U.S. Mission to France Small Grants Program

Purpose of Small Grants Program

• The U.S. Department of State provides funding for well-conceived programs that support U.S. Mission to France’s strategic priorities. Proposed programs should strengthen bilateral ties between the United States, promote increased understanding of the United States among the French public, and include a clear connection with the United States. All programs must include a U.S. element or a connection, which could include collaboration/cooperation with experts, private or public organizations, or institutions from the United States in a one of their priority field.
• Examples of PDS Small Grants Program projects include, but are not limited to:
  • Academic and professional lectures; seminars, and expert speaker programs.
  • Science and technology learning and instruction for teachers, students.
  • Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions.
  • Skills and capacity building sessions and/or trainings for professionals in both public and private sectors.

Priority Program Areas

• The U.S. Mission to France Public Diplomacy Section seeks to engage the general public, students, decision-makers, civil society leaders, and opinion-shapers at all levels of French society in the fields of information, security, economy, culture, and education. The goal is to provide a better understanding of U.S. policies, culture, history, society, and values. Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate a proven commitment to inclusion of diverse voices, including from varied socio-economic and geographical backgrounds, and gender equality.
• Priority programmatic themes for the U.S. Mission to France include:
  • Security and Defense: Activities that promote transatlantic security; combat transnational, regional, and global challenges, such as terrorism, racially, ethnically, and/or religiously motivated violent extremism, or cyber threats; and encourage resistance to malign influence and disinformation.
  • Foreign Policy: Activities that promote understanding of U.S. foreign policy priorities and Franco-American foreign policy cooperation among the French public and influencers.
  • Civic Education and Media Literacy: Activities that support involvement of young people in the civic life of their country and building a sense of shared values and responsibilities of citizenship, especially across ethnic, religious, and socio-economic divisions. Activities that build media literacy and resilience to misinformation.
  • Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability: Activities that encourage understanding of climate change, promote civic activities supporting environmental sustainability, promote innovation and economic opportunity related to climate change, and demonstrate how America and France can work together to achieve their climate goals.
  • Prosperity, Trade, and Investment: Activities that encourage a nuanced understanding of U.S. agricultural practices and industries, support the expansion of U.S. exports and investments, improve the connections between U.S. and French businesses, and/or expand economic opportunities, entrepreneurship, and financial independence among women, youth, and underserved populations.
  • Health, Technology and Innovation: Activities that support cooperation in such areas as health, space exploration, agricultural technology, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship. This could include promoting the use of new technologies for social, academic, or economic development.
  • Shared Democratic Values and Interests: Non-partisan activities that promote the long history of the U.S.-France relationship and build people-to-people ties based on their shared history and democratic values, promoting human rights and bringing to the forefront issues facing minority and disenfranchised communities. This could include but is but not limited to commemorations of key historic events such as the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of France.
  • Cultural Diplomacy: Activities promoting U.S. culture, building on shared U.S.- French appreciation for cultural excellence through culinary traditions, art, film, sports, fashion, literature, and other cultural forms.

Funding Information

• Total available funding: $100,000.00 pending availability of funding.
• Award amounts: $5,000.00 to $24,999.00
• Length of performance period: Up to 12 months.
• Number of awards anticipated: 5 to 25 awards (dependent on amounts).
• Anticipated program start date: Application must be submitted at least 3 (three) months before project start date.

Participants and Audiences

• All applicants must stipulate who their target audience is (age/gender/geographic breakdown) and estimate the expected audience reach through direct contact and, if possible, through indirect contact (via social media or traditional media)

Eligibility Criteria

• The Public Diplomacy Section encourages applications from the U.S. and France:
  • Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience.
  • Non-profit educational institutions.
  • Governmental institutions.
  • Applications from organizations that include alumni of U.S. Government exchange programs are highly encouraged.
• For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply

Ineligible

• 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.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.