Grants for Individuals - Science and Technology

This program provides financial assistance to recent STEM graduates working in Delaware to help reduce their student loan debt and encourage them to build their careers in the state.

This grant provides financial assistance to small businesses in Dubuque, Iowa, to help cover operating costs and support long-term success for income-qualified owners.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations in developing workforce programs that engage diverse groups in STEM fields to promote careers in clean energy and facilitate the transition to a sustainable energy economy.

This grant provides financial support to local artists in Norman, OK, for community projects, the creation of new artwork, or educational opportunities that enrich the local creative scene.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Bangkok Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations or individuals to submit a statement of interest (SOI) or concept note to carry out program(s) funded by the U.S. Embassy Bangkok. 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 statement of interest through the Google application form (https://forms.gle/3DSzBvf1u72UwuzY8). The SOI is designed for applicants to clearly communicate program ideas and objectives and 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 ideas by submitting a full proposal application. Full proposals will go through a second merit review before final funding decisions are made. Priority Program Areas 1. Democracy, Governance, and Human Rights Activities that strengthen democratic values, accountability, public participation, transparency, and rule of law in governance and political institutions. Innovative projects that educate Thais about the U.S. experience in meaningful participation in democratic processes and civic life. Activities that promote universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms. Activities that promote connection between the United States and the rising leaders in the Indo-Pacific region. Activities that focus on enhancing critical thinking skills and promoting civic engagement to counter disinformation and improve media/digital literacy. 2. Technology, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Renewable Energy Activities that support and build capability for, and promote economic inclusivity among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and underrepresented entrepreneurs. Activities that build digital skills and improve business practices of MSMEs and underrepresented entrepreneurs for different stages of business development. Activities that increase awareness of environmental protection, climate change, climate-smart agriculture, transboundary water challenges, renewable energy, and other key regional issues. Activities that promote the use of science, technology, and innovation in tackling regional or transboundary challenges and strengthening competitiveness of SMEs and underrepresented entrepreneurs 3. Education Activities that build, increase, support, and strengthen partnerships and the exchange of people, ideas, and resources between U.S. and Thai education institutions. Activities that increase access to education and understanding of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEM/STEAM). Innovative and educational activities that strengthen sustainable development in the Mekong subregion. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Grant, Fixed Amount Award (FAA), or Cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements and some FAAs are different from grants in that U.S. Embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed within 12 months of issuance. U.S. Embassy Bangkok retains the right to execute non-competitive continuation amendments on a case-by-case basis. Any amendments are based on performance, pending availability of funds, and are not guaranteed. C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants The Public Diplomacy Section encourages applications from the United States and Thailand: Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations Educational institutions Individuals Public international organizations and governmental institutions 2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing or matching is not required for this funding opportunity, but it is encouraged. Any cost sharing must be clearly laid out in the submission. 3. Other Eligibility Requirements In order 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 E.4 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1. Content and Form of Application Submission Please follow all instructions below carefully. SOIs that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible and will not be considered for funding. All application materials must be ONLY submitted electronically through Google application form at https://forms.gle/3DSzBvf1u72UwuzY8. Content of SOI must include: Project summary and description, objectives, expected outcomes, proposed timeline, target audience, and evaluation plan All documents fully completed in English The anticipated total budget amount (in U.S. dollars) and a line-item breakdown of expenses. 2. Submission Timeline 1st Round Deadline to submit SOIs: February 7, 2024 Selected SOIs are notified by email: February 23, 2024 Deadline for selected applicants to submit full proposals: March 31, 2024 2nd Round Deadline to submit SOIs: May 1, 2024 Selected SOIs are notified by email: May 17, 2024 Deadline for selected applicants to submit full proposals: June 14, 2024 3rd Round Deadline to submit SOIs: July 3, 2024 Selected SOIs are notified by email: July 19, 2024 Deadline for selected applicants to submit full proposals: August 16, 2024 3. Funding Restrictions Award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages. Award fund also cannot be used for other food items not directly related to achieving program objectives. E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION 1. Criteria Each SOI will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below: Quality of Program Idea (50 points): All programs must include a substantive connection to American culture, policy, and/or practices. Program objectives are closely aligned with U.S. Embassy Bangkok priorities outlined in Section A. Project Description. The idea is communicated well and is feasible. SOIs that promote creative approaches to address program objectives are highly encouraged. The proposed timeline is reasonable. Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives (20 points): The SOI should clearly articulate proposed program activities and expected results towards achieving program objectives and goal(s). Engagement of Target Audiences (20 points): The SOI should identify the target audience outlined in the program description. Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants (10 points): The SOI should demonstrate the organizations expertise, capacity and/or previous experience in administering similar programs. If a local partner is identified, the SOI should briefly describe the partners role and experience. 2. Review and Selection Process A Grants Review Committee will evaluate all eligible SOIs against the criteria listed above. For a fair review, all panelists will only review the information provided through the Google application form, no additional information will be reviewed. The panel may provide conditions and/or recommendations on SOIs to enhance the proposed program. Conditions must be addressed, and recommendations should be addressed, in the full proposal application. 3. Following the review, any successful SOI applicants will be contacted and instructed to submit full applications. A full application will include: Project proposal and budget narratives SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance - organizations) at https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_Mandatory_3_0-V3.0.pdf or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance - individuals) at https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_Individual_2_0-V2.0.pdf SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) at https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424A-V1.0.pdf SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs - organizations) at https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/Mandatory_SF424B-V1.1.pdf or SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs - individuals) at https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/Individual_SF424B-V1.1.pdf 4. Required Registrations Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) on SAM.GOV All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration with the SAM.gov. A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards. The 2 CFR 200 requires that sub-grantees obtain a UEI number. Please note the UEI for sub-grantees is not required at the time of application but will be required before an award is processed and/or directed to a sub-grantee. Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible. Organizations based in the United States or that pay employees within the United States will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and a UEI number prior to registering in SAM.gov. Organizations based outside of the United States and that do not pay employees within the United States do not need an EIN from the IRS but do need a UEI number prior to registering in SAM.gov. Exemptions An exemption from the UEI and sam.gov registration requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis if: An applicants identity must be protected due to potential endangerment of their mission, their organizations status, their employees, or individuals being served by the applicant. For an applicant, if the Federal awarding agency makes a determination that there are exigent circumstances that prohibit the applicant from receiving a unique entity identifier and completing SAM registration prior to receiving a federal award. In these instances, federal awarding agencies must require the recipient to obtain a unique entity identifier and complete SAM registration within 30 days of the federal award date. Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or SAM.gov requirements must email the point of contact listed in the NOFO at least two weeks prior to the deadline in the NOFO providing a justification of their request. Approval for a SAM.gov exemption must come from the warranted Grants Officer before the application can be deemed eligible for review. F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION Administrative and National Policy Requirements Terms and Conditions: Before submitting the SOI, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply if a full proposal application is requested and awarded, to ensure that they will be able to comply. These include: 2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 600, and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions which are available at: https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-the-procurement-executive/. G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS If you have any questions about the application process, please contact [email protected]. NOTE: A follow-up solicitation (typically sent as or via an email by U.S. Embassy Bangkok) will be issued directly to those organizations or individuals who submitted successful SOIs. It is not reposted on Grant.gov or a public website. The follow-up solicitation must follow the full NOFO template, as well as provide any specific recommendations or conditions articulated by the review panel. No limited or sole source waiver is required specifically for the full proposal stage as any such waiver approved prior to SOI issuance covers the entire competition process. If the SOI step was a full and open competition, the overall process counts as a full and open competition.

The Arc Fund, an initiative by CultureSource, is a $1.5 million grant program designed to support culture-workers of color in Southeast Michigan. Its core mission aligns with addressing historical disadvantages, underrepresentation, and oppression faced by these professionals due to their race. The fund aims to spur growth and provide opportunities for career advancement, contributing to a more equitable and vibrant arts and culture ecosystem in the region. The program specifically targets culture-workers of color living and working full-time in Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties in Southeast Michigan. Eligible beneficiaries include arts administrators, artists, arts organizers, curators, and arts programmers whose primary professional focus is advancing arts and culture in the region. The impact goal is to empower these individuals to make significant career leaps, fostering professional development and reducing financial or other obligations that limit their flexibility and growth. The Arc Fund prioritizes individuals prepared to invest in new skills, pursue novel artistic endeavors, or address financial burdens that hinder their career trajectory. It focuses on providing unrestricted awards, professional development experiences, and social networking opportunities. This comprehensive approach reflects a strategic priority to not only offer financial support but also to build capacity and community among culture-workers of color. The expected outcomes include the distribution of 74 unrestricted awards of $15,000 each, enabling recipients to fund various aspects of their professional growth. Measurable results will likely involve tracking the number of awards distributed, the engagement in professional development, and the overall career advancement reported by the awardees. While a formal theory of change is not explicitly detailed, the initiative implicitly operates on the theory that targeted financial support, skill-building, and networking will directly counter historical inequities, leading to significant career progression and a more inclusive cultural landscape.

The Arts Council for Long Beach offers two types of microgrants: Project Microgrants and Professional Development Microgrants. The Project Microgrants are designed for local projects that are free, open to the public, and directly benefit Long Beach residents. These projects are expected to support community representation and cultural respect, encourage cultural diversity, and/or enhance underserved communities. The Professional Development Microgrants assist Long Beach artists with funding for opportunities such as workshops or conferences, aiming to enhance the artist's or organization's ability to serve Long Beach residents, particularly in underserved areas. The overall mission alignment of the Arts Council is to promote and support arts and cultural activities that benefit the Long Beach community. The primary target beneficiaries of these microgrants are Long Beach residents, artists, and organizations within the city. The impact goals are centered around fostering cultural diversity, community representation, and enhancing the lives of residents through accessible arts and cultural experiences. For Professional Development Microgrants, the goal is to strengthen the capabilities of individual artists and arts organizations, which in turn enhances their service to the Long Beach community. Both grant types emphasize supporting underserved communities and populations within Long Beach, ensuring equitable access to arts and cultural benefits. The priorities and focuses of the Arts Council for Long Beach include supporting publicly accessible arts and cultural presentations in any art form, single events or series of events, arts and cultural festivals, arts education programs, traditional folk arts presentations, public art, and initiatives that promote the Long Beach arts and cultural sector. For professional development, funding prioritizes opportunities that enhance the applicant's ability to serve Long Beach residents, with specific provisions for conference fees and equipment/tools for art making. The emphasis is on projects that are free, open to the public, and directly beneficial to the local community. Expected outcomes include an increase in diverse and culturally representative arts projects, enhanced professional skills for Long Beach artists, and a more vibrant and accessible arts and cultural sector for all Long Beach residents. Measurable results could involve the number of projects implemented, audience attendance at free public events, the number of artists participating in professional development, and the demonstrable benefits to underserved communities. The Arts Council's strategic priorities align with a theory of change where targeted financial support for local arts and artists directly contributes to community enrichment, cultural engagement, and the professional growth of the city's creative talent. This investment is seen as a catalyst for a more inclusive and thriving cultural landscape in Long Beach.

This grant provides funding to U.S.-based organizations, including universities and companies, to develop innovative technologies that enhance plant engineering for sustainable energy and bioenergy production.

This grant provides funding for interdisciplinary teams of graduate students, researchers, and industry professionals to explore and propose solutions for integrating renewable energy into the U.S. electric grid.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local arts organizations and individual teaching artists to deliver enriching arts programming to K-12 students in Orange County Public Schools.

The American-Made Electronics Scrap Recycling Advancement Prize (E-SCRAP) is a $3.95 million challenge sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO). This three-phase prize aims to stimulate innovative approaches that reduce the costs and environmental impact of critical material recovery from electronic scrap (e-scrap). The program aligns with the DOE's mission to advance energy technology and reduce environmental impact, specifically targeting the challenges within the e-scrap recycling value chain. The target beneficiaries of the E-SCRAP prize are individuals, private entities (for-profits and nonprofits), nonfederal government entities (states, counties, tribes, and municipalities), and academic institutions working in waste collection and management, dismantling and sorting, separation, refining, validation, and material supply. The impact goals are to increase the domestic supply of critical materials from e-scrap, enhance material circularity, and reduce the environmental footprint associated with current recycling processes. The program prioritizes innovative approaches, processes, or technologies that optimize and implement critical material separation and recovery from e-scrap. This includes building partnerships across the recycling value chain, developing and demonstrating innovations, addressing technical, supply chain, or logistical hurdles, and enhancing supply chains to accelerate connectivity between various stages of recycling. Areas of interest include innovations for electronic scrap (communication devices, home appliances, medical/office equipment) and the recovery of critical materials such as aluminum, cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements. Expected outcomes include the development and demonstration of new technologies that lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly e-scrap recycling processes. Measurable results will be seen in increased rates of critical material recovery, reduced costs, and a decrease in environmental impact. Competitor teams can win up to $800,000 in cash prizes and $150,000 in national laboratory analysis support. The prize’s strategic priorities are to act as a catalyst for change, fostering innovation and collaboration to strengthen the domestic supply chain of critical materials, thereby contributing to clean energy initiatives and a more circular economy.

The Youth Climate Action Fund, sponsored by the City of Atlanta in partnership with 21st Century Leaders, aims to activate young people aged 15-24 to develop, implement, and govern climate solutions within their communities. This initiative aligns with the city's broader sustainability, clean energy, and climate resilience goals, emphasizing youth leadership and innovation in addressing urgent environmental challenges. The program seeks to foster a generation of climate-conscious leaders by providing them with the resources and opportunities to create tangible impact. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are Atlanta youth between 15 and 24 years old, who can apply individually or as groups. The program's impact goals are centered on empowering these young individuals to become active participants in climate action, leading to a more sustainable and resilient city. Through their projects, the fund aims to increase climate awareness, promote adaptation and mitigation efforts, and encourage co-governed climate action plans that integrate youth perspectives into policy and decision-making processes. The program prioritizes projects that demonstrate youth-led innovations in several key areas. These include awareness, education, research, and development initiatives such as climate education programs, hackathons, surveys, and public art campaigns. It also focuses on youth-driven climate mitigation and adaptation projects like community gardening, tree planting, waste reduction programs, and disaster preparedness workshops. Furthermore, the fund supports co-governed youth climate action plans, fostering partnerships between city leaders and youth groups to inform climate-related policy and establish youth climate ambassadors or advisory boards. Expected outcomes include a significant increase in youth engagement in climate solutions, with tens of thousands of young people participating in designing and governing projects. Measurable results will stem from the microgrant program, awarding grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to eligible projects. The success of the program will be evaluated by the demonstrated impact of these youth-led initiatives on local sustainability, clean energy, and climate resilience goals, as well as the development of youth-focused activities like a youth climate action summit. The fund's strategic priority is to integrate youth voice and action into the core of Atlanta's climate strategy, embodying a theory of change where empowered youth are catalysts for meaningful and lasting environmental improvements.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for various organizations to implement prevention and control measures against the invasive golden mussel in Western U.S. waters, focusing on ecological protection and public awareness.

FY2025 National Aquaculture Initiative: Strengthening U.S. Coastal, Marine, and Great Lakes Aquaculture Through Business Support aims to enhance the development and efficiency of U.S. aquaculture businesses by funding projects that address critical business needs and promote partnerships between researchers, industry stakeholders, and Sea Grant extension personnel.

The FY 2025 MARFIN grant aims to fund research and development projects that enhance the sustainability and management of marine fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the South Atlantic states.

This funding opportunity supports early-career researchers at U.S. academic or nonprofit institutions to develop innovative solutions for national security challenges, with mentorship from DARPA.

The Research Enhancement Grant (REG) is a program designed to boost research productivity at Indiana University School of Medicine’s statewide Centers for Medical Education, excluding the IUPUI campus. It targets faculty with Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor or Scientist titles, providing up to $50,000 for one-year projects. This initiative encourages scholarly and creative research activities, aiming to equip investigators for successful extramural research support acquisition. The program, funded by the School of Medicine with matching funds from regional campuses, anticipates awarding 2 grants each fiscal year.

This funding opportunity is designed to support Massachusetts residents pursuing training in high-demand clean energy careers by providing zero-interest loans for living expenses and tuition gaps.

The Public Diplomacy Section (PD) of the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg, U.S. Department of State, announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out programs strengthening bilateral ties between the United States and Luxembourg on Accelerating STEM and Climate Ambitions. The U.S. Embassy Luxembourg invites proposals from non-governmental organizations, think tanks, government institutions, academic institutions, and individuals for programs strengthening the bilateral ties between the United States and Luxembourg and Accelerating STEM and Climate Ambitions, including, but not limited to: Programs that raise awareness about space and satellite technology, space exploration, biotechnology, green technology, clean energy, climate change, the climate crisis, or sustainable finance. This could include educational programs for young people, trainings for educators, public debates, exhibits, speakers, etc. Educational programs with a focus on interactive STEM skills, such as computer programming, coding, and robotics, or programs about the importance of protecting the environment, clean air and water and sustainability measures. Projects that share American best practices in STEM and space research, climate change, sustainability, sustainable finance, renewables, environmental protection, or biotechnology by bringing U.S. experts to engage with Luxembourg audiences. All programs must engage Luxembourg audiences. All programs must include a U.S. element or connection with U.S. experts that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. Any speaker paid with grant funding must hold U.S. citizenship. Please review the complete NOFO on the Funding Opportunities page on our website: https://lu.usembassy.gov/grants-program/ , or in the related documents tab on the announcement on grants.gov.

This funding opportunity supports scientific research projects that evaluate the effectiveness of California's forest management regulations, targeting a wide range of applicants including government agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations focused on sustainable land management.