U.S. Mission to India: Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program

Deadline: 30-Jun-23

The Public Diplomacy (PD) Section of the U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad is pleased to announce a funding opportunity through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program.

The Public Diplomacy (PD) Section of the U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad oversees a range of cultural and educational initiatives throughout the states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha that are supported by the U.S. government, with the goal to foster stronger bilateral and regional ties through diverse public diplomacy programs. The program priorities include promoting greater understanding of the U.S. and fostering people-to-people ties, reinforcing shared values between U.S. and India, and ensuring mutual prosperity.

Project Goal: The U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to implement programs that foster stronger bilateral and regional ties through diverse public diplomacy programs on topics related to economic growth, climate change, and supporting and promoting democratic values and rights. Applications should include an American element. The U.S. content should include, for example, the substantial participation of U.S. experts or alumni of U.S. government exchange programs; partnership with U.S. organizations or educational institutions; the involvement of U.S. companies present in India; the application or adaptation of U.S. models and best practices; or learning materials related to American history, society, business, culture, politics, government, or institutions.

Program Priority Areas 

• While proposals may address multiple project objectives, each proposal should focus primarily on one of the following priority project areas:
  • Programs related to promoting capacity building and cooperation in the area of human health issues;
  • Programs that focus on tackling transnational crimes like human trafficking;
  • Creative programs that advance one or more of the priority areas to include but not limited to climate change; clean and renewable energy; space science and technology; and transformative technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality.
  • Programs related to promoting study in the United States, the internationalization of Indian universities, and/or building of linkages between American and Indian institutions of higher education
  • Programs related to U.S.-India bilateral trade, investment, economic integration, entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property rights.
  • Programs on understanding U.S.-India relations in the Indo-Pacific, including security cooperation and military/defense relations.
  • Programs that seek to promote a better understanding of diversity and inclusion; religious freedom; gender rights; LGBTQ rights; rights of persons with disabilities; rights of underrepresented or otherwise disadvantaged communities; and other aspects of human rights.
  • Activities that address the social, political, and economic barriers preventing the full participation of India’s female population in its growth.
• Proposed activities must take place in the states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, or Odisha. Proposals that include target audiences in more than one of these states will be viewed more favorably.

Funding Information

• Available Total Funding: USD 30,000
• Number of Awards: 2-10, depending on funding availability
• Award Floor (Minimum): USD 10,000
• Award Ceiling (Maximum): USD 15,000
• Length of Project Period: Not to exceed 12 months
• Anticipated program start date: July 15th, 2023

Eligible Projects

• U.S. experts conducting speaking tours/public talks or roundtable discussions in India.
• Projects showcasing U.S. education models or course curricula.
• Development of initiatives aimed at maintaining contact with alumni of U.S. government-supported exchange programs.
• Creative projects that advance one or more of the priority areas.
• Interactive programs around priority themes that engage audiences through cultural and arts programs/workshops/ performances and exhibitions

Project Audience: All applicants for awards must specify their target audience (gender/age/social class/geographic breakdown) and estimate the expected audience reach through direct contact and, if possible, through indirect contacts (via social media or traditional media).

Eligibility Criteria

• The following organizations are eligible to apply:
  • Not-for-profit organizations
  • Civil society/non-governmental organizations
  • Think tanks
  • Public and private educational institutions
  • Individuals
  • Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions
• Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.