U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires PAS Annual Program Statement | PAS AR200 FY23 01

FAQs: U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires (PAS) Annual Program Statement Grant

What is this grant opportunity?

This is the U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires Public Affairs Section (PAS) Annual Program Statement, a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Mission to Argentina. It supports projects that deepen U.S.-Argentina ties through educational, cultural, and civic programming (Funding Opportunity Number: PAS AR200 FY23 01; CFDA/Assistance Listing: 19.040).

What is the main purpose of the program?

The program funds projects designed to advance mutual understanding between the United States and Argentina, support shared democratic values, and encourage practical cooperation between people and institutions in both countries.

How much funding is available per award?

Awards can be funded up to an award ceiling of $100,000.

When was the closing date for this cycle?

The original closing date listed for this cycle was September 30, 2023.

How long can a project last?

Projects are generally expected to be time-bound and implementable within two years or less. Projects that require more than two years to implement are not typically supported.

What are the main priority pillars for funding?

The opportunity is organized around three broad priority pillars:

• Promote U.S.-Argentina shared values
• Strengthen Prosperity
• Reinforce democracy, freedom, and transparency

What kinds of activities fit under "Promote U.S.-Argentina shared values"?

This pillar includes proposals that expand the teaching and learning of American English; run workshops or speaker programs that strengthen interpersonal and institutional links; and support educational exchange and partnerships, especially STEM-focused initiatives aimed at Argentine youth. It also includes activities that bring U.S. expertise into dialogue with Argentine counterparts through practical learning, professional collaboration, and cultural exchange.

What kinds of activities fit under "Strengthen Prosperity"?

This pillar focuses on programs that encourage entrepreneurship, innovation, and positive engagement with U.S. business practices, including awareness of intellectual property rights. It also includes projects that promote social development and reduce inequality, with special attention to marginalized populations and communities outside the City of Buenos Aires. Environmental sustainability is a key theme as well, including initiatives that promote sustainable economic models and climate action that can be communicated broadly and replicated locally.

What kinds of activities fit under "Reinforce democracy, freedom, and transparency"?

This pillar supports programming that strengthens good governance and more transparent, independent, and democratic institutions in Argentina. It includes human rights work; racial, ethnic, and gender equity; womens empowerment; and efforts that incorporate Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) principles. The Embassy also prioritizes freedom of the press, including programs that improve investigative journalism, reinforce professional standards, promote transparency, and help counter disinformation.

What types of projects has PAS supported in the past?

Examples provided include:

• Speaking tours, public talks, and roundtable discussions led by U.S. experts
• Joint U.S.-Argentina conferences or meetings that produce concrete outputs
• Expansion of PAS American Spaces and binational center programming
• Projects that showcase U.S. models or curricula
• Initiatives that keep alumni of prior exchange programs engaged
• Creative projects that advance one or more stated priorities
• Community engagement or student programs tied to entrepreneurship, STEM education, and American English

Who are the priority audiences for this funding opportunity?

Priority audiences include emerging voices such as students and youth, civil society leaders, entrepreneurs, and established opinion leaders, including leadership at cultural or academic institutions.

Is geographic diversity within Argentina important?

Yes. The Embassy places particular emphasis on reaching residents in Argentine provinces outside the City of Buenos Aires, signaling a preference for nationwide impact rather than programming concentrated only in the capital.

Who is eligible to apply?

PAS invites proposals from Argentine academic, cultural, educational, and other nonprofit organizations, as well as individuals, as long as the proposed work supports Embassy goals.

Does my project need to involve both U.S. and Argentine partners?

The program is intended to deepen U.S.-Argentina ties and encourage practical cooperation between people and institutions in both countries. Competitive projects typically reflect that binational connection through collaboration, exchange, or structured engagement with U.S. expertise and Argentine counterparts.

Are projects focused on American English eligible?

Yes. Expanding the teaching and learning of American English is explicitly listed under the "Promote U.S.-Argentina shared values" pillar.

Are STEM and youth-focused initiatives a good fit?

Yes. The program highlights support for educational exchange and partnerships, especially STEM-focused initiatives aimed at Argentine youth.

Are entrepreneurship and innovation programs eligible?

Yes. Under "Strengthen Prosperity," PAS is interested in programs that encourage entrepreneurship, innovation, and engagement with U.S. business practices, including intellectual property rights awareness.

Are environmental sustainability and climate action projects eligible?

Yes. Environmental sustainability is a key theme under "Strengthen Prosperity," including initiatives that promote sustainable economic models and climate action that can be communicated to broad audiences and replicated locally.

Are human rights, equity, and DEIA-related projects eligible?

Yes. Under "Reinforce democracy, freedom, and transparency," PAS supports work related to human rights; racial, ethnic, and gender equity; womens empowerment; and efforts incorporating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) principles.

Are press freedom and journalism projects eligible?

Yes. The Embassy highlights freedom of the press as a priority, including projects that improve investigative journalism, promote transparency, reinforce professional standards, and counter disinformation.

What types of projects are discouraged or not typically approved?

The announcement notes that proposals are discouraged if they:

• Function as investments that primarily benefit only one or a few businesses or individuals
• Provide scholarships for English study
• Primarily fund conference attendance or study tours to the United States
• Are inherently political, partisan, or connected to electoral campaigns
• Focus mainly on publishing books, pamphlets, websites, or apps as the core purpose
• Are exclusively scientific research projects
• Require more than two years to implement

Can grant funds be used to buy equipment or vehicles?

Funding is not typically used for purchasing equipment or vehicles.

Can grant funds be used for construction or construction materials?

No. Funding is not typically used for construction or construction materials.

Can the project include exchanges involving countries other than the U.S. and Argentina?

No. Exchanges involving countries other than the United States and Argentina are not typically funded.

Are programs for children under 13 eligible?

No. Programs aimed at children under 13 are not typically supported.

Are religious activities eligible for support?

Projects that support specific religious activities are not typically funded.

Is it acceptable to propose a project that mainly produces a website, app, or publication?

Projects that focus mainly on publishing books, pamphlets, websites, or apps as the core purpose are discouraged. Projects are expected to be practical, audience-facing initiatives rather than primarily publication-driven.

Are study tours to the United States a good fit?

Proposals that primarily fund conference attendance or study tours to the United States are discouraged.

Are English-study scholarships an allowable use of funds?

No. Providing scholarships for English study is specifically listed as discouraged.

Does PAS fund purely scientific research projects?

Exclusively scientific research projects are generally not a fit for this opportunity.

What makes a proposal more competitive based on the announcement?

Based on the description and examples, stronger proposals are typically those that clearly advance one or more priority pillars, are implementable within two years or less, create tangible collaboration between U.S. and Argentine partners, reach priority audiences (especially youth and emerging voices), and demonstrate geographic diversity by engaging communities outside the City of Buenos Aires.

What kind of overall program is this best described as?

It is a flexible public diplomacy grant mechanism that funds practical, audience-facing initiatives intended to build long-term relationships, expand opportunity (especially for youth and underserved communities), strengthen democratic norms and independent institutions, and create tangible collaboration between U.S. and Argentine partners.