U.S. Embassy Yerevan PDS Annual Program Statement (Armenia)

The Embassy invites proposals from qualified individuals and organizations for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the United States and Armenia, including cultural and exchange programs that highlight shared values and promote bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert(s), organization(s) or institution(s) in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy, culture, and perspectives.

The APS is a best practice utilized by many U.S. embassies around the world to solicit proposals for funding via an open and transparent competition process.  With few exceptions, awards are made based on open competition. PDS only considers proposals received in response to the Annual Program Statement, and Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOS) posted on Grants.gov and the Embassy website.

Priority Areas

• Championing Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities and Vulnerable Communities:
  • By funding proposals that support social inclusion, strengthen inclusive education, accessibility, or build awareness and opportunities for persons with disabilities, or support inclusion and integration of displaced communities.
• Strengthening U.S.-Armenia Cultural Ties:
  • By funding proposals that promote U.S.-Armenia cultural exchange, including through music, literature, dance, arts, film, and sports; bring together U.S. and Armenian artists and other experts to collaborate, and support artistic and cultural heritage preservation projects that showcase Armenia’s archaeological, cultural, and natural treasures.
• Strengthening Independent Media and Countering Disinformation:
  • By funding proposals that cultivate an independent media environment, champion the rights of all, and help counter disinformation.

Funding Information

• Total Amount Available: $250,000 (pending funding availability).
• Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $150,000.

Costs Covered

• Personnel and Fringe Benefits
• Travel
• Equipment
• Supplies
• Contractual
• Other Direct Costs
• Indirect Costs
• Cost Sharing
• Alcoholic Beverages

Eligible Activities

• Activities that are typically funded include, but are not limited to:
  • Bringing American experts, speakers, performers, or athletes to Armenia;
  • Exhibitions of works by Americans on priority program themes;
  • Arts, cultural and social inclusion programs, particularly those that support underserved communities and/or promote Armenia as a desired destination for tourism and investment.

Ineligible Activities

• Activities that are not typically funded include, but are not limited to:
  • Ongoing salary costs;
  • Office equipment;
  • Paying to complete activities begun with other funds;
  • Projects that are inherently political in nature or that contain the appearance of partisanship/support to individual or single party electoral campaigns;
  • Citizen exchange programs with foreign countries;
  • Social welfare projects;
  • Political party activities;
  • Projects that support specific religious activities;
  • Scientific research;
  • Fundraising campaigns;
  • Commercial projects;
  • Trade activities; and
  • Projects aimed primarily at the institutional development of the organization.

Ineligible Programs

• 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; or
  • Programs that duplicate existing programs.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Public Diplomacy Section encourages applications from U.S. and Armenian:
  • Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non- governmental
  • Organizations with programming experience
  • Individuals (citizens of United States and Armenia)
  • Non-profit or governmental educational institutions
  • Governmental institutions

Ineligibility Criteria

• For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.

Application Requirements

• Content of Application:
  • 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 on 8 ½ x 11 paper,
    • All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12-point Calibri font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.