Deadline: 31 March 2020
The U.S. Embassy in London’s Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program.
Examples of 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; and
- Professional development workshops and training.
All programs must include an U.S. cultural element or connection with U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.
Priority Areas
- U.S. Elections: activities that promote an understanding of the 2020 U.S. elections and the U.S. electoral college through nonpartisan programs.
- Security and Defense: activities that promote transatlantic security; combat transnational, regional, and global challenges, including cybersecurity, terrorism, and violent extremism; and encourage resistance to malign influence and disinformation.
- Prosperity, Trade, and Investment: activities that encourage a nuanced understanding of U.S. agricultural practices and industries, support the expansion of U.S. exports and investments, improve the connections between U.S. and UK businesses, and/or expand economic opportunities for women, youth, and underserved populations.
- Technology and Innovation: activities that support cooperation in such areas as space exploration, agricultural technology, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship.
- Shared Values and Interests: activities that promote the U.S.-UK Special Relationship and build people-to-people ties, including but not limited to VE Day and Mayflower commemorative programs.
- Student Mobility: activities that promote exchanges and training opportunities for U.S. and UK higher education and vocational students.
Funding Information
Awards may range from a minimum of $3,000 to a maximum of $15,000.
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.
Eligibility Criteria
The Public Affairs Section encourages applications from United States and the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland):
- Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience;
- Individuals;
- Non-profit or governmental educational institutions; and
- Governmental institutions.
For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
Evaluation Criteria
Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below. The criteria listed are closely related and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application.
- Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants: The organization has expertise in its stated field and PAS is confident of its ability to undertake the program. This includes a financial management system and a bank account.
- Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea: The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline.
- Goals and Objectives: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.
- Embassy Priorities: Applicant has clearly described how stated goals are related to and support U.S. Embassy London’s priority areas or target audiences.
- Budget: The budget justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities.
- Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provide milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators, and shows how and when those will be measured.
- Sustainability: Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program.
How to Apply
- The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity
- All documents are in English
- All budgets are in U.S. dollars
All application materials must be submitted by email at the address given on the website.
For more information, visit https://uk.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/london/ukpa/grants-programs/