Deadline: 30-Jun-21
The U.S. Embassy Gaborone, 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 Gaborone invites proposals for programs that strengthen ties between the U.S. and Botswana through supporting Botswana’s goal to build a knowledge-based economy through programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation in the specified policy areas. 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.
Priority Program Areas
All submitted proposals must address one of the four U.S. foreign policy objectives below.
- Supporting diversified and sustainable development in Botswana to benefits all sectors of society
- promote Botswana’s transition to a knowledge- based economy by supporting schools and universities in improving their capacity to meet the objectives of Botswana’s economic growth policies and produce internationally competitive graduates and partners;
- or increase Botswana’s awareness and utilization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act
- Promoting the use of sustainable energy resources in order to diversify the economy and develop the region at the local level
- Projects support educational institutions in developing curriculum or training Batswana students in renewable and solar energy skillsets necessary to meet the renewable energy policy goals of the Government of Botswana.
- Empowering Women and Girls to Lead
- enhance or support empowerment of women and girls through public service, political and leadership roles;
- prepare/train women for non-traditional careers in science, environmental conservation, and technology that support Botswana’s economic and energy policy goals and are in support of transitioning to a knowledge- based economy.
Award Information
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $ 25,000
- Total available funding: $50,000
- Length of performance period: 6 months to 18 months
- Number of awards anticipated: 5 awards (dependent on amounts)
- Type of Funding: Fiscal Year 2021 Public Diplomacy Funding
- Anticipated programs start date: May 2021
Participants and Audiences
- The award is open ONLY to registered not-for-profit groups, associations, non-governmental organizations, faith- or community-based organizations. The groups must be well established, operating for at least one year, and have a history of accomplishments.
- They CANNOT fund or sponsor government schools, prizes for school competitions, individuals, private or for-profit businesses, company start-up costs, direct employee compensation or one-time events.
- Recipients can demonstrate their commitments by either contributing to the project financially or providing labor or supplies to carry out the project. Cost-sharing is not required but highly encouraged.
- Proposals involving U.S. Alumni will receive preference during the review process.
Examples of PAS Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to
- Academic and professional lectures, seminars, training, and speaker programs;
- Research and curriculum development Professional and academic exchanges and programs;
Eligibility Criteria
- The Public Affairs Section encourages applications from Botswana and the U.S. (Usually).
- Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience
- Individuals
- Non-profit or governmental educational institutions
- Governmental institutions
- For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
For more information, visit https://bw.usembassy.gov/u-s-embassy-gaborone-pas-annual-program-statement-funding-opportunity-number-pas-af-21-gr-001-af-03-23-2021/