Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS2016HAVANA
Apply for DOS2016HAVANA
- The DOS in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Havana Small Grants Opportunity" 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 Apr 13, 2016 and posted on Apr 13, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 15, 2016. (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 $15,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Havana Small Grants Opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DOS2016HAVANA) was a discretionary U.S. Department of State grant competition administered by the U.S. Embassy to Cuba, specifically through the Embassy's Public Affairs Section (PAS). The program offered limited funding for small-scale projects designed to strengthen U.S.-Cuba bilateral relations by supporting practical, on-the-ground activities that could be developed and carried out in Cuba. The opportunity was framed as a Public Affairs small grants program, meaning it focused on people-to-people engagement, exchange, and initiatives that improve mutual understanding and cooperation.
Projects were expected to align with four stated priority areas. First, the program sought to increase entrepreneurship and economic opportunities, with an emphasis on youth and underserved communities, suggesting an interest in workforce development, skills training, mentoring, and practical support that can help individuals and communities build sustainable livelihoods. Second, it aimed to enhance bilateral partnerships by promoting education, expanding access to and use of technology, supporting sports-related engagement, and encouraging partnerships across the Americas, which points to collaborative programs, exchanges, and joint initiatives that connect Cuban participants with U.S. institutions or regional networks. Third, it prioritized cultural exchange and efforts to deepen understanding of shared history, traditions, and values through innovative approaches, indicating support for creative programming that can reach broader audiences and foster dialogue in new or nontraditional formats. Overall, the emphasis across these areas was on relationship-building and constructive engagement that produces tangible benefits and sustained connections.
Eligibility was limited to applicants who are qualified to receive U.S. government grants and who also have the ability to develop and implement the proposed activities in Cuba. The eligible applicant types listed included public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, U.S.-based nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than universities), and individuals. The announcement also explicitly encouraged applications from organizations that had not previously received international program funding from the U.S. government, signaling an interest in expanding the pool of grantees and bringing in newer partners with strong ideas and credible implementation plans.
In terms of basic award parameters, the maximum award amount (ceiling) was $15,000, indicating a small-grants structure suitable for pilot projects, targeted workshops, short-term exchanges, community-level initiatives, or narrowly scoped collaborations rather than large multi-year programs. The funding instrument type was a grant, and the activity category was listed as "Other," with clarification referenced in the full announcement materials. The opportunity fell under CFDA 19.040, associated with public diplomacy programs. The announcement was posted on April 13, 2016, and the application deadline was August 15, 2016. Applicants were directed to the Embassy's website for additional details and specific application instructions.
Havana Small Grants Opportunity (DOS2016HAVANA) - FAQs
What is the Havana Small Grants Opportunity (DOS2016HAVANA)?
The Havana Small Grants Opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DOS2016HAVANA) was a discretionary U.S. Department of State grant competition administered by the U.S. Embassy to Cuba through the Embassy's Public Affairs Section (PAS). It offered limited funding for small-scale, practical projects that could be developed and carried out in Cuba to strengthen U.S.-Cuba bilateral relations through public diplomacy and people-to-people engagement.
Who administered this grant competition?
The competition was administered by the U.S. Embassy to Cuba, specifically through the Embassy's Public Affairs Section (PAS), under the U.S. Department of State.
What was the primary purpose of the program?
The program aimed to strengthen U.S.-Cuba bilateral relations by supporting on-the-ground activities in Cuba that promote mutual understanding, cooperation, and sustained connections. It was framed as a Public Affairs small grants program, emphasizing relationship-building and practical engagement.
Where were projects expected to be carried out?
Projects were expected to be developed and implemented in Cuba, with activities designed to work in-country and produce tangible benefits and connections.
What types of projects did the program support?
The program supported small-scale projects suitable for a small-grants structure, such as pilot projects, targeted workshops, short-term exchanges, community-level initiatives, or narrowly scoped collaborations. Overall, supported efforts were expected to advance public diplomacy goals and strengthen bilateral relationships.
What were the stated priority areas for proposed projects?
Projects were expected to align with the program's stated priorities, which included: increasing entrepreneurship and economic opportunities (especially for youth and underserved communities); enhancing bilateral partnerships (including education, access to and use of technology, sports-related engagement, and partnerships across the Americas); and prioritizing cultural exchange and deeper understanding of shared history, traditions, and values through innovative approaches.
How did the program define or emphasize entrepreneurship and economic opportunity?
The entrepreneurship and economic opportunity focus emphasized youth and underserved communities, suggesting interest in workforce development, skills training, mentoring, and other practical support that could help individuals and communities build sustainable livelihoods.
What did "enhancing bilateral partnerships" include under this opportunity?
The bilateral partnerships priority included promoting education, expanding access to and use of technology, supporting sports-related engagement, and encouraging partnerships across the Americas. This pointed to collaborative programs, exchanges, or joint initiatives that connect Cuban participants with U.S. institutions or regional networks.
What did the cultural exchange priority emphasize?
The cultural exchange priority emphasized deepening understanding of shared history, traditions, and values through innovative approaches. It indicated support for creative programming that could reach broader audiences and foster dialogue using new or nontraditional formats.
Was the opportunity focused on public diplomacy and people-to-people engagement?
Yes. The opportunity was framed as a Public Affairs small grants program, focusing on people-to-people engagement, exchange, and initiatives intended to improve mutual understanding and cooperation.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was limited to applicants who were qualified to receive U.S. government grants and who also had the ability to develop and implement the proposed activities in Cuba.
What types of applicants were listed as eligible?
The eligible applicant types listed included public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, U.S.-based nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than universities), and individuals.
Were new or first-time U.S. government international program grantees encouraged to apply?
Yes. The announcement explicitly encouraged applications from organizations that had not previously received international program funding from the U.S. government, signaling an interest in expanding the pool of grantees and bringing in newer partners.
What was the maximum award amount?
The maximum award amount (ceiling) was $15,000, reflecting the program's small-grants design and suitability for focused, small-scale activities.
What type of funding instrument was used?
The funding instrument type was a grant.
What was the activity category?
The activity category was listed as "Other," with additional clarification referenced in the full announcement materials.
What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity fell under CFDA 19.040, associated with public diplomacy programs.
When was the opportunity posted?
The announcement was posted on April 13, 2016.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was August 15, 2016.
Where were applicants directed to find additional details and application instructions?
Applicants were directed to the U.S. Embassy's website for additional details and specific application instructions.
Did the program support large, multi-year initiatives?
Based on the stated $15,000 award ceiling and the description as a small-grants program, the funding was positioned for narrowly scoped, small-scale projects rather than large, multi-year programs.
What kinds of outcomes did the program appear to value?
The program emphasized relationship-building and constructive engagement that produces tangible benefits and sustained connections, particularly through practical activities and collaborative efforts tied to the stated priority areas.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DOS2016HAVANA) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| 16.PMWRA.Project 8.Parwan.Afghanistan.NOFO Apply for PM PMWRA 16 031 Funding Number: PM PMWRA 16 031 Agency: DOS-PMWRA Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,340,000 |
| Havana Large Grants Opportunity Apply for DOS2016HAVANA2 Funding Number: DOS2016HAVANA2 Agency: DOS Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| 16.PMWRA.Project 6.Kabul.Afghanistan.NOFO Apply for PM PMWRA 16 028 Funding Number: PM PMWRA 16 028 Agency: DOS-PMWRA Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $2,520,000 |
| 16.PMWRA.Project 11.Baghlan.Afghanistan.NOFO Apply for PM PMWRA 16 032 Funding Number: PM PMWRA 16 032 Agency: DOS-PMWRA Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,785,000 |
| FY 2016 Youth Leadership Program with Burma Apply for ECA ECAPEC 16 031 Funding Number: ECA ECAPEC 16 031 Agency: DOS-ECA Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $590,000 |
| FY 2016 Arts Envoy Program Apply for ECA ECAPEC 16 029 Funding Number: ECA ECAPEC 16 029 Agency: DOS-ECA Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,300,000 |
| FY 2016 Pan Africa Youth Leadership Program Apply for ECA ECAPEC 16 030 Funding Number: ECA ECAPEC 16 030 Agency: DOS-ECA Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $4,800,000 |
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| Sustainable Water Partnership Apply for SOL OAA 16 000084 Funding Number: SOL OAA 16 000084 Agency: USAID Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $65,000,000 |
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| DRL FY15 Democracy, Human Rights, and Rule of Law in Pakistan Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 16 073 Funding Number: DRLA DRLAQM 16 073 Agency: DOS-DRL Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,800,000 |
| FY 2016 Creative Arts Exchange Apply for ECA ECAPEC 16 046 Funding Number: ECA ECAPEC 16 046 Agency: DOS-ECA Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Governance for Local Development Apply for RFA 685 16 000008 Funding Number: RFA 685 16 000008 Agency: USAID-SEN Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| Haiti-Building the Capacity of Workers’ Organizations in the Apparel Sector Apply for NOI ILAB 16 05 Funding Number: NOI ILAB 16 05 Agency: DOL-ETA-ILAB Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Award: Maine Acadian Culture Project Apply for NPS 16 NERO 0038 Funding Number: NPS 16 NERO 0038 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $75,600 |
| Notice of Intent to Award: Cultural Landscape Youth Education and Employment Apply for NPS 16 NERO 0039 Funding Number: NPS 16 NERO 0039 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $105,514 |
| Lincoln Corners Pakistan – Programming Support Apply for SCA ISB 15 AW 010 04202016 Funding Number: SCA ISB 15 AW 010 04202016 Agency: DOS-PAK Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Media Training and Professional Journalism Development in Pakistan Apply for SCAISB 16 AW 007 04212016 Funding Number: SCAISB 16 AW 007 04212016 Agency: DOS-PAK Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Huna Tribal House Programs Apply for P16AS00121 Funding Number: P16AS00121 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $375,000 |
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