The U.S. Mission to Italy’s Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Grants Program.
Purpose of Grants: PDS Italy invites concept notes for programs that strengthen ties between the United States and Italy through cultural and exchange programming that highlight shared values and promote bilateral cooperation. All programs must have a primary audience of Italians or those residing in Italy and include a significant American cultural element, such as a connection with American experts, organizations, or institutions in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.
Examples of PDS grants programs include, but are not limited to:
- Academic and professional lectures, exchanges, seminars, partnerships, and speaker programs;
- Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions featuring participants from the United States;
Applicants should submit only one concept note per organization. Interested applicants from within Duke should contact fundopps@duke.edu as early as possible.
Deadline: Jan. 25, 2024
Priority Program Areas:
- Climate: Proposals in this area should promote cooperation and seek to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, including through reduction in methane emissions, reducing global deforestation, and transition to renewable energy sources. Proposals may also increase collaboration and/or share best practices on meeting U.S. and Italian commitments on climate change.
- Democracy and Democratic Values: Proposals in this area should strengthen and reinforce the practice of democratic principles within Italy (such as countering racism and gender-based violence, and reducing extremism, antisemitism, and intolerance of marginalized groups in Italy) and/or strengthen the capacity of Italian civil society in fostering democratic values and renewing trust in democracy.
- Transatlantic Security: Proposals in this area should support and advance cooperation and shared interests in the transatlantic relationship between the United States and Italy through efforts to promote cooperation in NATO and other multilateral security organizations, including support for Ukraine against Russia’s full-scale invasion, cybersecurity, the role of women in peace and security, and increasing cooperation in the Mediterranean.
- Economic Prosperity: Proposals in this area should promote transparent and rules-based trade, and investment in sustainable growth. Though not required, proposals with a focus on women’s economic empowerment will receive favorable consideration.
- Countering Disinformation: Proposals in this area should increase target audiences’ understanding of and ability to counter foreign state and non-state propaganda and disinformation that undermines faith in democratic governance. Proposals that support increased awareness of disinformation among the media and journalists are welcome.
The Public Diplomacy Section encourages applications from Italy and the United States:
- Registered U.S. and Italian not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience in Italy;
- U.S. or Italian individuals;
- U.S. and Italian non-profit or governmental educational institutions;
- U.S. and Italian Governmental institutions.
Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $20,000 to a maximum of $75,000