U.S. Mission in Uganda Public Affairs Office: Public Diplomacy Grant for Promoting US-Uganda Relations and Youth Development

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 

The U.S. Mission in Uganda’s Public Affairs Office is pleased to announce that funding is available through the Public Diplomacy Grant Program for projects ranging in value from $5,000 to $40,000. Projects for greater values will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Grants are intended for committed and organized civil-society organizations, local representatives of civil society, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, cultural institutions, and academic institutions. Awards to individuals will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. All grantees must have a non-profit status. 

Notice: For Fiscal Year 2022 all proposals submitted in response to this Annual Program Statement must include a contingency plan describing how the proposed activity would be implemented in the event that COVID-19 related health restrictions are in place during the anticipated period of performance. 

Objectives and Project Outcomes: 

The objectives of the Public Diplomacy Grant Program are to promote positive relations between the people of Uganda and the United States; reinforce shared values; and connect high potential Ugandan youth and young professionals (aged 16 to 35) as well as established professional leaders to the American people through projects that: 

• Help Ugandan youth aged 16 – 35, especially young women, explore and discover their potential through innovative science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs, as well as entrepreneurship programs. 
• Encourage Ugandan youth aged 16 – 35 to participate in civic life through social entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and community engagement. 
• Strengthen understanding of U.S. values and institutions; highlight U.S. culture, including American Studies; and support diversity, inclusion, and equality. 
• Utilize the power of the arts to promote positive self-expression, social change, and economic opportunity among Ugandan youth aged 16 – 35. 
• Equip emerging community leaders (e.g., sports coaches, arts instructors, and cultural professionals) aged 22 – 35 with the skills and knowledge necessary to grow their organizations or to enhance their engagement with youth audiences. 
• Promote the development and application of new technologies and innovative solutions to economic, environmental, and social challenges. Projects could connect U.S. technology or public policy experts with Ugandan peers or foster the application of American technology and innovations to address challenges in Ugandan communities. 
• Support civil society organizations (CSOs) in developing a vibrant and prosperous democratic society through programs that strengthen NGO management, enhance the skills of early to mid-career NGO/CSO professionals, strengthen networks between NGO/CSO professionals in the United States and Uganda, or demonstrate to the public the positive role CSOs play in advancing a prosperous, healthy, and informed society.   

U.S. Content 

In order to be eligible for funding consideration, proposals must demonstrate significant U.S. content.  U.S. content can include, for example, the substantial participation of U.S. experts or alumni of U.S. government exchange programs, partnership with U.S. organizations or educational institutions, the involvement of U.S. companies present in Uganda, the application or adaptation of U.S. models and best practices, or learning materials related to American history, society, culture, government, or institutions. Initiatives that promote sustained cooperation between the people of the United States and Uganda even after program funding has concluded are encouraged.  Proposals without significant U.S. content will not be considered for funding. 

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

• Programs that reinforce and amplify lessons learned by alumni of State Department-funded exchange programs (both American and Ugandan alumni); 
• Youth engagement and leadership programs; 
• Workshops, seminars, trainings, and master classes on American themes or issues of mutual interest mentioned in the above goals of the Program; 
• Programs to empower young women; 
• Radio, television, and social media training and programming in support of the above program objectives; 
• Programs designed as a partnership between a Ugandan and U.S. organization; 
• Initiatives in support of the above program objectives that make creative use of the Mission’s American Center in Kampala or Nile Explorer bus, a mobile classroom that provides extracurricular learning opportunities in STEM and other subjects through visits to underserved communities across Uganda. 

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

• Social welfare, community development, or vocational skilling projects, 
• Fees and travel costs to attend conferences in the United States, 
• Ongoing salary costs and office equipment, 
• Paying to complete activities begun with other funds, 
• Projects that are inherently political in nature or that contain the appearance of partisanship/support to individual or single party electoral campaigns, 
• Political party activities, 
• Projects that support specific religious activities, 
• Trade activities; fundraising campaigns; commercial projects; scientific research; construction projects; or projects whose primary aim is the institutional development of the organization itself. 

Inviting U.S. Experts 

The Public Affairs Office also welcomes proposals for the participation of U.S. citizen experts at in-person or virtual programs in support of the above program objectives. The travel costs for in-person programs in Uganda may include economy class airfare of a U.S. flag carrier, stipend for meals, daily honorarium, lodging, and local transportation. Funding requests for activities involving U.S. citizen experts should include a proposed daily schedule for the expert (minimum of two program days excluding travel time). If participation in a conference is expected, please provide its description (organizer, topics, goals and objectives, audience, other sponsors and other expected speakers and participants). 

When possible, the Public Affairs Office prefers to provide support to U.S. experts who are available to participate in multiple events. The Public Affairs Office is willing to work with grantees to identify additional programming opportunities in support of public diplomacy program objectives for U.S. experts traveling to Uganda. 

Project and Budget Periods 

Projects generally should be completed within one year or less. 

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION 

The Public Affairs Office encourages applications from all sectors: committed and organized civil-society organizations, local representatives of civil society, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, cultural institutions, academic institutions, and individuals. All grantees must have a non-profit status. 

We seek proposals for activities that engage geographically and demographically diverse audiences within Uganda. U.S. NGOs, international NGS, and individuals may apply. Applications in partnership between U.S. and Ugandan NGOs/individuals are encouraged.   

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Application Deadlines 

Applications will be reviewed three times during Fiscal Year 2022. The deadlines for application are: 

Round 1: December 31, 2021 

Round 2: March 15, 2022 

Round 2: May 30, 2022