Opportunity Information: Apply for TASHKENT PDS FY25 002
The Democracy Commission Small Grants Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) at the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent under the U.S. Department of State (CFDA 19.900). Its core purpose is to strengthen democratic institutions and support the growth of civil society in Uzbekistan by providing competitively awarded small grants. The program is specifically aimed at projects proposed by Uzbekistan-based civil society and independent media actors, with an emphasis on initiatives that align with the Embassy PDS goals and the priority themes listed in the solicitation (referenced as being in Section C). In practice, this means applicants should design projects that clearly connect to the Embassy's democracy and civil society objectives and identify relevant target audiences, rather than submitting general community development ideas that are not tied to the stated democracy-focused priorities.
The funding mechanism is a grant, with an award ceiling of $50,000 per award, and the Embassy anticipates making around 12 awards. While the notice references support for nonprofit NGOs, associations, CSOs, and independent local media organizations, the eligibility section also states that not-for-profit entities (including think tanks and NGOs/CSOs) and for-profit organizations may apply, as long as they are based in Uzbekistan. The geographic restriction is firm: only Uzbekistan-based organizations are eligible for this particular announcement, even if an organization has international partners or affiliations.
A key feature of this opportunity is the two-step application process, designed to reduce the burden on applicants at the outset. The first step is submission of a short Statement of Interest (SOI), limited to three pages, which should concisely present the project idea, goals, and intended outcomes. The SOI is not a full proposal and does not result in an award by itself; it is used as an initial screening tool so the Embassy can assess whether the concept is eligible and competitive before asking for a complete application package. After the Embassy conducts a merit review of SOIs, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. Those full proposals then undergo a second merit review, after which final funding decisions are made.
The opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number TASHKENT PDS FY25 002 and is administered by the U.S. Mission to Uzbekistan. The original closing date listed is February 28, 2025, and the posting was created on December 20, 2024. Applicants considering this program should plan around the two-stage timeline and focus their initial SOI on a clear, well-structured project concept that directly matches the priority themes and audiences described in the solicitation, since only invited applicants proceed to the full proposal stage.Apply for TASHKENT PDS FY25 002
- The U.S. Mission to Uzbekistan in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Democracy Commission Small Grants Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.900.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-28. (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 $50,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Democracy Commission Small Grants Program (U.S. Embassy Tashkent) - FAQs
What is the Democracy Commission Small Grants Program?
The Democracy Commission Small Grants Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) at the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent under the U.S. Department of State (CFDA 19.900). Its purpose is to strengthen democratic institutions and support the growth of civil society in Uzbekistan by providing competitively awarded small grants.
Who runs and administers this grant opportunity?
The program is run by the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) at the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent and administered by the U.S. Mission to Uzbekistan.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is TASHKENT PDS FY25 002.
What type of funding mechanism is used?
The funding mechanism is a grant.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $50,000 per award.
How many awards are expected?
The Embassy anticipates making around 12 awards.
What is the main purpose of the projects this program funds?
Projects should be designed to strengthen democratic institutions and support civil society growth in Uzbekistan. In practice, this means proposing initiatives that clearly connect to the Embassy PDS democracy and civil society objectives, reflect the priority themes listed in the solicitation (referenced as being in Section C), and identify relevant target audiences.
Who is eligible to apply?
Only Uzbekistan-based organizations are eligible. The notice references nonprofit NGOs, associations, CSOs, and independent local media organizations. The eligibility section also states that both not-for-profit entities (including think tanks and NGOs/CSOs) and for-profit organizations may apply, as long as they are based in Uzbekistan.
Are for-profit organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. The eligibility section states that for-profit organizations may apply, provided they are based in Uzbekistan.
Are independent media organizations eligible?
Yes. The notice specifically references independent local media organizations among the types of entities supported, and eligibility is tied to being Uzbekistan-based.
Are international organizations or organizations outside Uzbekistan eligible?
No. The geographic restriction is firm for this announcement: only Uzbekistan-based organizations are eligible, even if an organization has international partners or affiliations.
Does having international partners make an application ineligible?
Not necessarily. The restriction described is about where the applicant organization is based. Even if an organization has international partners or affiliations, the applicant must be based in Uzbekistan to be eligible under this announcement.
What is the application process?
The program uses a two-step application process. First, applicants submit a short Statement of Interest (SOI). After a merit review of SOIs, selected applicants are invited to submit a full proposal. Full proposals then undergo a second merit review, after which final funding decisions are made.
What is a Statement of Interest (SOI)?
An SOI is a short initial submission used for screening. It should concisely present the project idea, goals, and intended outcomes so the Embassy can assess whether the concept is eligible and competitive before requesting a full application package.
How long can the SOI be?
The SOI is limited to three pages.
Is the SOI the same as a full proposal?
No. The SOI is not a full proposal. It is intended to reduce the burden on applicants at the outset by allowing an initial concept screening before a full proposal is requested.
Does submitting an SOI result in an award?
No. Submitting an SOI does not result in an award by itself. Only applicants invited to submit a full proposal proceed to the second stage, and final funding decisions are made after full proposals are reviewed.
What happens after SOIs are submitted?
The Embassy conducts a merit review of SOIs. Selected applicants are then invited to submit a complete application package (a full proposal) for a second merit review.
What happens after the full proposal is submitted?
Full proposals undergo a second merit review. After that review, final funding decisions are made.
What should applicants focus on in the SOI to be competitive?
Applicants should present a clear, well-structured project concept that directly matches the Embassy PDS goals and the priority themes referenced in the solicitation (Section C), and should identify relevant target audiences. The program emphasizes democracy- and civil society-focused initiatives rather than general community development ideas that are not tied to the stated priorities.
Where are the program priorities described?
The opportunity references priority themes listed in the solicitation, noted as being in Section C.
What kinds of project ideas are discouraged by the program description?
General community development ideas that are not tied to the stated democracy-focused priorities and Embassy PDS goals are described as a weaker fit compared to projects that clearly connect to democracy and civil society objectives and target audiences.
What is the closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed is February 28, 2025.
When was this opportunity posted?
The posting was created on December 20, 2024.
What should applicants consider about timing and workload?
Applicants should plan around the two-stage timeline. The initial SOI is brief (three pages) and meant for screening, and only invited applicants will be asked to prepare a full proposal for the second-stage review.
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