The U.S. Embassy Prague Public Affairs Section is offering the Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program to strengthen U.S.-Czech ties.

The U.S. Embassy Prague Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce available funding for projects advancing key strategic goals through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below. This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Purpose of Small Grants: The U.S. Embassy Prague Public Affairs Section (PAS) is interested in funding projects that strengthen social, political and cultural ties between the United States and Czech Republic and support our Priority Program Areas. Projects should specifically target Czech audiences living within the Czech Republic. All programs must:

·        include an American cultural or policy element, OR

·        involve a connection with American expert/s, performers, organization/s, or institution/s relevant to the grant project, OR

·        promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

Examples of successful PAS Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to:

·        Academic or professional lectures, seminars, workshops, discussions and speaker programs by U.S. experts and/or about the United States.

·        Youth leadership and skills development programs.

·        Community or civic engagement projects promoting shared U.S.-Czech values.

·        Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, masterclasses by U.S. artists and exhibitions of U.S. works.

·        Professional and academic exchanges and programs to the United States.

Project proposals must also support at least one Priority Program Area.

Priority Program Areas:

I.                   U.S.-CZECH BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP

Programs that seek to explain U.S. policies, culture and values to Czech audiences, resulting in a positive impact on the bilateral relationship.

II.                ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, TRADE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Programs that promote and support entrepreneurship, innovation, and/or bilateral trade between the U.S and the Czech Republic.

III.             ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND STEM EDUCATION

Programs related to climate change, environmental protection, scientific cooperation and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, including programs that promote critical thinking skills.

IV.             HUMAN RIGHTS, DEMOCRATIC VALUES AND CIVIL SOCIETY

Programs that promote human rights, support marginalized groups, encourage gender equality and empowerment of women, and that foster a culture of integration. Programs that strengthen democratic values of transparency, government accountability, anti-corruption and the rule of law. Programs that encourage strong civic engagement and democratic participation by all sectors of society and that support the development of a thriving civil-society and non-governmental sector.

V.               INDEPENDENT MEDIA AND COMBATTING DISINFORMATION

Programs that strengthen an independent media, investigative journalism or media literacy among the public, such as programs that counter disinformation or train audiences to recognize disinformation or misinformation online and in news.

VI.             REGIONAL SECURITY, CYBER SECURITY AND/OR ENERGY SECURITY

Programs that promote energy security, cyber security, and/or our NATO security alliance.

The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:

·        Programs relating to partisan political activity

·        Humanitarian aid

·        Construction programs

·        Fund-raising campaigns

·        Scientific research

·        Programs that don’t support an Embassy Priority Program Area or that don’t involve an American component

·        Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization

·        Projects seeking funds for personal use

Participants and Audiences:

We seek geographically and demographically diverse audiences within the Czech Republic and prioritize proposals with a significant programming component outside of Prague. Projects impacting areas outside of Prague are strongly encouraged. Programs should target adults or teenage audiences primarily (high school and older).