Deadline: 18-Jun-25
The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) at the U.S. Mission in Poland invites proposals for programs that strengthen U.S.-Poland ties by promoting bilateral cooperation and building lasting connections with emerging Polish leaders.
Goals and Objectives
- All projects must address the development of youth leadership, critical thinking, project management skills, and resilience as well as career guidance activities.
- Proposals are encouraged to include the active involvement of U.S. business representatives, U.S. experts, alumni of U.S. government exchange programs, or other individuals with direct U.S. experience to provide real-world insights and mentorship that reflect American leadership in innovative approaches to entrepreneurship and career development. Engaging these stakeholders not only enriches the learning experience for participants but also showcases U.S. achievements in building competitive, skills-based career pathways. These connections help foster a deeper understanding of American values and practices and build long-term connections between Poland and the United States.
- By the end of the project, participants should demonstrate increased confidence and competence in key soft skills and a clearer understanding of potential career paths. The project should also result in tangible outcomes such as student presentations, project portfolios, or individual career action plans that reflect the skills and knowledge gained.
- All proposals are required to have a clear connection to the United States, either through U.S. organizations, experts, and/or best practices in order to increase the awareness and understanding of U.S. perspectives, policies, and society.
Funding Information
- Awards may range from a minimum of $25,000 to a maximum of $50,000.
Duration
- Length of performance period 6 to 18 months
Eligible Activities
- Examples of possible public diplomacy grant activities include, but are not limited to:
- Workshops, panels, and/or interactive sessions on public speaking, problem solving, critical thinking, and career planning.
- CV/Resume building clinics, mock interviews, and mentorship meet-ups with professionals.
- A series of guided sessions helping students explore career options through hands on experiences, guest speakers, workplace visits, and practical exercises in self-presentation and goal setting.
Participants and Audiences
- Proposals should describe audiences for the program, including anticipated numbers to be reached. Applicants should be as specific as possible in their proposals about how their project’s primary audience will be recruited and how they will engage them through programming. Primary audiences are those who will participate directly in the program, while secondary audiences are those who will be reached by the project’s primary audiences as a result of their participation (for example, a workshop for high school students as primary audience could include elements of mentorship where teachers as a secondary audience may take a role of a facilitator or a mentor who would provide new ways to engage with students beyond traditional curricula).
Eligibility Criteria
- The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- Appropriately registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience
- Individuals to include alumni of U.S. government sponsored exchange programs; and
- Non-profit or governmental educational institutions including public libraries, schools, and universities.
- For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
Ineligibility Criteria
- The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:
- Programs relating to partisan political activity;
- Charitable or development activities;
- Construction programs;
- Programs that support specific religious activities;
- Fund-raising campaigns;
- Lobbying for specific legislation or programs;
- Scientific research;
- Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; or
- Programs that duplicate existing programs.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.