The U.S. Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City Public Affairs Section (PAS) is pleased to announce funding is available through the 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 through the specific objectives mentioned.

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 organizations 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; and/or partnering with Vietnam on regional security cooperation.

Priority Program 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, labour 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: Mekong-U.S. Partnership (MUSP), environmental standards, climate mitigation and adaptation.

Award Information

Award Amount will be below $25,000. Proposals over $25,000 will be considered only with a cost share and on a case-by-case basis.

Target Audience

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

Priority Region

Activities will only be funded in the provinces south of and including Thua Thien Hue.

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:

• Registered not-for-profit, civil society/non-governmental organizations;
• Non-profit or public educational institutions;
• Individuals

For-profit entities are not allowed to apply. Previous federal award recipients who are not/were not in compliance with the terms of their financial and program reporting requirements are ineligible to apply. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they are in compliance with all applicable terms, conditions, and Office of Management and Budget guidance and requirements. Those organizations found to be in non-compliance may be found ineligible for funding or designated high risk if selected for funding.

For more information, visit Annual Program Statement.