The U.S. Embassy La Paz Public Diplomacy Section announces its Annual Program Statement (APS) for the Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program for Fiscal Year 2025. The program supports initiatives that strengthen ties between the United States and Bolivia through cultural, educational, professional, and scientific exchanges that highlight shared values and foster bilateral cooperation. Proposals must incorporate U.S. cultural elements or connections with U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions to promote understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

Eligible activities under the program include lectures, seminars, speaker programs, cultural workshops, exhibitions, professional or academic exchanges (including virtual exchanges), and professional development workshops. Priority funding areas include supporting Bolivia’s diversified economy, advancing gender equality, addressing gender-based violence, building civil society’s capacity to tackle climate change and environmental issues, supporting freedom of speech and the press, and fostering U.S.-Bolivian partnerships, especially in education and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). Projects that reduce inequality among marginalized populations are strongly encouraged.

The program is open to U.S. and Bolivian citizens and organizations, including registered public and private non-profits, think tanks, civil society organizations, educational institutions, and governmental entities. For-profit or commercial entities are ineligible. Cost sharing is not required but is encouraged. Applicants are not required to provide matching funds unless stipulated in their proposals. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number via SAM.gov for eligibility; however, individuals are not required to register with SAM.gov or have a UEI.

Awards range from $5,000 to $40,000, with exceptions considered on a case-by-case basis. Projects must span a performance period of 2 to 24 months, and approximately 15 awards are anticipated. Proposals are reviewed on a rolling basis, with final submissions due by July 31, 2025. Decisions typically take 90 days, and funds are disbursed 1-3 months after approval. Applicants are encouraged to apply 4-6 months before their proposed project start dates.

Proposals should not include partisan political activities, religious programming, charitable activities, construction, lobbying, or commercial projects. The program discourages projects focused solely on institutional development or those duplicating existing initiatives. Rare exceptions may be made for travel by U.S. experts if part of broader public programming.

Applications can be submitted electronically through the provided grant email address, and applicants should consult the full APS for detailed instructions. Contact Maria T. Requena at the U.S. Embassy for further assistance.