Promoting a Better Understanding of American Elections | DOS LONDON PD 2020 0XX

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS LONDON PD 2020 0XX

The U.S. Embassy in London (U.S. Department of State) offered a public diplomacy funding opportunity called "Promoting a Better Understanding of American Elections" to support a UK-facing program explaining how U.S. elections work and encouraging informed discussion before and after the 2020 vote. The embassy sought one implementing partner to design and run a series of speaker-led engagements that could be delivered either virtually or in person, depending on travel and public event feasibility. The core idea was to provide accurate, accessible information about the U.S. democratic and electoral process for British audiences, timed to major moments in the U.S. campaign season and followed by post-election conversations that help audiences interpret results and broader implications.

The award was capped at USD 50,000, with one anticipated cooperative agreement (not a standard grant). Because it was a cooperative agreement, embassy staff were expected to play an active role during implementation, including selecting and coordinating the prominent U.S. speaker or pair of speakers who would anchor the program. Applicants were asked to propose a format that could scale up or down and include clear virtual alternatives, reflecting uncertainty around in-person travel and gatherings. The implementer would handle logistics end-to-end: planning the itinerary, arranging travel and accommodation when relevant, managing ground transportation, staging events, organizing virtual engagements, and supporting related media activities.

Programming expectations emphasized public access and geographic reach. If in-person events were possible, the plan was to include at least one major public event in London plus events in at least two additional major UK cities, with suggested options including Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, and Cardiff. Events were to be free of charge for the British public and intentionally structured to reach specific audiences, with the implementer also expected to drive traditional and social media engagement throughout the program to broaden impact beyond the rooms where events were held. Proposals were encouraged to demonstrate the ability to partner with a respected UK institution or otherwise convene a high-value mix of opinion leaders and influencers.

The embassy laid out clear public diplomacy objectives. Content was expected to explain the mechanics and context of the 2020 U.S. elections, including topics such as the primary process, the Electoral College, political campaigns, the two-party system, and American voting behavior. Beyond election mechanics, the program aimed to deepen understanding of the United States more broadly, including its government, society, history, and culture. A special emphasis was placed on providing nuanced discussions of U.S. electoral politics and democratic values for UK educators in American studies and related fields, and on sparking interest among young people, particularly British university students, to learn more about U.S. politics and civic life. The opportunity also explicitly tied the work to U.S. foreign policy priorities by highlighting shared UK-U.S. democratic values such as open government and the role of civil society.

The target audiences were spelled out in practical terms: leading press and social media influencers, UK government officials and civil servants, American studies educators and relevant academics or think tank representatives, British university students, and existing U.S. Embassy networks such as contacts and exchange program alumni. In other words, the program was expected to blend general public education with tailored outreach to groups that shape public opinion, policy debates, and classroom instruction.

Timing and deliverables were structured around the election calendar. Applications were due June 29, 2020 (5:00 p.m. EDT). The embassy anticipated awarding the grant in July 2020, identifying speakers and beginning coordination immediately thereafter. Program and logistics planning would occur in July, with event plans finalized by August. Implementation was expected to run from August 2020 through January 2021, supporting both pre-election and post-election engagement. The official performance period ran from around July 2020 (exact start date to be determined) through January 31, 2021, with final financial and monitoring/evaluation reports due by April 30, 2021.

Eligibility was broad, allowing applications from not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs), public and private educational institutions, individuals, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. Cost sharing was encouraged as a way to deepen stakeholder buy-in, but it was not a deciding factor in selection; if offered, it needed to be properly documented and auditable under federal rules. Administrative requirements noted that organizations would need a DUNS number, CAGE/NCAGE, and an active SAM registration before funds could be disbursed (individuals were exempt), and it emphasized that these registrations are free and that the U.S. government does not charge fees to apply or to register. Overall, the opportunity was designed to fund a flexible, media-savvy speaker program that improves UK public understanding of U.S. elections while reinforcing broader democratic governance themes.

• The U.S. Mission to the United Kingdom in the arts sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Promoting a Better Understanding of American Elections" 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 2020-05-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-06-29. (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.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for DOS LONDON PD 2020 0XX

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