Official U.S. Presentation at the 15th International Architecture Exhibition, Venice, Italy, June Through November, 2016 | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this grant opportunity for?

This discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State (Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, or ECA) was intended to support the Official U.S. Presentation at the 15th International Architecture Exhibition (the Venice Architecture Biennale) in Venice, Italy, taking place from June through November 2016.

What is the main purpose of the award?

The core purpose was to select and support an exhibition that would represent the United States in a major international cultural setting, using architecture as a platform for public diplomacy and cultural exchange.

What kind of project was expected to be funded?

The opportunity expected proposals for a curated exhibition. Proposals were expected to focus on visionary and innovative architectural projects and proposals, and to position the U.S. presentation as compelling on its own while also being able to connect clearly to the Biennale theme.

How were applicants expected to address the Venice Biennale theme?

Applicants were expected to propose concepts that aligned with, responded to, or complemented the Biennale theme. Since the specific 2016 theme was expected to be announced in mid-2015, applicants needed to be prepared to connect their exhibition concept to the eventual theme while still presenting a strong, standalone proposal.

When did the Venice Architecture Biennale take place for this opportunity?

The grant supported the U.S. presentation at the 15th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice, Italy, running from June through November 2016.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number listed for this announcement was ECA ECALMAQM 15 001.

What CFDA program category did this opportunity fall under?

This opportunity was categorized under CFDA 19.415, described as Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs and Citizen Exchanges, and it was presented as an arts-focused program within that category.

How much funding was available?

The award ceiling and award floor were both set at exactly $100,000. In other words, the announcement anticipated making an award of $100,000 rather than offering a range of possible award sizes.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. The announcement indicated a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants needed to plan to bring additional resources beyond the federal funds. The notice described potential sources such as cash, in-kind support, sponsorships, partner contributions, or other allowable matching sources consistent with federal grant rules.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was limited to three categories of applicants:

• Private institutions of higher education
• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
• Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education within that nonprofit category)

Are universities and colleges eligible?

Yes. Both private and public/state-controlled institutions of higher education were eligible to apply.

Are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations eligible?

Yes, eligible nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status could apply, as long as they were not applying as institutions of higher education within that nonprofit category (the notice explicitly excluded institutions of higher education from that nonprofit category).

What types of organizations were the intended applicants?

Based on the eligibility categories, the intended applicants were universities, colleges, and eligible nonprofit cultural or educational organizations, likely because they can demonstrate curatorial capacity, project management infrastructure, and experience delivering public programming for an international exhibition of this scale and visibility.

Which agency administered this opportunity?

The administering agency was the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).

When was the opportunity posted?

The timeline indicates the opportunity was posted and created on October 1, 2014.

What was the application deadline?

The application deadline (listed as both the original and current closing date) was December 9, 2014.

When was the opportunity archived?

The archive date listed was January 8, 2015.

Where could applicants get help accessing the full announcement?

The notice directed applicants to the Grants.gov Contact Center for assistance accessing the full announcement.

What are the Grants.gov support contact details listed in the notice?

The notice listed the Grants.gov Contact Center phone number as 1-800-518-4726 (available 24/7 except federal holidays) and the support email as support@grants.gov.

What made the award structure unusual?

The award structure was unusual because the award floor and award ceiling were identical ($100,000), signaling that the program anticipated a single fixed award amount rather than variable awards within a range.

What should a strong proposal emphasize, based on the notice?

Based on the description provided, a strong proposal would present a clear curatorial and programmatic concept for the official U.S. presence at the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale, highlight visionary and innovative architectural ideas/projects, and demonstrate the ability to relate to the Biennale theme (including adapting to the specific theme once announced), while also planning for required cost share/matching resources.