Deadline: 26-Jun-21
The U.S. Embassy Nur-Sultan and U.S. Consulate General Almaty Public Affairs Sections (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State are pleased to announce funding is available through the Makerspace Expands! public-private partnership to expand access to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) activities through the Kazakhstan American Spaces and Makerspaces network.
The U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan and Chevron established a three-year public-private partnership in 2020. The partnership supports the Makerspace Expands project which will empower young people with the knowledge and skillsets to be competitive in the global market during a time of rapid, technological development, providing them with access to high-tech resources, innovative programs, like-minded peers, viable business connections, and inspiring mentors.
Goal: Support economic development in Kazakhstan by equipping youth with in-demand technical and STEAM skills.
Program Objectives:
- The Makerspace Expands project will create a network of partners to expand opportunities for STEAM access in Kazakhstan. Utilizing the resources and models of American innovation provided by Chevron and the American Spaces and Makerspaces network, the recipient will offer mentorship, training, and other kinds of capacity building activities geared towards the target audience.
- Increase participant capacity to solve problems using STEAM through mentorship, trainings, and other activities.
- Possible activities:
- “Makeathon” at each AS&MS with a final event in one of the cities where spaces are located.
- Arduino Clubs at Maker Spaces with final countrywide Arduino Maker Challenge.
- Sponsor and mentor individuals and teams for international competitions in STEAM like the World Solar Challenge or Google Science Fair.
- Hold Hackathons to find solutions for environmental problems.
- Do-It-Yourself Recycling Challenges
- Possible activities:
- Strengthen educator capacity to incorporate/integrate STEAM education into their classrooms
- Possible activities:
- Workshops in creative STEAM training for public school teachers
- Digital Literacy Skills (ICT) Course for Kazakh-speaking public school teachers.
- Create an “Adopt-a-Space” program for educators and American Spaces and Makerspaces with support for workshops and activities.
- Utilize a “Makerspace on the Road” program to bring education and American Spaces and Makerspaces resource to rural communities.
- Possible activities:
- Support the “Maker” community and creative industries through innovative programs incorporating STEAM and business skills.
- Possible activities:
- Podcasting Online Course in Kazakh.
- Creative writing programs to strengthen civil society.
- Possible activities:
- Increase participant capacity to solve problems using STEAM through mentorship, trainings, and other activities.
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: 6 months
- Number of awards anticipated: 3 awards (dependent on amounts)
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $ 120,000
- Total available funding: $120,000
Audience: Youth (14-25 years old), entrepreneurs/innovators, women/girls, other marginalized groups, civil society organizations, and/or non-profit organizations.
Priority Region: In-person activities should be carried out in collaboration with one or more American Spaces and Makerspaces located in the following cities: Almaty, Nur-Sultan, Oskemen, Shymkent, Karaganda, Kostonay, Pavlodar, Petropavlovsk, Aktobe, and Oral.
Eligibility Criteria
- The U.S. Embassy Nur-Sultan and U.S. Consulate Almaty Public Affairs Sections encourage applications from U.S. and Kazakhstan registered not-for-profit, civil society/non-governmental organizations, and educational institutions with at least one year of programming experience desired. This experience should be documented in the organization’s proposal.
- A copy of the organizations registration should be provided with the proposal application. U.S.-based organizations should submit a copy of their IRS determination letter.
- Kazakhstan-based organizations should submit a copy of their certificate of registration from the appropriate government organization.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=333795