U.S. EMBASSY LA PAZ PD ANNUAL PROGRAM STATEMENT | PD LAPAZ FY25 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for PD LAPAZ FY25 01

The U.S. Embassy La Paz Public Diplomacy (PD) Section is offering funding through its FY 2025 Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program under an Annual Program Statement (APS). The overall goal is to support projects that strengthen people-to-people ties between the United States and Bolivia through cultural, educational, professional, and related exchange activities. A core requirement is that every project includes a clear U.S. cultural element or a concrete connection to the United States, such as collaboration with U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions. The intent is to deepen mutual understanding and highlight shared values while also increasing understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives in relevant fields.

The Embassy is looking for practical, public-facing programming rather than purely internal organizational growth or narrowly academic work. Examples of activities that fit the program include lectures, seminars, and speaker series; artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions; cultural heritage conservation or preservation initiatives; professional, cultural, or academic exchanges (including virtual exchanges that connect Bolivians with U.S. experts or communities); and professional development trainings and workshops. While “scientific exchanges” are mentioned in the broad purpose, the notice is clear that scientific research itself is not funded, and conference travel for U.S. experts is only rarely supported and must be part of broader public programming coordinated with the Embassy, not just a single presentation.

Funding is targeted to a set of priority areas that the Embassy views as especially important for strengthening the U.S.-Bolivia relationship. One priority is supporting Bolivia’s diversified economy through inclusive growth across social, economic, cultural, and educational sectors. In practice, this includes projects that promote entrepreneurship, business management skills, and pathways for vulnerable, rural, or marginalized populations to participate in the formal economy and financial system. Within this economic theme, the APS specifically highlights English language education as a tool to expand opportunity for youth and marginalized communities and to support inclusive economic growth. Additional priority themes include advancing gender equality by expanding opportunities and representation for women and girls across fields, and preventing or countering gender-based violence through efforts that mitigate GBV and empower survivors of human trafficking, sexual trauma, and domestic violence (with proposals allowed to include people of all genders and sexual orientations).

Another major priority focuses on climate and natural resource management. The Embassy is interested in projects that build civil society capacity to address climate change and manage Bolivia’s natural resources sustainably, including community efforts to combat illegal mining and to prevent connected harms such as human, wildlife, and antiquities trafficking, as well as initiatives that help reduce pollution and environmental spillover. The APS also prioritizes freedom of speech and the press, with emphasis on improving investigative journalism, transparency, accountability, and freedom of expression. Closely related are projects that build media literacy and strengthen the public’s ability to recognize and resist disinformation. Finally, the Embassy is seeking proposals that strengthen long-term U.S.-Bolivian partnerships through public diplomacy, especially outside major urban centers. This includes projects supporting educational exchange, internationalization of higher education, and collaborative partnerships in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) among Bolivian youth, with preference for efforts that promote social development and reduce inequality, particularly for marginalized populations.

The APS lists clear activities that are not eligible. The program will not fund partisan political activity; proposals from applicants who are neither Bolivian nor American; charitable or humanitarian/social welfare/development activities; construction projects; programs supporting specific religious activities; trade activities; fundraising campaigns; commercial projects; lobbying for specific legislation or programs; scientific research; projects intended primarily for the organization’s institutional growth; or projects that duplicate existing programs. International travel is generally not supported unless it is specifically justified within the project and complies with the Fly America Act requirements.

In terms of award structure and size, the performance period can range from 2 to 24 months. The Embassy anticipates making about 15 awards, with typical award amounts ranging from $5,000 to $40,000, although exceptions may be considered case by case. Funding instruments may include grants, grants to individuals, fixed amount awards, or cooperative agreements. The difference matters because cooperative agreements involve more active participation by PD staff during implementation, with moderate to substantial involvement anticipated after the award is made.

Eligibility is limited to U.S. or Bolivian citizens and organizations. Eligible applicant types include registered public and private non-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs with relevant programming experience), individuals, non-profit or governmental educational institutions, and governmental institutions. For-profit or commercial entities are explicitly not eligible to apply. Cost sharing is not required, but it is encouraged; if an applicant proposes cost share, it becomes a commitment that must be provided as described in the proposal. Organizational applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov, and a valid SAM.gov registration is strongly encouraged. Individuals do not need a UEI or SAM registration.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with proposals reviewed as funding becomes available, and the final submission deadline is July 31, 2025. After the Embassy confirms receipt by email, the review and selection process may take up to three months, and decisions are typically communicated within about 90 days depending on funding availability. Even after selection, applicants should expect an additional 1 to 3 months to finalize the award and receive disbursed funds. Because of these timelines, the Embassy encourages applicants to submit proposals roughly 4 to 6 months before the planned start date of the activity.

• The U.S. Mission to Bolivia in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. EMBASSY LA PAZ PD 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 2024-11-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-07-31. (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 $40,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for PD LAPAZ FY25 01

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