The EAP/Mission New Zealand Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through it

Program Description

Goals and Objectives

PDS New Zealand invites Statements of Interest for projects that address and advance the following Mission priorities in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau.

• Connecting Creatives:  Elevate the voices of emerging and established cultural leaders from indigenous communities in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, and the United States working in creative industries.  Engage artists and experts to educate and share talent, expertise, culture, and democratic values.  Enable creation of inclusive and collaborative professional and social networks and opportunities for artists and institutions that build lasting and meaningful connections.
• Enhancing Economic Resilience through Diversification and Innovation:  Create opportunities for partnerships between individuals and organizations in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, and the United States. in the field of critical and emerging technologies, creating opportunities for innovation, diversification, growth, and collaboration in the tech sector.
• Leveraging the Full Potential of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Education Opportunities:   Expand STEM education focus and encourage the creation of more job opportunities in STEM fields within New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau to increase pathways to future employment for New Zealanders to ensure economic prosperity and global competitiveness.
• Conservation for Prosperity:  Advance efforts to protect the unique biodiversity and ecology of New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau, including sustainable ecotourism.

Successful applications will:

1. Include a clear statement of the project’s goals and objectives.
2. Identify priority audiences.
3. Describe activities that will address specific aspects of PDS New Zealand’s priorities.
4. Have a public outreach component, whether it be working with schools, holding events that are open to the public, or include a public messaging campaign, etc.
5. Provide a monitoring plan that:
   1. Defines how you will track the project’s progress.
   2. Details how to evaluate the project’s impact on the priority audience.
   3. Outlines a list of milestones in the program that can be used to monitor the program.
   4. Includes a timeline for evaluations and who will complete it.
6. Include a budget which details all program costs, including but not limited to:

• All travel required for the program.
• All equipment to be purchased for the program with a value of $5,000 or more.
• All personnel costs, provided in the following format:
  • Number of hours estimated x cost per hour x number of personnel.
  • If employees’ hourly rates differ, list each position as a separate line item.
• All contracted services required for the program, including, but not limited to:
  • Website design and hosting
  • Administrative service
  • Event planning
  • Catering
  • Venue hire
  • Equipment rental
  • Vehicle rental

While economy class travel is preferred, requests for Premium Economy and Business Class travel will be considered if sufficient justification is provided.  If sufficient justification is not received, PDS New Zealand will consider funding travel up to the maximum Economy Class travel as calculated by PDS staff.

To ensure compliance with the Fly America Act, PDS New Zealand will request final clearance on all travel itineraries that include travel into and out of the continental United States and the non-contiguous States and Territories.  The cost of travel itineraries to and from these destinations purchased without clearance from PDS New Zealand may be deducted from total of the grant funded.  Successful applicants will have the option of requesting that PDS New Zealand book travel on their behalf to ensure compliance with the Fly America Act.

Priority Program Areas:

1. Connecting Creatives:  Elevate the voices of emerging and established cultural leaders from indigenous communities in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, and the United States working in creative industries.  Engage artists and experts to educate and share talent, expertise, culture, and democratic values.  Enable creation of inclusive and collaborative professional and social networks and opportunities for artists and institutions that build lasting and meaningful connections.
2. Enhancing Economic Resilience through Diversification and Innovation:  Create opportunities for partnerships between individuals and organizations in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, and the United States. in the field of critical and emerging technologies, creating opportunities for innovation, diversification, growth, and collaboration in the tech sector.
3. Leveraging the Full Potential of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Education Opportunities:   Expand STEM education focus and encourage the creation of more job opportunities in STEM fields within New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau to increase pathways to future employment for New Zealanders to ensure economic prosperity and global competitiveness.
4. Conservation for Prosperity:  Advance efforts to protect the unique biodiversity and ecology of New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau, including sustainable ecotourism.

Participants and Audiences:

1. Connecting Creatives:  Māori and Pacifica mid-career creatives and community leaders.
2. Enhancing Economic Resilience through Diversification and Innovation:  Māori business networks, institutions, female entrepreneurs, small businesses, start-ups, tech and innovation hubs, and governmental organizations.
3. Leveraging the Full Potential of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Education Opportunities:  Government representatives, industry professionals in the fields of science, technology and engineering, educations institutions, and students and families from primary to tertiary education levels.
4. Conservation for Prosperity:  Individuals and organizations working in the conservation space, e.g. not-for-profit organizations, civil society, iwi, community groups and youth advocates.

For more information please read about the full opportunity here: https://nz.usembassy.gov/grants-program-general-notice-of-funding-opportunity-2/