Deadline: 15 July 2020
The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania, is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Small Grants Program.
Purpose of Small Grants: PAS invites proposals for programs that strengthen ties between the United States and Lithuania, highlight the shared values, and promote bilateral cooperation in pursuit of the common goals. All programs must include an American cultural element or connections with American experts, organizations or institutions that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.
Priority Program Areas: PAS is currently accepting proposals that support the following Embassy goals and priorities:
- Commemorating significant observances and historical events in ways that demonstrate their relevance and importance to modern audiences, including:
- The Year of Vilna Gaon and Lithuanian Jewish History
- The 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- The 80th anniversary of the Sumner Welles declaration
- The 50th anniversary of the Environmental Protection Agency
- Promoting democratic values, human rights, tolerance and an inclusive society
- Supporting independent media and civil society in countering disinformation and developing media literacy and critical thinking
- Encouraging entrepreneurship and economic growth in under-served areas
All programs must have an American element and must reach a Lithuanian audience. Preference will be given to proposals that are part of long-term initiatives, reach audiences of strategic importance, and/or can demonstrate a sustained positive impact in the community.
The following types of programs, activities and expenses are not eligible for funding:
- Paying to complete activities already begun;
- Ongoing salary costs;
- Office equipment;
- Programs that promote particular political parties, religious beliefs or companies;
- Requests by organizations and individuals who are neither Lithuanian nor American;
- Fundraising campaigns and charity projects that give away money or property;
- Construction projects;
- Alcoholic beverages
- Projects aimed only at primary institutional development or capacity building of the organization; and
- Projects that duplicate existing efforts.
Funding Information
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $15,000.
- Length of performance period: 2 days to 12 months.
- Number of awards anticipated: 20-40 awards (dependent on amount and availability of funding throughout the year)
Eligibility Criteria
- The Public Affairs Section encourages applications from U.S. and Lithuanian:
- Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/nongovernmental organizations with programming experience
- Individuals
- Nonprofit or governmental educational institutions
- Governmental institutions
- In deciding which proposals to support, the Embassy will give consideration to the full range and diversity of Lithuanian nonprofit organizations – cultural, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and educational – and will seek to target geographically and demographically diverse audiences in Lithuania. Lithuanian and U.S. citizens may apply as individuals, but preference is generally given to projects proposed by organizations.
- For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
For more information, visit https://lt.usembassy.gov/education-culture/small-grants-program/