Annual Program Statement

The Public Diplomacy (PD) Section of the U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad oversees a range of cultural and educational initiatives throughout the states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha that are supported by the U.S. government, with the goal to foster stronger bilateral and regional ties through diverse public diplomacy programs. Our program priorities include promoting greater understanding of the U.S. and fostering people-to-people ties, reinforcing shared values between U.S. and India, and ensuring mutual prosperity.

The PD Section Hyderabad is pleased to announce a funding opportunity through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below. This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Examples of small projects include, but are not limited to:

· U.S. experts conducting speaking tours/public talks or roundtable discussions in India.

· Projects showcasing U.S. education models or course curricula.

· Development of initiatives aimed at maintaining contact with alumni of

U.S. government-supported exchange programs.

· Creative projects that advance one or more of the priority areas.

· Interactive programs around priority themes that engage audiences through cultural and arts programs/workshops/ performances and exhibitions

Project Goal: The U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to implement programs that foster stronger bilateral and regional ties through diverse public diplomacy programs on topics related to economic growth, climate change, and supporting and promoting democratic values and rights. Applications should include an American element. The U.S. content should include, for example, the substantial participation of U.S. experts or alumni of U.S. government exchange programs; partnership with U.S. organizations or educational institutions; the involvement of U.S. companies present in India; the application or adaptation of U.S. models and best practices; or learning materials related to American history, society, business, culture, politics, government, or institutions.

Program Priority Areas

While proposals may address multiple project objectives, each proposal should focus primarily on one of the following priority project areas:

· Programs related to promoting capacity building and cooperation in the area of human health issues;

· Programs that focus on tackling transnational crimes like human trafficking;

· Creative programs that advance one or more of the priority areas to include but not limited to climate change; clean and renewable energy; space science and technology; and transformative technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality.

· Programs related to promoting study in the United States, the internationalization of Indian universities, and/or building of linkages between American and Indian institutions of higher education

· Programs related to U.S.-India bilateral trade, investment, economic integration, entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property rights.

· Programs on understanding U.S.-India relations in the Indo-Pacific, including security cooperation and military/defense relations.

· Programs that seek to promote a better understanding of diversity and inclusion; religious freedom; gender rights; LGBTQ rights; rights of persons with disabilities; rights of underrepresented or otherwise disadvantaged communities; and other aspects of human rights.

· Activities that address the social, political, and economic barriers preventing the full participation of India’s female population in its growth.

Proposed activities must take place in the states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, or Odisha. Proposals that include target audiences in more than one of these states will be viewed more favorably.

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