Deadline: 19-Mar-21
The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the United States Consulate General in Monterrey announces an open competition for civil society organizations to submit applications to carry out public diplomacy projects in the states of Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas. Projects can be completely virtual or have a mix of virtual and in-person activities.
Objectives
- The program shall improve the access and use of technology for education in underserved students. By the end of the program, students will have sufficient knowledge and access to relevant, discrete technologies to improve their connection to the digital world, as well as their educational opportunities and employment opportunities.
- The program may include the purchase of equipment for a host institution; these requests should be reasonable and explicitly explained in the budget.
Program Theme/Goal
The goal of this NOFO is to strengthen community-based organizations in support of activities to promote education, technology use, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), particularly for Mexican youth, within the age range of 13-21. All proposals should promote an increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.
Project themes/focus could include the following. These are illustrative examples only, and proposals will be considered that relate to the stated program objectives above:
- Technology basics for youth: Programs that provide a comprehensive understanding of video conference software, on-line education, and job searching.
- Coding and Programming Club: Courses aimed at students and young professionals on coding and programming languages.
- STEAM literacy: Programs aimed at the high school and college students who have little-to-no knowledge of STEAM applications in data science, computer science, and Internet of Things (IoT) in order to help participants widen their choices of higher education and STEAM-related career opportunities.
- Digital Innovation: Programs aimed at high school and college students to learn about Artificial Intelligence (AI), Business Intelligence (BI), Big Data/Analytics, 3DAssembly Modelling, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
- STEAM and Business: Programs aimed for participants currently studying STEAM-related business to introduce fundamentals of enterprise development, supply chain, and marketing practices that are essential to creating STEAM startups. The program would help build a network and ongoing mentorship opportunities for students and young professionals in practicing STEAM and entrepreneurial processes.
- Audio-Visual Club: Programs on the functional basics of audio-visual technology to include sound systems, film, 3D-printing, photography, editing, and design basics.
- To the extent possible, materials should privilege U.S. content.
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: One day to 12 months.
- A number of awards anticipated: up to four.
- Award amounts: Minimum award $ 5,000.00 USD; maximum award $25,000.00 USD; pending availability of funds.
- Total available funding: $25,000.00
- Priority Region: Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas.
- Participants and Audiences: Proposals should engage with a gender-balanced group of Mexican youth, between 13-21 years of age.
Eligible Applicants
- This funding opportunity is limited to registered not-for-profit, civil society/non-governmental organizations, and cultural/educational institutions working in the states of Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas.
- Applicants must provide proof of their registration with the Mexican Federal Government as a civil society organization that can accept donations.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=331594
