The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade announces an open competition for individuals and organizations to submit applications for the Serbian-American Cooperation Grants Program. Please follow all instructions below. Priority Region: Serbia Program Objectives: PDS welcomes proposals from non-government organizations, governmental institutions and individuals to administer creative, engaging projects that strengthen the Serbian-U.S. relationship and explain U.S. culture, society, values, and policies to Serbian audiences. The Embassy is also working with Serbia’s government, civil society, business community, and other partners on promoting economic development and fighting brain drain; strengthening democracy, including through supporting civic participation, encouraging a free press and human rights, and advancing regional stability and cooperation. Projects funded through this NOFO must include an American element. That could involve a connection or partnership between Serbian and American organizations or institutions; inviting an American expert to take part, in person or virtually, in your project; hosting a program to examine shared Serbian-American values, national interests, etc.; or incorporating a U.S. approach or method for addressing a challenge facing your community, institution, or profession. Grant activities may take the form of academic competitions, summer camps (focused on language study, sports, etc.), cross-border exchanges, conferences, workshops, courses, curriculum development, exhibits, hackathons or app development, online projects, mock trials or moot court competitions, simulations and role-playing activities (e.g., Model Congress, Model United Nations), film or theater festivals, performances, or other activities. Projects should begin no earlier than 1 July 2023 and no later than 1 July 2024. All activities and your evaluation or assessment of the project should be completed within 12 months, but up to 18 months in exceptional circumstances. Activities should focus on audiences in Serbia. However, applicants may include participants or partners from neighboring countries of the Western Balkans, if it is in support of the project’s objectives. (See “Participants and Audiences” below.) In accordance with the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities, proposals should demonstrate how the program advances equity with respect to race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability. The proposal should also demonstrate how the program will further engagement in underserved communities and with individuals from underserved communities. Proposals should demonstrate how addressing racial equity and underserved communities will enhance the program’s goals and objectives, as well as the experience of participants. Grantees are expected to: publicize your activities, including through social media and/or traditional press outlets; and highlight U.S. Embassy support, with our logo included on project-related materials. Participants and Audiences: The goals and objectives of the project will determine the audience. PDS is seeking to support projects that strategically target audiences that will have the greatest impact and can work for the most positive change in communities in Serbia. In addition to primary audiences (e.g., teachers) projects may also have secondary audiences or beneficiaries (such as students who will benefit from the teachers’ training). Please note that the participants or audiences for the proposed activity should be citizens or legal residents of Serbia. If your project idea might involve citizens of other countries, please see C.4. in the full text of the NOFO in the Related Documents tab and on the Embassy’s website: https://rs.usembassy.gov/grants-programs/ , to understand restrictions on funding. Submission Dates and Times: Applications are due no later than April 1, 2023. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates: PDS anticipates that final funding decisions will be made by May 15, 2023. Requesting the Application Package: Required Application forms are available in the Related Documents tab and at https://rs.usembassy.gov/grants-programs/. How to Apply: All application materials must be submitted by email to
[email protected]. If PDS does not receive a complete project proposal at the above address by the deadline, it will be considered technically ineligible and will not be considered for funding. If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact:
[email protected]. For detailed information please see the full text of the Notice of Funding Opportunity in the Related Documents tab and on the Embassy’s website: https://rs.usembassy.gov/grants-programs/. If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact:
[email protected]. Information Session. PDS will hold a virtual information session on February 14, 2023, at 16:00 (4 pm) Central European time to discuss this funding opportunity and to answer questions from potential applicants. Please contact PDS at
[email protected] for details. Please check for information on other PDS funding opportunities on the U.S. Embassy website at: https://rs.usembassy.gov/grants-programs/.