American Spaces Small Grants Program 2024 – Philippines

PAS Philippines invites individuals and non-profit organizations to submit project proposals to carry out monthly programming at the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines’ American Center for a one-year period. The American Center is part of the sixteen American Spaces network in the Philippines. American Spaces are the U.S. government’s primary public cultural and information centers abroad that provide free and open access for communities worldwide interested in learning more about the United States. Through people-to-people connections and modern environments equipped with advanced technologies, over 600 American Spaces in 140 countries serve as the initial experience that millions of global visitors have with the United States, building mutual understanding and partnership. These innovative hubs offer programs and events that foster learning, discussion, and civic engagement around democratic principles.

Priority Areas

• Promote English Language Teaching and Learning: Build the skills of English language teachers and promote English language learning in all demographic sectors.
• Skills Development Programs: Empower young and professional audiences to develop skills in a wide array of areas that will help them meet local and global challenges and support inclusive and sustainable economic growth and opportunity.
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics: Prepare students with 21st century skills needed to succeed in their careers during the Information Age by engaging them in existing global competitions such as Technovation Girls and NASA Space Apps Challenge hackathon.
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility: Provide guidance and resources to empower youth to promote effective change in their communities particularly on topics related to disability, sexual orientation, cultural sensitivity, ethnicity, social justice, racial equity, and managing biases.
• Media Literacy: Develop the ability of youth to identify and combat misinformation and disinformation especially on online platforms while supporting them to become responsible digital citizens.
• Environmental Conservation: Increase awareness on pressing environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, deforestation, biodiversity loss, food waste, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Funding Information

• Total Available Funding: $20,000.
• Award Amount: Up to $20,000
• The length of the performance period is 12 to 24 months
• Proposed programs are usually completed in one year or less, but it may be extended in special circumstances. PAS Philippines will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a noncompetitive basis. This is 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.

Types of Projects

• Examples of projects include, but are not limited to:
  • An incubation program empowering youth to become environmentally conscious entrepreneurs committed to sustainability.
  • A good governance workshop training local government unit youth council members to become accountable and conscientious public servants.
  • A science camp where participants are given hands-on training to stimulating STEM topics and innovative content such as artificial intelligence, coding, robotics, 3D modelling and printing.
  • A media seminar for campus journalists equipping them with skills to combat misinformation and disinformation.
  • Participation in global science competitions such as Technovation Girls and NASA Space Apps Challenge hackathon.
• The primary target audience are young Filipinos, aged 18 – 30 and the principal method of engagement will be through in-person programming at the American Center located at the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines. Virtual engagement may be a part of the overall strategy as a supplementary activity supporting in-person engagements. Preference will be given to proposals that prioritize and maximize the needs of Filipino public-school students and teachers while limiting overhead, equipment, and other expenses that do not directly support program participants.

Ineligible Funding

• Please note that the following types of programs are NOT eligible for funding:
  • Programs relating to partisan political activity;
  • Charitable, humanitarian, or development activities;
  • Construction programs;
  • Programs that support specific religious activities;
  • Fund-raising campaigns or programs charging a fee for participation;
  • Lobbying for specific legislation or programs;
  • Scientific research;
  • Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of an organization; or
  • Programs that duplicate existing programs;
  • Activities that take place in the United States and its territories;
  • Programs with alcohol, excessive meals, refreshments, or entertainment; and
  • Individual scholarships.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Public Affairs Section encourages applications from individuals and non-profit organizations situated in the U.S. and the Philippines. Commercial or for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply. Cost-sharing or matching is not required for this funding opportunity. Pre-award costs are not an allowable expense for this funding opportunity. Applications may be submitted for consideration at any time on or before the closing date of this funding opportunity.
• In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.