Annual Program Statement – Public Diplomacy Programs with Chile | PAS STG FY21

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS STG FY21

The Annual Program Statement for Public Diplomacy Programs with Chile is a funding opportunity run by the U.S. Embassy in Santiago through its Public Affairs Section (PAS) Small Grants Program. The overall goal is to support projects that strengthen ties between the United States and Chile through cultural and educational exchange-style programming that highlights shared values and encourages bilateral cooperation. A core requirement is that every project has a clear U.S. cultural element or a substantive connection to the United States, such as participation by U.S. experts, partnerships with U.S. organizations or institutions, or use of U.S. approaches and best practices. The intent is not only cultural engagement, but also increased understanding of U.S. perspectives and policy-related themes through practical, people-to-people activities.

Because the announcement was issued during the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants were expected to design proposals that can work even when travel and large gatherings are limited. Proposals could still describe a traditional in-person plan, but they needed to include a credible virtual option that would allow the project to meet the same goals under public health restrictions. The Embassy encouraged remote or online delivery methods, virtual promotion, and virtual follow-up with participants and audiences. Applicants were asked to submit two separate budgets to reflect cost differences between a normal operating environment and a restricted, virtual-heavy environment.

The types of activities envisioned are fairly broad, as long as they align with public diplomacy and include a U.S. component. Examples named in the notice include speaking tours or public talks by U.S. experts, roundtables linking U.S. and Chilean counterparts, programs that build long-term academic collaboration between U.S. and Chilean universities or technical institutions, and joint U.S.-Chile conferences or meetings (virtual or in person) that share U.S. expertise. The Embassy also highlighted English language promotion projects such as conversation clubs, coding camps that integrate English, academic writing support, curriculum development, and English for specific purposes. Creative projects that use social media or virtual engagement to extend reach and amplify impact were also encouraged, especially when they reinforce one or more priority areas.

PAS stated that it would give preference to proposals that fit specific priority themes. These include academic collaboration and higher-education internationalization; combating disinformation through media literacy, investigative journalism, and stronger media and civil society capacity; cultural exchanges with an emphasis on underserved audiences outside Santiago; English language proficiency, especially English connected to entrepreneurship and STEM fields; entrepreneurship training that uses U.S. models and expands opportunities for women and minorities while building U.S.-Chile startup connections or supporting social impact investment; science and technology cooperation focused on climate/environment, astronomy, and STEM/STEAM, with particular attention to increasing womens participation; social inclusion efforts that expand equal rights and opportunities for immigrants, LGBTI individuals, people with disabilities, indigenous communities, and racial minorities; and projects that strengthen democratic institutions through civic education, participation, and work on transnational challenges tied to democratic processes.

In terms of who should apply and who benefits, the program is oriented toward non-profit and educational/civic actors in both countries. PAS indicated it would consider a wide range of U.S. and Chilean non-profit organizations and also listed individuals and educational institutions as eligible, while making clear that for-profit or commercial entities and government agencies (as recipients) are not eligible under this specific call. In selection, the Embassy said it would prioritize applicants with a proven track record delivering strong cultural and educational programs, proposals that show long-term sustainability beyond the grant period, and projects that intentionally build gender parity and include underserved communities and regions outside the capital. In practice, that means competitive proposals would normally show credible partners, a clear audience strategy that is not Santiago-centric, and outcomes that can continue after the grant ends.

The announcement also lays out what the Embassy will not fund. Ineligible categories include partisan political activities, charitable or development aid work, construction, religious activities, fundraising campaigns, lobbying for legislation, and scientific research. It also excludes projects mainly intended to grow the applicant organization itself rather than deliver public programming, as well as general social welfare or charity projects, investments that primarily benefit a small number of businesses or individuals, and scholarships for English study outside official State Department English scholarship channels. Other exclusions include exchanges involving countries other than the United States and Chile, programs primarily for children under 16, and proposals that duplicate existing programs.

Financially, this opportunity used FY2021 public diplomacy funding authorized under Smith-Mundt. The total funding pool was listed as about $400,000, with an expectation of roughly 15 awards depending on award sizes. Individual awards were anticipated to range from $10,000 to $50,000, with project periods from 1 to 24 months, and a general expectation that projects finish within two years. Awards could be structured as grants, fixed amount awards, or cooperative agreements. The cooperative agreement option matters because it signals more active Embassy involvement in implementation, such as collaboration during execution, stage-by-stage approvals, review of key subawards or contracts, and approval of the work plan or budget prior to award. The anticipated start timeframe referenced was March 2021, contingent on funding availability, and continuation funding beyond the initial period was possible on a non-competitive basis if funds remained available and performance was strong.

Applications were accepted on a rolling basis, reviewed every 90 days, with submissions allowed up until September 1, 2021. PAS indicated that successful applicants would often hear back within about two weeks after the relevant review deadline (or when funds became available), but that finalizing an award and disbursing funds could take one to two months. Because of that timeline, applicants were encouraged to apply four to six months before their planned start date. Cost sharing was not required, which lowers the barrier for smaller organizations, but proposals still needed to present realistic budgets and measurable plans.

The submission process was document-heavy and compliance-focused. Applications had to be in English, with budgets in U.S. dollars, and they had to be submitted through a specified online form. Required components included a signed proposal submission checklist, the SF-424 (or SF-424-I for individuals), the SF-424A budget form, a detailed budget narrative, a monitoring and evaluation plan, and a project narrative responding to required questions. The notice stressed that incomplete or non-compliant submissions would not be reviewed. Organizations (but not individuals) also needed federal registrations to be eligible for an award, including a DUNS number, an NCAGE/CAGE code, and an active SAM.gov registration. The Embassy cautioned that registration can take up to five weeks and cannot be expedited by the Embassy, so applicants had to start early. Finally, the funding restrictions noted that grant funds could not be used for alcohol, construction, vehicle purchases, property, or costs incurred before the award start date, reinforcing that funds are meant for program delivery during the approved performance period.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Chile in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Annual Program Statement – Public Diplomacy Programs with Chile" 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 28, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 01, 2021. (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 $50,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for PAS STG FY21

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