Description
The U.S. Embassy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that limited funding is available through the Embassy’s Public Affairs grants program to support activities that promote U.S.-Saudi bilateral relations in the following priority areas: Programs that advance the Saudi creative economy through skills training and capacity building. Programs that encourage partnerships between Saudi and U.S. universities in creative industries such as film, music production, sound editing/mixing for video production, art and photo production and exhibition, and other areas of creative economy. Host visiting professionals from the U.S. entertainment industry that provide training and skills development for Saudi creatives. Initiatives that connect U.S. content distributors to Saudi production companies to help widen the reach of Saudi content and create mutually beneficial economic partnerships. This is a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Eligibility is limited to those who qualify to receive U.S. grants and have the ability to develop and implement their proposed programs in Saudi Arabia within the timeframe indicated on their applications. The U.S. Embassy in the Kingdom Saudi Arabia and the Department of State encourage organizations that have not previously received international program funding from the U.S. government to apply. Applicants must have demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following subject areas: business or academic programming, management and entrepreneurship, organization of entrepreneurship training, and institution-to-institution partnerships. The U.S. Embassy in the Kingdom Saudi Arabia requests proposals for projects aimed at increasing the knowledge, skills, abilities, and networks of Saudi creatives in the film, television, and music industries and other areas of the creative economy. Over the last five years, Saudi Arabia has experienced a liberalization of social policies related to the creative arts under Vision 2030. With the loosening of restrictions on film, television, music, and other areas of the creative economy, tremendous opportunities have been opened to Saudis. Through this initiative, the U.S. embassy hopes to build capacity in the entertainment sector through training from U.S. experts and to link Saudi creatives with counterparts in production and distribution to help build the infrastructure necessary to create and operate an independent Saudi entertainment industry that leads the region and gains global attention. Public Affairs invites local and American nonprofit organizations and educational institutions to submit proposals that provide skills training, capacity building, networking with U.S. businesses and education institutions, community building, structural legal framework support, policy advocacy, and other educational and economic cooperation that supports Saudi creatives working in film, television, music, and other creative fields. While a wide range of project proposals will be considered, successful projects will incorporate many of the following elements: A clearly defined project objective, with specific supporting goals and quantifiable project milestones. Network building that encourages and facilitates the transfer of skills and sharing of resources between members. A mentorship program that aims to accelerate initial success of Saudis working in the creative economy. A sustainable strategic plan to provide program participants with knowledge or skills of lasting value and application beyond the term of the project. An integrated project messaging/media plan designed to amplify the reach of key program messages to Saudi participants who do not participate in the program. An innovative approach that highlights American expertise or U.S.-Saudi partnerships and creates/strengthens networks between Americans and Saudis. Use of traditional and innovative educational programs and networking tools in the pursuit of broader goals such as: Formal education, including opportunities to work with leading U.S. institutions, technicians, and professionals in the areas of music, film, television, or other areas of the creative economy. Establishing joint initiatives on music and film that pair U.S. colleges/universities and research institutions to Saudi counterparts. Development of curricula and certificate programs at the tertiary level that support continual development of engineers, technicians, and support staff for creative industries. Training and support for writers of film, music, television, or other creative outlets. Support for building a community of support among independent artists and professionals working in music or film. Introduction of music and film creation into Saudi Arabia’s public and private schools, beginning with middle schools. Opportunities to partner or consult with US counterparts in music, film, or television production and/or spend time working with U.S. facilities to learn about infrastructure, technology, and best practices. Support with infrastructure, technology, and best practices for proper design of music or film production and/or exhibition spaces and for improving existing spaces that do not meet industry standards. Business development, setup, and operation of medium-sized performance spaces and studios. Increasing availability and competition in equipment rental and production markets for distinct areas of the creative economy. Advising government and legal professionals on creating and improving legal structures and protections for musicians and filmmakers under Saudi law, enforcing contracts and resolving breaches of contracts, and building Saudi attorneys or law firms that specialize in entertainment law and intellectual property protections. Training and development for government and private executives charged with selecting or curating content that engages with audiences. All project proposals must meet the eligibility criteria and carefully follow the instructions in the document containing the full Notice of Funding Opportunity under the Related Documents tab.