Opportunity Information: Apply for SPA10021GR001WHA11202020
The U.S. Embassy in Asuncion, through its Public Diplomacy (PD) section, offered funding under its Fiscal Year 2021 Public Diplomacy Grants Program using an Annual Program Statement format. This announcement laid out what kinds of projects the embassy wanted to support, the themes it considered most strategic, and the basic rules for applying. The opportunity was authorized under the Fulbright-Hays and Smith-Mundt Acts (as amended), reflecting the program's focus on public diplomacy goals such as mutual understanding, educational and cultural engagement, and sharing information about the United States with Paraguayan audiences.
At its core, the grant program was designed to help Paraguayan audiences better understand the United States, including U.S. culture and society as well as how U.S. government, legal, economic, and political systems work and what values shape them. The embassy sought proposals that would deepen educational, professional, commercial, and scientific ties between the United States and Paraguay. A notable emphasis was placed on "technology of the future" and how emerging technologies could affect Paraguay's economy, with examples like the internet of things, 5G, artificial intelligence, and automation. A key requirement was that every proposal include a clear U.S. component, meaning the project needed a substantive U.S. connection such as participation by U.S. citizen expert speakers, the use of U.S.-based training approaches or materials, exchanges with U.S. institutions, or the promotion of U.S. culture (for example through music, art, or other cultural programming).
The embassy identified two main funding priorities. The first was women's economic empowerment, especially programs that support women in entrepreneurship through practical elements like coaching, mentoring, networking, leadership development, and stronger connections to the private sector. The second priority focused on educational and professional exchange between the United States and Paraguay, including exchanges tied to politics, economics, and technology. Within this second area, the embassy also welcomed English language learning initiatives aimed at Paraguayan high school and university students, teachers of English, and educators more broadly across levels. It also specifically encouraged "English for specific purposes" programs, particularly those designed to support entrepreneurs, suggesting a preference for English training that directly improves professional and economic opportunity.
In terms of what activities could be funded, the embassy signaled openness to a range of public-facing and capacity-building formats. Typical supported activities included academic and professional lectures, public seminars, and related programs; professional development workshops and training; professional and academic exchanges; and artistic or cultural workshops, including joint performances and exhibitions. Taken together, these examples show the program was intended to support both educational/professional engagement and cultural diplomacy, as long as the work aligned with the stated priorities and included a meaningful U.S. connection.
The announcement also made clear what would not be funded. Ineligible projects included partisan political activities, charitable or development work, construction, programs supporting specific religious activities, fundraising campaigns, commercial or strictly for-profit ventures, lobbying for specific legislation or programs, and scientific research. The embassy also excluded projects primarily aimed at strengthening the applicant organization itself (institutional development) or primarily serving the personal enrichment or career advancement of an individual. These restrictions underscore that the grants were meant for public diplomacy programming with broad public benefit and alignment to embassy priorities, rather than political, religious, commercial, or internal organizational objectives.
Administratively, this was a discretionary grant opportunity issued by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Paraguay, under CFDA 19.040 (Public Diplomacy Programs for Foreign Audiences). The funding opportunity number was SPA10021GR001WHA11202020. The opportunity was posted on November 24, 2020, and had an original application deadline of April 2, 2021. The embassy anticipated making around five awards, with a maximum award amount (ceiling) of $50,000 per grant. Eligible applicants included U.S.-based nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status (excluding institutions of higher education under that listed category) as well as other eligible applicants as clarified in the full eligibility instructions referenced in the announcement.Apply for SPA10021GR001WHA11202020
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Paraguay in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Asuncion, Paraguay - PD Annual Program Statement Fiscal Year 2021" 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 24, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 02, 2021. (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 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this grant opportunity?
This is a funding opportunity from the U.S. Embassy in Asuncion (Public Diplomacy Section) under its Fiscal Year 2021 Public Diplomacy Grants Program, issued using an Annual Program Statement format. It describes the types of projects the embassy wanted to support, the most strategic themes, and the basic application rules.
Who is offering the funding?
The funding was offered by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Paraguay (U.S. Embassy in Asuncion), through its Public Diplomacy (PD) section.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program is designed to support public diplomacy goals with Paraguayan audiences. Its core purpose is to help Paraguayan audiences better understand the United States (including U.S. culture and society, and how U.S. government, legal, economic, and political systems work and what values shape them) while also deepening educational, professional, commercial, and scientific ties between the United States and Paraguay.
What laws authorize this program?
The announcement states the opportunity is authorized under the Fulbright-Hays and Smith-Mundt Acts (as amended), consistent with public diplomacy goals such as mutual understanding, educational and cultural engagement, and sharing information about the United States with foreign audiences.
What is CFDA 19.040?
CFDA 19.040 is the program listing referenced in the announcement: Public Diplomacy Programs for Foreign Audiences. This opportunity is issued under that listing.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is SPA10021GR001WHA11202020.
When was the opportunity posted and when was the deadline?
The opportunity was posted on November 24, 2020. The original application deadline was April 2, 2021.
How many awards were expected?
The embassy anticipated making around five awards.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling stated in the announcement is $50,000 per grant.
What are the main funding priorities?
The announcement identifies two main priorities: (1) women's economic empowerment, with an emphasis on women's entrepreneurship supports like coaching, mentoring, networking, leadership development, and stronger connections to the private sector; and (2) educational and professional exchange between the United States and Paraguay, including exchange programming connected to politics, economics, and technology.
What does the program mean by a required "U.S. component"?
Every proposal was required to include a clear, substantive U.S. connection. Examples given include participation by U.S. citizen expert speakers, the use of U.S.-based training approaches or materials, exchanges with U.S. institutions, or promotion of U.S. culture (such as music, art, or other cultural programming).
Are technology-focused projects encouraged?
Yes. The embassy placed notable emphasis on "technology of the future" and how emerging technologies could affect Paraguay's economy. Examples mentioned include the internet of things, 5G, artificial intelligence, and automation.
Are women's entrepreneurship projects eligible?
Yes. Women's economic empowerment is a top priority, especially programs supporting women in entrepreneurship through practical elements like coaching, mentoring, networking, leadership development, and improved connections to the private sector.
Does the program support educational and professional exchanges?
Yes. Educational and professional exchange between the United States and Paraguay is a primary funding priority, including exchanges tied to politics, economics, and technology.
Are English language programs eligible?
Yes. The embassy welcomed English language learning initiatives aimed at Paraguayan high school and university students, teachers of English, and educators across levels.
What is "English for specific purposes" in the context of this grant?
The announcement specifically encouraged "English for specific purposes" programs, particularly those designed to support entrepreneurs. This suggests a preference for English instruction that directly improves professional and economic opportunity.
What types of activities could be funded?
The announcement indicates the embassy was open to a range of public-facing and capacity-building formats, including academic and professional lectures, public seminars, professional development workshops and training, professional and academic exchanges, and artistic or cultural workshops such as joint performances and exhibitions (as long as they align with the priorities and include a meaningful U.S. connection).
What types of projects are explicitly not funded?
The announcement lists several ineligible categories, including partisan political activities; charitable or development work; construction; programs supporting specific religious activities; fundraising campaigns; commercial or strictly for-profit ventures; lobbying for specific legislation or programs; and scientific research.
Are partisan political activities allowed under this funding?
No. Partisan political activities are listed as ineligible.
Can the grant be used for construction or building improvements?
No. Construction is explicitly listed as an ineligible use of funds.
Can the grant support religious programming?
Programs supporting specific religious activities are listed as ineligible.
Can an organization use the grant for fundraising campaigns?
No. Fundraising campaigns are listed as ineligible.
Can a for-profit business apply or run a profit-making project with these funds?
The announcement excludes commercial or strictly for-profit ventures, indicating projects designed primarily to generate profit are not eligible for funding under this opportunity.
Is lobbying an allowable activity?
No. Lobbying for specific legislation or programs is explicitly listed as ineligible.
Is scientific research fundable under this program?
No. Scientific research is listed as ineligible.
Can the grant primarily support the applicant organization itself (institutional development)?
No. The announcement excludes projects primarily aimed at strengthening the applicant organization itself (institutional development).
Can an individual apply to fund personal enrichment or career advancement?
The announcement excludes projects that primarily serve the personal enrichment or career advancement of an individual, emphasizing that activities should provide broad public benefit aligned with public diplomacy objectives.
What kind of benefit is the program looking for?
Based on the eligibility and ineligibility language, the program is focused on public diplomacy programming that provides broad public benefit for Paraguayan audiences, advances mutual understanding, and aligns with embassy priorities (rather than political, religious, commercial, or internal organizational objectives).
What type of grant is this?
The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant opportunity issued by the U.S. Department of State.
Who was eligible to apply?
The announcement states eligible applicants included U.S.-based nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status (excluding institutions of higher education under that listed category), as well as other eligible applicants as clarified in the full eligibility instructions referenced in the announcement.
Are U.S. universities included under the 501(c)(3) nonprofit category for eligibility?
The announcement notes that U.S.-based nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status were eligible, but explicitly excludes institutions of higher education under that listed category.
Does every project need to include U.S. cultural elements?
Not necessarily, but every project must include a clear U.S. component. One acceptable way to meet that requirement (as described in the announcement) is through promotion of U.S. culture, such as music, art, or other cultural programming.
Can projects focus on professional training and workshops?
Yes. Professional development workshops and training are specifically listed among typical supported activities.
Can projects include public events like lectures or seminars?
Yes. The announcement mentions academic and professional lectures, public seminars, and related programs as typical supported activities.
Can projects include exchanges with U.S. institutions?
Yes. Exchanges with U.S. institutions are cited as an example of a substantive U.S. component, and professional and academic exchanges are listed as supported activity types.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA)
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (SPA10021GR001WHA11202020) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Laura Bush 21st Century Library Program (2021) Apply for LB21 FY21 P2 Funding Number: LB21 FY21 P2 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| National Leadership Grants for Libraries (2021) Apply for NLG LIBRARIES FY21 P2 Funding Number: NLG LIBRARIES FY21 P2 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Native American Library Services Basic Grant Apply for NAG BASIC FY21 Funding Number: NAG BASIC FY21 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| Collections Assessment for Preservation Program Apply for CAP FY21 Funding Number: CAP FY21 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Native Hawaiian Library Services Grant (2021) Apply for NAG HAWAIIAN FY21 Funding Number: NAG HAWAIIAN FY21 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Native American Library Services Enhancement Grant (2021) Apply for NAG ENHANCEMENT FY21 Funding Number: NAG ENHANCEMENT FY21 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| IMLS American Rescue Plan Apply for ARP FY21 Funding Number: ARP FY21 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| National Leadership Grants for Libraries (2022) Apply for NLG LIBRARIES FY22 Funding Number: NLG LIBRARIES FY22 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2022) Apply for LB21 FY22 Funding Number: LB21 FY22 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Museums for America (2022) Apply for MFA FY22 Funding Number: MFA FY22 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Inspire! Grants for Small Museums (2022) Apply for IGSM FY22 Funding Number: IGSM FY22 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| National Leadership Grants for Museums (2022) Apply for NLG M FY22 Funding Number: NLG M FY22 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Museums Empowered (2022) Apply for ME FY22 Funding Number: ME FY22 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (2022) Apply for AAHC FY22 Funding Number: AAHC FY22 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services (2022) Apply for NANH FY22 Funding Number: NANH FY22 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Native American Library Services Basic Grant (2022) Apply for NAG BASIC FY22 Funding Number: NAG BASIC FY22 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants (2022) Apply for NAG ENHANCEMENT FY22 Funding Number: NAG ENHANCEMENT FY22 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Native Hawaiian Library Services Grants (2022) Apply for NAG HAWAIIAN FY22 Funding Number: NAG HAWAIIAN FY22 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| National Leadership Grants for Libraries (2022) Apply for NLG LIBRARIES FY22 P2 Funding Number: NLG LIBRARIES FY22 P2 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2022) Apply for LB21 FY22 P2 Funding Number: LB21 FY22 P2 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
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