Deadline: 15 January 2020

The U.S. Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City Public Affairs Section (PAS) is seeking proposals for its Public Diplomacy Federal Assistance Awards.

This Annual Program Statement solicits proposals for projects that further the U.S. Mission’s public diplomacy goals of expanding media engagement, strengthening people-to-people ties between Vietnam and the United States, and building and strengthening local partners.

Public Diplomacy Goals

Successful proposals must include an element of public outreach to meet the criteria for use of Public Diplomacy funds. Public diplomacy funds may only be given to non-profit entities or individuals. Public diplomacy programming includes communication with international audiences, cultural programming, educational exchanges, trade promotion, regional security, English language programming, innovation in and improvement of education systems, promoting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, and promoting journalistic professionalism. Proposals funded under this Annual Program Statement will further one or more of the U.S. Mission to Vietnam’s overarching public diplomacy goals: improving Vietnam’s global integration, market orientation, commitment to good governance, improved education systems and environmental sustainability; partnering with Vietnam on regional security cooperation.

Objectives

Proposals must explicitly address one or more of the Public Affairs Section priority objectives listed below and create or extend the communities engaged in those areas:

• Economic Prosperity: improved opportunities for U.S. businesses, labor standards, developing soft skills to work with U.S. businesses, reducing the bilateral trade deficit, intellectual property rights, promotion of U.S. products, or U.S. business values.
• Security: rule of law, combating transnational crime, combating trafficking in persons, improving relations with the Vietnamese diaspora community.
• Education: English teaching, improving teaching methods, curriculum development, modernizing education systems, STEM.
• Inclusiveness: women’s rights and empowerment, access and legal reform for disabled persons, LGBT rights, ethnic/religious minorities’ rights, civil society development.
• Fundamental Freedoms: freedom of expression, press, association, religion.
• Sustainable development: Lower Mekong Initiative, environmental standards, climate mitigation and adaptation.

Funding Information

Award Amount will be below $25,000.

Target Audience

The target audience for successful projects is 15-35 years old. Priority given to projects in Ho Chi Minh City, Central Coastal Vietnam, and the Mekong Delta, especially in Da Nang and Can Tho.

Eligibility Criteria

• Submissions are encouraged from U.S. and Vietnam entities with relevant programming experience. This experience should be documented in the proposal. Eligible entities include:
  • not-for-profit, civil society/non-governmental organizations
  • public educational institutions
  • individuals
• For-profit entities are not allowed to apply.

For more information, visit https://vn.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/SVM700-20-PAS-001-Annual-Prog-Statement.pdf