Guidance for Education and Culture Grants

The Education and Culture program is aimed at increasing mutual understanding and strengthening cooperation between the United States and Latin America and the Caribbean.  Grants must clearly focus on education and culture, showing involvement of both chapters in the Partnership in the planning and implementation, and evidence of follow-up. Grants that strengthen local institutions are strongly encouraged. These grants are to increase understanding and sensitivity, add to the intellectual growth of professionals and community leaders, and to influence attitudes, not to train in skills. 

TRAVEL EXCHANGE GRANTS

Cultural trips include but are not limited to participation in:

• Art Exhibitions and Instruction;
• Musical and Theatrical Performances;
• Classes for instruments, orchestras, or singing; and 
• Learning through observation and discussion about art, music and theater.

Education trips include but are not limited to:

• Professionalization of educators;
• Character education;
• Civic education and civic participation;
• Judicial improvement/ reform;
• Public administration;
• Decentralization of government;
• Promotion of human rights of minorities and indigenous people;
• Curriculum development including environmental education;
• Understanding economic development and trade;
• Teachers-in-residence (for chapters in Latin America and the Caribbean with Bi-national centers); and
• University linkages, especially in social sciences.

Under economic development and trade, the goal is to increase understanding of the benefits to a country's economy and population from open trade and private market policies. It is not aimed at promoting the sale of specific products from a specific manufacturer, craftsman, or group. Accordingly, projects might be suitable if they provide presentations by economists, members of trade associations, local government trade officials, interested in furthering awareness of the positive aspects of liberalized trade.

Fully completed applications should be submitted to the Partners International office in Washington, D.C. a least 30 days before a proposed travel departure date.

SMALL PROJECT ASSISTANCE GRANTS

Small projects should cover most of the same general areas as the travel exchange grants. Often chapters have used these grants to support art exhibitions, cultural presentations, learning through observation and discussion of other cultures.  Educational projects have often featured an important seminar or panel discussion on democracy, environment, educational methodology, and curriculum development.  Several projects have focused on providing education in basic organizational requirements for strengthening a Partners chapter, such as fund raising, volunteer management, and annual planning.  Many have used these funds to provide local transportation to an event and food or drink during the time of the activity.

Chapters should develop project applications in cooperation with their counterpart in chapters in areas of mutual interest and submit complete proposals to Partners International office Washington, D.C. with at least 60 days lead-time. Draft proposals may be submitted at any time for preliminary guidance by the Education and Culture program.

Matching funds either in cash or in-kind must be equal or greater than the amount of the grant requested.  Preferably the counterpart match should be at least two to three times larger, recognizing that the Education and Culture grants are seed grants to help start projects.  Applications must show how the project will continue after Partners of the Americas funds have been expended.  Specific information on type and amount of support, and the names of the sponsors should be included in the application for the project grant.  Applications for small project assistance grants under this program should include Partnership development among their objectives and should clearly explain how this will be accomplished.

Our donor does not authorize these grants to support the purchase of equipment, per diem or hotel costs, salaries, fees or honoraria for trainers, educators, technicians, etc.  Under this program, funding is not provided for medical services to patients or for medical/health training or for training in specific agricultural skills.  Project grants do not fund travelers.  They must be requested with a travel application.  These grants do not fund conferences or training workshops.  These grants do not cover construction, reconstruction, or relief.

Applications must come from the Partners chapter where the activities will be carried out.  That chapter will be responsible for managing the funds, monitoring the activities and submitting a final report including details and receipts for the expenditures of the grant monies.