Mission Spain Public Diplomacy NOFO Defensa y Yo 5.0, 2024-2025 U.S. Mission to Spain
The U.S. Embassy in Madrid and the U.S. Consulate General in Barcelona announce a grant opportunity for organizations to implement the "Defensa y Yo 5.0" program. This initiative aims to engage Spanish and Andorran public university students in understanding security and defense issues.
The program involves organizing lectures, creating mentorship opportunities, and fostering relationships with university administrators and professors. The goal is to educate and empower students, fostering greater awareness of global security and defense topics.
## Scope of Work
The successful applicant will:
- Arrange a series of lectures on security and defense themes, featuring U.S. experts, at 16 selected Spanish public universities.
- Prepare materials for professors and register attendees.
- Conduct surveys and focus groups to assess the program's impact.
- Manage and promote the program through traditional and social media.
- Organize a competition for students to submit projects on security and defense topics.
- Coordinate an exchange program in Brussels for winning students, covering travel costs.
- Conduct orientation sessions and provide program materials for finalists.
- Handle financial aspects and comply with reporting requirements.
## Recipient Responsibilities
The award will be divided into two parts, with the second being contingent on successful execution of the first phase. The recipient must:
- Fulfill program objectives related to lecture series, professor engagement, and student mentorship.
- Ensure active participation of at least 500 undergraduate students.
- Collaborate closely with the U.S. Embassy and Consulate on various aspects of the program.
## Funding and Contract Details
The estimated award ceiling is $95000. The contract type is a Cooperative Agreement.
## Submission Process and Eligibility Criteria
Not-for-profit orgs, educational institutions, and governmental bodies can apply. Applications should be sent to SpainPDGrants@state.gov with a detailed proposal.
The deadline for submissions is tight, with a forecasted close date of 8 September 2024. Applicants must demonstrate capacity and experience in project management, public diplomacy, and international education.
## Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which they meet the program objectives, demonstrate creativity and innovation, and outline a clear plan for executing the program. Budget and work plans will also be assessed.
## Contact Information
For any questions or submissions, please use the email: SpainPDGrants@state.gov. Further details can be found on the U.S. Embassy & Consulate website.
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) SUSI Civic Engagement and Environmental Issues Selection Process U.S. Mission to Spain
The U.S. Mission to Spain, under the category of funding activity "Other," has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the selection process of the Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Student Leaders for Civic Engagement and Environmental Issues. This opportunity is a grant and does not require cost sharing or matching. The purpose of this grant is to select 5 rank-ordered candidates from Spain to participate in the SUSI program.
The Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Student Leaders are intensive short-term academic programs that aim to provide undergraduate student leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States while enhancing their leadership skills. Each Institute consists of a four-week academic residency with seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, lectures, site visits, leadership development, cultural activities, and community service. If conditions allow, the Institutes may also include a one-week integrated regional study tour in the United States. In case the program needs to be conducted virtually, participants will engage in similar activities online from their home countries.
The NOFO specifies two specific Institutes that will be part of the SUSI program: the Study of the U.S. Institute on Civic Engagement and the Study of the U.S. Institute on Environmental Issues. The Institute on Civic Engagement will focus on topics such as citizenship, community building, economic development, grassroots activism, political leadership, and volunteerism. The Institute on Environmental Issues will cover climate change, clean energy, sustainable development, natural disasters, climate justice, and community activism.
The selected organizations will be responsible for managing the initial application process, including the design, publication, and promotion of the call for applications. They will collect and review all applications, conduct preliminary interviews, and provide a rank-ordered list of 5 candidates to the Public Diplomacy office of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Spain. The awardee will also collect necessary biodata from the final selected nominees and prepare a final report.
Eligible applicants for this grant include registered public or private non-profit organizations, non-profit or governmental educational institutions, and governmental institutions in Spain or Andorra. For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply. U.S. or third-country organizations can only apply in partnership with a Spanish or Andorran entity.
The award ceiling for this grant is $3,000, and it is expected that 2 awards will be granted. The fiscal year for this opportunity is 2023, and the estimated synopsis close date is November 22, 2022. For more information and to apply, interested parties can visit the Embassy website at [https://es.usembassy.gov/grants-programs/](https://es.usembassy.gov/grants-programs/). For any inquiries, the grantor contact is Spain PD Grants, and they can be reached at spainpdgrants@state.gov.
Venezuela Annual Program Statement U.S. Mission to Venezuela
The U.S. Mission to Venezuela, through the Venezuela Affairs Unit (VAU) of the U.S. Department of State, is seeking proposals for the Venezuela Annual Program Statement. This grant opportunity aims to strengthen people-to-people ties between the United States and the people of Venezuela through cultural, educational, and media support programs that highlight shared values and promote a peaceful, democratic transition.
The grant will support communications, cultural, and educational programs that focus on democratic initiatives and economic empowerment in Venezuela, while also promoting bilateral cooperation and conveying elements of U.S. culture, history, and shared values. Priority program areas include cultural projects, supporting freedom of speech and expression, strengthening independent media, ensuring citizen participation in the democratic process, promoting economic growth and entrepreneurship (especially for marginalized groups), supporting grassroots activism for human rights, democratic governance, and addressing the man-made humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, and promoting inclusive social development.
Eligible applicants include registered not-for-profit organizations, think tanks, civil society/non-governmental organizations, individuals, non-profit or governmental educational institutions, and governmental institutions. For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
The grant will provide funding ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, with a total available funding of $500,000. It is anticipated that 10 awards will be granted, depending on the amounts requested. The program should be completed within one year or less.
Applicants are required to submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) that clearly addresses the goals and objectives of the funding opportunity. The SOI should include the organization's name, program activity locations, funding requested from VAU, program length, a program synopsis demonstrating impact and engagement of relevant stakeholders, a breakdown of program objectives and activities, and a description of the applicant's expertise and capacity to implement the program.
Proposals will be reviewed by a Grants Review Committee based on criteria such as the quality and feasibility of the program idea, program planning, alignment with embassy priorities, and the applicant's ability to achieve objectives and demonstrate institutional capacity.
The deadline for proposal submission is August 7, 2021, and all application materials must be submitted by email to VAUCultural@state.gov. Successful applicants will be contacted by VAU PAS and invited to submit a full proposal.
For more information and detailed instructions, please refer to the full announcement on grants.gov or contact the Venezuela Affairs Unit (VAU) Public Affairs Section (PAS) at VAUCultural@state.gov.
U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires PAS Annual Grants Fund U.S. Mission to Argentina
The U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires PAS Annual Grants Fund, administered by the U.S. Mission to Argentina, is currently accepting proposals for funding requests. The grants fund aims to support projects that align with the priority areas of interest of the U.S. Embassy in Argentina. The funding priorities include promoting American values, human rights, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Additionally, the fund aims to foster economic growth, improve the business climate, encourage entrepreneurship, innovation, and corporate social responsibility. It also seeks to increase media literacy, press freedom, and counter disinformation, as well as promote good governance, transparency, and shared democratic principles.
The grants are open to academic, cultural, educational, and non-profit organizations, as well as individuals, that adhere to the priority areas of interest. The projects must take place or be initiated in Argentina and be directed towards Argentinian audiences/participants, with priority given to projects in underserved and marginalized areas. The fund particularly encourages proposals that benefit historically underrepresented groups, such as women, people with disabilities, racial and ethnic minority groups, and the LGBTQI+ community. It also prioritizes projects that involve residents of Argentine provinces outside of the City of Buenos Aires, U.S. government program alumni, and students from less-resourced backgrounds who have the potential to win scholarships but cannot afford U.S. university tuition.
The grants will be awarded in amounts between $15,000 and $50,000 U.S. dollars. The funding authority primarily rests in Smith-Mundt Fiscal Year 2024 Public Diplomacy funding. The overall program will be administered by RACI (Red Argentina para la Cooperación Internacional), which will coordinate the disbursement of funds, monitor compliance with proposed activities and objectives, and receive performance and financial reports. Payments can be made in either U.S. Dollars or its equivalent in pesos.
Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate cost-sharing, public-private partnerships, cooperation among multiple partners, or innovative means to implement cost savings in their proposals. The U.S. Embassy reserves the right to award less or more than the funds requested. Successful applicants will receive the terms and conditions of the award upon selection.
To be eligible for a grant, applicant organizations must have an active registration in www.SAM.gov. For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
For more information and to access the application form, interested candidates can visit the following link: [https://ar.usembassy.gov/2024-grants-fund-program/](https://ar.usembassy.gov/2024-grants-fund-program/).
For any inquiries, the U.S. Grants Fund administered by RACI can be contacted at usgrantsfundargentina@raci.org.ar. The grantor contact address is RACI Canada, 2300 Yonge Street, Suite 1600, Toronto, Canada.
The deadline for submitting proposals is August 15, 2024.
U.S. Embassy Belmopan PAS Annual Program Statement U.S. Mission to Belize
The U.S. Mission to Belize, through the U.S. Embassy Belmopan Public Affairs Section (PAS), is offering grants for projects that strengthen ties between the United States and Belize. The grants aim to highlight shared values and promote bilateral cooperation. The funding is available through the Public Diplomacy Grants Program, and the maximum award for each project is $10,000. The grants are open to academic, cultural, educational, and other non-profit organizations, as well as individuals. The proposals should convey an American cultural element, support a priority program area, or include a connection with American experts, organizations, or institutions. The deadline for applications is May 31, 2024, and July 31, 2024. The proposals received during Round 1 should plan to start no later than July 2024, and the proposals received during Round 2 should plan to start no later than September 2024. No applications will be accepted after the deadline. For more information and to apply, please visit the following link: [U.S. Embassy Belize Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program](https://bz.usembassy.gov/education/u-s-embassy-belize-public-diplomacy-small-grants-program/)