Open Call: Makerspace, Technology, and Innovation Programs (Israel)

America Hub Israel is a U.S. Embassy-affiliated educational and cultural institution that seeks to connect a diverse range of Israeli citizens to the values that underpin American society—democracy, diversity and inclusion, civic engagement, and innovation. The Hub prioritizes engagement with students and young professionals 15- to 35-years old through a wide variety of programming and via strategic partnerships.

The Hub’s programs include cultural offerings, lectures, panel discussions, information sessions, skills building courses, and educational workshops on the subjects of democratic values, the American experience, U.S.-Israel relations, diplomacy, technology and innovation, social entrepreneurship, English, leadership, and higher education in the United States.

Objectives

• Proposals should incorporate use of the Hub’s experiential learning technologies to create immersive, interactive learning experiences that accomplish one or more of the following:
  • Promote shared society values and conditions conducive to Israeli-Palestinian peace;
  • Strengthen the U.S.-Israel economic relationship while providing crucial skills to participants and encouraging the economic advancement of diverse communities;
  • Showcase U.S. methodologies, expertise, policies, culture, and/or values as a core element of its curriculum.
• Grantees will have access to the Hub’s makerspace technologies, including 3D printers, a laser cutter, carpentry equipment, and electronic kits, as well as its Imagine Box and virtual reality headsets as appropriate.  All additional necessary makerspace materials and supplies should be provided by the grantee.

Program Goals 

• America Hub Israel’s makerspace and technology programs are designed to provide participants with hands-on learning experiences that actively engage audiences and encourage them to leverage technology to solve problems and drive innovation in their communities, with the goals of:
  • Advancing the values of democracy, diversity and inclusion, civic engagement, and innovation;
  • Enhancing U.S.-Israel cooperation on technology and innovation;
  • Promoting understanding of U.S.-Israel relations and U.S. foreign policy priorities;
  • Creating communities and networks of youth and young professionals that support the goals of the Hub and U.S. Embassy Jerusalem;
  • Serving as a safe space for Jewish and Arab groups to meet and pursue mutual goals.

Funding Information

• Total Available Funding: Approximately $100,000 USD
• Length of Performance Period: Up to one year, depending on the program item
• Number of Awards Anticipated: 1-5 awards

Program Content

• The Hub will accept proposals which address one or several of the needs below:
  • High School Makerspace Workshops – Expected budget: up to $35,000
    • Develop curriculum and facilitate a makerspace program series for Jewish and Arab high school students 15-18 years old that will teach participants how to leverage technology to solve problems and drive innovation in their communities. Proposals should deliver at least eight series.
  • Maker Community for Young Professionals – Expected budget: up to $30,000
    • Develop and lead 1-2 communities of young professionals who meet on a weekly basis at the Hub over a six-month period to create open source, affordable solutions for people with disabilities (known as “need knowers,”) in partnership with accessibility advocacy organizations and according to the Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM) methodology.
  • Makerspace Manager – Expected budget: up to $35,000
    • Grantee will contract a makerspace expert to manage the Hub’s makerspace activities for diverse youth and young professionals 15- to 35-years old, including weekly Makerspace Open Hours, for a total of 20 hours per week over a 10-month period.
  • Makerspace and Technology Summer Camp – Estimated budget: up to $10,000
    • Develop and deliver one five-day makerspace and technology summer camp at the Hub for 20 diverse youth 15-17 years old, to take place in July 2025.  The summer camp, which should last approximately 6 hours per day, will teach participants U.S. design thinking methodology, with the goal of encouraging participants to leverage technology to solve problems and drive innovation in their communities.
  • Imagine Box Content Development – Estimated budget: up to $20,000
    • Develop 3-5 interactive experiences emphasizing U.S. cultural norms, U.S. locations, U.S. educational institutions, and/or English language learning that incorporate Athena Fund Imagine Box immersive room technology.

Funding Restrictions

• The following types of projects are not eligible for funding:
  • Projects relating to partisan political activity
  • Charitable or development activities
  • Construction projects
  • Projects that support specific religious activities or promote only one faith/religion
  • Fundraising campaigns
  • Lobbying for specific legislation or projects
  • Academic or scientific research
  • Projects intended primarily for the growth/institutional development or maintenance of the applicant organization or its partner organizations
  • Unsolicited proposals

Program Audiences 

• Israeli high school students 15-18 years old from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate potential as future leaders, innovators, and civically engaged members of society;
• Israeli young professionals interested in technology and social/civic innovation.

Eligibility Criteria

• Local and international:
  • Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
  • Public and private educational institutions
  • Individuals
• For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
• To be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number.

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Israel.