U.S. Embassy Panama Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program | PAS PAN FY22 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS PAN FY22 01

The U.S. Embassy Panama Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program is a competitive grant opportunity run by the Embassy's Public Affairs Section (PAS) to fund projects that advance U.S. foreign policy and public diplomacy goals in Panama. The program is designed to support relatively small, targeted initiatives that strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation between the United States and Panama. A core requirement across all proposals is that each project must include a clear American component, meaning it needs to incorporate an American cultural element and/or a concrete connection to U.S. experts, U.S. organizations, or U.S. institutions in a way that helps Panamanian audiences better understand U.S. policies and perspectives.

The Embassy is looking for proposals that fit into one of five main categories. The first category focuses on expanding open and sustainable economic growth by strengthening local entrepreneurship, especially as communities and small businesses continue recovering from COVID-19 impacts. The Embassy signals particular interest in social entrepreneurship, where business activity is intentionally tied to public benefit and community impact. Examples of activities that fit here include entrepreneurship trainings and workshops, development of practical tools or resources that help entrepreneurs succeed, and the creation of networks or consortia that promote collaboration, improved policies, or partnerships with U.S.-based counterparts.

The second category supports efforts to build a stronger civil society grounded in transparency, accountability, and good governance, including initiatives that confront corruption and reinforce independent institutions. This area includes several sub-themes. One is freedom of the press, with a focus on protecting and strengthening independent media and improving the ability of journalists and outlets to resist undue pressure while producing fair, balanced, and investigative reporting. Another sub-theme is direct civil society support, acknowledging that many Panamanian civil society organizations are underfunded, institutionally weak, and often politically targeted, which limits their influence and their ability to partner constructively with government. A third sub-theme is countering disinformation through media literacy, training, and support for credible local information ecosystems, including outreach to the next generation. The final sub-theme in this category is cybersecurity, supporting efforts that improve cyber regulation, education, and awareness while promoting an open, reliable, and secure internet aligned with democratic values such as privacy, human rights, and freedom of expression.

The third category targets improved quality of, and access to, English and STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), with priority given to programs serving young people in marginalized communities. The Embassy frames STEAM and English as important bridges for U.S.-Panama cooperation and as pathways to economic opportunity. Projects could include workshops and training programs, development of teaching tools and learning resources, activities linking Panamanian youth with U.S. public school students, and initiatives that help integrate English instruction into existing curricula in practical ways.

The fourth category emphasizes sustainable development through responsible management of environmental resources, positioning environmental stewardship as connected to economic growth, health, energy, and trade, and as a shared interest given the close U.S.-Panama relationship. This category specifically calls out climate change and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. For climate, the Embassy notes Panama's carbon-negative status and policy commitments, but also points to real vulnerabilities such as drought and the heightened risk faced by areas like Chiriqui and indigenous communities in Guna Yala. Proposed activities might include educational programs, community networks that incorporate U.S. expertise or tools, and practical innovations that support low-carbon growth, clean energy, energy efficiency, and anti-deforestation efforts. For IUU fishing, the Embassy is looking for capacity building and public engagement that strengthens Panama's ability to manage fisheries and protect marine ecosystems, potentially through awareness campaigns and technical assistance that uses U.S.-sourced experts, information, or tools.

The fifth category supports U.S. representation at major festivals and other large arts or cultural events as a way to maintain a visible U.S. cultural presence and reach broad audiences. Funding can support U.S. participation through performers, artists, athletes, speakers, or other professional-level contributors, or through U.S.-linked content and intellectual property such as films, music, visual art, or dance, as long as the U.S. origin is clearly recognizable and highlighted. Proposals need to clearly explain what the U.S. component is and how it advances public diplomacy objectives. The opportunity includes notable conditions in this category: U.S. participant involvement must be visible and substantive (with some flexibility for youth exchange contexts), performer compensation is generally capped at 10 percent of total award funds (excluding travel and per diem), and funds may also cover royalties for using U.S. content. In general, U.S.-funded event elements should be free and open to the public; if ticketing makes that difficult, the proposal should address how revenue attributable to the U.S.-funded component would be reinvested into the project or treated as cost share, in coordination with the Embassy.

Across all categories, PAS indicates several cross-cutting priorities that can make proposals more competitive. These include inclusion and diversity (especially engagement with marginalized groups, women, at-risk youth, and minorities to reduce inequality), using innovative environmental or technological solutions that support entrepreneurship, reaching audiences outside Panama City (particularly provincial and rural communities), promoting U.S. culture (including music, history, sports, tourism, and English language), and aligning with multiple U.S. policy priorities such as education, human rights, journalistic standards, intellectual property rights, environmental protection, transparency, and market access for U.S. business.

From the opportunity details provided, this is a discretionary Department of State grant administered by the U.S. Mission to Panama under CFDA 19.040, with an award ceiling of $50,000 and an anticipated total of about 8 awards. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, U.S. nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The Notice of Funding Opportunity was created on November 30, 2021, and listed an original closing date of August 30, 2022.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Panama in the humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Panama Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program" 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 Nov 30, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 30, 2022. (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 8 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for PAS PAN FY22 01

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