U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires PAS Annual Program Statement | PAS AR200 FY20 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS AR200 FY20 01

The U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, through its Public Affairs Section (PAS), offered funding under its Public Diplomacy Grants Program as described in the Annual Program Statement titled "U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires PAS Annual Program Statement" (Opportunity Number PAS AR200 FY20 01). The program was designed to support public diplomacy projects that advance U.S. Embassy objectives in Argentina, with an emphasis on strengthening mutual understanding between people and institutions in the United States and Argentina. Applications were accepted on a rolling basis up to the closing date of December 31, 2019. The opportunity fell under CFDA 19.040 and was listed as a discretionary award instrument.

The core purpose of the grants program was to promote economic prosperity and security through academic, cultural, and educational initiatives that create meaningful engagement, share best practices, and address issues considered important to the public. PAS sought proposals from U.S. and Argentine academic, cultural, educational, and other nonprofit organizations, as well as individuals, as long as the proposed activities aligned with embassy goals and fit within the program's thematic priorities. The published award ceiling was up to $100,000 per award.

Funding priorities centered on several strategic themes. These included entrepreneurship; English language teaching and learning, with particular priority on training secondary school teachers serving underserved populations and strengthening English teaching within higher education institutions; democracy; transparency and the rule of law; cultural, artistic, and athletic activities, especially those intended to improve social inclusion; and science and technology cooperation. In practical terms, the embassy was looking for projects that could demonstrate clear public benefit and tangible outcomes within one or more of these areas.

The announcement provided examples of the kinds of activities PAS had funded previously, which helps illustrate what competitive proposals might look like. Examples included bringing U.S. experts to Argentina for speaking tours, public talks, or roundtable discussions with local counterparts; organizing joint U.S.-Argentina conferences or professional meetings that lead to concrete advances or measurable results; showcasing U.S. models, approaches, or curricula in ways that can be adapted locally; developing initiatives that maintain engagement with alumni of prior U.S. government exchange programs; and other creative projects that clearly advance one or more priority themes.

PAS also identified priority audiences it wanted applicants to reach. These included emerging voices such as civil society leaders; business leaders and entrepreneurs; established opinion leaders, including leadership within cultural or academic institutions; and residents of Argentine provinces outside the city of Buenos Aires, signaling a strong interest in geographic diversity and outreach beyond the capital.

At the same time, the statement was explicit about activities that were generally not approved. The embassy typically would not fund projects that primarily benefit only one or a few businesses or individuals, or proposals that amount to scholarships for studying English, conference attendance, or study tours to the United States. It also excluded proposals that are inherently political or appear partisan, including anything tied to electoral campaigns. Other commonly excluded activities included projects whose main purpose is publishing books, pamphlets, websites, or apps; projects that are exclusively scientific research rather than public-facing cooperation or engagement; projects requiring more than two years to implement; purchases of equipment or vehicles; construction or materials; exchanges involving countries other than the United States and Argentina; programs aimed at children under 13; and projects supporting specific religious activities.

Eligibility requirements differed slightly depending on whether the applicant was Argentine or U.S.-based. Argentine NGOs, higher education institutions, and local provincial governments needed to have valid registration with the Inspeccion General de Justicia at the time of application, and failure to provide proof of this registration would disqualify the submission. U.S. applicants could include registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs with relevant programming experience), as well as individuals or educational institutions, provided they could credibly carry out the proposed activities.

Overall, this opportunity was aimed at funding practical, nonpartisan, time-bounded public diplomacy projects that strengthen U.S.-Argentina ties, expand citizen engagement, and deliver visible outcomes in entrepreneurship, English language education, democratic governance and rule of law, inclusive cultural initiatives, and science and technology cooperation, with special attention to reaching influential audiences and communities outside Buenos Aires.

• The U.S. Mission to Argentina in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires PAS Annual Program Statement" 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 2019-10-11.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-12-31. (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 $100,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for PAS AR200 FY20 01

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