Deadline: 30-Apr-21
The U.S. Embassy Mbabane Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program.
Purpose of Small Grants
PAS Mbabane invites proposals for programs that provide Swati audiences with current, accurate information and opportunities for increased understanding of U.S. policies, government, society, history, and culture. All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert(s), organization(s), or institution(s) in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. Examples of PAS Small Grants Program programs 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 programs;
- Professional and academic exchanges and programs;
- Municipal, college/university, and regional libraries that are interested in becoming an American Space;
- Programs developed by an alumnus/a of a U.S. sponsored or supported educational or professional exchange program.
Goals
Through the FY2021 Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program, PAS aims to:
- Promote prosperity and good governance;
- Advance public health, human rights, and dignity;
- Counter transnational threats and foster American security.
Objectives
- Entrepreneurship & Economic Growth
- Education
- Good Governance / Citizen Participation in Democracy
- Human Rights and Dignity
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: Up to 18 months
- Number of awards anticipated: subject to funds availability
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $1,500 to a maximum of $15,000
Funding Instrument Type
- Grant, Fixed Amount Award, or Cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements are different from grants in that PAS staff are more actively involved in proposal execution and anticipate having moderate to substantial involvement once the award has been made.
Program Performance Period
Proposed programs should be completed in 18 months or less. PAS will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.
Ineligible Programs
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;
- Purchases of property and equipment over $5,000 or without a specific programmatic linkage;
- Initiatives that duplicate existing programs;
- Travel to the United States for family or social purposes;
- Travel to the United States for purposes of amplifying Swati cultural initiatives;
- Travel to the United States for purposes unconnected to a larger program or initiative;
- Scholarships or tuition assistance;
- Commercial or for-profit endeavors, including venture capital, seed funding, and angel investment;
- Events of a purely social nature;
- Prizes and competition awards without a programmatic linkage.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be Emaswati or currently residing in Eswatini. The programs must take place in and be focused on Eswatini. Applications are encouraged from all sectors. The following entities are eligible to apply:
- Individuals
- Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience
- Non-profit or governmental educational institutions
- Governmental institutions For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=332129