Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS ANTAN FY20
The U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo, through its Public Affairs Section (PAS), is offering funding under its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program through an Annual Program Statement (APS). This opportunity is designed to support projects that strengthen exchange and engagement between the United States and Madagascar or the Comoros, with the broader goal of improving mutual respect and understanding. The APS format means the Embassy is not calling for one single type of project; instead, it lays out the Embassy's funding priorities and strategic themes for the year and explains how to submit proposals for consideration.
Projects must have a clear American connection. In practice, that means the Embassy will only consider proposals that include a meaningful American cultural element or a direct linkage to U.S. experts, U.S.-based organizations, or U.S. institutions in a relevant field. The purpose of that American component is not just symbolic; it should actively contribute to better understanding of U.S. policy, perspectives, and society while also supporting constructive people-to-people ties. Competitive proposals typically show a well-defined plan for engagement (for example, speakers, workshops, collaborative programming, exchanges, or other forms of structured interaction) and explain how the American element will be integrated into the program outcomes.
Funding is provided through either grants or cooperative agreements, depending on the level of anticipated Embassy involvement in project implementation. The activity areas highlighted for support include arts, education, and environment, with room for other categories when justified by the proposal. The program anticipates making a small number of awards, with an expected total of about four awards, and a maximum award size (ceiling) of $25,000 per project, indicating that the program is intended for smaller, targeted public diplomacy initiatives rather than large-scale development projects.
Eligibility is broad in the sense that PAS expects to fund a mix of implementers, including individuals, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions. The listing signals that there may be additional eligibility details in the full announcement, but at a high level the Embassy is looking for applicants capable of organizing credible public diplomacy programming and managing U.S. government funds responsibly. Proposals should follow the APS instructions closely, since compliance with submission requirements is emphasized.
Timing and deadlines are important for this announcement. The opportunity was created on December 23, 2019, and the original closing date is August 15, 2020. Because the U.S. government fiscal year ends on September 30, the Embassy notes an additional planning constraint: requests received after June 30, 2020 must be submitted no later than August 15, 2020. Applications submitted after August 15, 2020 will be returned, and applicants will be encouraged to submit under the next year's APS instead. This is essentially a firm cut-off to ensure awards can be processed within the fiscal year cycle.
Overall, this grant opportunity is best understood as a small-grants public diplomacy fund run by the U.S. Mission to Madagascar, aimed at programs that build U.S.-Madagascar or U.S.-Comoros connections through concrete activities, incorporate an authentic American partner or American content, and fit within arts, education, environment, or other clearly justified public diplomacy themes, with awards up to $25,000 and a limited number of total awards expected.Apply for PAS ANTAN FY20
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Madagascar in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), education, environment, other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Antananarivo PAS 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 Dec 23, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 15, 2020 Since September 31 is the end of the U.S. government fiscal year, any requests received after June 30, 2020 must be submitted by August 15, 2020. Proposals received after August 15, 2020 will be returned, with the submitter invited to resubmit the application under the following year#8217s Annual Program Statement as applicable.. (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 $25,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is the U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo Public Affairs Section (PAS) Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program, offered through an Annual Program Statement (APS). It supports public diplomacy projects that strengthen exchange and engagement between the United States and Madagascar or the Comoros, with the broader goal of improving mutual respect and understanding.
What does it mean that this is an "Annual Program Statement (APS)"?
An APS is not a single, one-time call for one specific project type. Instead, it describes the Embassy's funding priorities and strategic themes for the year and explains how organizations or individuals can submit proposals for consideration across those priorities.
Who is running this program?
The program is run by the U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo through its Public Affairs Section (PAS).
What kinds of projects does the Embassy want to fund?
The APS highlights activity areas such as arts, education, and environment. It also leaves room for other categories when the proposal clearly justifies them as strong public diplomacy programming aligned with the Embassy's goals.
What is the main goal of the program?
The goal is to improve mutual respect and understanding by supporting projects that strengthen exchange and engagement between the United States and Madagascar or the Comoros, including constructive people-to-people ties.
Do projects need a U.S. or "American" connection?
Yes. Projects must have a clear American connection. The Embassy will only consider proposals that include a meaningful American cultural element or a direct linkage to U.S. experts, U.S.-based organizations, or U.S. institutions in a relevant field.
What counts as a meaningful American connection?
Based on the description provided, a meaningful connection can include an American cultural element or direct engagement with U.S. experts, U.S. organizations, or U.S. institutions. The American component should actively contribute to understanding of U.S. policy, perspectives, and society, not just be included symbolically.
What makes a proposal more competitive under this APS?
Competitive proposals typically include a well-defined plan for engagement and explain how the American element will be integrated into program outcomes. Examples of engagement mentioned include speakers, workshops, collaborative programming, exchanges, or other structured interaction.
What funding instruments are used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
Funding may be provided through either grants or cooperative agreements. The choice depends on the level of anticipated Embassy involvement in implementing the project.
How much funding can an individual project receive?
The maximum award size (ceiling) is $25,000 per project.
How many awards does the program expect to make?
The program anticipates making a small number of awards, with an expected total of about four awards.
Is this intended for large development projects?
No. The $25,000 ceiling and the framing as a "Small Grants Program" indicate it is intended for smaller, targeted public diplomacy initiatives rather than large-scale development projects.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. PAS expects to fund a mix of implementers, including individuals, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions. The announcement notes there may be additional eligibility details in the full announcement.
What capabilities should applicants have?
At a high level, applicants should be able to organize credible public diplomacy programming and manage U.S. government funds responsibly. The APS emphasizes following submission instructions closely.
Where should the project focus geographically?
The opportunity is designed to support projects that strengthen exchange and engagement between the United States and Madagascar or the Comoros.
What are the key dates and deadlines?
The opportunity was created on December 23, 2019. The original closing date is August 15, 2020.
Is there any special timing rule related to the U.S. government fiscal year?
Yes. Because the U.S. government fiscal year ends on September 30, the Embassy notes that requests received after June 30, 2020 must be submitted no later than August 15, 2020 to allow time for processing within the fiscal year cycle.
What happens if an application is submitted after August 15, 2020?
Applications submitted after August 15, 2020 will be returned, and applicants will be encouraged to submit under the next year's APS instead.
Is the August 15, 2020 deadline a firm cutoff?
Yes. The announcement describes that applications submitted after August 15, 2020 will be returned, indicating a firm cutoff for that APS cycle.
Are applicants required to follow specific proposal instructions?
Yes. The APS emphasizes that proposals should follow the APS instructions closely and that compliance with submission requirements is important.
What is the overall purpose of including American content or partners in the project?
The American component should actively contribute to better understanding of U.S. policy, perspectives, and society, while also supporting constructive people-to-people ties between the United States and Madagascar or the Comoros.
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