The U.S. Embassy Prague Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce available funding for projects advancing key strategic goals through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program.

Purpose of Small Grants

• The U.S. Embassy Prague Public Diplomacy Section is interested in funding projects that strengthen social, political and cultural ties between the United States and Czech Republic and support their Priority Program Areas.  Projects should specifically target Czech audiences living within the Czech Republic. All programs must:
  • include an American cultural or policy element, or
  • involve a connection with American expert/s, performers, organization/s, or institution/s relevant to the grant project, or
  • promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.
• Examples of successful PAS Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to:
  • Academic or professional lectures, seminars, workshops, discussions and speaker programs by U.S. experts and/or about the United States.
  • Community or civic engagement projects promoting shared U.S.-Czech values.
  • Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, masterclasses by U.S. artists and exhibitions of U.S. works.
  • Professional and academic exchanges and programs to the United States.
  • Project proposals must also support at least one Priority Program Area.

Priority Program Areas

• U.S.-Czech Bilateral Relationship
  • Programs that seek to explain U.S. policies, culture, and values to Czech audiences, resulting in a positive impact on the bilateral relationship.
• Economic Prosperity, Trade and Entrepreneurship
  • Programs that promote and support entrepreneurship, innovation, and/or bilateral trade between the U.S and the Czech Republic.
• Environmental Protection and Stem Education
  • Programs related to climate change, environmental protection, scientific cooperation and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, including programs that promote critical thinking skills.
• Human Rights, Democratic Values and Civil Society
  • Programs that promote human rights, support marginalized groups, encourage gender equality and empowerment of women, and that foster a culture of integration and diversity. Programs that strengthen democratic values of transparency, government accountability, anti-corruption and the rule of law. Programs that encourage strong civic engagement and democratic participation by all sectors of society and that support the development of a thriving civil-society and non-governmental sector.
• Independent Media and Combatting Disinformation
  • Programs that strengthen an independent media, investigative journalism or media literacy among the public, such as programs that counter disinformation or train audiences to recognize disinformation or misinformation online and in news.
• Regional Security, Cyber Security and/or Energy Security
  • Programs that promote energy security, cyber security, and/or their NATO security alliance.

Funding Information

• Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $5,000.00 to a maximum of $24,000.00
• Length of performance period: up to 24 months (12 months is preferred)
• Number of awards anticipated: 60 awarded grants (depending on available funding)

Participants and Audiences

• They seek geographically and demographically diverse audiences within the Czech Republic and prioritize proposals with a significant programming component outside of Prague.  Programs should target adults or teenage audiences primarily (high school and older).

Eligibility Criteria

• The following organizations are eligible to apply:
  • Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with a connection to the Czech Republic
  • Public and non-profit educational institutions with a connection to the Czech Republic
  • Czech governmental institutions and international organizations
  • Individuals with a connection to the Czech Republic
• For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.

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