Grants for Public and State controlled institutions of higher education - International Development

U.S. Embassy Gaborone of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit proposals to carry out a program to train investigative journalists in Botswana, capacitate training cohort participants in developing and writing/producing, and publishing well-researched investigative news stories that serve the public interest, and develop newsroom financial and management capacity that supports a robust, ethical, and sustainable independent news media environment in Botswana

This program provides funding to U.S. community colleges to host emerging foreign leaders for an academic year, helping them develop professional skills and cultural understanding while addressing global workforce needs.

The U.S. Embassy Tashkent Public Diplomacy Section (PD) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to implement the English Access Scholarship Program. The goal of the Access Program is to equip talented students who possess a minimal knowledge of English with effective communication and critical thinking skills through meaningful interaction, cooperative learning strategies, and real-life contexts. Additionally, Access seeks to prepare students for conversational English language skills with native and non-native speakers of English through a variety of experiential learning activities. Selected participants must be bright, economically disadvantaged students with a beginning level of English. Participants should commit to enroll in classes during the full two-year program. Students are expected to graduate with certificates of completion from the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan at the end of their two-year program. Applicants may submit proposals to manage one Access location, however, preference will be given to organizations willing to manage and implement several existing Access and Access Satellite Center locations across Uzbekistan. The selected implementer(s) must be willing to work with the existing Access and Access Satellite Center location(s) and venue(s) with the understanding that they would be responsible for recruiting participants and for ensuring those locations and venues meet the standards of the program. Organizations with previous experience and a capacity of working with educational institutions on a national level will be given priority. This experience should be documented in the organizations proposal.

The U.S. Embassy in North Macedonia of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to carry out its U.S. Speaker Program. The Speaker Program brings dynamic U.S. citizen experts to North Macedonia to engage professional and student audiences throughout the country on topics of strategic importance to the United States and North Macedonia. Specifically, the program seeks to engage local audiences on rule of law reforms; judicial independence; government accountability and transparency; professional journalism practices; combating foreign malign influence; cybersecurity; climate and security issues; diversity, equity, and inclusion; encouraging civic action at the local and community level; culture, arts, and advancing womens economic empowerment through the shared knowledge, expertise, and know-how of U.S. experts. The program also seeks to establish concrete networking and contact-building opportunities among U.S. experts and local audiences. Programs may take place in person or virtually. We highly recommend potential applicants collaborate and coordinate with project partners in North Macedonia in order to implement the requested programs successfully. We expect to select one or more program implementers for grant awards of up to $50,000. U.S. Speakers address strategic policy priorities identified by the U.S. Embassy in North Macedonia. The U.S. Speaker Program promotes an understanding of U.S. policies and institutions as well as the political, economic, and social context from which they arise. Speakers can be programmed with a variety of professional audiences in a wide range of disciplines. In this regard, the U.S. Speaker Program intends to support the overall PAS outreach strategy, which focuses on two defined audiences: established leaders and emerging voices. For more details on the program target audience and their definitions, see below under the Participants and Audiences subheading.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy in Panama of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to administer a Panama Exchange Alumni Seminar with a networking reception for former participants of U.S. government-sponsored and U.S. government facilitated people-to-people exchange program alumni (exchange alumni) in Panama. The cooperative agreement includes a micro grants component to help participants take concrete actions as a result of their seminar experiences. Purpose: The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to enhance the U.S. Embassys engagement with exchange alumni in support of U.S. foreign policy and public diplomacy objectives. During the course of this award, the award recipient will conduct one seminar on the thematic topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with a particular focus on the use of AI to promote equity and inclusion and organize an alumni networking reception to celebrate the impact of exchange alumni in Panama. The award recipient will also manage a competitive small grants program for teams of seminar participants that builds on the seminar theme and empowers seminar participants to be catalysts and force multipliers on the seminar theme within local communities. The U.S. Embassy leads and coordinates efforts to maintain relationships with Panamanian exchange alumni. With over 4,000 exchange alumni in Panama, U.S. Embassy Panama is committed to providing resources to sustain engagement with and tap into the energy, enthusiasm, and expertise of this influential audience; most are established or emerging leaders in their fields of interest. The U.S. Embassy supports alumni programs that are strategic and designed to reinforce U.S. foreign policy objectives.

This funding opportunity supports U.S.-based organizations in creating exchange programs for Russian youth, promoting leadership, civic engagement, and environmental sustainability through immersive experiences in the United States.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for initiatives that promote collaboration and peacebuilding between Israelis and Palestinians, focusing on grassroots partnerships and addressing shared challenges.

PD Eswatini invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Eswatini through cultural and exchange 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. policy and perspectives. Examples of PD 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; Programs developed by an alumnus of a U.S.-sponsored or supported educational or professional exchange program.

This grant provides funding to non-profit organizations and other eligible entities to promote human rights and accountability in North Korea through innovative and inclusive programs.

Purpose of Small Grants:The U.S. Embassys Public Affairs Section (PAS) in Jakarta invites proposals for projects that further and support the strategic partnership between Indonesia and the U.S. through educational, cultural, informational, and media programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural or media-related element, or a connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.Examples of small grants projects include but are not limited to: Educational seminars, and expert speaker programs; Professional and academic exchanges and projects; Professional development workshops and training; Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions; and Cultural heritage conservation and preservation projects.

U.S. Embassy Gaborone of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit proposals to produce data-driven analyses of the digital and social media landscape of Botswana and provide insights into the influences behind trending narratives, the prevalence of misinformation, foreign-origin and inauthentic content, while incorporating elements of dynamic social media analysis throughout the grant period.

This grant provides funding to empower and support women entrepreneurs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by equipping them with essential business skills, resources, and networking opportunities to help grow their businesses.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONThe U.S. Consulate General in Erbil of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to build capacity among social media influencers, journalists, and journalism students in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) and Kirkuk governorate. Please follow all instructions below.Priority Region: Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Priority will be given to projects which include audiences from outside the three major cities of Erbil, Duhok and Sulaimani. Program Objectives: The rise of AI-generated disinformation poses significant concerns to the ability of the public and media to fairly and accurately report on current events, given the ability of bots to spread information, and deepfakes to make it extraordinarily difficult to tell truth from fiction putting democracy itself at risk. This program will train 15 social media influencers and 100 newly minted journalists (fewer than 5 years of service) or journalism students on how AI is used to produce and disseminate disinformation, how to recognize disinformation, and how to explain this in clear language to their audiences without scare tactics, in a way that empowers audiences rather than demoralizes them. Influencers should, as a result, create at least two pieces of unique content on disinformation for their audiences; journalists and journalism students should write and publish at least two stories on disinformation. Participants and Audiences:This program envisions two separate trainings: one focused on 15 significant social media influencers (minimum numbers of followers to be determined), and one for 100 journalism students or journalists with fewer than 5 years of service.

This grant provides funding for U.S. and Luxembourg-based organizations to develop innovative STEM and space education projects that strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.

Funding Opportunity Title: Trilateral Women in Security Funding Opportunity Number: PD-SEOUL-FY24-06 Deadline for Applications: August 12, 2024, 11:59 p.m. GMT+9 CFDA Number: 19.040 Total Amount Available: $180,000 This notice is subject to availability of funding. A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The United States is deeply committed to advancing gender equity and equality as a critical element of peace and security. The security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region depends on the meaningful integration of women security experts, particularly in the joint cooperation between the United States, Korea, and Japan. To promote this vital cooperation, the U.S. Embassy in Seoul seeks proposals from organizations (preferably Korea-based or in collaboration with a Korea-based organization) to gather five female-identifying experts from both Korea and Japan (a total of ten) to explore the importance of trilateral cooperation in achieving mutual prosperity and security in the region. The selected grantee will coordinate closely with the U.S. embassies in Seoul and Tokyo to design and implement this two-way exchange program to encourage discussion on shared security priorities and effective trilateral engagement. The grantee will also facilitate the publication of any key outcomes following the program, targeting security and foreign policy experts in both countries. Key Themes This program represents the second year of Embassy Seouls Trilateral Women in Security Program (TWIS). While the 2023-2024 iteration of the program focused broadly on trilateral U.S.- Korea-Japan security cooperation, this iteration of the program should promote themes related to trilateral U.S.-Korea- Japan security cooperation on the below issues: o Maritime security. o Critical and emerging technologies: Safeguarding responsible usage of critical and emerging technologies like cyber and space. o AI and Disinformation: Countering the weaponization of Artificial Intelligence and addressing the increasing national security threats posed by foreign information manipulation. Outputs/Outcomes Ten opinion leaders from Korea and Japan will participate in this year-long grant program, including virtual topic-based discussions, exchange activities in Korea and Japan, and the publication of advisory papers and articles detailing lessons learned from the program for secondary audiences. Details/Logistics This is a cooperative agreement. The selected grantee will work closely with U.S. Embassy Seoul and U.S. Embassy Tokyo to develop and manage the program schedule, identify participants, and design on-the-ground exchange activities. The program participants are expected to gather virtually once a month to develop a forward-looking agenda for U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral cooperation. Program participants should represent women in security, including experts in economic security, emerging technologies, Indo-Pacific Strategy and foreign policy. At the end of the program, participants should draft policy advisory papers, implement press interviews, publish columns in newspapers, and/or conduct public outreach programs to share their findings. Grantee Expectations Think tanks, research institutions, and academic associations are encouraged to apply. This project will facilitate in-depth discussions between Korean and Japanese participants and site visits to organizations in both countries, including ministries of foreign affairs, local research institutes, and other relevant sites. The grantee is expected to have close relations with stakeholders in Korea and Japan for effective communication, planning, and execution. Note: Not mandatory, but you may use the templates provided here: Proposal Template / Budget Template All application materials must be submitted by email to [email protected]

This funding opportunity provides financial support for a variety of organizations to promote American culture, sports, and innovation in El Salvador, fostering stronger bilateral relations and cultural exchange.

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications in response to to strengthen civil society resilience in Kyrgyz Republic. The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications in response to the following solicitation.  DRL anticipates funding one proposal from this solicitation, pending availability of funding.      The Kyrgyz Republic has long had a reputation of having the most vibrant, active civil society and independent media in Central Asia.  In recent years however, concerning trends have put that reputation at risk.  Harassment of activists, independent media and CSOs has intensified, with peaceful rallies limited to specific places, with authorities extending restrictions every few months.       Kyrgyz CSOs now face systematic attacks including arbitrary criminal and administrative prosecutions, deportations, and anonymous offline and online threats. They routinely endure unannounced tax inspections and smear campaigns on social media. Additionally, draft anti-democratic legislation currently for consideration in the Kyrgyz parliament threatens to seriously undermine freedom of association and further restrict CSO operating space.     In this challenging environment, DRL aims to maintain civil space and build civil society resiliency. This project’s primary objective is ensuring Kyrgyz CSOs have the tools, training, resources, and support to remain safely and effectively engaged in their work amid increasing repressions.       Elements of useful programming could include digital and physical security trainings, financial audits, flexible small-grants, legal support, advocacy strategy development, cyber bullying response tactics, or building solidarity networks domestically and internationally. The focus should be holistic, addressing security, legal, financial, operational, and psychosocial needs given the multilayered pressures civil society faces.    Program outcomes could include one or more of the following but are not limited to:    Civil society and community actors operate and coordinate safely to navigate the new/emerging legal operating environment in Kyrgyz Republic.     Kyrgyz civil society organizations have the tools, resources, and support to safely and more effectively remain engaged in their work amid increasing restrictions and repressions that challenge the civic space.  Kyrgyz civil society engages in advocacy on human rights issues.  All programs should aim to have impact that leads to reforms and have the potential for sustainability beyond DRL resources.  DRL’s preference is to avoid duplicating past efforts by supporting new and creative approaches.  This does not exclude from consideration projects that improve upon or expand existing successful projects in a new and complementary way.  DRL is committed to advancing equity and support for underserved and underrepresented communities. In accordance with the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities, programs should implement strategies for integration and inclusion of individuals/organizations/beneficiaries that can bring perspectives based on their religion, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, national origin, age, genetic information, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, political affiliation, or veteran’s status.  Programs should be demand-driven and locally led to the extent possible.  DRL requires all programs to be non-discriminatory and expects implementers to include strategies for nondiscrimination of individuals/organizations/beneficiaries based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, parental status, political affiliation, or veteran’s status.  Competitive proposals may also include a summary budget and budget narrative for 12 additional months following the proposed period of performance, indicated above. This information should indicate what objective(s) and/or activities could be accomplished with additional time and/or funds beyond the proposed period of performance. Where appropriate, competitive proposals may include: Opportunities for beneficiaries to apply their new knowledge and skills in practical efforts; Solicitation of feedback and suggestions from beneficiaries when developing activities in order to strengthen the sustainability of programs and participant ownership of project outcomes; Input from participants on sustainability plans and systematic review of the plans throughout the life of the project, with adjustments made as necessary; Joint identification and definition of key concepts with relevant stakeholders and stakeholder input into project activities; Systematic follow-up with beneficiaries at specific intervals after the completion of activities to track how beneficiaries are retaining new knowledge as well as applying their new skills. Activities that are not typically allowed include, but are not limited to: The provision of humanitarian assistance; English language instruction; Development of high-tech computer or communications software and/or hardware; Purely academic exchanges or fellowships; External exchanges or fellowships lasting longer than six months; Off-shore activities that are not clearly linked to in-country initiatives and impact or are not necessary per security concerns; Theoretical explorations of human rights or democracy issues, including projects aimed primarily at research and evaluation that do not incorporate training or capacity-building for local civil society; Micro-loans or similar small business development initiatives; Initiatives directed towards a diaspora community rather than current residents of targeted countries.

The U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for U.S. or foreign organizations or individuals to submit a statement of interest (SOI) to carry out a program (or programs) to investigate the economic impact of transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) involved in migrant smuggling in the state of Chihuahua. Please carefully follow all instructions below. The submission of the SOI is the first step in a two-step process. Applicants must first submit a concise (2-page) statement of interest designed to clearly communicate program idea and objectives. This is not a full proposal. The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants to submit program ideas for evaluation prior to requiring the development 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 final funding decision(s) are made. Priority Region: State of Chihuahua, Mexico Program Objectives: Objective 1: To conduct a comprehensive research project that would help deepen our understanding of the economic impact of transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) involved in migrant smuggling in the state of Chihuahua, to inform and guide the development of effective policies. By investigating the methods, routes, and economic consequences of TCO activities on both transit communities and migrants, the project aims to provide evidence-based insights that will enhance international security and contribute to more resilient and supportive economic environments in affected regions. The study should identify key TCOs, analyze smuggling methods and routes, assess economic repercussions for transit communities, evaluate socio-economic effects on migrants, and propose evidence-based policy recommendations. Outputs should include: Output 1: a comprehensive data analysis report, a policy brief, and an academic paper. Output 2: Conduct on-the-ground research to identify key TCOs and analyze smuggling methods and routes. Gather and analyze data on economic impacts and socio-economic effects on migrants and transit cities. Output 3: Formulate evidence-based policy recommendations. Budget should account for personnel, travel, indirect costs and a contingency fund. Participants and Audiences: 1- Policy Makers and Government Officials: To inform and guide the development of policies and regulations 2- Law Enforcement Agencies: To enhance understanding of TCO operations and improve strategies. 3- International Organizations: Such as the UNICEF, UNHCR and OIM, to support global efforts in addressing human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and their impact on security and economies. 4- Academics and Researchers: To contribute to the body of knowledge on TCOs and migration, and to encourage further research in related fields. 5- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Focused on migrant rights, human trafficking, and community development, to aid in advocacy and program development.

This funding opportunity is designed to strengthen the Somali National Army's capabilities through operational mentorship and support, focusing on improving their ability to conduct independent military operations and enhance security in Somalia.

This grant provides funding for projects that aim to preserve cultural heritage in Kenya, including historic buildings, archaeological sites, and traditional cultural expressions.