FY 2023 Notice of Funding Opportunity: NGO Small Grants Program | DOS PAS SLO 2023 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS PAS SLO 2023 001

The FY 2023 NGO Small Grants Program is a competitive grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana for Slovenian civil society organizations and related eligible institutions. The program is designed to fund practical, well-managed projects that strengthen ties between the United States and Slovenia and deepen public understanding of the United States, including its society, politics, and values. While project topics can be broad, the unifying expectation is that proposals clearly advance U.S. policy priorities and contribute to stronger bilateral cooperation and mutual understanding.

Funding is provided as a discretionary grant through the U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to Slovenia). Typical awards are in the range of USD 3,000 to USD 5,000, with occasional higher awards for exceptional proposals up to a ceiling of USD 10,000. The embassy anticipates making around 10 awards for this cycle. Grants may also complement or supplement other sources of funding, which can be helpful for projects that already have partial support but need targeted resources to expand impact or add a strong U.S.-Slovenia cooperation element.

Applicants are encouraged to propose activities in areas such as democracy and human rights, security and defense, and economic and business development, but the embassy notes specific priority themes that will receive additional consideration during this grant period. These themes include regional and transatlantic cooperation (with particular emphasis on the U.S.-Slovenian relationship), economic issues like entrepreneurship, innovation, economic reform, trade promotion, and women in STEAM, as well as international and collective security and defense issues. Other priority areas include energy security and diversification; environmental efforts related to climate change mitigation, environmental preservation, and sustainability; digitalization, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence; and anti-corruption, good governance, rule of law, and transparency initiatives. The embassy also highlights support for independent media and investigative journalism, including media literacy and efforts to combat disinformation, along with human rights programming that emphasizes tolerance, diversity, inclusion, and equal rights for historically marginalized communities. Education-focused proposals are also welcome, especially those that build or deepen partnerships between scholars and educational institutions.

A strong proposal under this NOFO is expected to do more than address a local issue; it should clearly connect the project to U.S.-Slovenian engagement and demonstrate how the work strengthens bilateral relationships or shared values. Proposals are expected to include an identifiable American component, such as involving an American speaker, expert, author, or comparable U.S. participation, since this is often viewed as making the project more compelling and better aligned with the program purpose. Reviewers are also looking for sustainability, meaning projects should be designed with realistic, lasting benefits beyond the grant period, supported by clear goals, measurable outcomes, and a credible plan for implementation.

Visibility and public communication matter for this program. Proposals should include an intention to acknowledge U.S. Embassy support and outline a plan to amplify the cooperation through traditional media, digital channels, or other outreach methods. This helps ensure that the broader public benefit and the U.S.-Slovenia partnership dimension are clearly communicated.

Eligibility, as listed in the opportunity data, includes certain higher education institutions (public/state-controlled and private) and nonprofit organizations, including those without U.S. 501(c)(3) status, provided they meet the program requirements and are appropriate partners for Slovenian civil society-focused work. The selection process is competitive: proposals are reviewed by an internal embassy committee and assessed based on their quality, feasibility, and their potential to advance U.S. policy priorities. Organizations that have not previously received embassy grant funding are explicitly encouraged to apply, signaling openness to new partners and fresh project ideas. The opportunity was posted on January 24, 2023, with an original application closing date of March 31, 2023.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Slovenia in the community development, education, energy, environment, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda), law, justice and legal services, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2023 Notice of Funding Opportunity: NGO Small Grants Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 24, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 31, 2023. (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 $10,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, 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, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for DOS PAS SLO 2023 001

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