NOFO: Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program (India)

Deadline: 22-Apr-23

The U.S. Consulate General Chennai’s Public Diplomacy section (PD Chennai) is pleased to announce a funding opportunity through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program.

Examples of PD Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to:

• Academic and professional lectures, seminars, workshops, conferences, and performances.
• U.S. experts participating in speaking tours, roundtables, and panel discussions.
• Projects showcasing U.S. models or curricula.
• Initiatives aimed at engaging with alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs.
• Creative projects, including artistic and cultural workshops, performances, and exhibitions that advance one or more of the priority areas of PD Chennai listed below.

Goal

PD Chennai is pleased to announce an open competition for non-profit organizations to submit applications to implement programs that foster stronger bilateral and regional ties through diverse public diplomacy programs on topics related to global threats, economic prosperity, regional security in the Indo-Pacific, and shared democratic values.  Applications should include and promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives in the project proposals.

Program Priority Areas

Applications should focus primarily on any one or more of the themes:

• Theme One: Global Threats
  • Trafficking in Persons (TIP): Programs which raise awareness among vulnerable populations as well as key stakeholders on TIP and share best practices to combat human trafficking.
  • Climate Change: Foster dialogue among key stakeholders, including civil society, about preparedness for climate change-related challenges.
• Theme Two: Economic Prosperity
  • Entrepreneurship:
    • Promote and support start-up hubs, incubators, business associations and other initiatives which lead to innovation, business, science, and technology cooperation to increase economic opportunities especially for emerging business leaders.
    • Promote projects that enhance women’s participation, promotion, and longevity in the labor force and ability to assume leadership positions.
  • Education:
    • Projects that increase access to education and economic opportunity to underserved communities.
    • Projects that promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematic (STEM) education, including institutional partnerships with a particular focus on women and girls and underserved communities.
• Theme Three: Regional Security
  • Programs to promote the U.S.-India partnership and shared goals for the development of the Indo-Pacific region.
  • Programs that address issues of regional security, including cybersecurity, critical and engineering technologies, and countering violent extremism, as well as exchanges that promote multilateral cooperation and enhance stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • Programs to develop social and intellectual connections, creating bridges of understanding and connection among Indo-Pacific countries by providing opportunities for participants to identify and appreciate common values.
• Theme Four: Shared Democratic Values
  • Programs which increase the effectiveness of individuals, organizations, and coalitions working to advance and/or advocate for respect and promotion of human rights.
  • Programs which promote sensitization on Gender Based Violence (GBV) issues.
  • Programs which strengthen and build capacity of local organizations who work on social and economic inclusion of marginalized communities (including the LGBTQ+), to build long-term, self-sustaining relationships within communities and organizations.
  • Programs related to freedom of the press that improve quality of investigative journalism, transparency, and reinforce journalistic standards to counter disinformation.
  • Programs that promote pluralism, religious freedom, and social inclusion.

Objectives

These should be outlined in the specific proposal submitted by the applicant.  A helpful approach is using the SMART evaluation system:  Smart, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely.

• Project deliverables for each phase of the project should be defined in the proposal.
• Strong proposals include quantifiable deliverables, including the tools used for measurement and evaluation.

Funding Information

• Funding Mechanism Type: Grant.
• Maximum (“Ceiling”) Award Amount: USD 25,000.
• Minimum Award Amount: USD 5,000.
• Total Amount Available: USD 50,000.
• Number of Awards Available: 2-10, depending on funding availability.
• Length of Project Period: Not to exceed 12 months.

Project Audience(s):

Targeted audiences will vary based on the nature and design of the project proposed.  Potential audience segments include:

• Youth and university students;
• Civil society/human rights/gender rights leaders, journalists, artists, politicians, judicial, government officials, policy makers, climate change and environmental activists, etc.;
• National and regional media outlets, digital and social media influencers;
• Business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors;
• Academic institutions, cultural organizations, think tanks, and non-profits.
• Strong proposals will clearly segment and define the project’s target audience and provide rationale for prioritizing a group or groups.

Eligibility Criteria

• The following organizations are eligible to apply:
  • Not-for-profit organizations.
  • Civil society/non-governmental organizations.
  • Think tanks.
  • Public and private educational institutions.
  • Individuals.
  • Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions.
• Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.

Ineligible

This award does not allow:

• Projects relating to partisan political activity;
• Charitable or development activities;
• Construction projects;
• Projects that support specific religious activities;
• Fund-raising campaigns;
• Lobbying for specific legislation or programs
• Scientific research or surveys;
• Commercial projects;
• Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization;
• Projects that duplicate existing projects; or
• Illegal activities.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.