Opportunity Information: Apply for OFOP0001453
The U.S. Government Alumni Small Grants Competition (Funding Opportunity Number OFOP0001453) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Embassy Nassau Public Diplomacy Section under the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs. Its main purpose is to fund projects that build partnerships and advance shared objectives between the United States and The Bahamas, especially through activities that create exchanges, strengthen community engagement, and deepen mutual understanding. Funding decisions are made through an open competition, with awards dependent on the availability of funds.
A central requirement of this opportunity is that every proposal must include clear "American content." In practice, that means projects should meaningfully connect audiences in The Bahamas with the United States, its culture and society, and its governmental, economic, and political systems and values. The American component can be built in several ways, such as including U.S.-based speakers or experts in U.S. policy, academia, culture, or economics; using U.S. training approaches and materials; developing exchanges or partnerships with U.S. institutions; or promoting U.S. culture and the arts as part of the programming. The intent is not just to host a local activity, but to ensure the project has a credible U.S. linkage that supports public diplomacy goals.
Eligibility is targeted and specific: applicants must be individuals who previously participated in U.S. government-sponsored exchange or alumni programs. Bahamian alumni can apply either in their personal capacity or as the head of a non-governmental organization, which gives flexibility for both individual-led community projects and NGO-implemented initiatives. The listing identifies eligible applicants as individuals, consistent with the alumni focus of the program.
The Embassy is looking for proposals that directly improve communities, expand opportunities for citizen participation, and support issues that matter to the public. Priority project themes include entrepreneurship and economic empowerment programs, with particular interest in initiatives that empower women and girls; efforts that promote a more inclusive society; activities that help integrate marginalized groups or individuals into their communities; and programs that prepare Bahamian youth to become future leaders who can compete in a global economy. Environmental priorities are also emphasized, including conservation efforts and projects that address climate change. In addition, the Embassy encourages proposals that strengthen Bahamian civil society organizations in areas of mutual U.S.-Bahamas interest, and projects that expand exchanges or engagement opportunities that help Bahamian audiences, especially youth, women, and marginalized communities, better understand the United States and the values shared by both countries.
From a funding standpoint, the award ceiling is listed as $10,000, meaning projects should be designed to be achievable at a small-grant scale with realistic, measurable outcomes. The original closing date for submissions was July 15, 2024, and the program is cataloged under CFDA number 19.040, which is commonly associated with public diplomacy and educational/cultural exchange-related assistance. Overall, this opportunity is best suited for U.S. government exchange alumni in The Bahamas who have a practical community-focused idea and can clearly tie it to U.S. expertise, partnerships, materials, or cultural content in a way that supports Embassy public diplomacy priorities.Apply for OFOP0001453
- The Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Government Alumni Small Grants Competition" 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 2024-06-05.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-07-15. (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 $10,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Individuals.
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FAQs: U.S. Government Alumni Small Grants Competition (OFOP0001453)
What is the U.S. Government Alumni Small Grants Competition (OFOP0001453)?
It is a discretionary, open-competition small grants program run by the U.S. Embassy Nassau Public Diplomacy Section under the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs. The program funds projects that build partnerships and advance shared objectives between the United States and The Bahamas, especially through exchanges, community engagement, and mutual understanding.
Who runs this grant program?
The program is administered by the U.S. Embassy Nassau Public Diplomacy Section and is associated with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The main purpose is to support projects that strengthen U.S.-Bahamas connections and partnerships, deepen mutual understanding, and advance shared objectives through public diplomacy-focused activities such as exchanges, engagement, and community-oriented programming.
Is this an open competition?
Yes. Funding decisions are made through an open competition, and awards depend on the availability of funds.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be individuals who previously participated in U.S. government-sponsored exchange or alumni programs (U.S. government exchange alumni).
Can Bahamian alumni apply as individuals, or must they apply through an organization?
Bahamian alumni may apply in their personal capacity or as the head of a non-governmental organization (NGO). This allows either individual-led community projects or NGO-implemented initiatives, as long as the applicant meets the alumni eligibility requirement.
Are organizations eligible applicants under this opportunity?
The opportunity identifies eligible applicants as individuals, consistent with the alumni focus of the program. However, it also notes that Bahamian alumni can apply as the head of an NGO, which provides flexibility in how a project may be implemented.
What does the grant mean by a required "American content" component?
Every proposal must include clear American content, meaning the project should meaningfully connect audiences in The Bahamas with the United States, its culture and society, and its governmental, economic, and political systems and values. The intent is to ensure the project has a credible U.S. linkage that supports public diplomacy goals, not just a purely local activity.
How can a project include acceptable American content?
Examples of ways to build American content include incorporating U.S.-based speakers or experts in U.S. policy, academia, culture, or economics; using U.S. training approaches and materials; creating exchanges or partnerships with U.S. institutions; or promoting U.S. culture and the arts as part of the programming.
Is it enough to run a local activity in The Bahamas without a strong U.S. link?
No. The opportunity emphasizes that projects should not be only local activities; proposals must include a clear and credible American component that advances public diplomacy objectives.
What types of outcomes is the Embassy looking for?
The Embassy is looking for proposals that directly improve communities, expand opportunities for citizen participation, and support issues that matter to the public, with realistic and measurable outcomes appropriate for small-grant funding.
What are the priority project themes?
Priority themes include entrepreneurship and economic empowerment (especially initiatives that empower women and girls), efforts that promote a more inclusive society, activities that integrate marginalized groups into their communities, and programs that prepare Bahamian youth to become future leaders who can compete in a global economy.
Does this grant support environmental projects?
Yes. Environmental priorities are emphasized, including conservation efforts and projects that address climate change.
Are projects that strengthen civil society encouraged?
Yes. The Embassy encourages proposals that strengthen Bahamian civil society organizations in areas of mutual U.S.-Bahamas interest.
Who are the intended beneficiaries or key audiences?
The opportunity highlights engagement that helps Bahamian audiences better understand the United States and shared values, with special emphasis on youth, women, and marginalized communities.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $10,000.
What does the $10,000 award ceiling imply for project design?
It suggests projects should be feasible at a small-grant scale and designed with practical, realistic, and measurable outcomes that can be achieved within a limited budget.
When was the submission deadline listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date for submissions was July 15, 2024.
Are awards guaranteed if a proposal is selected as competitive?
No. Awards are dependent on the availability of funds, even within an open competition.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The opportunity is cataloged under CFDA number 19.040, commonly associated with public diplomacy and educational/cultural exchange-related assistance.
What kinds of U.S.-Bahamas connections does this program aim to build?
It aims to build partnerships and advance shared objectives by fostering exchanges, strengthening community engagement, and deepening mutual understanding between the United States and The Bahamas.
What kind of applicant is this opportunity best suited for?
It is best suited for U.S. government exchange alumni in The Bahamas who have a community-focused project idea and can clearly tie it to U.S. expertise, partnerships, materials, or cultural content that aligns with Embassy public diplomacy priorities.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is OFOP0001453.
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