Grants for Individuals - Education

The Energy CLASS (Champions Leading the Advancement of Sustainable Schools) Prize is a grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Energy State and Community Energy Program Office (SCEP). The prize aims to support local education agencies in establishing and training energy managers to identify, plan, and implement efficiency and health upgrades in schools. With $80 million available, the grant will help schools across the country lower utility costs, improve indoor environmental quality, and reduce carbon emissions. The Energy CLASS Prize consists of two phases. In Phase 1, up to 25 selected LEAs will receive $100,000 in cash prizes to support participation in a 12-month training program. In Phase 2, participants will undergo 80-160 hours of online educational courses and receive one-on-one support and coaching related to building upgrades. At the end of Phase 2, participants can submit a progress report and a plan for future building upgrades for a chance to win a $50,000 bonus prize. To apply, LEAs need to submit a statement of need, letters of support, and demonstrate their commitment to making building energy upgrades. Interested applicants should review the official rules for complete application instructions. For updates or questions, applicants can subscribe on the HeroX platform or contact the Energy CLASS Prize team directly at [email protected].

This funding opportunity provides financial support for alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs to implement innovative projects that address community challenges in areas such as public health, climate practices, and youth engagement.

This funding opportunity provides $54,000 to organizations that will create and manage educational programs promoting American English, business practices, and technology skills for youth and professionals in Mozambique.

This initiative provides financial and technical support to individuals and organizations in Hayward, California, for community-driven projects that promote education, sustainability, economic development, and health.

U.S. Embassy Lilongwes Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) is pleased to announce that we are accepting proposals for our Small Grants Program. This announcement is an Annual Program Statement outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes on which we focus, and the procedures for submitting funding requests. Please read this document carefully and follow all instructions. This notice is subject to the availability of funding. Purpose of Small Grants: PDS invites proposals for projects that strengthen ties between the United States and Malawi through programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. 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. policies and perspectives in Malawi. Examples of programs implemented through the PDS Small Grants Program include, but are not limited to: • U.S. experts conducting lectures, seminars, or speaking tours with Malawian audiences • Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions • Professional and academic exchanges and programs • Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs • Programs developed by an alumnus/a of a U.S. sponsored or supported educational or professional exchange program • Initiatives aimed at maintaining contact with alumni of U.S. exchange programs • Projects to promote English language teaching skills or widen access to books and other sources of information about the United States Priority Program Areas: • Promote good governance and rule of law • Facilitate and encourage growth of entrepreneurship • Promote gender equality to increase participation in education and improved health decision-making by adolescent girls and young women • Increase transparency of government activities through a more capable media • Support and improve conditions for vulnerable and marginalized citizens, such as the disabled, people living with albinism, and those subject to stigma or persecution • Prevent gender-based violence and trafficking in persons • Promote stronger, more numerous university partnerships between U.S. and Malawian universities PDS will ONLY consider proposals that contain a significant American component or aspect. This could include, but is not limited to, an American expert as a speaker, using curriculum developed by a U.S. institution, or screening an American film.

This program provides financial support to young artists in Arizona, ages 12 to 17, to help them develop their artistic skills through lessons, workshops, or necessary supplies outside of school hours.

The U.S. Embassy San Jose Public Diplomacy (PD) Section of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) to implement cultural or educational programs that strengthen ties between the United States and Costa Rica. A SOI should include cultural, exchange, and outreach activities that promote shared values and people-to-people ties between the United States and Costa Rica. The thematic areas for the projects must be aligned with Public Diplomacy priorities and the strategic goals of U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica detailed below. The submission of the Statement of Interest (SOI) is the first of a two-step process for successful proposals. Applicants must submit a concise one to two-page Statement of Interest that clearly communicates program ideas, objectives, target audiences, and a general budget overview. Applicants should not submit a detailed, full proposal at this stage. The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants to submit program ideas for evaluation prior to requiring the submission of a full proposal application. Upon a merit review of eligible SOIs, selected applicants will be invited to expand on their program idea(s) by submitting a full proposal application. Full proposals will go through a second merit review before a final funding decision is made. Priority Program Areas: Programs that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility including but not limited to: skills building programming, awareness-building, cultural programming, sports, countering gender-based violence, or educational opportunities. Programs that promote shared Unites States and Costa Rican values through English language learning, the arts, music, sports, entrepreneurship, STEAM education, and university preparation skills. Activities that foster long-term student and academic collaboration between U.S. and Costa Rican universities, technical schools, and community colleges, particularly in the fields of STEAM, semi-conductor workforce development, and English language teaching. Activities that increase media literacy and/or combat the spread of disinformation.

This grant provides financial support to local sports organizations in the Richmond Region to enhance their events and attract more visitors, boosting tourism and the local economy.

This grant provides funding for projects in Nebraska that aim to reduce waste, promote recycling, and improve environmental sustainability through various initiatives like composting, recycling systems, and waste collection events.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Kuwait City, Kuwait, Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Purpose of Small Grants: PAS Kuwait invites proposals for programs that strengthen people-to-people ties and advance our shared goals of climate resilience, economic well-being, and a safe and secure world. Proposals should model fair practices. Special consideration will be given to proposals that highlight the diversity of the United States and programs whose participants come from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, projects must address one or more of the priority areas listed below. Examples of PAS Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to: - Academic and professional lectures, seminars and speaker programs; - Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances and exhibitions; - Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs; - Professional and academic exchanges and programs; If you have any questions about the grant application process in its entirety, please email to [email protected]. Program Priority Areas: - Strengthening and expanding U.S.-Kuwait people-to-people partnerships to enhance regional stability and security, encompassing education, arts, freedom of speech, and fortifying U.S.-Kuwait ties. - Enhancing national security through political reform, economic development, and an improved legal framework. This includes advancing women's empowerment in politics and economics, addressing gender-based violence, and promoting cybersecurity and responsible AI use. - Engaging individuals with disabilities and promoting disability research and advocacy in Kuwait. - Promoting U.S.-Kuwait economic cooperation by emphasizing economic development, entrepreneurship, and environmental preservation in Kuwait, addressing both economic prosperity and climate change. Projects Examples: - Conference on emerging technologies, in collaboration with civil society leaders to advance digital transformation research. - Project with civil society to heighten environmental awareness regarding air quality, addressing the impact of climate change on Kuwait's environment. Activities may include awareness conferences, a workshop on investigative reporting on climate issues, or designing a digital media campaign supporting STEM in environmental protection. - Project in collaboration with civil society and/or academia that would provide training to Kuwaiti women in leadership skills, legal principles, and political etiquette. Training would aim to empower women with stronger social and legal knowledge, fostering increased participation in political careers. - Project to support the administration and management of volunteer work in Kuwait, collaborating with civil society to enhance youth engagement and foster creative community service and corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects led by both the private sector and the government. - Project to advance disability rights research in collaboration with academia and civil society. - Training program for sports arbitrators to equip them with required skills in sports arbitration principles. - Webinar series in collaboration with civil society to train young and aspiring business leaders on digitizing businesses using AI and IT solutions to enhance overall business activities. - Project to empower Kuwaiti women through art and environmental awareness in collaboration with local civil society via workshops that cover nature art, recycling, and climate change. Inviting women environmentalists, organizing field trips, and concluding with an exhibition The Following Program Categories Are Not Eligible for Funding: - Programs relating to partisan political activity; - Charitable or development activities; - Construction programs; - 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; or - Programs that duplicate existing programs. Authorizing Legislation, Type and Year of Funding: Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt Act. The source of funding is FY2024 Public Diplomacy Funding. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 1 to 12 months Number of awards anticipated: Varies (dependent on amounts) Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $25,000. Total available funding: $125,000 Type of Funding: Fiscal Year 2024 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy Funding Anticipated program start date: October 1, 2024 (for a maximum of one year) This Notice Is Subject to Funding Availability. Funding Instrument Type: Grant, Fixed Amount Award (FAAs), or Cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements and some FAAs are different from grants in that PAS staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation. (Note: If a cooperative agreement or an FAA that includes substantial involvement is used, PAS will include a description of the substantial involvement. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less. Optional: PAS will 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. C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants (in the Following Eligibility Order): PAS encourages applications from Kuwait based: - Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations. - Non-profit educational institutions - Individuals For-Profit or Commercial Entities Are Not Eligible to Apply. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost share is not required but is encouraged and will be evaluated positively during the merit review; it will be used to break ties among applications with equivalent scores after evaluation against all other factors. 3. Other Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. Individual applicants are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov. Applicants are encouraged to only apply for one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, only the most competitive proposal from that organization will be considered for funding. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1. Address to Request Application Package Application forms required below are available at c https://kw.usembassy.gov/grant-application-forms/ 2. Content and Form of Application Submission Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be deemed ineligible. Content of Application Please ensure: - The proposal shall be clearly reflect the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity. - All documents shall be in English. - All budgets shall be in U.S. dollars. - All pages shall be numbered. - All documents shall be formatted to 8 x 11 paper, and - All Microsoft Word documents shall be single-spaced, 12 point Calibri font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins. The following documents are required: 1. Mandatory application forms - SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance -- individuals) - SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) - SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) - Completed Grant Proposal Form 2. Summary Coversheet: Cover sheet stating the applicant name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program. 3. Proposal (5 pages maximum): The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. Please see the attached document for complete details of the Annual Program Statement. 3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Required Registrations: Please see the attached document for complete details of the Annual Program Statement. 4. Submission Dates and Times Applications may be submitted for consideration at any time before the closing date of May 31, 2024. No applications will be accepted after that date. 5. Funding Restrictions Award funds cannot be used for construction, vehicle purchases, etc. 6. Other Submission Requirements All application materials must be submitted by email to [email protected]. E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION 1. Criteria Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below. The criteria listed are closely related and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application. Organizational capacity and record on previous grants 20 points: The organization has expertise in its stated field and PAS is confident of its ability to undertake the program. This includes a financial management system and a bank account. Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea 20 points The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline. Goals and objectives 15 points: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results. Embassy priorities 10 points: Applicant has clearly described how stated goals are related to and support U.S. Embassy Kuwaits priority areas or target audiences. Budget 10 points: The budget justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities. Monitoring and evaluation plan 15 points: Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provide milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators, and shows how and when those will be measured. Sustainability 10 points: Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program. 2. Review and Selection Process A review committee will evaluate all eligible applications. 3. Responsibility/Qualification Information in SAM.gov (formerly, FAPIIS) Please see the attached document for complete details of the Annual Program Statement. 4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates: July 31, 2024 F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION Please see the attached document for complete details of the Annual Program Statement. G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact PAS at: [email protected] Note: We do not provide any pre-consultation for application related questions that are addressed in the NOFO. Once an application has been submitted, State Department officials and staff both in the Department and at embassies overseas may not discuss this competition with applicants until the entire proposal review process is completed. H. OTHER INFORMATION Please see the attached document for complete details of the Annual Program Statement.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONThe Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for a cooperative agreement to develop and implement a Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Regional Workshop on Advanced Media Literacy for Digital Creators pending the availability of funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below. This notice is subject to the availability of funding.Priority Region: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste.Program Objectives:YSEALI (yseali.state.gov) is the U.S. governments signature initiative to engage emerging leaders in Southeast Asia. The program aims to create a network of young Southeast Asian leaders who work across national borders to solve common problems. Through a variety of programs and engagements, YSEALI seeks to build the leadership capabilities of youth in the region, strengthen ties between the United States and Southeast Asia, and nurture a community of leaders who work across borders to solve shared issues.YSEALI is open to young leaders ages 18-35 who are both citizens and residents of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries (Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) or Timor-Leste. Responding to priorities from youth in the ASEAN region, YSEALI programs focus on four themes (Civic Engagement, Economic Empowerment and Social Entrepreneurship, Education and Environmental Issues).One component of YSEALI is the annual Regional Workshops held across Southeast Asia on strategic topics.This regional workshop on Advanced Media Literacy for Digital Creators will advance the YSEALI theme of Civic Engagement and the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines priority to support emerging leaders as democratic vanguards and promote media literacy.This regional workshop will convene around 100 emerging content creators, journalists, and advocates from ASEAN member nations and Timor-Leste for a five-day workshop in the Philippines. The workshop will advance participants knowledge and skills in critical media literacy. The workshop will include sessions on strategic and data-based content ideation, responsible content creation, effective audience engagement, identifying and countering mis/dis-information, and impact of AI on social media. The workshop will also include virtual webinars and exercises on wellness and self-care, combatting copyright or digital theft and tools to promote media literacy to fellow creators. Leveraging the wide knowledge base of Filipino and regional talent, the workshop will feature in-depth discussions and experiential learning sessions led by experts from Southeast Asia and the United States.The workshop will also create and sustain a virtual network of emerging content creators to provide a safe space for exchanges of best practices and solutions to challenges. At the workshops finale, participants may compete for small grants to implement projects and/or campaigns to promote media literacy to fellow emerging leaders across the region and celebrate International Youth Day in August 2025.The proposal should include workshop follow-on activities such as virtual collaborative work, projects funded through small seed grants, or ongoing mentorship. A follow-on activity may also be implemented to report on project successes and challenges and produce a toolkit with best practices on cross-border collaboration. The follow-on activity should be included in the monitoring and evaluation plan.The proposal should include a pre and post workshop survey to measure the overall effectiveness of the workshop as well as any changes to the participants knowledge of the workshop topic.The concepts of leadership, giving back, and strengthening a Southeast Asian/ASEAN identity based on shared values and shared challenges should be integrated into the program.The grantee is expected to develop syllabus materials and an event program with participant and speaker biographies, as well as design banners, backdrops, and other printed materials. The grantee is expected to design a digital engagement strategy for workshop participants and social media audiences, including live video or live online engagement during the program.No new website specific to the event should be created or launched. Domain, hosting and build costs will not be covered.The workshop will be conducted in English.Participants and Audiences:Participants will be content creators, journalists, and media literacy advocates from ASEAN member nations and Timor-Leste. Participants should demonstrate commitment to develop and sustain their projects. Participants should also be registered YSEALI members (before or during application via http://yseali.state.gov).The grantee will create an online application process and coordinate with the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and other U.S. Embassies in the region to recruit and select participants from all ASEAN member countries and Timor-Leste. All participants must be proficient in written and spoken English. Participants must be citizens and residents of an ASEAN member country or Timor-Leste.The grantee will be responsible for arranging and using cooperative agreement funds to cover all elements related to participant and staff travel including international and domestic flights, visas, travel to and from airports, visas, accommodations, per diem, meals during the program, and insurance.

This fellowship provides funding for postdoctoral or clinical research fellows conducting innovative research on ALK-positive lung cancer, focusing on targeted therapies and treatment resistance.

The Middle South Georgia Conservation District, a legal subdivision of the state of Georgia established in 1945, offers the Environmental and Agricultural Education Grant to promote education related to agriculture and natural resources within its nine-county service area. The grant supports educators from Pre-K to 12th grade and agricultural or natural resources-based entities in Ben Hill, Brooks, Colquitt, Crisp, Irwin, Thomas, Tift, Turner, and Worth counties. Applicants can request up to $1,000 for projects including tools, books, software, lab equipment, field trips, and the development of natural resource areas. Applications are due by September 30, 2024.

This grant provides funding to community groups and organizations in Ellensburg for projects that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, enhancing educational and intercultural opportunities while improving access to community resources.

This program provides funding to Shaker Heights residents and community groups for projects that promote inclusivity, cultural celebration, and social engagement to strengthen community connections.

The City of Stockton and Stockton Arts Commission are offering a grant of $10,000 to $100,000 for local artists and art organizations to fund projects that promote public engagement and access to various forms of art within the city, with funds being used for artist compensation, production, exhibit costs, marketing, rental cost, and supplies.

This program provides funding to various organizations and community groups in Maryland to plant and maintain trees, improving urban environments and combating climate change.

The Biomedical Research Grant (BRG) program at Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) is designed for full-time faculty members across all tenure statuses, supporting both new and established researchers. It aims to facilitate the acquisition of preliminary data for those without extramural funding and to assist established investigators in bridging funding gaps. The program offers small grants up to $50,000 for one-year projects. Applicants must have less than $100,000 in direct cost extramural funding to be eligible, focusing on providing interim technical support for research projects.

The U.S. Embassy Kampala/ Bureau of African Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to implement a media literacy and countering mis- and dis-information targeting senior radio/investigative journalists. The project will have two elements: (1) Training of senior members of broadcast media (presenters, reporters, investigative journalists, and producers) on how to detect and counter misinformation and disinformation. (2) Research and analysis of information manipulation and propaganda across Ugandas media landscape. The U.S. Mission in Uganda is concerned about the proliferation of information manipulation that negatively influences Ugandans perception of public health campaigns, domestic politics, the value of a democratic system, and other significant issues. The project aims to support one of the Public Diplomacy Sections (PDS) central goals of improving the professional development of the Ugandan media corps. Please follow all instructions below.

This funding opportunity supports projects that promote inclusive economic growth and human development in Equatorial Guinea, encouraging collaboration between local and U.S. organizations, individuals, and educational institutions.