Opportunity Information: Apply for PDS BJL FY24 APS
The U.S. Embassy Banjul Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), part of the U.S. Department of State, is offering funding through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program under an Annual Program Statement (APS). This grant opportunity is designed to support public diplomacy and people-to-people programs in The Gambia that deepen cultural ties and strengthen mutual understanding between the United States and The Gambia. Because it is an APS, it functions as a yearly notice that lays out what the Embassy is looking to fund, the themes it prioritizes, and the required process for submitting proposals.
The core purpose of the program is to fund cultural and exchange activities that highlight shared values and encourage bilateral cooperation. Proposed projects are expected to do more than simply deliver local programming; they should clearly connect participants to U.S. culture, expertise, institutions, or perspectives in a way that improves understanding of U.S. policy and viewpoints. A key requirement is that every project include a clear American element. That can take the form of an American cultural component, a partnership with a U.S. organization or institution, or participation by American experts or practitioners in the relevant field. The Embassy is essentially prioritizing programs that create real engagement between Gambian audiences and credible U.S. voices, rather than programs that are purely domestic in design and delivery.
Eligibility is fairly broad and includes a range of organizational and individual applicants. Registered not-for-profit entities are eligible, including think tanks and civil society or non-governmental organizations with demonstrated programming experience. Individuals may apply as well, along with non-profit media organizations, professional trade organizations, and non-profit or governmental educational institutions. This wide eligibility suggests the Embassy is open to proposals from many sectors, as long as the program goals align with public diplomacy outcomes and the project can be executed responsibly.
In terms of grant specifics, this is a discretionary grant (meaning awards are competitive and not guaranteed) and uses the grant funding instrument type. The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Mission to Gambia, falls under CFDA number 19.040, and is categorized under “Other” for funding activity. The award ceiling is $15,000 per award, and the Embassy anticipates making around five awards. The opportunity was created on May 8, 2024, with an original closing date of June 8, 2024, indicating a relatively short application window and the need for applicants to follow the posted instructions closely.
Overall, this opportunity is best suited for applicants who can propose a focused, realistic project within a small-grants budget, demonstrate a credible U.S. connection (people, institutions, or cultural content), and show how the activities will strengthen U.S.-Gambia ties through exchange, dialogue, skills-building, or cultural programming that advances mutual understanding and cooperation.Apply for PDS BJL FY24 APS
- The U.S. Mission to Gambia in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Banjul PDS Annual Program Statement" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-05-08.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-06-08. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $15,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - U.S. Embassy Banjul Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program (APS)
1) What is this grant opportunity?
This is a funding opportunity from the U.S. Embassy Banjul Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), part of the U.S. Department of State, offered through the Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program under an Annual Program Statement (APS). It supports public diplomacy and people-to-people programs in The Gambia that deepen cultural ties and strengthen mutual understanding between the United States and The Gambia.
2) What does it mean that this is an Annual Program Statement (APS)?
An APS functions as a yearly notice that explains what the Embassy is looking to fund, the themes it prioritizes, and the required process for submitting proposals. In other words, it is a standing annual framework for submitting competitive proposals aligned with Embassy public diplomacy goals.
3) What is the main purpose of the Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program?
The program is intended to fund cultural and exchange activities that highlight shared values and encourage bilateral cooperation. The focus is on strengthening U.S.-Gambia ties through engagement that improves mutual understanding.
4) What types of projects are a good fit for this program?
Projects that are a good fit are public diplomacy and people-to-people programs in The Gambia that deepen cultural ties, support exchange and dialogue, and strengthen mutual understanding between Gambian audiences and the United States. Projects should be focused, realistic, and feasible within a small-grants budget.
5) What outcomes is the Embassy looking for?
The Embassy is looking for projects that go beyond local programming and clearly connect participants to U.S. culture, expertise, institutions, or perspectives in a way that improves understanding of U.S. policy and viewpoints and strengthens U.S.-Gambia relationships.
6) Is an "American element" required in every project?
Yes. A key requirement is that every project include a clear American element. Proposals are expected to show a credible and meaningful connection to the United States.
7) What counts as a "clear American element"?
The American element can take several forms, including an American cultural component, a partnership with a U.S. organization or institution, or participation by American experts or practitioners in the relevant field.
8) Are projects that are purely domestic eligible?
The opportunity description indicates that the Embassy is prioritizing programs that create real engagement between Gambian audiences and credible U.S. voices, rather than programs that are purely domestic in design and delivery. Proposals should demonstrate a clear U.S. connection.
9) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include registered not-for-profit entities (including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with demonstrated programming experience), individuals, non-profit media organizations, professional trade organizations, and non-profit or governmental educational institutions.
10) Can individuals apply, or is it only for organizations?
Individuals may apply, according to the eligibility information provided.
11) Can NGOs and civil society organizations apply?
Yes. Registered not-for-profit entities such as civil society and non-governmental organizations are eligible if they have demonstrated programming experience.
12) Can educational institutions apply?
Yes. Non-profit or governmental educational institutions are included in the eligible applicant categories.
13) Can media organizations apply?
Yes. Non-profit media organizations are listed among the eligible applicant types.
14) What is the funding instrument type?
The opportunity uses a grant as the funding instrument type.
15) Is this funding guaranteed if an organization applies?
No. This is described as a discretionary grant, meaning awards are competitive and not guaranteed.
16) How much funding is available per award?
The award ceiling is $15,000 per award.
17) How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?
The Embassy anticipates making around five awards.
18) Who is the issuing agency?
The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Mission to Gambia through the U.S. Embassy Banjul Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), which is part of the U.S. Department of State.
19) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity falls under CFDA number 19.040.
20) What is the funding activity category?
The opportunity is categorized under "Other" for the funding activity.
21) When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was created on May 8, 2024.
22) What was the application deadline?
The original closing date listed is June 8, 2024, indicating a short application window.
23) Where do projects need to take place?
The opportunity is designed to support public diplomacy and people-to-people programs in The Gambia.
24) What should applicants emphasize in their proposals?
Applicants should emphasize (1) a focused and realistic project plan suitable for a small grant, (2) a credible American element (people, institutions, or cultural content), and (3) a clear explanation of how the project will strengthen U.S.-Gambia ties through exchange, dialogue, skills-building, or cultural programming that advances mutual understanding and cooperation.
25) What should applicants avoid based on the program description?
Applicants should avoid proposing programs that are purely domestic in design and delivery without a clear connection to U.S. culture, expertise, institutions, or perspectives, since the Embassy is prioritizing real engagement with credible U.S. voices and viewpoints.
26) Why does the opportunity mention "U.S. policy and viewpoints"?
The description states that proposed projects should connect participants to U.S. culture, expertise, institutions, or perspectives in a way that improves understanding of U.S. policy and viewpoints. This reflects the public diplomacy objective of strengthening mutual understanding through credible engagement.
27) What general approach is the Embassy prioritizing?
The Embassy is prioritizing people-to-people engagement and public diplomacy outcomes that strengthen mutual understanding, highlight shared values, and encourage bilateral cooperation between the United States and The Gambia, with a clear U.S. connection built into every project.
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