U.S. Embassy Branch Office in Belo Horizonte Grant Program

This Annual Program Statement focuses exclusively on the state of Minas Gerais. Programs focused on other areas of Brazil are not eligible under this Annual Program Statement but may be eligible under Program Statements issued at the U.S. Embassy or other Consulates in Brazil, and may be found on their websites. U.S. entities, with the geographic focus noted above, are eligible to apply independently or as a partner to a Brazilian organization. 

This notice is subject to availability of funds. The Branch Office expects to make awards from $5,000 – $20,000 and makes no guarantee that any funds will be awarded under this Annual Program Statement. 

COVID-19 Pandemic Notice: In light of the restrictive travel and public gathering environments caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Embassy Branch Office in Belo Horizonte expects interested applicants to submit proposals that include a virtual programming option. Depending upon the public health restrictions at the time the program takes place, applicants should have plans to execute in-person, hybrid, or virtual programming. You may reflect these options in the budget submitted.  

The Branch Office seeks project proposals in the following Priority Program Areas:  

• EDUCATION: Programs that build linkages between U.S. and Minas Gerais institutes of higher learning, support the internationalization of higher education in Minas Gerais, and/or promote study in the United States. 
• ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION: Programs that connect U.S. and Brazilian experts and/or students regarding environmental or climate change challenges. 
• SOCIAL ISSUES: Programs that promote human rights, diversity, and inclusion. 
• ECONOMIC GROWTH: Programs related to bilateral trade, entrepreneurship, innovation, and women’s economic empowerment. 
• CULTURAL DIPLOMACY: Activities promoting U.S. culture through culinary traditions, music, art, film, sports, literature, and other cultural forms.  

Examples of Small Grants Program projects include, but are not limited to: 

• Academic and professional lectures, seminars, or speaker programs; 
• Workshops; 
• Interactive programs that stimulate economic growth, promote entrepreneurship, and provide economic opportunities; 
• Youth community service projects that promote democratic processes, social entrepreneurship, or civic engagement; 
• Professional or academic exchanges and programs; and 
• Artistic and cultural programs, joint performances or exhibitions involving the work of American artists or American subject matter. 

Activities that are not typically funded include, but are not limited to: 

• Social welfare projects; 
• Paying to complete activities begun with other funds; 
• Projects that are inherently political in nature or that contain the appearance of partisanship or support of individual or single party electoral campaigns; 
• International travel, unless specifically justified within the project; 
• Citizen exchange programs with other foreign countries; 
• Political party activities; 
• Scientific research; 
• Construction; and 
• Projects that support specific religious activities. 

Participants and Audiences: 

Intended participants and target audiences are youth (above age 14) and adults, located anywhere in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. We are looking for proposals that involve geographically, demographically, and socio-economically diverse audiences in Minas Gerais. 

Authorizing legislation, type and year of funding:  

Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt Act and Fulbright Hays Act. The source of funding is FY 2021 Public Diplomacy Funding.