U.S. Embassy to the United Kingdom Annual Program Statement – Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program

The U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Section (PAS) is pleased to announce its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This Annual Program Statement outlines our funding priorities, our strategic themes of focus, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021, which runs from October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021. Awards will be made to successful applicants subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

Purpose of Small Grants:

PAS invites proposals from individuals, non-governmental/nonprofit/civil society organizations, think tanks, government institutions, and academic institutions for projects that strengthen the bilateral ties between the United States and the United Kingdom. All programs must promote at least one U.S. Embassy priority program area (listed below) and include a U.S. element or connection. Programs can include U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policies and perspectives. Special consideration will be given to proposals that highlight the diversity of the United States and programs whose experts represent diverse backgrounds.

Examples of small grants program projects include but are not limited to:

• Academic and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs;
• Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions;
• Professional and academic exchanges and projects; and
• Professional development workshops and training.

We encourage applications for virtual and in-person speaker programs, seminars, or exchanges. All proposed programs must include a public-facing element, targeting audiences across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Priority Program Areas:

• Science, Technology, and Innovation: activities that support cooperation in such areas as climate/environment (with a specific focus on activities around COP26), sustainability, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, and space exploration.   
• Prosperity, Trade, and Investment: activities that support the expansion of U.S. exports and investments, improve the connections between U.S. and UK businesses, and/or expand economic opportunities for women, youth, and underserved populations.
• Security and Defense: activities that promote transatlantic security; combat transnational challenges, including cybersecurity, terrorism, and violent extremism; and encourage resistance to malign influence and disinformation from hostile state actors.
• Shared Values and Interests: activities that promote the U.S.-UK Special Relationship and build people-to-people ties, including but not limited to activities that focus on alliances, open societies, and shared democratic values.

Participants and Audiences:

All applicants for awards must specify the program’s target audience (noting any emphasis on diverse audiences) and estimate the expected audience reach through direct contact and, if possible, through indirect contact (via social media or traditional media).

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;
• Fundraising campaigns;
• Lobbying for specific legislation or programs
• Scientific or academic research;
• Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of an organization; or
• Programs that duplicate existing programs supported by the U.S. Embassy.

Authorizing Legislation and Funding Type/Year:

Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt Act. The source of funding is FY2021 Public Diplomacy Funding.

The U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Section (PAS) is pleased to announce its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This Annual Program Statement outlines our funding priorities, our strategic themes of focus, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021, which runs from October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021. Awards will be made to successful applicants subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

Purpose of Small Grants:

PAS invites proposals from individuals, non-governmental/nonprofit/civil society organizations, think tanks, government institutions, and academic institutions for projects that strengthen the bilateral ties between the United States and the United Kingdom. All programs must promote at least one U.S. Embassy priority program area (listed below) and include a U.S. element or connection. Programs can include U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policies and perspectives. Special consideration will be given to proposals that highlight the diversity of the United States and programs whose experts represent diverse backgrounds.

Examples of small grants program projects include but are not limited to:

• Academic and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs;
• Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions;
• Professional and academic exchanges and projects; and
• Professional development workshops and training.

We encourage applications for virtual and in-person speaker programs, seminars, or exchanges. All proposed programs must include a public-facing element, targeting audiences across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Priority Program Areas:

• Science, Technology, and Innovation: activities that support cooperation in such areas as climate/environment (with a specific focus on activities around COP26), sustainability, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, and space exploration.   
• Prosperity, Trade, and Investment: activities that support the expansion of U.S. exports and investments, improve the connections between U.S. and UK businesses, and/or expand economic opportunities for women, youth, and underserved populations.
• Security and Defense: activities that promote transatlantic security; combat transnational challenges, including cybersecurity, terrorism, and violent extremism; and encourage resistance to malign influence and disinformation from hostile state actors.
• Shared Values and Interests: activities that promote the U.S.-UK Special Relationship and build people-to-people ties, including but not limited to activities that focus on alliances, open societies, and shared democratic values.

Participants and Audiences:

All applicants for awards must specify the program’s target audience (noting any emphasis on diverse audiences) and estimate the expected audience reach through direct contact and, if possible, through indirect contact (via social media or traditional media).

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;
• Fundraising campaigns;
• Lobbying for specific legislation or programs
• Scientific or academic research;
• Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of an organization; or
• Programs that duplicate existing programs supported by the U.S. Embassy.

Authorizing Legislation and Funding Type/Year:

Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt Act. The source of funding is FY2021 Public Diplomacy Funding.