Description
A. 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 is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our broad funding priorities, strategic themes, and the procedure for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below and use the grant application document and budget template found on our website. Applicants may submit proposals for funding for small grants (total funding of up to $30,000) or large grants (total funding between $50,000 and $150,000). Purpose: The U.S. Mission to 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). All programs must 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. Examples of Public Diplomacy 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; Cultural heritage protection programs; and Programs that encourage and expand connections between students and scholars in both countries. Priority Program Areas: 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. 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. 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. Participants and Audiences: The U.S. Mission to China seeks to fund creative projects that build upon existing partnerships between U.S. organizations and Chinese counterparts, as well as those that create new partnerships and expand operational capabilities of existing organizations. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in China also welcomes proposals that engage audiences outside of the PRC’s largest cities. Of particular interest are programs that establish sustainable relationships with communities who for reasons such as language or geography cannot easily engage with our Mission. 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. Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt Act. The source of funding is FY2024 Public Diplomacy Funding. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: Six to 12 months Number of awards anticipated: Subject to availability of funds Award amounts: Maximum of $30,000 (Public Diplomacy Small Grants) or $150,000 (Public Diplomacy Large Grants) per award Total available funding: Subject to availability of funds Type of Funding: FY2024 Public Diplomacy Funding Anticipated program start date: July 31, 2024 This notice is subject to availability of funds. Funding Instrument Types: Grant, Fixed Amount Award (FAA), or Cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements and some FAAs are different from grants in that Mission China public affairs staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation (“Substantial Involvement”). Depending on the project selected for funding, substantial involvement may include review and approval of participants, project sites, and specific project content. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less. U.S. Mission China's FY2024 Complete Annual Program Statement can be found in the Related Documents Folder.