Annual Program Statement for Cultural Affairs | DOS KAZ NS PAS 22 002

FAQs: Annual Program Statement for Cultural Affairs (DOS KAZ NS PAS 22 002)

1) What is the Annual Program Statement for Cultural Affairs (DOS KAZ NS PAS 22 002)?

It is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan, inviting proposals for projects that deepen cultural, educational, and professional ties between the United States and Kazakhstan while advancing at least one Embassy priority program area.

2) Who is offering this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan.

3) What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The main purpose is to support exchange and collaboration activities that build people-to-people connections and transferable skills, centered on U.S.-Kazakhstan cooperation and aligned with at least one stated Embassy priority area.

4) What are the Embassy priority program areas applicants must align with?

The announcement identifies three priority areas: (1) strengthening public resiliency to disinformation, (2) supporting democratic institutions and human rights, and (3) inclusive and diversified economic growth tied to an equitable, climate-focused, and resilient energy future.

5) Is a U.S. component required in every project?

Yes. Every project must include a substantial American element, meaning a clear and meaningful connection to U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions, along with an intentional effort to increase understanding of U.S. perspectives and policy.

6) What does the opportunity mean by a "substantial American element"?

Based on the announcement, it means the project should be meaningfully connected to U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions and should deliberately help audiences better understand U.S. perspectives and policy, rather than simply being a local event.

7) What kinds of project formats does the Embassy mention as examples?

Examples listed include professional and academic exchanges and trainings; lectures, seminars, and speaker programs; artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions; and cultural heritage conservation and preservation efforts.

8) Are the listed examples the only eligible project types?

No. The announcement presents them as examples and signals openness to a range of formats, as long as the project design is purposeful, audience-driven, and built around U.S.-Kazakhstan cooperation rather than stand-alone local events.

9) What is expected regarding target audiences?

Strong proposals are expected to define specific target audiences, explain why those groups matter for achieving the project outcomes, and show how engagement with those audiences supports the project goals.

10) What is expected regarding impact after the grant ends?

The announcement emphasizes a credible, practical plan for continued relationships and cooperation beyond the grant period, showing how the connections built during the project will continue.

11) What does Priority Area 1 focus on?

Priority Area 1 focuses on strengthening public resiliency to disinformation, recognizing an expanding and diversifying media environment and increased online information sharing (including through messaging apps), which heightens the need for verification habits and credible sources.

12) Under Priority Area 1, who are example audiences the Embassy wants to support?

The Embassy highlights information professionals such as journalists, librarians, teachers, and professors, as well as civil society actors, opinion leaders, influencers, and emerging leaders who can identify and counter recurring disinformation narratives.

13) What kinds of approaches are encouraged under Priority Area 1?

Projects should draw on American best practices and expertise to help audiences use objective and editorially diverse sources more effectively, and to build capacity to recognize and counter recurring disinformation narratives, including COVID-19 and health-related disinformation.

14) Does Priority Area 1 mention English-language information sources?

Yes. Another encouraged angle is promoting the use of authentic and objective English-language information sources among English-speaking audiences in Kazakhstan.

15) What does Priority Area 2 focus on?

Priority Area 2 supports democratic institutions and human rights, grounded in values such as respect for civil and human rights, rule of law, social justice, and grassroots problem-solving, and seeks projects that connect Kazakhstanis and organizations with American experience and approaches.

16) What are specific topics of interest under Priority Area 2?

The announcement mentions strengthening journalist rights and access to independent and free media; improving civil society capacity to advocate for and assist particular social groups (including access to legal, health, and social services); advancing gender equality to reduce economic and political inequalities affecting women and other marginalized communities; and increasing awareness of gender-based violence while supporting initiatives that address and prevent domestic violence.

17) Does Priority Area 2 allow using arts and education to promote human rights?

Yes. The Embassy explicitly notes interest in promoting human rights in innovative ways, including through education and the arts.

18) What does Priority Area 3 focus on?

Priority Area 3 targets inclusive and diversified economic growth linked to an equitable, climate-focused, and resilient energy future, with attention to climate-conscious policies and business practices and a shift toward renewable energy, energy efficiency, and broader diversification.

19) How does the announcement frame the climate and energy context in Kazakhstan?

It references Kazakhstan's stated goal of carbon neutrality by 2060, notes that emissions have risen above 1990 levels, and suggests the country may miss 2030 Paris Agreement targets, partly due to heavy reliance on hydrocarbons in the economy and public budgets.

20) What kinds of activities are encouraged under Priority Area 3?

The Embassy seeks proposals sharing American innovation and expertise to encourage climate-conscious policies and business practices, expand renewable energy and energy efficiency (including in industrial settings), and build entrepreneurship skills and opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises in diversified and underdeveloped sectors.

21) Does Priority Area 3 include a focus on women's economic participation?

Yes. It explicitly encourages initiatives that raise women's participation in the economy, especially in private sector leadership, and supports programs that increase women's entrepreneurship and business leadership.

22) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $40,000.

23) How many awards are expected?

The opportunity indicates an expectation of approximately seven awards.

24) What is the funding instrument?

The funding instrument is a grant.

25) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 19.040.

26) When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on March 17, 2022.

27) What was the original closing date?

The original closing date was June 15, 2022.

28) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full posting.

29) What overall proposal characteristics does the Embassy emphasize?

The announcement emphasizes practical, collaborative projects with strong U.S. involvement, clearly defined target audiences, and a credible plan to sustain U.S.-Kazakhstan cooperation after the award period.