The U.S. Embassy Bratislava Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Purpose of Small Grants Program: PAS Bratislava invites proposals for programs that strengthen societal and cultural ties between the U.S. and Slovakia through programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs should include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. Project proposals should have an intrinsic public diplomacy objective in support of the Priority Program Areas listed below. Projects with a particular emphasis on activities outside the capital of Bratislava will have a priority. Priority Program Areas: Supporting Slovakias transatlantic orientation by addressing hybrid threats, including disinformation and cyber security. Supporting Slovakias capacity to uphold rule of law anti-corruption efforts and increased transparency. Strengthening independent media and journalism and helping to foster critical thinking. Promoting economic prosperity, energy security, and entrepreneurship through partnership with the U.S., including innovative approaches to technology. Contributing to Slovakias efforts to support human rights and foster a culture of tolerance and inclusion of minorities. Encouraging womens empowerment. Promoting cross-cultural understanding and supporting highly specialized English language learning in Slovakia. Special Note 1: American Spaces Programing PAS Bratislava invites applicants to submit proposals for programs be located at American centers in Banska Bystrica, Kosice and Zilina (https://www.americanspaces.sk/). Preferred, but not exclusive, audiences are educators as well as students. The centers can assist in disseminating information and attracting audiences. The Embassy prefers sustainable longer-term programming over one-off events. Technical Equipment of the American Spaces: 1. American Center Banska Bystrica, State Scientific Library, Lazovna 9 Projector, screen, free WI-FI coverage, 17 laptops (HP, Intel Core i5, Windows 10, Libre Office), MakerBot Replicator+ 3-D printer, printing material PLA with various colors, 10 BBC Micro:bit sets, Evo Classroom Ozobot kit (12 bots), VR Headset Oculus Quest 2 2. American Center Kosice, State Scientific Library, Hlavna 10 Projector, screen, WI-FI coverage, 17 laptops (HP, Intel Core i5, Windows 10, Open Office), Maker Bot Replicator 3-D printer, printing material, 10 BBC Micro:bit sets, Evo Classroom ozobot kit (11 bots), Lego Mindstorms Ev3, 3 core sets + 3 extension sets, 2 VR Headset Oculus Quest 2 3. American Center Zilina, Regional Library in Zilina, A. Bernolaka 47 Projector, screen, WI-FI coverage, 12 laptops (ASUS, Intel Core i5, Windows 11, Open Office), Prusa 3-D printer, 15 BBC Micro:bit sets, 15 Micro:bit Cutebot, Evo Classroom ozobot kit (12 bots), 2 VR Headset Oculus Quest 2 We recommend consulting the Embassy before submitting a grant application for an American Space Program via Bratislava_GrantsSlovakia@state.gov. Special Note 2: The Embassy will be celebrating several anniversaries in 2024, to include NATO 20 years, Fulbright Slovakia 30 years, and Slovak National Uprising (SNP) 80 years. We will be happy to welcome applications for related programs, and will give preference to those which are interactive and contain a clear and stated U.S. component.