U.S. Embassy to the United Kingdom Annual Program Statement

Overview:

The US Embassy to the United Kingdom’s Public Diplomacy Section, PDS, is pleased to announce the launch of its annual Public Diplomacy grants program. The Annual Program Statement outlines the Embassy’s funding priorities, strategic themes of focus, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding for Fiscal Year 2025, which runs from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. 

We will only accept applications with budgets within the range of USD 10000 minimum to USD 100000 maximum. 

All programs must promote at least one US Embassy priority program area and include a US element or connection. Democracy and Shared Values Global Challenges Climate Change, Science, and Technology Programs can include US experts, organizations, or institutions in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of US policies and perspectives. 

Examples of 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. 
• Professional and academic exchanges and projects. 
• Professional development workshops and training.

All proposed programs must include a public-facing element, targeting audiences across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, with special consideration for youth audiences aged 18 to 35 and regions outside of London.

Priority Program Areas
Democracy and Shared Values:  Activities that promote the U.S.-UK bilateral relationship and build people-to-people ties.

Special attention will be given to projects that commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence; promote our shared values between the U.S. and the UK, including our commitment to democracy and human rights, women’s empowerment, and equity and inclusion to support underserved communities.

Global Challenges:  Activities that build public support for the U.S.-UK alliance and U.S. foreign policy priorities related to shared national security challenges; and/or address transnational challenges such as mis- and disinformation from hostile actors; and/or projects that promote peaceful dialogue and counter radicalization, and equity and social justice.

Special attention will be given to projects focused on countering mis/disinformation; bolstering support for Ukraine; raising awareness around PRC interventionist activities; and promoting peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland.

Climate Change, Science, and Technology:  Activities that build awareness, action and cooperation on global priorities including climate/environment, sustainability, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, STEAM, and/or improve the connections between U.S. and UK businesses.  Special attention will be given to projects that:

Advance collaboration on the safe and responsible use of AI; promote climate-smart policies and infrastructure to support green growth and transatlantic security; and support women and girls in developing STEAM skills.

Participants and Audience Reach:

All applicants for awards must specify the program’s target audience (noting any emphasis on diverse audiences) and estimate the expected audience reach through direct contact and, if possible, through indirect contact (via social media or traditional media).  Proposals must include evaluation measures for analysis of impact.

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. 

Other information:

Length of Performance Period: 1 to 12 months

Number of Awards Anticipated: 3 to 30 awards (dependent on amounts and availability of funding)

Award Amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $100,000.

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

Cost Sharing or Matching: When cost-sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of cost-sharing as stipulated in its proposal.  PDS encourages, but does not mandate, that applicants include cost-sharing elements from additional sources in support of their proposals.

NDEP STEM Open NFO

Overview:

The Department of Defense (DoD) Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) seeks innovative applications on mechanisms to implement and research the effectiveness of STEM education, outreach, and/or workforce initiative programs, here onto referred as STEM activities. 
In response to this NFO, the Department intends to release amendments and solicitations, such as Industry Days, Opportunity Days, etc., detailing funding opportunities through award(s) in STEM activities. 

These activities include, but are not limited to: 
(1) STEM Education and Outreach 
(2) Support for STEM Education at Two-Year Institutions/Community Colleges (2YI/CCs)
(3) Manufacturing Engineering Education Program 
(4) Education and Workforce Development aligned to the DoD Critical Technology Areas 
(5) Enhanced Civics Education 
(6) STEM Scholarship Programs 
(7) Strategic Partnerships 
(8) Program Evaluations and Assessments 
(9) Data Analytics and Visualizations 
(10) Activities aligned to the DoD STEM Strategic Plan
(11) Other NDEP Congressional Initiatives and Programs

This NFO competition is implemented in two stages: 
(1) Applicants must submit a white paper by the designated deadline specified in the NFO amendment or Industry Day/Opportunity Day announcement. 
(2) Based on assessment of the white paper, selected applicants will be invited to submit an application by the designated deadline.
White papers that fail to address the areas listed in the Program Description of the NFO amendment or Industry Day/Opportunity Day announcement will not be evaluated and will not receive an invitation to submit a full technical application.

Solicitation limitations:

Per 2 CFR § 200.216, funds may not be used to procure telecommunications equipment or video surveillance services or equipment produced by 

• Huawei Technologies Company 
• ZTE Corporation Hytera Communications Corporation
• Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company
• Dahua Technology Company
• Any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities 

Resultant grants will not allow reimbursement of pre-Federal award costs. The DoD will only fund salary, fringe benefits and indirect costs on awards under the announcement. Funds from an award may not be used to attain fee or profit.  

Other information:

Mandatory White Paper Due: March 5, 2025  

In response to this NFO, applicants may be asked for a mandatory white paper submission, emailed to osd.dodstem@mail.mil. Use of the white paper is intended to determine which efforts are of merit preparatory to submission of a full application as described in Section IV. Applicants will be selected from the white paper submissions to be invited by the Government via email to submit a full application on Grants.gov for evaluation and possible award consideration. White papers that fail to address the areas listed in the Program Description of the NFO amendment or Industry Day/Opportunity Day announcement will not be evaluated and will not receive an invitation to submit a full technical application.

The submission of a white paper is dependent on the NFO amendment or Industry Day/Opportunity Day announcement. In addition to the submission requirements outlined in Section IV, all responses should address items in the specific NFO amendment or Industry Day/Opportunity Day announcement.

The white paper should be emailed to osd.dodstem@mail.mil with the subject line, “NFO White Paper Submission.”

For all personnel proposed as key personnel applicants must submit an SF424 Research and Related (R&R) 4040-001 Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) form.

All awards are expected to be in place by 8 February 2028.

Nature-Centrism as a Lens for Organizational Behavior and Decision-Making

Overview:

Over the course of 30 years the V. Kann Rasmussen Foundation has funded critical but low attention areas, knowledge gaps, and cross-cutting environmental strategies that attract little or no investment from other funders. Looking back, almost all the environmental issues that VKRF has engaged in have led back to humanity’s disregard for nature’s inherent value and for the limits of our planet’s natural resources. VKRF supported conservation issues in its early years, and has addressed water pollution, toxicity, soil depletion, and climate change in its later years.
As an entry point for its upcoming spring 2025 grantmaking round, the foundation will explore whether a more mainstream adoption of a nature-centric worldview is possible, either within our current structures or in the future, when the escalating polycrisis prepares the ground for a broader re-examination of our current paradigm.  

This call for proposals focuses on nature-centric decision-making, in which nature’s inherent value becomes a central principle and informs institutions’ practices across their activities. VKRF is looking to identify grantees who are ready to make the recognition of interbeing, interdependence, and interconnectedness central to their strategy development, decision making, and day-to-day operations.  With this effort, VKRF hopes to prepare the ground for a significant scaling-up of nature-centric policies and practices that can lead to long-term resilience and integrity of the entire biosphere.

Program Description: 
The Spring 2025 grantmaking round, the foundation will explore whether a more mainstream adoption of a nature-centric worldview is possible, either within our current structures or in the future, when the escalating polycrisis prepares the ground for a broader re-examination of our current paradigm.

This call for proposals focuses on nature-centric decision making, in which nature’s inherent value becomes a central principle and informs institutions’ practices across their activities. VKRF seeks to identify grantees who are ready to make the recognition of interbeing, interdependence, and interconnectedness central to their strategy development, decision making, and day-to-day operations. Foundation has been engaged in the following program areas: 
•    Cultural Resilience and Global Leadership under the Conditions of Environmental Breakdown 
•    Nature’s Inherent Value 

Objectives and Criteria: All proposals will need to be science-based and should meet the following criteria: 
1. Scope:  - be visionary, experimental, and action-oriented when it comes to research and the changing of minds; and - consider life as relational. The foundation is only interested in projects in which both human and non-human life are taken into consideration. 
2. Approach:  - build on cross-cutting and/or transdisciplinary knowledge domains; - ambitious in the effort to scale and mainstream a nature-centric worldview; and - come to this topic with a non-judgemental, curious, and collaborative mindset. 
3. Field-building:  - advance the field beyond the results of the individual project.
4. Output and information resulting from funding: - must be open-source, accessible and available to be used free of charge by anyone in civil society and within the government sector, though the grantee will retain ownership of the copyright for any material produced
 

Other information:

The foundation always tries to be as transparent and inclusive as possible when creating its pipeline of projects to consider for funding. This open call is being announced on the foundation’s website and distributed through the foundation’s long-term networks. 

1. Two-tier process: The application process is two-tiered. We begin the process by inviting all applicants to send us a two-page Letter of Inquiry. Based on the Board’s evaluation of the received Letters of Inquiry, a maximum of 30 applicants will be invited to send in full proposals. Detailed guidelines for submitting Letters of Inquiry can be found at https://vkrf.squarespace.com/s/vkrf-guidelines-submitting-letters-inquiry-x5ka.pdf. All Letters of Inquiry should follow the format that is described in this document. 

2. Deadlines: The deadline for submitting Letters of Inquiry is 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time on February 3rd, 2025. 

On March 10, 2025, selected applicants will receive invitations to send full proposals. Those who are not invited to submit full proposals will be informed on the same day. The deadline for the submission of full proposals will be April 9, 2025, and grant recipients will be informed no later than June 1, 2025.

Anticipated Number of Awards: 12-15 projects
Total Funding Amount: $6,000,000 

Anticipated Period of Performance: 1-2 years

FY25 Department of the Navy (DoN) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education and Workforce Program

Overview:

The Naval STEM Coordination Office (NSCO) is inviting a wide range of applications aimed at enhancing existing solutions or developing innovative approaches to maintain and cultivate a world-class Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) workforce. This workforce is essential for preserving the technological superiority of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The proposed projects should focus on creating, enhancing, or sustaining educational pathways and workforce opportunities in STEM fields for U.S. citizens, particularly in areas relevant to Department of the Navy (DON) science and technology.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) encourages initiatives that strengthen the capacity of educational systems and local communities to provide impactful STEM learning experiences for students of all ages, as well as for the naval-related workforce.

This NOFO is for STEM education programs and activities vital to the Department of the Navy, which is formal or informal education that is primarily focused on physical and natural sciences, technology, engineering, social sciences, and mathematics disciplines.

 STEM education programs and activities that could be supported by this NOFO include one or more of the following as the primary objective:

• Develop learners’ knowledge, skill, or interest in STEM.                                              
• Attract students to pursue certifications, licenses, or degrees (two-year degrees through post-doctoral degrees) or careers in STEM fields.                                                                                          
• Provide growth and research opportunities for post-secondary, college and graduate students in STEM fields, such as working with researchers or conducting research that is primarily intended to further education.
• Improve mentor/educator (K-12 pre-service or in-service, post-secondary, and informal) quality in STEM areas.
• Improve or expand the capacity of institutions to promote or foster STEM fields. 

This NOFO will not consider applications for research, with the exception of those whose primary purpose is intended to further education (as described in third bullet above) and that are not expected to generate intellectual property. Efforts for research, including those supporting STEM, should be submitted under the current fiscal year Long Range BAA.

Program Description: 
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is interested in receiving a broad range of proposals for augmenting existing and/or developing innovative solutions that directly maintain, and/or cultivate an innovative, world-class Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) workforce to maintain the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps’ technological superiority. The goal of proposed efforts must provide solutions that establish, build, and/or maintain STEM educational pathways of U.S. citizens directly relevant to the needs of Department of Navy’s (DON) current and future workforce.

As the capacity of the DON Science and Technology (S&T) workforce is interconnected with the STEM education system, DON recognizes the need to support efforts that can jointly improve STEM student outcomes and align educational and outreach efforts with Naval S&T current and future workforce needs, including skilled technical workforce. This announcement explicitly encourages programs that improve the capacity of education systems and communities to create impactful STEM educational experiences for students of all ages and the naval related workforce. Programs must aim to increase engagement in naval relevant STEM, and enhance the corresponding skills, knowledge, and abilities of participants. ONR encourages applicants to utilize current STEM educational research for informing program design and advancing STEM careers and opportunities of naval relevance.

While this announcement is relevant for any stage of the STEM educational system, funding efforts will primarily target projects addressing the below communities or any combination of these communities:

• Secondary education communities;
• Post-Secondary communities;
• Informal science communities; and/or
• Current Naval STEM workforce communities.

Project scope may range in size and complexity. Projects that are already established with prior funding sources or have established stakeholder partnerships are especially encouraged to consider the following scope areas:

• Develop and implement exploratory pilot projects that seek to create new educational experiences within educational and training communities.
• Develop larger cohesive STEM education and training activities that strengthen the capacity of regional communities and stakeholders to improve STEM education and training.
• Establish meetings with stakeholders that must seek to connect relevant people and organizations to explicitly develop broader projects for affecting entire The technical content of any idea must establish naval relevance, such as, but not limited to, the science

The technical content of any idea must establish naval relevance, such as but not limited to, the science and technology areas listed here: https://www.nre.navy.mil/our-research/onr-technology-and-research

Other information:

Proposal submission is by invitation only. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: White Papers are MANDATORY and are Due 4/11/25
White papers are required and should:

• Align with DONs Mission;
• Have scientific and technical merit; and
• Show program viability during and after the period of performance.

White Paper Submission Instructions are available on page 22 of the NOFO.

Anticipated Number of Awards: 8

Anticipated Range of Individual Award Amounts: $200,000 per year for no more than 3 years

Previous Year(s) Average Individual Award Amounts: $600,000 for 3 years

Anticipated Period of Performance: 3 years

U.S. Embassy Managua Annual Program Statement

Overview:

U.S. Embassy Managua of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations or individuals to submit a statement of interest (SOI) for funding to carry out a project that advances U.S. public diplomacy priorities and reinforces ties between the people of the United States and Nicaragua.

The U.S. Department of State provides funding for well-conceived projects that support U.S. Embassy Managua’s strategic priorities in Nicaragua. All proposed projects should include a clear U.S. element that will promote increased understanding of the United States among the Nicaraguan public. They may include U.S. expert(s), organization(s), or institution(s) in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

Proposals should address one or more of the following priority program objectives:

• Promoting Information Integrity- Projects that counter information manipulation by malign actors, strengthen Nicaragua’s independent media sector, increase the public’s access to credible information, and/or improve media and digital literacy for the Nicaraguan people. 
• Fostering Economic Prosperity and Opportunities at Home- Projects that promote economic growth, tackle barriers to inclusive economic participation, and/or provide youth, women, and marginalized populations the skills, education, and resources to contribute to the economy. 
• Encouraging safe and legal migration- Projects that decelerate irregular migration and increase public awareness of legal migration pathways.

Other information:

The submission of the SOI is the first step in a two-step process. Applicants must first submit a concise 1-4 page statement of interest designed to clearly communicate projects idea and objectives. This is not a full proposal and will not result in a federal assistance award at this step.

Length of performance period: Up to 12 months
Anticipated project start date: August 1, 2025
Project Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 12 months or less, with limited exceptions.

U.S. Embassy Nairobi, Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) Annual Program Statement

Overview:

PDS Nairobi invites proposals for programs that strengthen ties between the United States and Kenya and promote bilateral cooperation. All programs must advance a U.S. linkage including, for example, a connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policies, economic models, and perspectives on the U.S.-Kenya partnership. The following are the four priority program areas: 
• Economic Prosperity 
• Democracy and Governance 
• U.S. - Kenya Creative Economy Partnership 
• U.S. - Kenya Higher Education Partnership 

Goals and Objectives
The U.S. Embassy Nairobi, Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its 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.

Priority Program Areas: Proposals must address one of the following key program areas:

1. Economic Prosperity – Advances the prosperity of the United States and Kenya through a fair and reciprocal economic partnership, the strengthening of Kenya’s business climate, support for its startup ecosystem, clean energy solutions and climate change resiliency, and education that skills the next generation of workers. 

2. Democracy and Governance – Deepens the bilateral relationship on a broad range of common interests including respect for human rights, safeguarding civic space, rule of law, public accountability, anti-corruption efforts, shared democratic values, and protection of fundamental freedoms.

3. U.S.-Kenya Creative Economy Partnership – Engage creative economy leaders, the Kenyan public, the investor community, and government officials in support of creative economy development and U.S.-Kenya partnership. Program goals could include Government of Kenya policies adopted in support of creative economy growth, advancement of intellectual property protections, U.S.-Kenya creative industry investment opportunities, public understanding and support for U.S. creative economy engagement in Kenya, strengthening of professional networks across different industries, and development of Kenyan university initiatives that facilitate creative economy education and job growth.  

4. U.S.-Kenya Higher Education Partnership – Launching and strengthening of long-term joint initiatives between Kenyan and U.S. universities, especially focused on technology, joint research, and private-sector job growth. Program goals could include mutually beneficial tech, education, and business developments for students, researchers, startups, faculty, and larger commercial enterprises. Proposed fields for U.S.-Kenya university cooperation could include trade and investment, economic growth, renewable energy and green industrialization, global health advancements, and security cooperation.

Participants and Audiences:
Kenyans who may be in any of the following categories:
• Kenyans between the ages of 16 and 35, including students, civil society leaders and social influencers;
• Business leaders and rising entrepreneurs;
• Established opinion leaders, including cultural influencers and academic institution leadership.
 

Other information:

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

The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:
    • Programs relating to partisan political activity; 
    • Charitable or development activities; 
    • Construction programs; 
    • Programs that support specific religious activities; 
    • Fund-raising campaigns; 
    • Lobbying for specific legislation or programs; 
    • Scientific research or specific academic research; 
    • Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; or 
    • Scholarships or tuition assistance 
    • Commercial or for-profit activities, including seed money; or 
    • Programs that duplicate existing programs. 
 

Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Organizational Research Education Award to Promote Diversity (UE5 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Overview:

The NIH Research Education Program (UE5) supports research education activities in the mission areas of the NIH. The over-arching goal of the MOSAIC UE5 program is to support educational activities that encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds, for example those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, to pursue further studies or careers in research.

To accomplish the stated over-arching goal, this FOA will support creative educational activities with a primary focus on Courses for Skills Development and Mentoring Activities. Applications are encouraged from organizations of biomedical researchers (e.g., scientific societies) with a membership of scientists conducting research within the mission of NIH, experience serving as a centralized entity to enhance scientific communication and networking among scientists conducting research, an established record of providing professional development and networking activities for the next generation of biomedical researchers, and a demonstrated commitment to enhancing the diversity of the biomedical research workforce.

The program provides support for well-designed courses for skills development and mentoring activities to prepare MOSAIC K99/R00 grantees to transition into, succeed, and advance in independent faculty careers at research-intensive institutions.
 

Solicitation limitations:

ASU may submit only one (1) application to the sponsoring organization. The Limited Submissions internal application can be found here: InfoReady.

Other information:

A broad portfolio – in terms of scientific areas, approaches, regions, organizations, and individual investigator experiences – is integral to NIH’s ability to fulfill its mission. Advances in biomedical research depend upon a workforce composed of people trained in multiple disciplines and from a range of backgrounds who can provide the breadth of creativity, and individual interests, perspectives and experiences needed to identify and address important and complex scientific problems, engage with increasingly diverse patient populations, and effectively serve as mentors to trainees from increasingly diverse backgrounds who are pursuing biomedical research careers. Research shows that teams with members from different backgrounds that utilize their members' unique experiences and perspectives better capitalize on innovative ideas and outperform homogeneous teams.

There are many benefits that flow from an NIH-supported scientific workforce that leverages the talents of rigorous researchers from all backgrounds, including individuals from underrepresented groups: fostering scientific innovation, enhancing global competitiveness, contributing to robust learning environments, improving the quality of research, enhancing public trust, and increasing the likelihood that health disparities and the needs of underserved populations are addressed in biomedical research.
Expanding the population of academic investigators from nationally underrepresented backgrounds in the biomedical research workforce has remained an elusive goal.
 

U.S. Mission to North Macedonia: 2025 PDS Grants Program

Overview:

The U.S. Embassy in North Macedonia Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) invites proposals for programs that strengthen people-to-people ties between the U.S. and North Macedonia 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 PDS Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to:

•    Academic and professional lectures, seminars and speaker programs
•    Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances and exhibitions
•    Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs
•    Professional and academic exchanges and programs
•    Programs focused on entrepreneurship and innovation
•    Programs focused on empowerment of youth and underserved communities across the societal and cultural spectrum
•    Programs focused on democratic processes and values
•    Programs focused on gender issues
•    Programs focused on human and equal rights
•    Programs focused on critical thinking in media consumption
•    Programs focused on strengthening resiliency against false information and malign influence
•    Programs focused on safeguarding natural resources and ecosystems
•    Programs that support North Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic integration process

Priority Program Areas:
The objectives of the Public Diplomacy Grant Program are to promote positive relations between North Macedonia and the United States; to reinforce shared values; and to connect North Macedonia’s emerging leaders to the American people.

We fund projects that:
• Help North Macedonia’s youth build and develop skills to improve their potential through innovative science (e.g. health awareness), technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEM) programs, as well as through entrepreneurship programs and vocational training.

• Encourage North Macedonia’s youth to participate in civic life through social entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and community engagement.

• Strengthen understanding of U.S. values and institutions; highlight U.S. culture, including American Studies, English language teaching/learning, and study in the United States; as well as support diversity through the acceptance of minority groups, including individuals with special needs or handicapping conditions, and other areas of mutual interest.

Participants and Audiences: US Mission North Macedonia encourages not only diverse applicants to apply to our grants programs but would also like to see diverse target audiences and trainers. Diversity can be defined by different geographic regions, ethnicities, religious orientations, gender, physical disabilities including visual, hearing, speech, and other physically handicapping conditions.

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.

Other information:

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

Funding Restrictions
None of the funds awarded resulting from Notice of Funding Opportunity may be made available for subawards, direct financial support, or otherwise used to provide any payment or transfer to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

Proposals will be accepted throughout the year
Proposals will be reviewed according to the following schedule:   
•  Proposals received between January 1 and March 31 will be reviewed by April 30, with responses going out by May 15.  
• Proposals received between April 1 and June 15 will be reviewed by July 30, with responses going out by August 15.
 

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.  

Other information:

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. 
 

Engaging Students in English (SOI)

Overview:

The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg announces an open competition for organizations to submit Statements of Interest (SOI) to carry out programs strengthening bilateral ties between the United States and Luxembourg on Engaging Students in English.

The U.S. Embassy Luxembourg invites proposals from non-governmental organizations, think tanks, government institutions, academic institutions, and individuals for programs strengthening the bilateral ties between the United States and Luxembourg and Engaging Students in English, including, but not limited to:

• Programs focused on strengthening specific English language skills or professional English capacity of students, such as public-speaking, debate, theater/drama.
• Programs that enhance and promote the English-teaching profession and community, such as trainings, workshops, or conferences for English educators in Luxembourg.
• English-language programs for underprivileged groups including but not limited to patrons of organizations, such as shelters for refugees, women, abuse victims or children’s organizations.
• Educational programs such as English-language camps, academic competitions, conferences, workshops, courses, exhibits, performances, etc.
• Projects that share American best practices in English-language education by bringing U.S. experts to engage with students and teachers in Luxembourg.

All programs must engage Luxembourg audiences. All programs must include a U.S. element or connection with U.S. experts that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. Any speaker paid with grant funding must hold U.S. citizenship.

Examples of programs include, but are not limited to: 
• Professional and academic speaker programs, lectures, and seminars 
• Professional and cultural exchanges and projects 
• Public messaging campaigns using social media, video, and new media 
• Cultural and fine arts programming, to include cultural performances, workshops and engagements based around dance, theater, music, poetry, youth competitions, the plastic and other fine and performing arts

Solicitation limitations:

U.S. organizations applying for funding must partner with a Luxembourgish organization. 

Other information:

Priority Region: Luxembourg
Length of performance period: Twelve months 
Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $3,000.00 to a maximum of $15,000.00 
Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in twelve months or less.

The submission of the SOI is the first step in a two-step process. Applicants must first submit a Statement of Interest designed to clearly communicate program idea and objectives. This is not a full proposal.

The Grants Committee will review Statements of Interest (SOI) twice based on the following schedule. We recommend applicants submit proposals with start dates six months (or more) after the submission deadline.

• NOFO Deadline #1 – Statements of Interest (SOI) due March 2, 2025, 11:59 pm CEST
• NOFO Deadline #2 – Statements of Interest (SOI) due May 4, 2025, 11:59 pm CEST

After each deadline, the Grants Committee will review eligible SOIs. Selected applicants will be invited to expand on their program idea(s) by submitting a full proposal application (Phase 2). Full proposals will go through a second merit review before final funding decision are made.