Grants for Individuals - Federal

The U.S. Embassy Yaound Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) announces the availability of funding through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This is an annual request for Statements of Interest (SOI), outlining funding priorities, strategic themes, and procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully read and follow all instructions below. The submission of a SOI is the first step in a two-part process. Applicants must first submit a SOI, which is a concise, 3-page concept note designed to clearly communicate a program idea and its objectives before the development of a full proposal application. The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants the opportunity to submit program ideas for evaluation prior to undertaking the development of full proposal. Upon review of eligible SOIs, PDS will invite selected applicants to expand their ideas into full proposal applications. Purpose of Small Grants: The PDS grants program supports projects proposed by U.S. and Cameroonian academic, cultural, educational, and other non-profit organizations and/or individuals that promote U.S. values, increase understanding between U.S. and Cameroonian people and institutions, and/or support U.S. Embassy goals of promoting government transparency and accountability, economic prosperity, peace and security, environmental sustainability, and climate adaptation. All programs must include an element of American culture or society, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. Priority Program Areas: Governance: Projects promoting democratic principles, improved and inclusive governance, transparency, human rights, religious freedom, empowerment of marginalized groups, citizen engagement, including in elections, civic education, and civil society. Prosperity: Projects promoting economic prosperity, entrepreneurship, bilateral trade and investment, countering corruption Security: Projects promoting peace and security, rule of law, alternatives to violence in resolving conflict, tolerance, preventing radicalization to violence, improving mutual understanding between groups, community policing Sustainability and Climate Change: Projects promoting environmental sustainability and addressing climate change Journalism: Projects promoting a professional and independent media, role of informed citizens in a democracy, media literacy, ethical and investigative journalism. Examples of PDS Small Grants Programs include, but are not limited to : U.S. experts conducting lectures, seminars, or speaking tours with Cameroonian audiences Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs Professional and academic exchanges and programs Libraries, community centers, or other institutions that are interested in becoming an American Space Programs developed by an alumnus/a of a U.S. sponsored or supported educational or professional exchange program Projects to promote English language teaching skills or widen access to books and other sources of information about the United States

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations to develop and open new high-quality charter schools in states without existing Charter Schools Program grants, enhancing educational options for families and students.

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

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 funding opportunity provides financial support to various organizations working to combat the proliferation of advanced conventional weapons by China and Russia, focusing on enhancing security and defense capabilities in vulnerable nations.

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 supports collaborative research and mentorship projects in science, particularly aimed at enhancing participation and career development for underrepresented groups in STEM fields across diverse academic institutions.

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.

This funding opportunity supports multidisciplinary teams in the U.S. to accelerate the development of advanced catalysts for energy applications through high-throughput experimentation and artificial intelligence.

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 Public Diplomacy section (PD) of the U.S. Embassy in Madagascar and Comoros, part of the U.S. Department of State, is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This Notice of Funding Opportunity outlines our funding priorities, our strategic themes, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Purpose of Small Grants: The Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program supports projects proposed by U.S., Malagasy, and/or Comorian educational, cultural, and other non-profit organizations or individuals that promote U.S. values, strengthen understanding between U.S. and Malagasy and/or Comorian people and institutions, and/or support U.S. Embassy goals of promoting human rights, transparency and good governance, economic and social prosperity, environmental stewardship, and sustainable development of natural resources. All programs must include a U.S. cultural element or a connection with U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions that will encourage increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. Priority Program Areas: Promoting human rights, civic engagement, and democracy; Advancing a free and responsible press and combatting disinformation including election disinformation; Promoting the free exercise of religion and ensuring laws and government policies do not interfere with its practice; Developing skills in innovation technology, STEM, and entrepreneurship for women, girls, and/or underrepresented populations; and, Promoting U.S.-Madagascar/Comoros exchange in sports, music, and art. Participants and Audiences: The list below delineates our target audiences: Professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators; Media professionals; Civil society professionals; Women, girls, minorities, and underrepresented populations. The following types of programs 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 or the Fulbright-Hays Act. The source of funding is FY2024 Public Diplomacy Funding. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: up to 18 months Number of awards anticipated: Up to 4 awards (depending upon amounts) Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $2,000 to a maximum of $5,000 Total available funding: $20,000 (pending the availability of funds) Type of funding: Fiscal Year 2024 Public Diplomacy Funding Anticipated program start date: September 01, 2024 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Grants, Fixed Amount Awards, Awards to Individuals, or Cooperative Agreements. Cooperative agreements require substantial involvement and are different from grants in that Public Diplomacy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 18 months or less. The Public Diplomacy Section may 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.

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 projects that foster mutual understanding and cooperation between Kenya and the United States, targeting young Kenyans, civil society leaders, and educational institutions.

This funding opportunity is designed for alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs in Georgia to implement innovative community projects that promote democracy, economic prosperity, and cultural ties with the West.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for non-U.S. citizen alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs in Latvia to implement community projects that promote democratic values and strengthen U.S.-Latvia relations.

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 Public Affairs Section (PAS) at U.S. Embassy Tunis of the U.S. Department of State (hereafter referred to as PAS Tunis) is pleased to announce this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This an Annual Program Statement (APS) outlines our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Based on availability of funding, PAS Tunis will award grants, fixed amount awards, or cooperative agreements between a minimum of $10,000 and up to $250,000 (U.S. dollars) each for projects that advance the priorities outlined in this APS. Please carefully follow all instructions. Applications may be submitted at any time for consideration before the closing date of this annual program statement on August 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. U.S. EDT. Proposals will be reviewed, and awards made by no later than September 30, 2024, pending the availability of funds. Purpose of PAS Public Diplomacy Grants: PAS Tunis invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural, educational, professional, and scientific ties between the United States and Tunisia through programming that highlights shared values, strengthens people-to-people ties and institutional linkages, and promotes bilateral cooperation. Competitive proposals should focus on at least one grant priority area outlined below. Proposals that do not address one of the grant priority areas outlined below will not be considered for funding. All proposed programs must include an American cultural element or connection with American expert(s), organization(s), or institutions in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policies, values, and perspectives and incorporate cross-cutting approaches to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Examples of PAS Tunis PD Small Grant proposals include, but are not limited to: Subject-matter expert, academic, and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs that include U.S. speakers/experts. Programs that strengthen relationships and linkages between U.S. colleges/universities and Tunisian higher education institutions. Educational, artistic, and cultural programs, including programs that strengthen English language teaching and learning, musical and/or dance workshops, master classes, and performances, live theatre performances, art exhibitions, and culinary diplomacy initiatives. Programs that promote economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, and/or that address environmental and urban development challenges. Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programming, including through the use new technologies, such as VR technology. (Note: PD funding cannot be used to support construction-related activities. End note.) Grant Priority Areas: Grant proposals should address at least one of the four Public Affairs priority areas outlined below: 1. Strengthening civil society and fostering shared interests in democracy, good governance, rule of law, and civic participation. Projects targeting this priority area could focus on advocacy and inclusion efforts for disabled persons and other disadvantaged groups, promoting media freedom and literacy, countering disinformation, strengthening civil society organizations, promoting local cultural heritage, traditional and modern art forms, and other forms of creative expression, and projects that engage emerging leaders in any of these fields through linkages with U.S. counterparts. 2. Advancing inclusive economic prosperity through programs aimed at helping Tunisian citizens, particularly youth, women, disabled persons, first generation Tunisian university students, and geographically marginalized populations fully benefit from economic development. Programs could focus on topics such as entrepreneurship, soft skills training, hospitality, ecotourism, environmental tourism, and creative economy industries, job creation, intellectual property rights and protection, corporate social responsibility, access to finance, and university linkage programs focused on such topics. 3. Fostering innovation together to address climate change and urban development challenges, conservation, science, and technology. Programs could focus on promoting STEM education and/or encouraging youth to pursue STEM careers, or on topics such as environmental conservation, climate change mitigation, technological innovations to tackle challenges related to climate change and urbanization (e.g., water management, waste management, urban planning, mitigating impact of built environment on cultural heritage preservation and green spaces, etc.) and involving communities in developing solutions to such challenges, and linkage programs with U.S. universities focused on such topics. 4. Strengthening the capacity of U.S. government exchange program alumni through programming in the priority areas listed above and bolstering engagement between alumni and the Embassy. Programs could include tailored training for alumni in areas such as project management, grant writing, business plan development and pitching startup ideas, developing and executing community service projects, advocacy for civic projects and policies, leadership, public speaking, DEIA-related training, and other soft skills training, including English language training and/or community service projects or other projects benefitting PAS Tunis priority audiences implemented by exchange program alumni. In addition to the specific requirements listed above, all proposals must: 1. Clearly indicate the primary grant priority area the program is focused on 2. Clearly indicate the key public diplomacy audience(s) that will be targeted by the program and the key activities to be delivered through the program 3. Identify the cities/districts in which activities will take place 4. Identify specific outcomes to be achieved by the end of the grant period 5. Clearly delineate how elements of the proposed program will have a multiplier effect and be sustainable beyond the life of the grant 6. Provide a traditional and/or social media plan for marketing program activities and outcome, if applicable 7. Identify any tools (surveys, beneficiary interviews, focus groups, etc.) that will be developed and used for Monitoring and Evaluation purposes Participants and Audiences: Proposals must focus on one of the priority areas specified above and target at least one of PAS Tunis key audiences, including: youth (14-35 years old), first-generation university/higher education students, alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange program, women, disabled persons, and other minority or geographically marginalized groups, including audiences outside of the Greater Tunis area, educators, media practitioners, policy makers, civil society organizations, and entrepreneurs and innovators. In addition, U.S. Embassy Tunis seeks creative proposals that build upon existing partnerships between U.S. organizations and Tunisian counterparts, as well as those that create new partnerships and expand operational capabilities of existing organizations. The following types of programs are not eligible for funding: Programs relating to partisan political activity; Programs that do not contain people-to-people exchanges or interactions; Charitable or development activities; Construction programs; Programs that support specific religious activities; Fund-raising; Lobbying for specific legislation or programs; Scientific research; Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; and Programs that duplicate existing programs. Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt Act. The source of funding for this NOFO is Public Diplomacy Funding

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.