Submit Applications for Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program in Portugal

Deadline: 1 March 2020

The U.S. Embassy Lisbon Office of Public Affairs (OPA) of the U.S. Department of State is seeking applications for its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program.

OPA invites proposals from individuals, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions for projects that strengthen the bilateral ties between the U.S. and Portugal. OPA will only consider grants that have an American component or aspect in their proposal.

Examples of PAS Small Grants Program projects include, but are not limited to:

Academic and professional lectures, seminars and speaker programs;
Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances and exhibitions;
Cultural heritage conservation and preservation projects;
Professional and academic exchanges and projects;
Professional development workshops and training;

Priority Program Areas

The Azores: activities focused on, or are connected to, the Autonomous Region of the Azores, which promote economic, educational, and/or cultural linkages between the United States and Portugal.
African Diaspora: activities focused on, or are connected to, the African and/or Afro-descendant community in Portugal, which promote economic, educational, and/or cultural linkages between the United States and Portugal.
Media Literacy and Countering Misinformation: activities that promote media literacy and critical thinking, resist malign influence, and counter disinformation.
Technology and Innovation: activities which support cooperation in such areas as space exploration, energy, firefighting, and reforestation, as well as solutions to transnational, regional, and global challenges, including cybersecurity, terrorism, environmental issues, and health threats.
Trade and Investment: activities which support the expansion of U.S. exports and investments, improve the connections between U.S. and Portuguese businesses, and/or expand economic opportunities for women and underserved populations.

Award Information

Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $3,000 to a maximum of $25,000
Length of performance period: 1-12 months
Number of awards anticipated: 3-20 awards
Total available funding: $75,000

Eligibility Criteria

The Public Affairs Section encourages applications from U.S. and Portugal who are:
- Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience;
- Individuals;
- Non-profit or governmental educational institutions
The following types of projects are not eligible for funding:
- Scientific research;
- Requests by organizations and individuals who are neither Portuguese nor American;
- Projects relating to partisan political activity;
- Charitable activities or fundraising campaigns;
- Trade activities;
- Commercial projects;
- Scientific Research;
- Construction projects;
- Projects that support specific religious activities;
- Lobbying for specific legislation or projects
- Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization;
- Projects that duplicate existing projects.