FY 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity: Cultural Grants Program | DOS PAS SLO 2024 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS PAS SLO 2024 002

The FY 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled Cultural Grants Program (Funding Opportunity Number: DOS PAS SLO 2024 002) is a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana, Slovenia, through the Public Affairs Section. The program is designed to fund cultural and artistic projects that strengthen cooperation and exchange between the United States and Slovenia while advancing U.S. Embassy priorities. At its core, the Embassy is looking for projects that bring American values, culture, and history to Slovenian audiences through formats like visual art, music, literature, dance, and other cultural mediums, especially when those projects create meaningful bilateral partnerships and long-term connections between the two countries.

The Embassy is prioritizing proposals that clearly build and deepen U.S.-Slovenia relationships through collaboration, shared heritage, and mutual understanding. A strong proposal is expected to go beyond a one-off event and demonstrate artistic or cultural merit along with clear goals, practical planning, and measurable outcomes. The Embassy also emphasizes showcasing the diversity of American culture and presenting the United States as an inclusive society. Projects that feature American artists (whether through participation, touring, collaboration, or celebration of their work), reach younger audiences, or use creative approaches to engage the public are particularly aligned with the program’s intent.

Special consideration is given to proposals that intentionally include social justice themes and community inclusion, such as promoting tolerance, respect for diversity, and engagement of historically marginalized communities. The Embassy is also especially interested in projects that incorporate youth engagement, volunteerism, and active citizenship, meaning proposals that do more than present culture passively and instead invite communities to participate, contribute, and learn in ways that encourage civic involvement and cross-cultural understanding. For this specific grant period, the Embassy notes that proposals focused on promoting American values and culture, as well as presenting American history, society, art, or related cultural topics, will be strongly considered as long as they connect back to bilateral cooperation and Embassy priorities.

From a funding standpoint, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of USD 15,000 per grant, with an expectation of making around 10 awards. The CFDA (Assistance Listing) number associated with the opportunity is 19.040, and the activity category is Education/Humanities. While the NOFO highlights the importance of well-designed and sustainable projects, it also makes clear that applicants should plan for visibility: funded projects are expected to acknowledge U.S. Embassy support and include a realistic plan to amplify the collaboration through traditional media, digital outreach, or both. In practical terms, applicants should be thinking about communications deliverables such as press outreach, social media plans, photo and video documentation, and other ways to demonstrate public impact and broaden the audience beyond those physically attending an event.

Eligibility is limited to professional artists and cultural professionals who are U.S. or Slovene citizens or residents, as well as not-for-profit arts or cultural organizations and institutions registered in the United States or Slovenia. Slovenian educational and research institutions and public entities are also eligible. The eligible applicant types reflected in the source data include nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding institutions of higher education) and individuals. This framing signals that independent cultural practitioners can apply, but they must be professionally grounded and able to manage a grant-funded project responsibly, including budgeting and reporting.

Applications must be submitted in English and must include a defined set of required forms and documents. The required package includes a table of contents listing all components and attachments, completed and signed federal forms SF-424 and SF-424A (as directed on Grants.gov), and in some cases SF-424B (required for individuals and for organizations not registered in SAM.gov). Applicants must also complete and sign the Cultural Grants Program Application Form, and any applicant engaged in lobbying activities must include the SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form. A core part of the application is the budget: applicants must submit both a summary and detailed budget in U.S. dollars, plus a detailed budget narrative explaining each line item and identifying any cost share (including the source and description of any offered matching or in-kind support). A Monitoring and Evaluation Plan is listed as optional, but given the emphasis on clearly defined outcomes, including a simple, concrete evaluation plan would likely strengthen an application. Additional attachments can be included, such as letters of commitment from partner institutions or sub-awardees, CVs for key personnel, and documentation of relevant project experience, with the caution that attachments should not be excessively long.

Submission is handled directly through the Embassy rather than only through Grants.gov. Completed applications must be submitted electronically to CulturalGrantsLju@state.gov, and the NOFO also provides a physical mailing address for the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana (Attn: Cultural Grants Program, Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana). The listed closing date for the opportunity is March 31, 2024, and the Embassy notes that late applications will not be considered, so timely submission is essential. Overall, the program is best suited for applicants who can demonstrate a credible plan for U.S.-Slovenia cultural collaboration, a strong public-facing component that highlights American culture and values, and a thoughtful approach to inclusion, youth participation, and lasting impact.

• The U.S. Mission to Slovenia in the education, humanities sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity: Cultural Grants Program" 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 2024-01-31.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-03-31. (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.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Individuals.

Apply for DOS PAS SLO 2024 002

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