An open competition for Federal Awards (Grants) through the Public Diplomacy Small Grant Proposals Program, supporting the development of links and relations between the U.S. and Cyprus, has been announced by the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy to the Republic of Cyprus.

Program Objective

Through initiatives in priority areas that highlight shared values and foster bilateral collaboration, PAS is seeking proposals that will improve connections and advance relations between the United States and Cyprus.

Areas of Priority Programs

• Grant requests that advance the following themes will be taken into consideration in order to meet the goal of the public diplomacy small grants program:
• Activities fostering cross-community interaction between Greek and Turkish Cypriot adolescents and young professionals to strengthen ties, foster tolerance, and combat hate;
• Support for social inclusion, global governance, and human rights: strengthening democratic processes, tackling global issues like climate change, assisting migrant and anti-trafficking initiatives, and promoting and defending the rights to equal treatment and opportunity for LGBTQI+ people, people with disabilities, ethnic and religious minorities, and racial minorities;
• Support initiatives aimed at boosting business and entrepreneurial skills using American models, developing new U.S.-Cyprus partnerships and business opportunities for startups, encouraging social impact investment, and empowering women and young entrepreneurs;
• reducing misinformation, improving digital literacy, and promoting outstanding journalism projects promoting investigative reporting and/or enhancing the capacity of the media and civil society to combat misinformation;
• Promoting and facilitating connections between American and Cypriot educational establishments;
• fostering cross-cultural interactions between Cyprus and the United States;
• English language proficiency: encouraging the teaching and study of the language by professionals and pupils;
• Cooperation in science and technology: Strengthening collaboration in the fields of science, STEM/STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics), particularly for women and young people.

Financial Details of Grant Proposals

• This announcement is pending financial availability.
• Performance period length: 2 to 24 months
• Expected number of prizes: 10 awards (dependent on amounts).
• Awarded amounts: prizes may be between $2,000 and $15,000 in total.
• The total amount of financing is $60,000.
• Type of Funding: Public Diplomacy Funding for Fiscal Year 2022
• The program launch is anticipated for September 30, 2022.

Audiences and Participants for the Grant Proposals

• The whole spectrum and diversity of American and Cypriot non-profit organizations will be taken into account by the Public Affairs Section.
• Funding is not available to for-profit organizations, such as those that are officially recognized as commercial or private corporations.
• There will be a focus on:
• individuals and organizations from the United States and Cyprus have a track record of successfully putting on events, programs, and exchanges;
• proposals that show how the project and/or results will be sustained over the long term.
• Inclusion of involvement with underserved communities, such as immigrants, LGBTQI+ persons, and people with disabilities, as well as proposals that address gender parity among participants/target audiences.
• Under this NOFO, the following categories are not eligible for funding:
• activities for development or charity;
• Construction programs;
• programs that support a certain type of religious activity;
• fundraising efforts;
• advocating for particular laws or initiatives
• scientific investigation
• programs largely focused on an organization’s expansion or institutional development, social welfare initiatives, charitable deeds, or initiatives for global development;
• investments that primarily benefit just one or a few firms or people;
• English language study scholarships not affiliated with any particular Department of State programs;
• exchange initiatives with nations other than the United States and Cyprus; and
• programs that reproduce other programs.
• Authorizing law, funding type, and year:
• The Smith-Mundt has the last say in matters of funding.
• Public diplomacy Money for FY2022 is the source of funding.

Eligibility Requirements

the following applicants are encouraged to apply:

• Think tanks and other civil society/non-governmental groups that are registered as nonprofits and have programming expertise
• Individuals
• educational or nonprofit organizations
• government organizations

Click HERE to apply

Application Deadline: August 22, 2022