U.S. Embassy Lebanon PAS Grants Annual Program Statement | LBN PAS 20 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for LBN PAS 20 002

The U.S. Embassy Lebanon Public Affairs Section (PAS), under the U.S. Department of State, is offering funding through its Public Diplomacy Grants Program under an Annual Program Statement titled "U.S. Embassy Lebanon PAS Grants Annual Program Statement" (Funding Opportunity Number LBN-PAS-20-002; CFDA 19.040). The opportunity uses FY20 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy funds and is designed to support programs that strengthen cultural ties between the United States and Lebanon. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the fiscal year, depending on the availability of funds. The total funding available is $400,000, and individual awards can range from $100,000 up to $400,000, meaning the Embassy may fund one large project or several smaller ones. Projects are generally expected to last between 3 and 24 months, with an anticipated start timeframe around December 2019, and continuation funding may be possible on a non-competitive basis if funds remain available and performance is strong.

The core purpose of the grants is to support cultural and exchange programming that both engages youth and empowers women while building understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. A key requirement is that every funded program must include a clear American cultural element or a tangible connection to the United States, such as collaboration with American experts, organizations, or institutions in a relevant field. The Embassy lists examples of the kinds of activities it may support, including academic and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker series; artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions; cultural heritage conservation and preservation initiatives; and professional or academic exchanges.

PAS Beirut highlights three main priority areas for proposals. First, it seeks programs that enhance the role of women in society, particularly through civic participation (for example, social entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and community engagement), economic empowerment, and expanded access to education. Second, it prioritizes youth empowerment, including initiatives related to STEAM fields (science, technology, engineering, architecture, and math), entrepreneurship, and inclusive citizenship. Third, it encourages projects that build media literacy and promote freedom of speech. In terms of intended audiences, youth-focused projects typically target participants between ages 14 and 30, while women-focused projects can involve women of any age and may also include youth or broader community members.

The Embassy places special emphasis on proposals that reach communities outside Beirut and that serve a large number of beneficiaries. At the same time, it clearly excludes certain activities from funding. Ineligible proposals include those involving partisan political activity, charitable or development work, construction, religious activities aimed at supporting a specific faith, fundraising campaigns, lobbying efforts tied to specific legislation or programs, scientific research, projects primarily focused on growing the applicant organization itself (rather than delivering a public-facing program), and projects that duplicate existing programs.

Eligible applicants include U.S. and Lebanese registered nonprofit organizations (including think tanks and civil society/NGOs with relevant programming experience), individuals, and nonprofit or governmental educational institutions. For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible. Cost sharing is not required, but it is strongly encouraged, and proposals that include a cost share component may receive additional consideration. There is also a submission limit: each organization may submit only one proposal per quarter, and if an organization submits more than one during the same quarter, all of its submissions for that period can be deemed ineligible.

Awards may be issued as grants, fixed amount awards, or cooperative agreements. Grants and fixed amount awards come with standard reporting requirements during and at the end of the project. Cooperative agreements differ in that Embassy staff may have substantial involvement in implementation, such as collaborating on delivery, approving phases before moving forward, co-presenting results, or reviewing certain substantive sub-awards or contracts beyond standard federal oversight. For additional application instructions, review procedures, and administrative details, the Embassy directs applicants to its website or to contact PDBeirutGrants@state.gov.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Lebanon in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), community development, education, environment, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Lebanon PAS Grants 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 08, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 31, 2020. (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 $400,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for LBN PAS 20 002

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