Youth Cyber Awareness and Cyber Safety

The Youth Cyber Awareness and Cyber Safety grant is offered by the U.S. Mission to Argentina, with a focus on promoting digital safety among Argentine youth. This funding opportunity aims to support initiatives that foster cyber hygiene, combat disinformation, and encourage an inclusive cybersecurity workforce. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations and educational institutions from the United States and Argentina. The program's total funding is $117,000, with individual awards ranging from $20,000 to $60,000. Applicants can apply to one or both of the following programs: 1. Comprehensive Youth Cyber Awareness and Safety Messaging Campaign with Influencers: This initiative will focus on raising awareness about cybersecurity risks faced by young people in Argentina. The campaign will leverage influencers on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and local streaming media to promote safe online practices, combat disinformation, and encourage youth, especially young women, to pursue careers in cybersecurity. The campaign will also address the risks of underage online gambling and will include content such as videos, infographics, and articles on cyber hygiene and cybersecurity opportunities. Partnerships with local universities and centers are also encouraged to integrate these messages into existing digital literacy and STEM programs. 2. Tech Forum on Cybersecurity: This event will bring together stakeholders from media, academia, government, and civil society to discuss cybersecurity issues and promote regional cooperation. The Tech Forum will include expert-led discussions on cybersecurity threats, panels on regional cybersecurity cooperation, and hands-on training sessions. A hackathon will be organized as part of the forum, where teams will work on solutions to cybersecurity challenges. The successful solutions will be eligible for one-time incubation grants. For the Comprehensive Youth Cyber Awareness and Safety Messaging Campaign, the grant will support content creation, influencer collaborations, and educational partnerships. For the Tech Forum, the focus will be on advocacy, capacity building, and hands-on problem solving, culminating in the hackathon. Applicants may request between $20,000 and $30,000 for each individual activity, with a maximum total request of $60,000 if applying for both activities. The implementation of sub-awards will be facilitated through RACI Canada, acting as the grantee administrator. Applications must be submitted by December 15, 2024, and will be reviewed by a panel of Embassy subject matter experts. The awards are categorized under public diplomacy programs (Assistance Listings: 19.040), and the opportunity aims to enhance youth cybersecurity awareness and safety in Argentina.