U.S. Embassy Lusaka PAS Annual Program Statement | PAS LUS CULTURAL FY19

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS LUS CULTURAL FY19

The U.S. Embassy in Lusaka, through the Department of State's Public Affairs Section (PAS), is offering funding under its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program via an Annual Program Statement. This opportunity supports projects in Zambia that use cultural and exchange programming to strengthen ties between the United States and Zambia, emphasize shared values, and encourage practical bilateral cooperation. A core requirement is that every funded project must include a clear American cultural element. That can take the form of direct collaboration with American experts, U.S.-based organizations, or U.S. institutions in a relevant field, with the goal of increasing understanding of U.S. policies and perspectives alongside cultural engagement.

The Embassy is particularly interested in proposals that align with planned U.S. cultural exchange visits, and it states that proposals involving these visits will be prioritized. Specifically, the Embassy anticipated hosting two jazz performers, one bluegrass band, and a dance choreographer during the July to December 2018 period, and projects that build programming around these artists are highlighted as a priority. In practice, this points applicants toward designing complementary public diplomacy activities around visiting American performers, such as performance tours, community outreach, skills-building sessions, and collaborative events with Zambian counterparts.

The types of projects the PAS Small Grants Program expects to fund are largely centered on cultural event delivery and exchange support. Examples include handling logistical coordination for Embassy-sponsored cultural exchange programs featuring American musicians, dancers, and other artists; organizing artistic and cultural workshops, masterclasses, joint performances, and exhibitions that connect visiting Americans with local artists and audiences; and coordinating public performances that broaden access to U.S. cultural programming. The emphasis is not only on staging events, but also on creating structured interaction and learning opportunities that deepen exchange outcomes, including professional development for local artists and meaningful engagement with communities.

While the grant is rooted in arts and culture, the Embassy also signals that its cultural exchange programming often integrates civic and leadership content, especially for youth-focused audiences. For this annual statement, the programmatic themes include increasing the voice and participation of youth and women across political, economic, and other spheres; promoting political awareness and participation among the general public and/or youth; strengthening civic education and youth involvement in democratic processes, volunteerism, and community service; and supporting conflict resolution, mitigation, and mediation efforts. Applicants are therefore encouraged to design arts and cultural projects that naturally incorporate these themes, for example by pairing performances with dialogue sessions, mentorship activities, civic engagement workshops, or community service components that resonate with young people and women leaders.

The intended participants and primary audiences are clearly defined. The Embassy is aiming to reach youth aged 18 to 35 and young professionals, with a particular focus on programming that benefits women within those categories. Proposals that demonstrate thoughtful recruitment, inclusive participation, and measurable engagement of these target groups would fit the stated direction of the program, especially if they combine cultural exchange with leadership development and civic participation outcomes.

From an administrative and funding standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity in the arts and cultural affairs space (CFDA 19.040). Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). The funding opportunity is issued by the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Zambia. The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $20,000, with an expectation of up to four awards. The posting indicates a creation date of November 1, 2018, and an original closing date of July 1, 2019, positioning it as a standing annual statement rather than a single one-time call, with proposals expected to follow the procedures and instructions laid out by the Embassy for submission and review.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Zambia in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Lusaka PAS 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 Nov 01, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 01, 2019. (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 $20,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for PAS LUS CULTURAL FY19

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