaviors amongst selected audiences, including women, youth, security and defense communities, policy makers, and opinion shapers in NATO Ally, partner, or strategically important countries.

Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization.

Length of performance period: 12 to 24 months
Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $20,000 to a maximum of $50,000
Anticipated award start date: October 1, 2024
Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 24 months or less.