U.S. Department of State’s Mission China: Public Diplomacy Grants for U.S.-PRC People-to-People Ties

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Public Diplomacy Sections of the U.S. Mission to China (Embassy Beijing and Consulates General Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan, and Shenyang) of the United States Department of State are pleased to announce an open competition for awards available through the Mission China Public Diplomacy Grants Program. This Annual Program Statement (APS) outlines our broad funding priorities, strategic themes, and the procedure for submitting requests for funding. Applications for programs will be accepted until June 1, 2023.

Applicants may apply for funding for small grants (between $5,000 and $30,000) or large grants (between $50,000 and $150,000). Applications that make clear their careful consideration of effective use of resources will be given favorable consideration during review. Please carefully follow all instructions below and use the grant application document and budget template found on our website.

Purpose of Annual Program Statement (APS) Grants:

Mission China invites proposals for projects that strengthen people-to-people ties between the United States and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and increase local PRC audiences’ understanding of the United States’ foreign policy, values, and culture through direct or virtual engagement. Competitive proposals should support a priority program area (see below). While not required, especially competitive proposals will include content or connections with American expert(s), organization(s), or institution(s) that will promote increased cooperation between the people of the United States, the U.S. Mission in China, and the people of China after the program concludes.

Priority Program Areas:

•        Confronting the Climate Crisis: Projects that increase public awareness of and engagement in environmental protection and climate change issues, and that promote cooperation in research, policy development, and innovation to combat climate change. This may include areas such as sustainable development, sustainable finance, energy issues, eco-tourism, and other related fields.

•        Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility: Projects that promote expanding access for persons with disabilities, women’s empowerment, LGBTQI+ rights, and the preservation of minority cultures, especially including projects to ensure sustainable incomes and prosperity for minority communities and those with otherwise limited access to networks of support.

•        People-to-People Connections: Projects that support the enhancement of U.S.-China people-to-people engagement, particularly those that increase understanding of the United States among the people of China.

•        Expanding Connections in Education and Cultural Exchange: These may include projects that encourage sharing of new approaches, methods, and content in education, and projects that encourage increased understanding of U.S. society and culture through music, drama, and the arts. 

•        Health: Projects that promote a greater understanding of the value of health cooperation between China and U.S. to improve the health of both countries and the world, including increasing understanding of U.S.-China cooperation on health research, supporting policy development, and enhancing program implementation.

•        English Language Teaching and Learning: Projects that support innovative, interactive teaching and learning of the English language. Projects that directly support ongoing efforts of the Mission China English Language Office will be especially welcome.

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.