FY 2022 Notice of Funding Opportunity: Cultural Grants Program | DOS PAS SLO 2022 001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the FY 2022 Cultural Grants Program?

The FY 2022 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Cultural Grants Program (Funding Opportunity Number: DOS PAS SLO 2022 001) is a discretionary grant program offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Slovenia (U.S. Embassy Ljubljana). It supports cultural and artistic projects that strengthen cooperation, collaboration, and exchange between the United States and Slovenia.

What is the main purpose of this grant program?

The program is designed to fund well-planned, well-managed initiatives that use culture as a bridge between the United States and Slovenia. Projects should bring American culture, values, and history to Slovenian audiences in meaningful and engaging ways while strengthening bilateral relationships and mutual understanding.

Who is offering and administering this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State and administered through the U.S. Mission to Slovenia (U.S. Embassy Ljubljana).

What types of projects are expected to be funded?

Funded projects are expected to promote American values, culture, and/or history through cultural forms such as art, music, literature, dance, and other creative or cultural mediums. The program emphasizes projects that create genuine exchange and collaboration between U.S. and Slovenian partners and that reach Slovenian audiences with clear public impact.

What themes and priorities does the Embassy emphasize?

The Embassy places particular emphasis on proposals that deepen bilateral relationships and partnerships, highlight shared heritage and shared democratic or societal values, and build mutual understanding between Americans and Slovenians. A stated priority is showcasing the diversity of American culture, encouraging applicants to reflect the variety of U.S. communities, traditions, and experiences.

Which cultural or creative formats are eligible?

The NOFO references cultural forms such as art, music, literature, dance, and other creative or cultural mediums. Projects should use these or similar cultural approaches to advance cultural diplomacy goals and U.S.-Slovenia collaboration.

What activity categories does this opportunity fall under?

The funding falls under the Arts and Education activity categories.

What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number for this program?

The CFDA/Assistance Listing is 19.040.

How much funding is available per award?

The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $10,000.

How many awards were anticipated?

The Embassy anticipated making around 10 awards.

What does the award size suggest about the scale of proposed projects?

With an award ceiling of $10,000 and an anticipated number of awards around 10, the program appears geared toward relatively focused, achievable projects with clear public impact rather than large, multi-year undertakings.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility includes nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education under the listed eligibility wording) as well as individuals. The opportunity is open to Slovenian and U.S. cultural institutions and civil society organizations, along with individual applicants, as long as proposed activities align with the Embassy's cultural diplomacy goals and the U.S.-Slovenia collaborative focus.

Are individuals allowed to apply?

Yes. Individuals are included as eligible applicants under the information provided.

Are nonprofit organizations eligible?

Yes. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status are included as eligible applicants, based on the eligibility wording provided.

Are institutions of higher education eligible?

The eligibility description provided notes nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education under the listed eligibility wording. Based on the information provided, institutions of higher education are excluded under that specific eligibility wording.

Can Slovenian organizations apply, or is it limited to U.S. organizations?

The opportunity is open to Slovenian and U.S. cultural institutions and civil society organizations, as well as individuals, as long as the proposal aligns with the Embassy's cultural diplomacy goals and focuses on U.S.-Slovenia cooperation.

What collaboration is expected between the United States and Slovenia?

The program is intended to strengthen cooperation, collaboration, and exchange between the two countries. Projects are expected to deepen bilateral relationships and partnerships and promote mutual understanding between Americans and Slovenians.

What audience should the project reach?

The NOFO emphasizes bringing American culture, values, and history to Slovenian audiences in meaningful, engaging ways and reaching Slovenian audiences with clear public impact.

What is meant by showcasing the diversity of American culture?

Applicants are encouraged to move beyond a single narrative of the United States and instead reflect the variety of communities, traditions, and experiences across the country when designing cultural programming for Slovenian audiences.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is DOS PAS SLO 2022 001.

When was this funding opportunity created?

The creation date listed for this NOFO is February 2, 2022.

What was the application deadline?

The original application deadline (closing date) was April 1, 2022.

How should this NOFO be understood in plain terms?

This NOFO is best understood as a cultural diplomacy grant: small-to-midsize funding aimed at concrete cultural programming that connects U.S. and Slovenian partners, reaches Slovenian audiences, and presents American culture and values in a way that encourages dialogue, understanding, and long-term people-to-people ties.