Promoting a Better Understanding of the United States through American Studies
Agency: U.S. Mission to the United Kingdom
Assistance Listings
- 19.451 -- Special International Exchange Grant Programs
Archived opportunityLast Updated: May 13, 2026
View version history on Grants.gov
Description
The Embassy of the United States in London invites eligible organizations to submit proposals to
develop and implement a small grants program to foster American studies in the United
Kingdom through exchanges, speaker programs, and conferences. Initiatives should be designed
to promote a more accurate and positive image of the United States. Strictly subject to the
availability of funds, the Embassy of the United States in London expects to select one
program implementer for a grant award up to $150,000.
...
In this solicitation, the Embassy of the United States in London seeks proposals to develop and
administer a small grants program to support the study of the United States in the United
Kingdom in primary and secondary schools and universities. The grants program should:
- Encourage more demand for the pursuit of American studies as a specialized field of
study;
- Seek to promote American studies as a field of study among women and within black,
Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) communities and schools;
- Recruit for and spread awareness of American studies as a field of study for primary and
secondary school students, with a focus on diversity;
- Encourage work in the field of American studies across academic societies and within
universities;
- Support program activities throughout the United Kingdom, particularly outside of
London.
Proposals should outline how the program implementer will manage, administer, and evaluate
projects through small grants up to $15,000 or its equivalent in pounds sterling. Proposals
should also define an award selection process based on merit, geographic and thematic diversity,
feasibility of proposed programs, impact to beneficiaries, monitoring and evaluation techniques,
project sustainability, and cultivation of lasting and productive relationships between participants
from the United States and the United Kingdom. Ideally, the most competitive proposal would
dedicate the largest portion of the budget to the small grants segment.
Applicants must have the demonstrated experience and ability to provide guidance to and
monitor projects that would focus on building a more accurate understanding of the United States
to include:
- Faculty development and exchange;
- Non-partisan programming on the 2020 U.S. election;
- Curriculum development at all education levels, especially primary and secondary levels;
- Student exchanges;
- Speaker programs;
- Film or other arts programming; and
- Conferences.
The projects selected for funding and monitored by the successful applicant must support the
mission strategic goals of the Embassy of the United States in London. More information can be
found under the “Program Description” section of the following website:
https://uk.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/london/ukpa/grants-programs/
In addition, the program implementer will:
- Consult with the grants staff of the Embassy of the United States in London on best
practices in grant-making;
- Develop a small grants program taking into account the priorities outlined above;
- Develop an application process, publicize it widely in the United Kingdom, and offer
information and coaching sessions on the application process to potential applicants;
- Convene a committee that reflects the diversity of the program, including higher
education experts, to review proposals and select projects;
- Seek concurrence from the Embassy of the United States in London on selected projects;
- Solicit applications for projects up to $15,000 or its equivalent in pounds sterling. Lead a
grant review panel to select and award applicants based on merit, feasibility of proposed
collaboration, impact to beneficiaries, monitoring and evaluation techniques, and
sustainability. Determine the most appropriate funding mechanism for each program and
issue grants or payment to selected recipients;
- Manage small grant administration for selected projects and required reporting;
- Provide quarterly reporting with a budget update to the Embassy of the United States in
London on program activities;
- Serve as the primary point of contact and source of information for American studies
programs in the United Kingdom;
- Manage all logistical elements of the program, including facilitating Americans’ travel to
the UK and British travel to the United States in accordance with U.S. government travel
regulations, should proposals include such activities.
Selected small grant projects must take place in the United Kingdom, though they may include a
U.S.-based component.
Program Objectives:
The Embassy of the United States in London expects the program to:
- Inspire and enable young people to learn more about the government, culture, history,
and people of the United States;
- Identify, connect with, and encourage programs focused on the United States’ culture and
history in communities that may not otherwise have the resources to sustain such
programming.
- Introduce and enhance participants’ knowledge of and interest in American studies as a
specialized field of study;
- Inspire more members of underrepresented communities (particularly women and BAME
communities) to explore the American studies as a specialized field of study;
- Provide participants with an improved understanding of the United States and its
government, society, history, and culture;
- Give British participants cultural insights into the United States.
If applicable, please plan for dietary restrictions, such as awareness of halal or vegetarian
requirements, and for reasonable accommodation for participants with disabilities.
Participants and Audiences: Students of all ages (particularly those in schools with fewer
resources to provide exposure to American studies), teachers, academics, scholars, and
researchers of American studies.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Miscellaneous
- Other
Additional information
The following organizations are eligible to apply:
• Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
• Public and private educational institutions
• Individuals
• Public international organizations and governmental institutions
Grantor contact information
Description
Grants Officer
Cultural Affairs Office
Embassy of the United States of America
London, United Kingdom
London Grants Mailbox
Documents
No documents are currently available.
Link to additional information
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Archived: September 1, 2019
Award
$--
Program Funding
--
Expected awards
$--
Award Minimum
$150,000
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
DOS-LONDON-PD-2019-CA-018
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
No
Funding instrument type:
Cooperative agreement
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
--
Category of Funding Activity:
Education
Category Explanation:
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History
Version:
1
Posted date:
July 2, 2019
Archive date:
September 1, 2019
