Small Grants Program | PAS BRAZIL FY23 APS01

FY 2023 U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil (PAS) Small Grants Program - FAQs

1) What is the FY 2023 Small Grants Program from the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil (PAS)?

It is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Mission to Brazil. It is designed to fund small, targeted projects that strengthen cultural ties between Brazil and the United States while highlighting shared values and practical best practices. Projects are expected to have clear public impact and an identifiable U.S.-Brazil link.

2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA listing for this grant?

The program is administered under Funding Opportunity Number PAS BRAZIL FY23 APS01 and is listed under CFDA 19.040.

3) When is the closing date for this opportunity?

The original closing date listed is July 31, 2023.

4) Who administers the program?

The program is administered by the U.S. Mission to Brazil through the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil.

5) What types of projects does PAS want to fund through this program?

PAS is seeking well-defined, small-scale projects with clear public impact that strengthen cultural ties between Brazil and the United States. Competitive projects clearly align with one of the four PAS public affairs initiatives and include a credible, specific American element.

6) What does PAS mean by an "American element" and is it required?

Yes, it is a central requirement across all proposals. An American element is a clear connection to the United States that helps Brazilian audiences better understand U.S. policy, perspectives, and approaches. Examples include collaboration with U.S. experts, institutions, or organizations, or other U.S.-linked engagement built into the project design.

7) Are individuals allowed to apply? What is the maximum award amount for individuals?

Yes. Individuals may apply for support for projects up to USD 5,000.

8) Are organizations allowed to apply? What is the maximum award amount for organizations?

Yes. Eligible organizations may request up to USD 25,000.

9) Why does PAS separate the application process for individuals vs. organizations?

PAS separates the application process because required documentation and award limits differ depending on whether the applicant is an individual or an organization. Applicants need to follow the instructions specific to their applicant type.

10) What are the four PAS public affairs initiatives that proposals must align with?

Proposals must align with one of four initiatives:

• Building capacity for Brazilian civil society groups defending human rights, especially those serving marginalized or underrepresented communities
• Expanding access to fact-based reporting to counter misinformation, with special attention to news deserts
• Promoting entrepreneurship to expand economic opportunity, especially for entrepreneurs connected to underserved communities
• Building capacity for Brazilian civil society groups protecting the environment, especially in regions critical to biodiversity and environmental protection

11) What kinds of activities fit under the human rights capacity-building initiative?

This initiative focuses on strengthening Brazilian civil society organizations defending human rights, particularly those serving marginalized or underrepresented communities. Example activities include training and technical assistance in strategic planning, fundraising and revenue diversification, proposal writing, and communications. It also includes exchanges and partnerships between Brazilian and American human rights organizations, as well as building multi-stakeholder networks that advance human rights goals.

12) What does PAS mean by "news deserts" in the misinformation initiative?

News deserts are communities with limited access to credible, comprehensive local news and information. Under this initiative, PAS prioritizes projects that improve access to reliable information in places where local information ecosystems are weak.

13) What kinds of activities fit under the fact-based reporting and anti-misinformation initiative?

PAS is looking for projects that strengthen the ability of traditional and emerging media to counter disinformation and misinformation. This can include improving fact-checking skills among journalists, influencers, and other key actors, and supporting innovative approaches or tools that help communities access reliable information. The emphasis is on capacity building and training.

14) What kinds of activities fit under the entrepreneurship initiative?

This initiative supports entrepreneurship as a path to expanded economic opportunity, especially for entrepreneurs connected to underserved communities. Projects should provide resources, training, and practical tools that help entrepreneurs improve business skills, grow ventures, and expand professional networks. PAS also encourages efforts that connect Brazilian and U.S. entrepreneurial ecosystems through knowledge exchange, mentorship, partnerships, and other cross-border engagement, including convening multi-stakeholder networks to create opportunity.

15) What kinds of activities fit under the environmental protection initiative?

This initiative builds capacity for Brazilian civil society groups protecting the environment, especially in regions critical to biodiversity and environmental protection. PAS prioritizes identifying and supporting participants already engaged with local communities, strengthening organizational capacity (such as planning, fundraising, proposal development, and communications), and connecting Brazilian partners with counterparts in the United States and other Western institutions to amplify impact. Projects may also support partnerships and networks that protect critical biomes while considering the needs of populations vulnerable to climate-related risks and extreme environmental events.

16) Who is eligible to apply for this funding opportunity?

Eligible applicants are broad and include civil society organizations, community representatives, individuals, think tanks, nongovernmental organizations, academic institutions, government institutions, and international organizations.

17) What are the most important factors for program fit and competitiveness?

The opportunity emphasizes three core fit factors: (1) clear alignment to one PAS initiative, (2) a concrete and credible American element, and (3) a project design that strengthens institutional capacity, builds durable partnerships, or delivers practical skills and tools that can continue producing results after the grant period ends.

18) Does the program only support cultural programming, or can it support practical training and capacity building?

While the program is intended to strengthen cultural ties and highlight shared values, the examples and initiative descriptions place a strong emphasis on practical capacity building, training, technical assistance, partnerships, and tools that have durable impact beyond the grant period.

19) Does PAS prefer projects that create partnerships between Brazilian and U.S. organizations?

The description repeatedly highlights exchanges, collaborations, and partnerships between Brazilian and American counterparts as strong examples of the required American element, particularly in the human rights, entrepreneurship, and environment initiatives.

20) Can a proposal address misinformation by working with non-traditional media actors?

Yes. The misinformation initiative explicitly mentions building fact-checking skills not only among journalists but also among influencers and other key actors, alongside support for innovative approaches or tools that help communities access reliable information.

21) What does PAS mean by "small grants" in this context?

Although framed as a small grants mechanism with award limits (up to USD 5,000 for individuals and USD 25,000 for organizations), the opportunity still expects well-defined projects with clear public impact and an identifiable U.S.-Brazil connection.

22) What kind of long-term outcomes does PAS want to see?

PAS emphasizes project designs that strengthen institutional capacity, build durable partnerships, and provide practical skills and tools that continue to produce results after the grant period ends. Sustainability in the form of stronger organizations, lasting networks, and reusable tools or practices is a recurring theme across the initiatives.