Deadline: 15-Aug-2026
The U.S. Embassy La Paz Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program is a funding initiative by the U.S. Department of State aimed at strengthening people-to-people connections between the United States and Bolivia.
The program supports initiatives that promote:
- Cultural exchange and collaboration
- Educational engagement and academic cooperation
- Professional and scientific partnerships
- Mutual understanding of shared values and perspectives
All projects must include a U.S. cultural component or collaboration with U.S.-based experts, institutions, or organizations.
Objectives and Focus Areas
The program is designed to:
- Strengthen bilateral relations between the United States and Bolivia
- Promote cultural diplomacy and mutual understanding
- Expand educational and professional exchange opportunities
- Support scientific and academic collaboration
- Highlight U.S. policies, values, and perspectives
- Encourage long-term institutional and community partnerships
Eligible Activities
Funded activities may include:
- Lectures, seminars, and speaker programs
- Cultural and artistic workshops
- Joint cultural performances and exhibitions
- Cultural heritage preservation projects
- Professional development training programs
- Academic exchanges (in-person or virtual)
- Scientific collaboration and expert engagement
- U.S.-Bolivia joint workshops and networking events
Funding Details
- Minimum award: $5,000
- Maximum award: $40,000
- Project duration: 6 to 24 months
- Funding type: Competitive grant
Eligible Applicants
Applications are open to both U.S. and Bolivian entities.
Eligible applicants include:
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Think tanks
- Civil society organizations
- Educational institutions (public and private)
- Individuals
- Public international organizations
- Government institutions
Programme Requirements
Applicants must ensure that:
- Every project includes a U.S. cultural or institutional collaboration element
- Activities clearly support mutual understanding between U.S. and Bolivian communities
- Engagement includes meaningful exchange (not one-sided programming)
- Proposed activities align with public diplomacy goals
Key Programme Themes
The initiative emphasizes:
- Cultural diplomacy and exchange
- Educational collaboration
- Professional networking and capacity building
- Scientific and academic cooperation
- Strengthening democratic values and shared understanding
- Cross-border partnerships and institutional engagement
Expected Outcomes
Funded projects are expected to:
- Increase awareness of U.S. culture and policy perspectives
- Strengthen institutional and community ties between countries
- Build sustainable partnerships across sectors
- Enhance professional and academic collaboration
- Promote long-term intercultural understanding
Evaluation Considerations
Applications are generally assessed based on:
- Strength of U.S. collaboration component
- Relevance to public diplomacy objectives
- Feasibility and clarity of project design
- Potential for long-term impact
- Strength of partnerships and stakeholder engagement
- Budget realism and cost-effectiveness
- Cultural and educational value
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Submitting projects without U.S. collaboration elements
- Proposing purely domestic or non-exchange activities
- Weak justification for cultural or educational impact
- Overly broad or unfocused project design
- Insufficient engagement with U.S. partners
- Unrealistic budgeting or timelines
Tips for a Strong Application
To improve competitiveness:
- Clearly define U.S. partner involvement
- Emphasize mutual exchange rather than one-way programming
- Align activities with public diplomacy goals
- Include measurable outcomes for engagement and learning
- Strengthen cross-cultural and institutional collaboration
- Ensure clarity in implementation and logistics planning
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the purpose of the program?
- To strengthen U.S.–Bolivia people-to-people ties
- To promote cultural, educational, and professional exchange
- To support mutual understanding between countries
- What is the funding range?
- Minimum: $5,000
- Maximum: $40,000
- Based on project scope and merit
- What types of activities are supported?
- Cultural events, workshops, exchanges, and training
- Academic and scientific collaboration
- Speaker programs and exhibitions
- Who can apply?
- NGOs, educational institutions, individuals, governments, and international organizations
- Applicants from both the U.S. and Bolivia are eligible
- What is the project duration?
- Between 6 and 24 months
- Is U.S. collaboration required?
- Yes
- All projects must include a U.S. cultural or institutional element
Conclusion
The U.S. Embassy La Paz Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program supports meaningful cross-cultural and professional exchange between Bolivia and the United States. By funding collaborative initiatives, it aims to deepen mutual understanding, strengthen bilateral relationships, and promote long-term international cooperation.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.