US Mission to Norway: U.S. Embassy Oslo (PDS): Annual Program Statement - Small Grants Program

Overview

The Public Diplomacy section at U.S. Embassy Norway is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Annual Program Statement Small Grants Program. This Notice of Funding Opportunity outlines our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below.

All programs must include an American element. Examples of American elements include, but are not limited to, connections with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

The program should have a public outreach component that specifically engages audiences in Norway. Proposals that seek to advance the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Norway in the following areas will be prioritized:

• Highlight the importance of the strong security and defense relationship between the U.S. and Norway
• Promote awareness of, and interest in, benefits of the economic relationship between the U.S. and Norway
• Share best practices in research security and academic integrity.
• Expand bilateral ties based on shared Norwegian and American values

• Capitalize on interest in the history and legacy of Norwegian emigration to the United States during the bicentennial commemorations in 2025 to underscore connections between contemporary Norway and the U.S.

   

Examples of successful PD Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to, programs that advance the policy areas above through:

• Academic and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs
• Educational and informational public programs 
• Projects that build sustainable ties between civil society organizations and interest groups in the U.S. and Norway

• Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions

   

Submission Requirements

The PDS Norway invites Statements of Interest (SOI) for programs that address the priority areas listed above. This is a two-tier competitive process, where the submission of the SOI is the first step.

An SOI is a concise proposal designed to communicate program ideas and objectives. Upon a merit review of eligible SOIs, selected applications will be invited to submit a full grant application to be considered by the Grants Committee Review Panel.

SOIs are due according to the previously stated deadlines to Oslogrants@state.gov. Please submit at least two months before the start of the program.  

Participants and Audiences: The U.S. Embassy seeks to engage geographically and demographically diverse audiences within Norway, with an emphasis on youth (late high school and university students, early career professionals).

Program Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 12 months or less.

We accept grant proposals on a rolling basis until the submission deadline. 
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with the following schedule (All dates are estimated):
•    January 15, 2025 – results to be advised by end of January.
•    February 15, 2025 – results to be advised by end of March.
•    April 15, 2025 – results to be advised by end of May.
•    June 15, 2025 – results to be advised by end of July.

Funding Restriction
Grants cannot be used to fund religious or partisan political activity or for: fundraising campaigns; commercial projects or for-profit ventures; individual academic research projects; construction projects; or projects whose primary objective is an organization’s institutional development or an individual’s personal enrichment or career development.