U.S. Embassy Panama Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program

U.S. Embassy Panama Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program is sponsored by U.S. Embassy in Panama Public Affairs Section (PAS). This program invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the U. S.

and Panama through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation.

Worldwide Caution: The Department of State advises Americans worldwide to exercise increased caution. ## Looking for the CARSI (Central American Regional Security Initiative) Grants Program?

## U.S. Embassy Panama Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program For those preparing for future Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program opportunities, please note that PAS accepts proposals for programs that further U.S. foreign policy and public diplomacy interests in Panama in one of the categories below.

**All programs must include** an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

## Program Categories for Funding: The Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program will consider grant proposals that advance the following themes: * **Entrepreneurship:**Programs that teach business skills to entrepreneurs (especially women and minority populations)using U.S. models, create new U.S.-Panama partnerships and opportunities for start-up companies, or support social impact investment; * **Combating Disinformation, Enhancing Media Literacy, Supporting Excellence in Journalism:**Programs that support investigative journalism, increase media literacy, and/or strengthen media and civil society organizations’ ability to counter disinformation; * **Strengthening Civil Society:**Projects that provide support to civil society organizations, establish networks of organizations, or directly address some of the systemic challenges those organizations encounter; * **Cybersecurity:**Projects that will improve cybersecurity regulation, education, or resources to general skill-building, tech camps, and public awareness campaigns; * **English Language Proficiency:**Programs that support English language teaching and learning among public school and higher education students and young professionals, with an emphasis on improving English for Entrepreneurship and STEAM fields or integrating English into existing curricula; * **S****TEAM****Education:**Projects designed to enhance education and cooperation in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM)like workshops or training programs; the development of educational tools or resources;and joint activities with U.S. public school students; * **Sustainable Development:**Projects that promote responsible stewardship of environmental resources through educational programs, the development of community networks incorporating U.S. counterparts or resources, or the development of innovative tools to guide sustainable development practices.

This may include climate change; combatting Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported fishing; water; forests; wildlife (especially fisheries); agriculture; pollution; or any related issue, provided there is an adequate U.S. public diplomacy component; * **Arts and Cultural Programs:** Programs that foster cultural exchange and the promotion of shared values, reaching a broad public audience through major festivals and other widely attended arts or cultural events.

The following types of programs are**not eligible**for funding**:**Construction programs; programs relating to partisan political activity;charitable or development activities; programs that support specific religious activities;fund-raising campaigns;lobbying for specific legislation or programs;programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization;commercial or for-profit projects.

* Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience * Universities and educational institutions * Governmental institutions * Individuals are eligible to apply if they have no organizational affiliation and will be the sole person conducting activities.

Grants to individuals may not include sub-grants, contracts, or payments to other individuals and typically only consist of expenses for travel and per diem For-profit or commercial entities are**not eligible**to apply. In order to be eligible to receive an award,**all organizations must have (in the following order):** 1. ACTIVE registration onhttps://www.

SAM. gov **Please see Section D. 3 of our Notice of Funding Opportunity and guidelines attached below for information on how to obtain these registrations.

** The amount available will depend on the specific Notice of Funding Opportunity. The majority of proposals will likely fall under the _Small Grants Program_ for which the funding range is $1,000 to $50,000. The budget for each particular proposal will depend on the size and scope of the project, within the constraints of the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

The grant review process will seek to exercise responsible stewardship of government resources by maximizing the impact of available funds. Submitting a funding request for a larger amount may disadvantage the application. Lump sum overhead costs, alcoholic beverages, and vague budget line items, such as “Miscellaneous Items” or “Unforeseen Expenses” will not be funded.

Budget should be as detailed as possible with a breakdown of all specific expenditures including all calculations. Any figure you provide without a specific breakout will be returned for additional information or rejected. **To apply, submit a complete application package through Grants.

gov. Applications must be submitted in English. (Applications submitted in Spanish will not be accepted). ** The full application package must contain: * Proposal(including budget**narrative**) * Form SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance and SF-424_A For more details about the grants process please contact us atpanculturalgrants@state.

govwith additional questions.