U.S. Embassy Seoul PD Small Grants Program

Description

Total Amount Available: $300,000 Award Ceiling: $100,000 (with typical grants expected in the $25,000 range) Award Floor: $1,000 Expected Number of Awards: 3ea – 10ea Deadline for Applications: March 17, 2023, 11:59 p.m. GMT+9 This notice is subject to availability of funding. The U.S. Embassy Seoul Public Diplomacy Section (PD) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This is a Notice of Funding Opportunity, outlining our funding priorities and the process to submit applications for funding. Purpose of Small Grants: PD Seoul invites proposals for programs that strengthen ties between the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) through programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American element, or connection with American experts, organizations, or institutions in a field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. Successful proposals will strengthen the capacity of Korean civil society organizations and individuals in order build sustainable activities that advance U.S.-ROK ties. Proposals may include requests for international travel and related costs of experts, speakers and key individuals in support of broader activities. However, participant exchanges should not be the exclusive program activity. Program activities should take place primarily in Korea or have strong justifications for activities in the U.S. or third countries. PD Small Grants Program priorities include, but are not limited to: - Academic and professional lectures, seminars and speaker programs; - Professional and academic exchanges and programs; - Youth leadership development exchanges and programs; - Capacity building programs for grassroots civil society groups; - Activities that focus on areas and audiences outside of the Seoul metropolitan region. Program Area 1) Programs between the United States and the Korea that build the capacity of organizations or individuals focused on the promotion and protection of human rights, the rule of law and civic participation either domestically or internationally. Applications should focus on developing the capacity of organizations or individuals to define a mission statement, fundraise, manage finances, promote effective advocacy and civic engagement, launch public awareness campaigns, monitor and evaluate programming, and other skills as appropriate. Participants and Audiences: Participants should reflect the United States government’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility Participants can range from high school and university-aged youth to established professionals who are active in civil society groups focused on the following areas: - LGBQTI+ or other gender minority rights - Disability rights and accessibility - Human rights (global or domestic) - Support for DPRK defector communities - Mitigating gender conflict or providing support for victims of gender-based violence - Religious diversity and interfaith understanding - Support for other marginalized communities Program Area 2) Programs that encourage meaningful discussion amongst either youth, academics, or established professionals in the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Japan on issues of importance to the trilateral relationship such as regional security protection and architecture; climate change and sustainability; international aid coordination and prioritization; economic growth and trade; economic security and supply chain resiliency; civilian space research and cooperation; pandemic response and public health; youth empowerment and global leadership; global affairs and volunteerism; and other issues as appropriate. Participants and Audiences: Participants should reflect the United States government’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility - Emerging youth voices (aged 18-29) from the Republic of Korea, Japan, and United States with major fields of study, research topics and/or careers related to the issues listed above and/or other issues affecting the trilateral relationship. - Established professionals from the Republic of Korea, Japan, and United States with academic expertise and/or careers related to the issues listed above and/or other issues affecting the trilateral relationship. Program Area 3) Programs building ties and understanding between Korean, U.S., and regional climate activists and leaders to help countries meet pollution reduction goals; promote sustainable local development; enhance the capacity of independent grassroots environmental groups; build connections between the ROK and other regional environmental activist groups and/or journalists (especially those from natural resource exporting nations in ASEAN); raise youth awareness of climate issues; mediate conflicts arising due to environmental degradation; build capacity and networks of climate-focused social enterprises; and other related issues as appropriate. Priority will be given to proposals that include audiences from both within and outside of the Seoul Metropolitan Region. Participants and Audiences: Participants should reflect the United States government’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility - Youth members of climate and sustainability-focused civil society or other independent activist groups - Key influencers, including but not limited to journalists, civil society leaders, academics, regulators, legislative aides, and members of regional governments Program Area 4) Programs to highlight the 70th Anniversary of the U.S.-Korea Mutual Defense Treaty, with a particular focus on exploring the future of the comprehensive security, trade, scientific, and people-to-people cooperation. Applications should include public campaigns and engagements that demonstrate the connection between the comprehensive bilateral alliance and Koreans’ daily lives and livelihoods. Participants and Audiences: Participants should reflect the United States government’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility - Key influencers, including but not limited to journalists, civil society leaders, academics, youth interested in issues relevant to the comprehensive bilateral alliance including: o Trade and shared economic security o Economic cooperation in critical industries (semiconductors, electric vehicles, computing, space, etc.) o Indo-Pacific security and stability o Support for Ukraine o Economic development in the global south o Technological research and development o Democratic shared values and press freedom o Cross-cultural exchange and the cultural economy o Other issues as appropriate

Eligibility

Grants.gov lists this opportunity under eligibility category codes 12, 21, 25. These codes correspond to applicant types (state/local government, tribal organization, nonprofit, educational institution, individual, small business, etc.) defined in Grants.gov's own eligibility reference. See the current Grants.gov eligibility categories or check the official listing below for this opportunity's exact eligibility statement.

Parent Grant Program

Agency Contact

Key Dates