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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - U.S. Embassy La Paz FY 2025 Public Diplomacy Small Grants (APS)

1) What is this grant program?

This is the U.S. Embassy La Paz Public Diplomacy (PD) Section's FY 2025 Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program offered under an Annual Program Statement (APS). It funds projects designed to strengthen people-to-people ties between the United States and Bolivia through cultural, educational, professional, and related exchange activities.

2) What is the overall goal of the program?

The goal is to deepen mutual understanding and highlight shared values between the United States and Bolivia, while also increasing understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives in relevant fields through public-facing programming.

3) Is a connection to the United States required?

Yes. Every project must include a clear U.S. cultural element or a concrete connection to the United States, such as collaboration with U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions.

4) What kinds of projects does the Embassy want to fund?

The Embassy is looking for practical, public-facing programming rather than purely internal organizational growth or narrowly academic work. Examples 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 connecting Bolivians with U.S. experts or communities
• Professional development trainings and workshops

5) Does the program fund scientific research?

No. While "scientific exchanges" are mentioned in the broad purpose, the APS states that scientific research itself is not funded.

6) Will the Embassy fund conference travel for U.S. experts?

Only rarely. Conference travel for U.S. experts must be part of broader public programming coordinated with the Embassy, not just a single presentation.

7) What are the priority areas for funding?

Funding is targeted to priority areas the Embassy views as important to strengthening the U.S.-Bolivia relationship. These include:

• Inclusive economic growth and a diversified economy (including entrepreneurship and business management skills, and pathways for vulnerable, rural, or marginalized populations to participate in the formal economy and financial system)
• English language education as a tool to expand opportunity for youth and marginalized communities and support inclusive economic growth
• Gender equality (expanding opportunities and representation for women and girls across fields)
• Preventing or countering gender-based violence (GBV), including mitigating GBV and empowering survivors of human trafficking, sexual trauma, and domestic violence; proposals may include people of all genders and sexual orientations
• Climate and natural resource management (civil society capacity, climate change response, sustainable natural resource management, community efforts to combat illegal mining and connected harms such as trafficking, and efforts to reduce pollution and environmental spillover)
• Freedom of speech and the press (investigative journalism, transparency, accountability, and freedom of expression)
• Media literacy and resisting disinformation
• Strengthening long-term U.S.-Bolivian partnerships through public diplomacy, especially outside major urban centers, including educational exchange, internationalization of higher education, and STEAM partnerships among Bolivian youth that promote social development and reduce inequality for marginalized populations

8) Are projects outside major urban centers encouraged?

Yes. The APS specifically notes a desire to strengthen long-term U.S.-Bolivian partnerships through public diplomacy, especially outside major urban centers.

9) What does the Embassy mean by "public-facing" programming?

Based on the APS description, the Embassy is seeking projects that engage audiences beyond an organization itself (for example, public events, workshops, exchanges, exhibitions, trainings, speaker series, and programming that reaches communities). Projects primarily focused on internal capacity building or institutional growth are not eligible.

10) Who is eligible to apply?

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
• Governmental institutions

11) Are for-profit or commercial organizations eligible to apply?

No. For-profit or commercial entities are explicitly not eligible.

12) Can an applicant that is neither Bolivian nor American apply?

No. The APS states the program will not fund proposals from applicants who are neither Bolivian nor American.

13) Is cost sharing required?

No. Cost sharing is not required, but it is encouraged. If cost share is included in the proposal, it becomes a commitment that must be provided as described.

14) What is the typical award size?

Typical award amounts range from $5,000 to $40,000. Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

15) How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?

The Embassy anticipates making about 15 awards.

16) How long can a project last?

The performance period can range from 2 to 24 months.

17) What types of funding instruments might be used?

The Embassy may use grants, grants to individuals, fixed amount awards, or cooperative agreements.

18) What is a cooperative agreement in this context?

A cooperative agreement is an award type where the Embassy's PD staff have more active participation during implementation. The APS indicates moderate to substantial involvement is anticipated after the award is made under cooperative agreements.

19) What activities are not eligible for funding?

The APS lists several ineligible activities, including:

• Partisan political activity
• Charitable, humanitarian, social welfare, or 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 an organization's institutional growth
• Projects that duplicate existing programs

20) Is international travel supported?

International travel is generally not supported unless it is specifically justified within the project and complies with Fly America Act requirements.

21) Do organizational applicants need a UEI and SAM.gov registration?

Yes. Organizational applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov. A valid SAM.gov registration is strongly encouraged.

22) Do individual applicants need a UEI or SAM.gov registration?

No. Individuals do not need a UEI or SAM.gov registration.

23) When are applications due?

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with a final submission deadline of July 31, 2025.

24) What does "rolling basis" mean for this APS?

It means proposals are reviewed as funding becomes available, rather than waiting for a single review date. Submitting earlier can matter because funding may be allocated before the final deadline.

25) How long does the review and selection process take?

After the Embassy confirms receipt by email, the review and selection process may take up to three months. Decisions are typically communicated within about 90 days, depending on funding availability.

26) If selected, how soon will funds be disbursed?

Even after selection, applicants should expect an additional 1 to 3 months to finalize the award and receive disbursed funds.

27) When should applicants submit a proposal relative to the project start date?

The Embassy encourages applicants to submit proposals roughly 4 to 6 months before the planned start date of the activity to account for review and award processing timelines.

28) Are virtual exchange activities eligible?

Yes. The APS explicitly includes virtual exchanges that connect Bolivians with U.S. experts or communities as an example of eligible activity.

29) Can projects address gender-based violence while including participants of all genders?

Yes. The APS notes that proposals may include people of all genders and sexual orientations while focusing on mitigating GBV and empowering survivors of trafficking, sexual trauma, and domestic violence.

30) Are projects focused on journalism and disinformation eligible?

Yes. The APS prioritizes freedom of speech and the press (including investigative journalism, transparency, accountability, and freedom of expression) and also prioritizes media literacy to help the public recognize and resist disinformation.