The U.S. Embassy Bamako Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. Please carefully follow all the instructions in the Annual Program Statement document and submit your complete proposal to PASBamako@state.gov. Most successful proposals will be for dollar amounts under $75,000, although highly compelling proposals for larger dollar amounts will occasionally be considered if adequate funding allows. The average award will be for less than $25,000. All received proposals will be reviewed according to the deadline schedule listed in the Application and Submission section below, subject to timely availability of funding. Please note the following requirements in addition to those listed in the Annual Program Statement.
- Programs must have a connection to the United States, whether by the involvement of an American person or institution, or through the promotion of an aspect of American culture.
- Proposals must be submitted in English and budgets must be in U.S. dollars.
- Programs must address one of the key priorities listed below.
- All proposals must include a monitoring and evaluation plan.
- Complete application packets must be sent to PASBamako@state.gov.
- Incomplete proposals or those submitted in a language other than English will not be considered by the Review Panel.
Purpose of Small Grants
PAS Bamako invites proposals for projects that strengthen ties between the United States and Mali by promoting bilateral cooperation and highlighting shared values and shared interests. All programs must advance one of the key priorities listed below and must promote an element of American culture or have a connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased ties between the United States and Mali and foster understanding of U.S. policies and perspectives. The PAS Small Grants program is NOT a vehicle to fund development projects, nor can these grants be used to support for-profit entities.
Examples of PAS Small Grants Program projects include, but are not limited to:
- Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions
- Academic and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs
- Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs
- Civic engagement and social activism programs
Key Priority Areas and Audiences
The purpose of projects funded under the Annual Program Statement is to strengthen ties between American and Malian citizens as we work together to make progress toward the goals outlined below.
- Strengthening independent media and fighting disinformation through media literacy, training and other engagement;
- Reinforcing existing Sister City relationships or other relationships between U.S. and Malian institutions (e.g. universities or museums)
- Ensuring participation of citizens, especially women and youth, in the democratic process;
- Fostering economic growth and entrepreneurship;
- Advancing anti-corruption efforts and promoting transparency and good governance;
- Promoting inclusive social development, particularly by empowering women and girls;
- Engaging underserved populations, including persons with disabilities, through art, sports, culture and other creative programs;
- Promoting tolerance and peace;
- Strengthening community resilience to extremism; and
- Promoting English language study and acquisition.
Eligibility
For-profit or commercial entities are NOT eligible to apply. The Public Affairs Section encourages applications from U.S. and Malian applicants from:
- Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience;
- Individuals; and
- Non-profit or public educational institutions.
The following types of programs are NOT eligible for funding form the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bamako:
- Programs relating to partisan political activity;
- Charitable or development activities;
- Construction programs;
- Programs that support specific religious activities;
- Fund-raising campaigns;
- Lobbying for specific legislation or programs
- Scientific research;
- Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; or
- Programs that duplicate existing programs.
If your project is ineligible, please visit our website to view other U.S. Embassy grant opportunities that may be better suited for your project.
Review Criteria
Each application will be rated based on the evaluation criteria outlined in the Annual Program Statement document.
Application and Submission
The Public Affairs Section will accept proposals throughout the year and review them according to the following deadline schedule, pending funds available.
- Deadline of January 31, 2022, for February 2022 Review Panel
- Deadline of May 31, 2022, for June 2022 Review Panel
Required application forms are available on the right-hand side of this page. Please carefully follow all the instructions in the Annual Program Statement document. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible. If you have submitted a proposal and the review committee does not approve it on the first look, it may consider the application again at the next review panel. There is no need to resubmit your application.
Applications must be submitted by email to PASBamako@state.gov
