Deadline: 15-Nov-21
Applications are now open for the Austrian- American Partnership Fund to support collaboration and cultural exchange between Austrian and U.S. non-governmental organization, universities, professional associations, arts and cultural organizations.
The goals of the program are to expand the range of educational, cultural, and professional cooperation between Austrians and Americans.
The Austrian-American Partnership Fund will consider projects in the following program areas:
- Global Issues: Promote dialogue and debate around issues of mutual importance and interest, such as energy, diversity and inclusion, digital literacy and cybersecurity, trade and economic policy, countering violent extremism, human rights, and transatlantic cooperation.
- Climate & Environment: Support shared environmental concerns such as tackling climate change, conserving nature and limited natural resources, ensuring water security, reducing harmful pollutants, fostering resilience, and combating wildlife trafficking.
- Entrepreneurship: Fostering connections and sustainable relationships between U.S. and Austrian entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship educators, and organizations promoting entrepreneurship, especially among youth.
- Arts America: Showcasing all types of American creative arts, including performing and visual artists, poets, playwrights, theatrical and film directors, and curators.Special consideration will be given to those whose work has never been presented or who have not performed in Austria before.
- Study of the U.S.: Building capacity in the area of U.S. studies and enhancing overall understanding of the United States.
- Special Project: Celebrating 100 Years Burgenland: A century ago, 60 percent of all Austrians immigrating to the United States originated from Burgenland. The selection committee welcomes project proposals celebrating 100 years of transatlantic friendship between the United States of America and Burgenland.
Funding Information
- Typically, projects budgets range from $1,000 to $10,000, and grant support cannot exceed $25,000; the most competitive proposals will include significant funding from other sources as cost-share in the project budget.
Ineligible Projects
The following types of projects are not eligible for funding:
- Requests by organizations and individuals that do not meet the eligibility criteria;
- those relating to partisan political activity;
- humanitarian or charitable activities;
- conferences outside of Austria and individual trips abroad;
- trade activities;
- fund-raising campaigns;
- commercial projects;
- conducting research or the publication of research;
- projects aimed primarily at the institutional development of the organization.
Eligibility
- The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Vienna invites proposals from Austrian non-governmental organizations, universities, professional associations, arts and cultural institutions, academics or other qualified individuals.
- Applicants must demonstrate an interest in working with American counterparts with the goal to develop or expand existing educational, professional and cultural exchange activities in Austria and promote dialogue and partnership between the peoples of the United States and Austria.
- The Embassy encourages organizations that have not previously received funding from the U.S. Embassy to apply under this announcement.
- Applicants with a demonstrated record of expertise and accomplishment will be considered favorably.
- Projects must include a component of cost sharing or matching funds, amounting to at least 10% of the total cost.
Note- Proposals must include a letter of support from the proposed U.S. partner, whether a qualified individual or organization, that states the partner’s willingness to share in the project. Proposals will be evaluated for funding by the Embassy Grants Committee. In deciding which projects to support, the Committee will seek to target geographically and demographically diverse audiences.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- The activity falls under one of the programmatic areas listed above: Global Issues; Climate & Environment; Entrepreneurship; Arts America, Study of the U.S.; Special Project: Celebrating 100 Years Burgenland
- The project budget is well-organized, detailed and reasonable. Avoid budget lines labeled “miscellaneous expenses;” no rough estimates; expenses for food, drink, or entertainment are excluded. Proposals missing a clear budget for the activity proposed will not be considered.
- The proposal demonstrates that the Austrian and U.S. individuals and/or organizations have sufficient expertise, skills, and capacity to implement the project.
- The project will make a substantive contribution to expanding partnerships between Austrian and U.S. individuals, organizations, and institutions.
- The project idea and approach is innovative; proposed project activities are concrete and detailed and supported by a work plan.
- The proposal clearly states how project partners will assess and measure performance throughout the implementation phase using quantitative and qualitative assessment tools.
For more information, visit https://at.usembassy.gov/education-culture/austrian-american-partnership-fund/