skip to main content

U.S. Embassy to the United Kingdom Annual Program Statement

Open or will open again Adult Education/Learning Arts, culture and heritage Cultural heritage Democracy and freedom Education and learning good relations Human rights and equality Human rights and justice Information Technology International issues Miscellaneous Multiculturalism organisational development Overseas aid and development Peace and reconciliation Trading Transport, travel and tourism World issues Young people (13-25) Antrim & Newtownabbey Ards & North Down Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Belfast City Causeway Coast and Glens Derry City and Strabane England Fermanagh and Omagh Great Britain Lisburn and Castlereagh Mid and East Antrim Mid Ulster Newry, Mourne and Down Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Medium (up to £60,000) Small (up to £10,000)

Overview

Summary

Public Diplomacy Programs

  • Total Amount Available: Up to $800,000, pending availability of appropriated funds
  • Maximum for Each Award: $100,000
  • Minimum for Each Award: $10,000

Program Description

The U.S. Embassy to the United Kingdom’s Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) is pleased to announce the launch of its annual Public Diplomacy grants program. The following Annual Program Statement outlines the Embassy’s funding priorities, strategic themes of focus, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, which runs from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025.

They will only accept applications with budgets within the range of $10,000 (minimum) to $100,000 (maximum).

Purpose of the Public Diplomacy Grants Program:

PDS manages the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in the United Kingdom’s grants program. They invite proposals from the following entities for projects that strengthen bilateral ties between the United States and the United Kingdom:

  • Individuals
  • Non-governmental/not-for-profit/civil society organizations
  • Think tanks (not-for-profit)
  • Government institutions
  • Academic institutions (not-for-profit)

All programs must promote at least one U.S. Embassy priority program area (listed below) and include a U.S. element or connection. This should be highlighted in your proposal. Programs can include U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policies and perspectives.

Examples of grants program projects include, but are not limited to:

  • Academic and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs.
  • Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions.
  • Professional and academic exchanges and projects.
  • Professional development workshops and training.

All proposed programs must include a public-facing element, targeting audiences across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, with special consideration for youth audiences aged 18-35 and regions outside of London.

Priority Program Areas:

  • Democracy and Shared Values: Activities that promote the U.S.-UK bilateral relationship and build people-to-people ties.
  • Special attention will be given to projects that commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence; promote our shared values between the U.S. and the UK, including their commitment to democracy and human rights, women’s empowerment, and equity and inclusion to support underserved communities.
  • Global Challenges: Activities that build public support for the U.S.-UK alliance and U.S. foreign policy priorities related to shared national security challenges; and/or address transnational challenges such as mis- and disinformation from hostile actors; and/or projects that promote peaceful dialogue and counter radicalization, and equity and social justice.
  • Special attention will be given to projects focused on countering mis/disinformation; bolstering support for Ukraine; raising awareness around PRC interventionist activities; and promoting peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland.
  • Climate Change, Science, and Technology: Activities that build awareness, action and cooperation on global priorities including climate/environment, sustainability, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, STEAM, and/or improve the connections between U.S. and UK businesses. Special attention will be given to projects that:
  • Advance collaboration on the safe and responsible use of AI; promote climate-smart policies and infrastructure to support green growth and transatlantic security; and support women and girls in developing STEAM skills.

Participants and Audience Reach:

All applicants for awards must specify the program’s target audience (noting any emphasis on diverse audiences) and estimate the expected audience reach through direct contact and, if possible, through indirect contact (via social media or traditional media). Proposals must include evaluation measures for analysis of impact.

Purpose of the Public Diplomacy Grants Program:

PAS manages the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in the United Kingdom’s grants program. They invite proposals from the following entities for projects that strengthen bilateral ties between the United States and the United Kingdom:

  • Individuals
  • non-governmental/not-for-profit/civil society organizations
  • think tanks
  • government institutions
  • academic institutions

All programs must promote at least one U.S. Embassy priority program area (listed below) and include a U.S. element or connection. This should be highlighted in your proposal.

Programs can include U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policies and perspectives.

Special consideration will be given to proposals that highlight the diversity of the United States and programs whose experts represent diverse backgrounds. Examples of grants program projects include, but are not limited to:

  • Academic and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs;
  • Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions.
  • Professional and academic exchanges and projects.
  • Professional development workshops and training.

They encourage applications for virtual and in-person speaker programs, seminars, or exchanges. All proposed programs must include a public-facing element, targeting audiences across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

Priority Program Areas:

  • 1) Shared Values and Interests: Activities that promote the U.S.-UK Special Relationship and build people-to-people ties.
  • 2) Democracy, Open Societies, Equity, and Inclusion: Activities that build support for the U.S.-UK alliance and U.S. foreign policy priorities related to open societies and shared democratic values; and/or address transnational challenges such as radicalization, violent extremism, and mis and disinformation from non-state and hostile state actors.
  • 3) Prosperity, Trade, and Investment: Activities that expand economic opportunities for youth and underserved populations and/or improve the connections between U.S. and UK businesses.
  • 4) Climate Change, Science, and Technology: Activities that support cooperation in such areas as climate/environment, sustainability, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, and STEAM.

Participants and Audiences:

All applicants for awards must specify the program’s target audience (noting any emphasis on diverse audiences) and estimate the expected audience reach through direct contact and, if possible, through indirect contact (via social media or traditional media).

Eligible Applicants

The U.S. Embassy encourages applications from the United States and the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales):

  • Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience;
  • Individuals;
  • Not-for-profit or governmental educational institutions; and
  • Governmental institutions.

For full details and other opportunities see the website

Key dates

Deadline for Applications (5pm) 30/04/2019
Deadline for Applications (5pm) 31/07/2019
Review scheme and any new deadlines 12/08/2019
Application Deadline: 17:00 BST 30/04/2021
Review funding scheme 11/05/2021
Application Deadline: 17:00 BST 30/06/2021
Review funding scheme 12/04/2022
Application deadline 15/06/2022
Application deadline 5pm on 20/03/2023