Deadline: 30 June 2020
The U.S. Embassy Monrovia Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding may be available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program.
Purpose of Small Grants: PAS Monrovia invites proposals for programs that strengthen ties between the U.S. and Liberia through educational, cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include American cultural or educational content, or incorporate American expert/s, organization/s, institution/s and/or resources while promoting increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives and building ties between the U.S. and Liberia.
Priority Areas
- Strengthening Democratic Institutions
- Increasing the capacity of Liberians to lead the country’s development and selfsustenance
- Empowering Civil Society, especially women
- Bolstering Education at all levels
- Strengthening links and collaboration among U.S. State Department exchange program alumni to enhance their outreach, skills or community service capacity
Examples of PAS Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to:
- Virtual or live academic and professional lectures, seminars and speaker programs;
- Virtual or live academic efforts to improve skills including but not limited to literacy and STEM;
- Professional and academic exchanges and projects that enhance knowledge in critical gap areas;
- Media projects and training that expand reach, accountability, transparency, or professionalism;
- Social movement programs to support political transparency and accountability; and,
- Sports and extracurricular programs for underserved and marginalized communities.
Funding Information
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $2,000 to a maximum of $20,000.
- Length of performance period: 1 to 12 months
- Anticipated program start date: 5/01/2020
The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:
- Programs relating to partisan political activity;
- Lobbying for specific legislation or programs;
- Construction programs, legal/land rights-focused programs are not allowable;
- Projects that are inherently development in nature, or that primarily consist of procuring supplies or equipment for an organization or individual;
- Programs that support specific religious activities;
- Financial support for fundraising including for charity or fund-raising campaigns;
- Scientific or health related research;
- Funding of for-profit business ventures or microloans/microfinance projects, or seed money for enterprises;
- Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of an organization;
- The purchase or long-term lease of space or buildings in support of program activities;
- Individual or group travel to conferences or other events;
- Cash prizes for competitions;
- Alcohol or programs focused solely on food distribution;
- Scholarships to support educational opportunities or study for individuals;
- Funding of ongoing projects, which would otherwise be funded through other means;
- Programs that duplicate existing programs of the U.S. Department of State or Public Affairs Section or U.S. Embassy in Monrovia.
Participants and Audiences
All proposals should focus on engaging Liberians in Liberia. Experts from the U.S. can be involved.
Eligibility Criteria
- The Public Affairs Section encourages applications from the United States and Liberia although all activities must take place in Liberia:
- Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience
- Individuals including Alumni of U.S. Department of State Exchange Programs
- Non-profit media organizations
- Professional Trade organizations
- Non-profit or governmental educational institutions
- For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
Please ensure:
- The Template or narrative proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity
- All documents are in English
- Budget is required and must be in U.S. dollars
- All pages are numbered
- All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper, and
- All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=326576