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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - U.S. Embassy Panama Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program

1) What is the U.S. Embassy Panama Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program?

It is a competitive small grants program administered by the U.S. Embassy Panama's Public Affairs Section (PAS) that funds projects advancing U.S. foreign policy and public diplomacy goals in Panama, with an emphasis on strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between the United States and Panama.

2) Who runs and administers this grant opportunity?

The program is run by the U.S. Embassy Panama, specifically the Embassy's Public Affairs Section (PAS), and is a discretionary U.S. Department of State grant administered by the U.S. Mission to Panama.

3) What is the central requirement that applies to all proposals?

Every project must include a clear American component. This means incorporating 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.

4) What counts as an "American component" in a proposal?

Based on the opportunity description, an American component can be an American cultural element (for example, U.S. culture such as music, history, sports, tourism, or English language) and/or a concrete connection to U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions. The key is that the U.S. link is clear and supports public diplomacy goals by helping Panamanian audiences understand U.S. policies and perspectives.

5) What are the main categories of projects the Embassy is looking to fund?

The Embassy identifies five categories: (1) open and sustainable economic growth through entrepreneurship, (2) civil society, transparency, accountability, and good governance (including press freedom, civil society support, countering disinformation, and cybersecurity), (3) English and STEAM education access and quality, (4) environmental sustainability (including climate change and IUU fishing), and (5) U.S. representation at major festivals and large arts/cultural events.

6) What types of entrepreneurship projects are supported under the economic growth category?

Projects focused on strengthening local entrepreneurship and supporting recovery from COVID-19 impacts are encouraged, with particular interest in social entrepreneurship. Examples listed include entrepreneurship trainings and workshops, development of practical tools or resources for entrepreneurs, and creation of networks or consortia that promote collaboration, improved policies, or partnerships with U.S.-based counterparts.

7) What kinds of civil society and governance projects fit this grant opportunity?

Projects that build a stronger civil society grounded in transparency, accountability, and good governance, including anti-corruption efforts and support for independent institutions. The opportunity highlights sub-themes including press freedom, direct civil society support, countering disinformation through media literacy and support to local information ecosystems, and cybersecurity initiatives aligned with democratic values.

8) What does the program say about press freedom projects?

Press freedom is a specific sub-theme. The opportunity emphasizes protecting and strengthening independent media and improving the ability of journalists and outlets to resist undue pressure while producing fair, balanced, and investigative reporting.

9) How does the program address disinformation?

It supports countering disinformation through media literacy, training, and support for credible local information ecosystems, including outreach to the next generation.

10) What cybersecurity activities are aligned with the program's goals?

The cybersecurity sub-theme includes efforts to 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.

11) What education projects are eligible under the English and STEAM category?

The program supports improving access to and quality of English and STEAM education, with priority for programs serving young people in marginalized communities. Examples include workshops and training programs, development of teaching tools and learning resources, linking Panamanian youth with U.S. public school students, and initiatives that integrate English instruction into existing curricula in practical ways.

12) Who is prioritized in education proposals?

Programs serving young people in marginalized communities are given priority.

13) What environmental topics are specifically highlighted?

The environmental category specifically calls out climate change and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

14) What types of climate change activities are mentioned as good fits?

Examples include educational programs, community networks that incorporate U.S. expertise or tools, and practical innovations supporting low-carbon growth, clean energy, energy efficiency, and anti-deforestation efforts. The opportunity notes Panama's carbon-negative status and policy commitments, while also referencing vulnerabilities such as drought and heightened risk in areas like Chiriqui and indigenous communities in Guna Yala.

15) What types of IUU fishing activities are mentioned as good fits?

Capacity building and public engagement that strengthen Panama's ability to manage fisheries and protect marine ecosystems, potentially through awareness campaigns and technical assistance using U.S.-sourced experts, information, or tools.

16) What is meant by the "U.S. representation at major festivals and large cultural events" category?

This category supports a visible U.S. cultural presence at major festivals and other large arts/cultural events to reach broad audiences. Funding can support U.S. participation via performers, artists, athletes, speakers, or other professional-level contributors, or 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.

17) What special conditions apply to festival and cultural event proposals?

Proposals must clearly explain the U.S. component and how it advances public diplomacy objectives. U.S. participant involvement must be visible and substantive (with some flexibility for youth exchange contexts). Performer compensation is generally capped at 10% of total award funds (excluding travel and per diem). Funds may also cover royalties for using U.S. content.

18) Are U.S.-funded event elements required to be free and open to the public?

In general, yes. U.S.-funded event elements should be free and open to the public. If ticketing makes that difficult, the proposal should explain 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.

19) What are cross-cutting priorities that can make a proposal more competitive?

The opportunity notes several priorities: inclusion and diversity (especially engagement with marginalized groups, women, at-risk youth, and minorities to reduce inequality); 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 alignment with U.S. policy priorities such as education, human rights, journalistic standards, intellectual property rights, environmental protection, transparency, and market access for U.S. business.

20) Is the program interested in projects outside Panama City?

Yes. Reaching audiences outside Panama City, particularly provincial and rural communities, is listed as a cross-cutting priority that can make proposals more competitive.

21) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $50,000.

22) How many awards are anticipated?

The opportunity anticipates about 8 awards.

23) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.040.

24) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include: (1) public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, (2) U.S. nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and (3) nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education).

25) Is this a competitive or non-competitive grant?

It is described as a competitive grant opportunity.

26) What kind of grant is this (discretionary or mandatory)?

It is described as a discretionary Department of State grant.

27) When was the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) created?

The NOFO was created on November 30, 2021.

28) What was the original closing date listed for this opportunity?

The original closing date listed was August 30, 2022.

29) What is the program trying to achieve overall?

Overall, the program aims to fund relatively small, targeted initiatives that advance U.S. foreign policy and public diplomacy goals in Panama by strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between the United States and Panama, with a required American component in every project.

30) Do proposals need to connect to U.S. policy themes beyond the five categories?

The opportunity indicates proposals can be more competitive when they align with multiple U.S. policy priorities, including education, human rights, journalistic standards, intellectual property rights, environmental protection, transparency, and market access for U.S. business.