PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Embassy Doha Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below.

Purpose of Small Grants: PAS Doha invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Qatar through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation.

Examples of PAS Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to

·        Professional and academic exchanges and programs;

·        Academic and professional lectures, seminars and speaker programs;

·        Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions; and

·        Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs.

A Special Note on COVID-19: Applicants are encouraged to make their projects flexible to allow for compliance with current and possible future local, national, and international health restrictions in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. This is especially important for projects proposing in-person interactions such as meetings, exchanges, workshops, and others. Applicants may propose such in-person activities but should include alternate activities, e.g., webinars, virtual meetings, and others, in the case that the former are prohibited or impractical at the time the program is proposed.

Priority Program Areas:

Promoting Qatar’s Economic Growth by

o  Developing “soft skills” (teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, volunteerism, etc.)

o  Strengthening career development skills

o  Promoting sustainability

o  Supporting English language learning

Supporting Qatar’s Civil Society by

o  Empowering families and youth

o  Promoting media literacy and combatting hate speech, cyberbullying, misinformation, disinformation, as well as violent extremism; and

o  Training NGO and CSOs in project management, financial, procurement and human resource management

Promoting Mutual Understanding by

o  International Education Week (November 15-19, 2021)

o  Cultural, educational, or professional programs

o  Countering terrorist financing and combatting Trafficking in Persons (TIP)

Participants and Audiences:

Applicants should have considerable, practical, and relevant experience in the implementation of the proposed activities to be seriously considered for this project. Previous experience dealing with Qatari audiences is preferred.

Audiences who are considered a priority for this program include: 

•        Qatari youth/students, including traditionally underserved communities

•        Qatari minority groups 

•        Qatari parents and grandparents

•        Qatari women and girls

•        Qatari local decision makers, established opinion leaders, and influencers

•        Media outlets and experts

•        Qatari teachers and academic professionals

•        Emerging Qatari voices; and

•        Qataris in the creative and performing arts communities

Please note that proposals addressing audiences not listed above are still eligible, but such proposals must clearly indicate why addressing the proposed audience is especially important to achieving the goals stated in Section A of this APS.

The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:

•        Programs relating to partisan political activity

•        Charitable or development activities/ fund-raising campaigns

•        Construction projects

•        Programs that support specific religious activities

•        Lobbying for specific legislation or programs 

•        Scientific research

•        Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization

•        Programs that duplicate existing programs

Authorizing legislation, type, and year of funding:

Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt. The source of funding is FY2021 Public Diplomacy Funding.

FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: 3 to 18 months

Number of awards anticipated: Multiple awards (dependent on amounts)

Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $150,000

Total available funding: $150,000

Type of Funding: Fiscal Year 2021 Public Diplomacy Funding

Anticipated program start date: September 15, 2021

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Funding Instrument Type: Grant, Fixed Amount Award, or Cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements are different from grants in that PAS staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation. 

In instances where a Cooperative Agreement is issued instead of a grant, PAS will be substantially involved in program activities above and beyond routine monitoring. These shall be documented in the award document, signed by the Grants Officer. 

Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 18 months or less.

PAS will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.

Application and Submission Information: All application materials must be submitted in English to [email protected]. Application will be accepted and reviewed on a continued rolling basis till August 25, 2021. For any questions, please email us.

Mandatory Application forms are available for download in the Related Documents section, along with the Full Announcement for this Annual Program Statement.

Application forms are also available at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/forms-repository.html

Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.