Overview
The Public Diplomacy Section (PD) of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada, U.S. Department of State administers a Public Diplomacy Grants Program. Awards are granted through project-specific Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs). This notice is subject to availability of funding.
PD Canada invites proposals for programs that promote bilateral cooperation and highlight shared values. All programs must include an American perspective, societal or 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. policies and perspectives. Grants available through this program are intended to serve as one-time opportunities that can help launch projects that should be sustainable after the project period is over. They CANNOT be used to support on-going operational costs, construction, scientific research, partisan political activity, trade activities, fund-raising campaigns, or commercial products. Further restrictions may apply.
Department of State grant programs are governed by the Code of Federal Regulations, particularly as found at 2CFR200. Interested applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with applicable requirements. Additional detailed guidance and resources are contained in the NOFOs and are available throughout this section. Please check this page periodically for announcements and updates. All questions about the grants programs should be sent to ottawa-pa@state.gov.
COVID-19 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL POTENTIAL APPLICANTS:
Applicants are encouraged to consider the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on travel and public gatherings in Canada when developing programs and submitting proposals. Proposals should detail the applicant’s plan to execute either a virtual, in-person, or hybrid program, depending upon the public health restrictions in force at the time the program takes place.
Eligibility
PD Canada encourages applications from the United States and Canada. U.S. organizations must partner with a Canadian organization. For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply. Cost sharing is not required.
The following organizations or individuals are eligible to apply:
- Canadian not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
- U.S. not-for-profit organizations with a partner in Canada
- Public and private educational institutions
- Public international organizations and governmental institutions
- Individuals (note that for-profit organizations are not eligible for this notice of funding opportunity. By extension, this means that an employee or owner of a for-profit organization may not apply as an individual solely to circumvent this restriction. If applying as an individual, you must include in your application an explanation of why you are uniquely qualified as an individual applicant).
Diversity and Inclusion Guidelines:
Programs, speakers, and participants should be representative of the diversity of political, social, and cultural life in the United States and abroad. ‘Diversity’ should be interpreted in the broadest sense and encompass differences including race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Proposals should demonstrate how diversity will enhance the program’s goals and objectives.
Submission Dates
The PD Grants Committee will review proposals based on the following schedule. The PD Grants Committee recommends that applicants submit proposals three to six months in advance of the project start date.
Round 1 (no longer accepting applications)
| Funding opportunity published | December 16, 2022 |
| Phase 1: Statement of Interest deadline | January 17, 2023, 11:59 pm EST |
| Phase 2: successful candidate email notifications | On or before January 30, 2023 |
| Phase 2: virtual interviews | On or before February 6, 2023 |
| Phase 3: successful candidates email notifications | On or before February 13, 2023 |
| Phase 3: full application packages deadline | On or before February 27, 2023 |
| Selected proposal notifications via email | On or before March 13, 2023 |
Round 2 is cancelled. The U.S. Mission to Canada will not be running a Grants Competition in Spring.
Round 3 is cancelled. The U.S. Mission to Canada will not be running a Grants Competition in Summer.
All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain the following registrations. All are free of charge.
- Valid SAM.gov registration
