U.S. Mission to Cameroon: U.S. Embassy Yaoundé PDS Annual Program Statement – Statement of Interest (SOI)

Overview:

The PDS grants program supports projects proposed by U.S. and Cameroonian academic, cultural, educational, and other non-profit organizations and/or individuals that promote U.S. values, increase understanding between U.S. and Cameroonian people and institutions, and/or support U.S. Embassy goals of promoting government transparency and accountability, economic prosperity, peace and security, environmental sustainability, and climate adaptation.  All programs must include an element of American culture or society, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

Priority Program Areas:

• Governance:  Projects promoting democratic principles, improved and inclusive governance, transparency, human rights, religious freedom, empowerment of marginalized groups, citizen engagement, including in elections, civic education, and civil society. 
• Prosperity:  Projects promoting economic prosperity, entrepreneurship, bilateral trade and investment, countering corruption
• Security:  Projects promoting peace and security, rule of law, alternatives to violence in resolving conflict, tolerance, preventing radicalization to violence, improving mutual understanding between groups, community policing
• Sustainability and Climate Change:  Projects promoting environmental sustainability and addressing climate change
• Journalism:  Projects promoting a professional and independent media, role of informed citizens in a democracy, media literacy, ethical and investigative journalism

Statements of Interest may be submitted for consideration at any time before the closing date of July 15, 2024.  

The submission of a SOI is the first step in a two-part process.  Applicants must first submit a SOI, which is a concise, 3-page concept note designed to clearly communicate a program idea and its objectives before the development of a full proposal application.  The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants the opportunity to submit program ideas for evaluation prior to undertaking the development of full proposal.  Upon review of eligible SOIs, PDS will invite selected applicants to expand their ideas into full proposal applications.

Solicitation limitations:

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.

U.S. Embassy Bangkok FY24 Notice of Funding Opportunity

Overview:

The U.S. Embassy Bangkok Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations or individuals to submit a statement of interest (SOI) or concept note to carry out program(s) funded by the U.S. Embassy Bangkok.

Priority Program Areas

1.    Democracy, Governance, and Human Rights

• Activities that strengthen democratic values, accountability, public participation, transparency, and rule of law in governance and political institutions.
• Innovative projects that educate Thais about the U.S. experience in meaningful participation in democratic processes and civic life.
• Activities that promote universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms.
• Activities that promote connection between the United States and the rising leaders in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Activities that focus on enhancing critical thinking skills and promoting civic engagement to counter disinformation and improve media/digital literacy.  

2.    Technology, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Renewable Energy

• Activities that support and build capability for, and promote economic inclusivity among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and underrepresented entrepreneurs.
• Activities that build digital skills and improve business practices of MSMEs and underrepresented entrepreneurs for different stages of business development.
• Activities that increase awareness of environmental protection, climate change, climate-smart agriculture, transboundary water challenges, renewable energy, and other key regional issues.
•  Activities that promote the use of science, technology, and innovation in tackling regional or transboundary challenges and strengthening competitiveness of SMEs and underrepresented entrepreneurs 

3.    Education

• Activities that build, increase, support, and strengthen partnerships and the exchange of people, ideas, and resources between U.S. and Thai education institutions.
• Activities that increase access to education and understanding of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEM/STEAM).
• Innovative and educational activities that strengthen sustainable development in the Mekong subregion.

The submission of the SOI is the first step in a two-step process.pon a merit review of eligible SOIs, selected applicants will be invited to expand on their program ideas by submitting a full proposal application.  Full proposals will go through a second merit review before final funding decisions are made.

Submission Timeline

1st Round

Deadline to submit SOIs: February 7, 2024
Selected SOIs are notified by email: February 23, 2024
Deadline for selected applicants to submit full proposals: March 31, 2024
2nd Round

Deadline to submit SOIs: May 1, 2024
Selected SOIs are notified by email: May 17, 2024
Deadline for selected applicants to submit full proposals: June 14, 2024
3rd Round

Deadline to submit SOIs: July 3, 2024
Selected SOIs are notified by email: July 19, 2024
Deadline for selected applicants to submit full proposals: August 16, 2024

U.S. Embassy Bratislava PAS Annual Program Statement

Overview:

The U.S. Embassy Bratislava Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State 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. Purpose of Small Grants Program: PAS Bratislava invites proposals for programs that strengthen societal and cultural ties between the U.S. and Slovakia through programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs should include an American 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. Project proposals should have an intrinsic public diplomacy objective in support of the Priority Program Areas listed below.  

Priority Program Areas:  

• Supporting Slovakia’s transatlantic orientation by addressing hybrid threats, including disinformation and cyber security. 
• Supporting Slovakia’s capacity to uphold rule of law anti-corruption efforts and increased transparency.
• Strengthening independent media and journalism and helping to foster critical thinking. 
• Promoting economic prosperity, energy security, and entrepreneurship through partnership with the U.S., including innovative approaches to technology. 
• Contributing to Slovakia’s efforts to support human rights and foster a culture of tolerance and inclusion of minorities. 
• Encouraging women’s empowerment. 
• Promoting cross-cultural understanding and supporting highly specialized English language learning in Slovakia.

Special Note 1: Celebrating 30 years of US – SK bilateral diplomatic relations  

PAS Bratislava invites applicants to submit proposals for programs that highlight US – SK relations in the context of the 30th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations to be implemented in 2023. 

Special Note 2: American Spaces Programing  

PAS Bratislava invites applicants to submit proposals for programs be located at American centers in Banska Bystrica and Kosice (https://www.americanspaces.sk/).  Preferred, but not exclusive, audiences are educators as well as students. The centers can assist in disseminating information and attracting audiences. The Embassy prefers sustainable longerterm programming over one-off events.

Applications are received, and possibly also evaluated, on a “rolling” basis. Indicative intermediate deadlines:  January 31, 2023; June 15, 2023

U.S. Embassy Sofia PDS Annual Program Statement

Overview:

PDS Sofia invites proposals for programs that bolster the people-to-people ties between the United States and Bulgaria through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American 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 and promote shared values. Competitive proposals should focus on one or more of the following priority themes:

• Promote leadership skills, civic engagement, entrepreneurship, and innovation among secondary and university students.

• Deepen the social, cultural, and educational connections between the United States and Bulgaria, especially through the development of active, sustainable alumni networks.

• Boost public understanding of and support for Bulgaria’s role as a strong NATO Ally as it celebrates its 20th year in the Alliance.

• Develop youth skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM), especially focused on assisting youth from underserved, vulnerable, or rural communities (outside major metropolitan areas).

• Strengthen the development of robust independent media and civil society organizations to bolster civic participation and improve societal trust in democratic institutions.

• Increase media and digital literacy and improve Bulgarian society’s resilience to disinformation.

• Advance the inclusion and integration of historically underserved and vulnerable communities, including women, Roma and other minority groups, LGBTQI+ individuals, Ukrainian refugees, other migrants, and disadvantaged youth.

• Increase interconnectivity between Bulgaria and other countries in the region, including joint projects that foster cooperation between the citizens of Bulgaria and North Macedonia.

• Promote dialogue and civic participation in programs that confront climate change and that advance environmental sustainability and energy diversification.

PDS Sofia will accept proposals throughout the year and will review proposals according to the following schedule:

Proposals received before December 29 will be reviewed by January 19, with responses going out by January 26.

Proposals received between December 30 and March 29 will be reviewed by April 19, with responses going out by April 26.

Proposals received between March 30 and August 2 will be reviewed by August 23, with responses going out by August 30.

Solicitation limitations:

Applicants are encouraged to only submit one application per priority program area in a given funding cycle.

U.S. Mission Sweden PDS Annual Program Statement

Overview:

The U.S. Mission Sweden Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Grants Program.

Priority Program Areas in Sweden:

SECURITY -  Programs that support or promote regional issues such as, but not limited to: regional security, cybersecurity, combatting trans-national crime, responding to global health crises, combatting malign influence, multilateral cooperation, enhancing stability in the region, and a rules-based order.

SUSTAINABILITY - Programs that support or promote sustainable economic ties and regional environmental issues such as, but not limited to climate change mitigation, food security, biodiversity sustainability, blue/green technology, youth engagement, entrepreneurship and innovation, and cooperation on Arctic issues, including engaging indigenous communities.

INCLUSION - Programs that support inclusion, understanding, and integration such as, but not limited to: promoting diversity, equality, inclusion and accessibility, supporting underrepresented communities, promoting human rights, promoting mutual understanding across communities, supporting shared democratic values, and combatting mis- and disinformation.

UNDERSTANDING - Programs that deepen connections between the United States and Swedish communities such as, but not limited to; expanding understanding of U.S. policies, culture, and values to Swedish and regional audiences, supporting or promoting cross-cultural ties, and education and exchange opportunities.

All programs must include a link to the United States and/or an element that builds understanding of the United States including, but not limited to U.S. policy, people, culture and/or perspectives.

Examples of PDS Grants Program projects include, but are not limited to:

• Academic and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs;
• Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions; or
• Professional and academic exchanges and projects.

Applications for this Notice of Funding Opportunity will be reviewed on a rolling-basis with the following schedule:

December 31, 2023: results to be advised the last week of January 2024 (estimated);
March 31, 2024: results to be advised last week of April 2024 (estimated);
June 30, 2024: results to be advised last week of August 2024 (estimated)

Multiple requests from the same applicant will be considered. Applicants should be aware that the total amount granted to any one organization will be considered when additional applications are considered.

Grants Reducing Recidivism

Overview:

The Bob Barker Foundation was established in May 2009 and now grants more than $1,000,000 annually to deserving programs that reduce recidivism.  Our Vision is to reduce recidivism by seeing the lives of incarcerated individuals changed forever by serving God, family and community. Our mission is to develop and support programs that help incarcerated individuals successfully reenter society and stay out for life.

What We Value

• Incarcerated individuals have value in the eyes of God.
• Bob Barker Foundation is giving back to the incarcerated community in order to prepare them physically, spiritually and emotionally for successful reentry into society.
• Bob Barker Company has been serving the physical needs of incarcerated individuals since 1972.
• Reducing recidivism reduces crime resulting in a safer society.

The Bob Barker Foundation strives to reduce recidivism and change the lives of formerly incarcerated individuals, their families, and communities. 

Eligible organizations must work with a minimum of 100 incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals annually and use evidence-based methods or best practices.

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Visit the Foundation’s website to begin the online letter of inquiry process.

Bob Woodruff Foundation Grants

Overview:

The Bob Woodruff Foundation invests in programs that help our service members, veterans, their families and caregivers thrive.

We fund programs and services that serve the military and veteran community. We focus on programs that improve the health and wellbeing of service members, veterans, their families, and caregivers, and those that:

• Improve social determinants of health 
• Decrease barriers to accessing physical and mental healthcare 
• Increase accessibility to programming that fosters a healthy lifestyle 
• Enhance opportunities for veterans to thrive after service 

To submit an application, your organization and program must:

• Provide direct services to the military/veteran population
• Be administered through a non-profit organization 
• Demonstrate financial responsibility and sustainability and have filed a 990EZ or 990 for the last two fiscal years
• Provide an audited financial statement or a certified financial statement (to include a balance sheet and income statement)
• Have two years of gross receipts greater than $50,000

Competitive applications will:

• Clearly articulate the logic of their program, to include the:
• Specific need(s) the program addresses
• Activities and outputs, and how they adhere to evidence-based practices
• Impact on the individuals served by the program to date 
• Intended measurable outcomes, and how they relate to the demonstrated need and are attributable to the program’s activities
• Indicate how the organizations tracks and reports on the program’s impact on participants
• Describe a program that is deliberately inclusive and equitable in both process and intended outcomes 
• Demonstrate strong partnerships across the nonprofit and public sector, as appropriate to the program
• Indicate the staff’s experience/expertise in the subject matter
• Describe how the program uses scientific evidence, program evaluations, and industry best-practices to inform their program delivery 
• Complement services that are publicly available, such as those provided by the Small Business Administration and U.S. Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs and the Small Business Administration 
• Benefit from professional executive leadership and governance

We accept applications year-round and review applications on a rolling basis. We award grants twice a year, the next grant cycle is as follows:

Applications submitted by January 11, 2024 will receive a response by June 3, 2024*

The foundation's website does not state a funding floor or threshold; however, awards made to programs at institutions of higher education in the past range from $150,000 to $200,000.

U.S. Mission to Kyrgyzstan; Embassy of the United States in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic Notice of Funding Opportunity

Overview:

The U.S. Embassy Bishkek Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is
pleased to announce funding is available through the Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Small Grants
Program. Based on funding availability, projects awarded under this program will support U.S.
foreign policy goals in the Kyrgyz Republic in the areas of combating transnational threats,
promoting sustainable economic growth, and accountable governance and stability in the
Kyrgyz Republic.

Purpose of Public Diplomacy Grants: The PDS invites proposals for programs that strengthen
ties between the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic and support a priority program area
(see below) in order to highlight shared values and promote bilateral cooperation. All proposed
programs must include an American element, either through a connection with American
expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s, usage of American educational/informational
resources, or any other activities that promote or contribute to increased mutual
understanding between the people of the United States and people of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Competitive proposals will promote continued/sustainable cooperation between the people of
the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic even after the project concludes.

Special consideration will be given to proposals which include partnership with Kyrgyz
governmental bodies, and to organizations that have a demonstrated track record of
implementing these types of partnerships.

PDS invites proposals for programs that support one of the following U.S. Embassy priority
program areas:

1) Sustainable Economic Growth
Proposals should promote an inclusive creative economy built upon regional connectivity,
enhanced human capital, clean energy, and sustainable development.

2) Accountable Governance and Stability
Proposals should advance a more transparent, accountable, inclusive and democratic system of
governance in the Kyrgyz Republic.

3) English Language Programming
Proposals should improve English language instruction, spoken language production, and
written and oral comprehension in the Kyrgyz Republic, especially for those in the regions
outside of the capital and residents of the “novostroika” marginalized communities of Bishkek.

4) Climate Change Resilience and Environmental Protection
Proposals should engage government, industry, business and/or local communities in
developing strategies for mitigation of the effects of climate change, adaptation measures, and
in implementing locally driven projects which protect the environment and save resources.

5) Combating Transnational Threats
Proposals should strengthen regional security and stability and combat transnational threats
through engagement with diverse, targeted stakeholders on key issues like violent extremism,
human trafficking, and emergency preparedness.

Accepting applications on a rolling basis until August 17, 2024 at 11:59 PM Bishkek time.

Applications with no clear description of a Kyrgyz‐Republic‐registered partner and its role in the proposed project will be rejected during the pre‐screening stage.

Solicitation limitations:

To ensure a wider distribution of funding, organizations may only have one active Annual
Program Statement grant at a time in Fiscal Year 2024 (October 1, 2023 – September 30,
2024). 

An organization may only submit more than one Annual Program Statement proposal
for consideration if the periods of performance do not overlap and if the final reports for
previous grants awarded through the APS NOFO have been submitted.

U.S. Mission to Japan U.S. Embassy Tokyo PAS Annual Program Statement

Overview:

The U.S. Embassy Tokyo Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. 

Purpose of Small Grants: PAS Tokyo invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Japan through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American 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.

Examples of PAS Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to:
• U.S. experts conducting speaking tours/public talks, roundtable discussions, and workshops in Japan;
• Academic and professional lectures and seminars;
• Professional and academic exchanges and programs;
• Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances and exhibitions; and/or
• Development of initiatives aimed at maintaining contacts with alumni of our exchange programs; and
• Initiatives that develop stronger ties between the United States, Japan, and third countries.

Priority Program Areas:
• Programs that strengthen the U.S.-Japan Alliance and security cooperation, including bilateral and regional security issues, deterring illegal maritime activities, and strengthening the use of international law to resolve disputes in the Indo-Pacific region.

• Programs that foster greater bilateral trade and investment between the U.S. and Japan, including securing supply chains, enhancing women’s participation in the Japanese economy, fighting climate change, and promoting sustainable infrastructure investment in the Indo-Pacific region.

• Programs that use U.S.-Japan cooperation to increase transparency and good governance, strengthen democratic processes, counter state-sponsored disinformation, and promote the respect for the rule of law and human rights in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Public Affairs Section will accept proposals throughout the year and will review proposals quarterly, with responses going out by the end of the following quarter, i.e., proposals received between January 1 and March 31 will be reviewed during the following three-month period, with responses going out by June 30. If a proposal is selected for funding after the review process, it usually takes two to three months for the agreement to be finalized. Proposals submitted without sufficient lead time will not be considered for
funding.

Solicitation limitations:

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.

U.S. Mission to China - U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau PAS Annual Program Statement

Overview:

The U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau Public Affairs Section (PAS) is pleased to
announce that we are accepting proposals for the Grants Program. This annual notice of funding
opportunity outlines our funding priorities and areas of interest, as well as procedures for
submitting requests for funding. Please note that this notice supplements specific notices of
funding opportunities that may be posted throughout the year. Please carefully follow all
instructions below. This notice is subject to availability of funding.
Purpose of Grants: PAS Hong Kong and Macau invites proposals for programs that strengthen
cultural ties between the United States and Hong Kong and the United States and Macau
through cultural and exchange programming that highlightsshared values and promotes bilateral
cooperation. All programs must include a U.S. 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 and build partnerships.

PRIORITY PROGRAM AREAS

Priority will be given to project proposals that further one or more of the U.S. Consulate’s goals, including:

• Programs that support STEAM-related activities.
• Programs that promote English language acquisition.
• Programs that promote economic empowerment, with a priority for under-represented
communities.
• Programs that increase public awareness about the environment, sustainability, climate
change, and conservation efforts.
• Programs and exchangesthat facilitate academic and cultural engagements that highlight
and/or discuss American expertise, experience and values, and universal human rights.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to include elements of diversity, equity, inclusion and
accessibility in their proposals.

PAS Grants Program projects may include, but are not limited to, the following types of
programs:

• Academic, cultural, civil society/NGO, and professional lectures, seminars, workshops,
exchanges and/or speaker programs that present American society, culture or history,
and/or advance American values, such as diversity and inclusion, to local audiences.
• STEAM programs.
• Projects that foster shared interest in good governance, strengthening civil society,
human rights, combatting human trafficking, media freedom, and media literacy.
• Collaborative projects on environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, climate
change, sustainability, and conservation.
• The participation of American experts, academics, artists, musicians, performers, and
filmmakers in local events.

PAS will accept proposals throughout the year and will review proposals according to the
following schedule:
• Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis in January, April, and August, depending on
availability of funding. Specific review and response dates are listed in the “Submission
Dates and Times” section below.
• Final date for submissions is August 23, 2024

Solicitation limitations:

Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization per grants panel review. If
more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, the Consulate will ask the submitter
to identify the priority proposal. Apply to the internal competition on ASU's InfoReady site