Deadline: 2-Jun-25
The U.S. Embassy Paramaribo Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is accepting applications for the Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program.
Priority Areas
- Programs that reinforce democratic governance, civic participation, electoral integrity, or anti-corruption initiatives.
- Programs that raise awareness of risks posed by authoritarian influence in media, infrastructure, or politics, and encourage transparency and sovereignty.
- Training and mentorship programs that encourage local entrepreneurship—especially when aligned with American-style innovation and capitalist values.
- Initiatives that bolster local capacity to fight transnational crime, enhance border security, and promote citizen safety in ways that benefit both the U.S. and Suriname.
- Programs that promote American culture and values through English education and strengthen local understanding of U.S. systems and opportunities.
- Programs that develop local energy independence, especially using U.S. technologies or expertise, and build climate resilience with a focus on economic impact.
- Programs that support cultural exchange that highlight the deep and ongoing ties between the United States and Suriname and our shared democratic values.
Funding Information
- While the Public Affairs Section will consider proposals up to $10,000, projects that are smaller in scope are more likely to be awarded.
Eligible Activities
- Empowerment, leadership, and education programs reflecting the priority areas.
- Bringing an American expert, speaker, trainer, or performer to Suriname.
- Conferences on American themes or issues of mutual interest.
- Exhibitions of works by Americans or on American themes.
- Radio, television, and social media programming in support of the above objectives.
- Other creative ways to tell U.S. stories and connect U.S. and Suriname audiences.
Ineligible Activities
- Ongoing salary costs;
- Office equipment;
- Paying to complete activities begun with other funds;
- Projects that are inherently political in nature or that contain the appearance of partisanship/support to individual or single party electoral campaigns;
- Citizen exchange programs with foreign countries;
- Travel to the U.S.;
- Social welfare projects;
- Political party activities;
- Projects that support specific religious activities;
- Scientific research;
- Fundraising campaigns;
- Commercial projects;
- Trade activities; and
- Projects aimed primarily at the institutional development of the organization
Eligibility Criteria
- The Public Affairs Section encourages applications from U.S. and Surinamese:
- 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
Ineligibility Criteria
- For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply
For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Suriname.