Deadline: 01-Jun-2024
The U.S. Embassy Port Louis Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is inviting applications for an open competition for organizations or individuals to submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) to carry out a program (or programs) to promote bilateral relationships between the U.S. and Mauritius and Seychelles.
Objectives
- 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 potential small grants programs include, but are not limited to:
- Academic and professional lectures, seminars, workshops, and speaker programs;
- Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions;
- Activities that encourage women’s empowerment and gender equality, respect for underserved and underrepresented individuals, empower marginalized and disadvantaged communities, and encourage social inclusion, access to resources, and fundamental human rights for all;
- Programs developed by an alumnus/a of a U.S.-government sponsored educational institution;
- Youth entrepreneurship, empowerment, and/or leadership programs;
- Programs that support media and freedom of expression.
Priority Areas
- Promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, encourage good governance and transparency, strengthen civil society or democratic institutions.
- Youth and women’s leadership, entrepreneurship, and STEM programs.
- Sustained economic growth, trade, and investment (this may include programs on entrepreneurship, capacity-building, business incubators, and opportunities to convene investors with businesses.)
- Promoting civic education and youth participation in civics, democratic processes, volunteerism, and community service.
- Build media capacity and counter disinformation.
- Respect for underserved and underrepresented individuals, empower marginalized and disadvantaged communities, encourage social inclusion, access to resources, and fundamental human rights for all.
- Joint academic research in partnership with U.S. universities or organizations to accelerate responses and adaptation to climate change
- English language promotion that uses innovative techniques, tools, and U.S. materials for classroom teaching and learning
- Promoting the themes above through sports or arts.
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: up to 18 months
- Number of awards anticipated: approximately 4 awards, dependent on availability of funding and amounts requested
- Award amounts: Minimum of $3,000 and maximum of $25,000
- Anticipated program start date: On or before December 31, 2024
- Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 18 months or less. PDS may 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.
Target Audience
- Proposals must identify a clearly defined target audience that the program seeks to influence or impact. Well-defined audiences are countable and accessible through the program’s activities. Proposals should specify the changes in knowledge, understanding, attitudes, or behavior change in attitudes or behavior action that they seek with the program—and how they plan to measure these outcomes.
- Programs may be geared to a variety of audiences, depending on the topic. PDS Port Louis’ intended target audiences are youth and adults in Mauritius and Seychelles. Proposals will be evaluated on a well-reasoned strategy for the intended audience, as well as appropriate inclusivity, whether based on gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
Eligibility Criteria
- The Public Diplomacy Section encourages applications from U.S., Mauritian, and Seychellois:
- Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/nongovernmental organizations with programming experience
- Individuals
- Non-profit or governmental educational institutions
- Governmental institutions
- Applicants should be able to document their experience implementing similar programs. For profit businesses or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
Ineligible
- The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:
- Activities that do not contain a distinctly U.S. component;
- Programs relating to partisan political activity;
- Charitable or development activities;
- Infrastructure/construction programs;
- Individual scholarships;
- Personal development;
- 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;
- Programs that duplicate existing programs;
- Social travel/visits;
- Venture capital; or
- For-profit endeavors.
For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Mauritius.