U.S. Embassy Australia FY20 Annual Program Statement | PASCNB NOFO FY20 01

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the U.S. Embassy in Australia FY20 Annual Program Statement?

It is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Mission to Australia (CFDA 19.040) that invites organizations and individuals to propose public-facing programs designed to reinforce and modernize support for the U.S.-Australia alliance.

What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?

The core purpose is to fund activities that strengthen confidence in the bilateral relationship, highlight the practical benefits of U.S.-Australia economic cooperation, and advance shared interests tied to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

What types of programs are being requested?

The opportunity seeks public-facing programs. Examples mentioned include public dialogues, speaker series, workshops, civic education-style programs, network-building activities, platforms for collaboration, policy dialogue, capacity building, and partnership-focused initiatives that address regional challenges.

What does "public-facing" mean in this context?

Based on the description, programs should engage an audience beyond internal organizational activities, such as through events, trainings, public discussions, or other outward-facing formats that reach identified participants and potentially broader audiences through media and social media.

Is an "American element" required in proposals?

Yes. Proposals are expected to include a clear American element, such as collaboration with a U.S. expert, institution, or organization, so the program has an authentic connection to the United States rather than being purely domestic in focus.

What counts as an acceptable American element?

The notice provides examples such as collaboration with a U.S. expert, institution, or organization. The key requirement is that the program demonstrates an authentic connection to the United States.

What are the priority program areas for this funding opportunity?

The Embassy identifies three priority program areas: (1) Shared Values, (2) Economic Partnership, and (3) Indo-Pacific Vision.

What kinds of topics fit under the Shared Values priority area?

Shared Values initiatives promote principles described as the foundation of the alliance, including democracy, human rights, rule of law, freedom of speech, and gender equality. Suggested formats include public dialogues, speaker series, workshops, or civic education-style programs that encourage informed discussion and practical understanding of how these values operate in both countries.

What kinds of topics fit under the Economic Partnership priority area?

Economic Partnership programs focus on U.S.-Australia cooperation in strategically important and future-oriented sectors such as space exploration, critical minerals, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and corporate social responsibility. Proposals are generally expected to show how they build networks, share expertise, encourage innovation, or create platforms for Australian and American stakeholders to collaborate.

What kinds of topics fit under the Indo-Pacific Vision priority area?

Indo-Pacific Vision programs support U.S. and Australian efforts to improve security, prosperity, governance, and cooperation across the South Pacific sub-region and the wider Indo-Pacific. Competitive projects typically connect alliance cooperation to regional outcomes, such as by strengthening policy dialogue, building capacity, or fostering partnerships that address regional challenges.

Is there a specific audience the Embassy wants applicants to reach?

Yes. A major theme is audience targeting, especially reaching younger Australians and emerging leaders. Applicants are encouraged to design programs that primarily engage next-generation leaders and Australians under 40, though proposals do not need to be limited exclusively to that group.

Why is there an emphasis on younger Australians?

The Embassy cites polling suggesting younger Australians are more skeptical about the alliance, noting that only 38 percent of Australians under 45 consider the alliance "very important." The funding opportunity encourages programs aimed at strengthening alliance understanding among younger and rising audiences.

Do proposals have to exclusively target Australians under 40?

No. The guidance encourages applicants to primarily engage next-generation leaders and Australians under 40, but proposals do not need to be limited exclusively to that group.

What audience information must be included in an application?

Every application must clearly identify its target audience and provide an estimated reach. This includes direct participation (such as attendees, trainees, or program cohorts) and, where possible, indirect reach through traditional media or social media amplification.

What is meant by direct reach versus indirect reach?

Direct reach refers to people who participate directly, such as attendees, trainees, or members of a program cohort. Indirect reach refers to additional audiences reached through channels like traditional media or social media amplification, where applicable.

What does the Embassy expect regarding recruitment and measurement?

Applicants should be prepared to describe how they will recruit participants, measure attendance and engagement, and extend the program's impact beyond the room through communications and outreach.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (both with and without U.S. 501(c)(3) status, as defined in the notice), and individuals.

Are individuals allowed to apply, or only organizations?

Individuals are explicitly included in the eligible applicant categories.

Do nonprofit applicants need to have U.S. 501(c)(3) status?

No. The notice states that nonprofits are eligible both with and without U.S. 501(c)(3) status (as defined in the notice).

What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a grant.

What is the maximum award amount?

The maximum award amount listed is $25,000.

What is the closing date listed in the notice?

The notice lists an original closing date of September 1, 2020.

What makes a proposal competitive according to the description?

Competitive proposals align with one of the three priority areas, include a clear American element, are public-facing, and persuasively show how they will strengthen alliance understanding, deepen economic ties, or advance shared Indo-Pacific priorities. The opportunity also emphasizes clear audience targeting, estimated reach, and plans for recruitment, measurement, and amplification.

What scale of programs is this opportunity best suited for?

The opportunity is aimed at relatively small, high-impact programs with a maximum award amount of $25,000, combining U.S. participation or expertise with Australian delivery.

Does the program need to be delivered in Australia?

The description emphasizes Australian delivery combined with U.S. participation or expertise, and it is issued by the U.S. Mission to Australia for programs supporting the alliance. The notice does not provide additional location rules beyond that framing in the provided information.

Is the focus strictly domestic, or should it connect to the United States?

Programs should not be purely domestic in focus. Proposals are expected to have an authentic U.S. connection through a clear American element.

What is CFDA 19.040?

CFDA 19.040 is the assistance listing identifier referenced in the opportunity description for the U.S. Mission to Australia grant program.