Call for Applications: New Zealand Public Diplomacy Grant Program

PDS New Zealand welcomes Statements of Interest from eligible parties from New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau for programs up to 24 months in duration that focus on certain priority areas. Proposals should focus on enhancing existing relationships and creating new pathways for engagement between the United States and the Pacific Region.

Preference will be given to ambitious proposals that include multiple components addressing a core priority over an extended period of time. Applications will be considered from not-for-profit organizations, individuals, public and private educational institutions, government entities, and Public International Organizations.

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

Objectives

• Connecting Creatives: Elevate the voices of emerging and established cultural leaders from indigenous communities in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, and the United States working in creative industries. Engage artists and experts to educate and share talent, expertise, culture, and democratic values. Enable creation of inclusive and collaborative professional and social networks and opportunities for artists and institutions that build lasting and meaningful connections.
• Enhancing Economic Resilience through Diversification and Innovation: Create opportunities for partnerships between individuals and organizations in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, and the United States. in the field of critical and emerging technologies, creating opportunities for innovation, diversification, growth, and collaboration in the tech sector.
• Leveraging the Full Potential of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Education Opportunities: Expand STEM education focus and encourage the creation of more job opportunities in STEM fields within New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau to increase pathways to future employment for New Zealanders to ensure economic prosperity and global competitiveness.
• Conservation for Prosperity: Advance efforts to protect the unique biodiversity and ecology of New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau, including sustainable ecotourism.

Funding Information

• Total available funding: $350,000 pending funding availability
• Grant amount: Awards may range from a minimum of $25,000 to a maximum of $75,000
• Duration: up to 24 months.

Eligibility Criteria

• The following organizations are eligible to apply:
  • Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations from New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, and the United States.
  • Public and private educational institutions in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, and the United States.
  • Individuals from New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, and the United States.
  • Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions from New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau.

Ineligibility Criteria

• The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:
  • Programs relating to partisan political activity;
  • Charitable or development activities;
  • Construction programs;
  • Programs that support specific religious activities;
  • Fund-raising campaigns;
  • Lobbying for specific legislation or programs;
  • Scientific research;
  • Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization;
  • Individual participation in a conference; or
  • Programs that duplicate existing programs.

Application Requirements

• Successful applications will:
  • Include a clear statement of the project’s goals and objectives.
  • Identify priority audiences.
  • Describe activities that will address specific aspects of PDS New Zealand’s priorities.
  • Have a public outreach component, whether it be working with schools, holding events that are open to the public, or include a public messaging campaign, etc.
• Provide a monitoring plan that:
  • Defines how you will track the project’s progress.
  • Details how to evaluate the project’s impact on the priority audience.
  • Outlines a list of milestones in the program that can be used to monitor the program.
  • Includes a timeline for evaluations and who will complete it.
• Please ensure:
  • The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity
  • All documents are in English
  • All budgets are in U.S. dollars
  • All pages are numbered
  • All documents are formatted to A4 paper, and
  • All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12-point Calibri font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy & Consulate in New Zealand, Cook Islands and Niue.