Opportunity Information: Apply for M NOFO 21 101
The U.S. Consulate General Mumbai Public Affairs Section (PAS) Annual Program Statement is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to India) that funds projects advancing U.S.-India engagement and shared priorities. PAS Mumbai is looking for proposals that clearly define SMART objectives (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) and that primarily align with one major priority area, rather than trying to cover everything at once. Funding is dependent on availability, and the program is designed to support practical, results-oriented activities with measurable outcomes.
The opportunity is organized around four main priority project areas. The first, Ensuring mutual prosperity, supports initiatives that strengthen economic ties and growth, such as activities promoting free-market economic reforms, U.S.-India bilateral trade, and entrepreneurship. It also includes educational and research connections, such as encouraging Indian students to pursue U.S. higher education, building research partnerships between U.S. and Indian universities, and supporting inclusive growth, sustainable energy, and science and technology collaboration. Projects in this track typically emphasize innovation, workforce and skills development, academic linkages, and business or research ecosystems that connect U.S. and Indian institutions.
The second priority area, Safeguarding people, focuses on resilience and protection in the face of societal and security challenges. PAS Mumbai is seeking programs that counter disinformation, address trafficking in persons, and tackle human and environmental health concerns. This can include public awareness campaigns, training and capacity-building for civil society or other stakeholders, community-based interventions, and initiatives that improve media literacy or strengthen local responses to exploitation and health or environmental risks.
The third area, Reinforcing democratic values, supports programs that use education, culture, and sports as tools to promote democratic principles and social cohesion. A key emphasis is building a more inclusive India across ethnic, religious, caste, LGBTQI, and other identities, while reinforcing democratic norms and civic values. Projects in this category might include exchanges, dialogues, cultural programming, leadership development, civic education, community engagement through sports, or other activities that encourage participation, pluralism, and respect for rights in a democratic society.
The fourth priority area, Empowering women and girls, targets initiatives that reduce social, political, and economic barriers limiting women and girls from fully contributing to and benefiting from Indias growth. This can include programs that expand access to education and skills, support workforce participation and entrepreneurship, strengthen leadership and civic participation, address structural discrimination, and improve pathways to safety, opportunity, and representation. Successful proposals in this area typically define concrete barriers being addressed and show how activities will produce measurable improvements for participants or communities.
In terms of eligibility, the program is open to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions). The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity categories are broad, covering areas such as education, environment, health, law/justice/legal services, natural resources, and regional development. The CFDA number listed is 19.040.
Awards are relatively small and programmatic in scale, with an award ceiling of $25,000 and an anticipated total of about 10 awards. The opportunity was created on March 18, 2021, with proposals reviewed in periodic download cycles (May 1, 2021; August 1, 2021; November 1, 2021; and February 1, 2022), and an original closing date of February 1, 2022. Applicants are expected to consult the full announcement for detailed requirements, but the core expectation is a focused proposal tied to one priority area, backed by clearly stated SMART objectives and a realistic plan for delivering measurable results within the proposed timeline and budget.Apply for M NOFO 21 101
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to India in the education, environment, health, law, justice and legal services, natural resources, regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Consulate General Mumbai Public Affairs Section (PAS) Annual Program Statement" 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 Mar 18, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 01, 2022 (Proposals will be downloaded for review on May 1, 2021, August 1, 2021, November 1, 2021 and February 1, 2022). (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 $25,000.00 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, Private institutions of higher education.
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FAQs: U.S. Consulate General Mumbai (PAS) Annual Program Statement Grant
What is the PAS Mumbai Annual Program Statement grant?
It is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to India), administered by the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai Public Affairs Section (PAS). It supports projects that advance U.S.-India engagement and shared priorities through practical, results-oriented activities with measurable outcomes.
What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The main goal is to fund focused projects that strengthen U.S.-India engagement in one clearly defined priority area, using SMART objectives (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) and a realistic plan to deliver measurable results within the proposed timeline and budget.
What are the priority areas for proposals?
The opportunity is organized around four priority areas:
- Ensuring mutual prosperity
- Safeguarding people
- Reinforcing democratic values
- Empowering women and girls
Do proposals need to align to all four priority areas?
No. PAS Mumbai is looking for proposals that primarily align with one major priority area rather than trying to cover everything at once.
What does PAS Mumbai mean by SMART objectives?
SMART objectives are goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. The announcement emphasizes that proposals should clearly define these objectives and show how the project will produce measurable outcomes.
What types of projects fit under "Ensuring mutual prosperity"?
This area supports initiatives that strengthen economic ties and growth. Examples described include promoting free-market economic reforms, U.S.-India bilateral trade, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth. It also includes educational and research connections such as encouraging Indian students to pursue U.S. higher education and building research partnerships between U.S. and Indian universities. Typical themes include innovation, workforce and skills development, academic linkages, and business or research ecosystems connecting U.S. and Indian institutions.
What types of projects fit under "Safeguarding people"?
This area focuses on resilience and protection related to societal and security challenges. The announcement highlights programs that counter disinformation, address trafficking in persons, and tackle human and environmental health concerns. Activities may include public awareness campaigns, training and capacity-building for civil society or other stakeholders, community-based interventions, initiatives to improve media literacy, and efforts that strengthen local responses to exploitation and health or environmental risks.
What types of projects fit under "Reinforcing democratic values"?
This area supports programs that use education, culture, and sports to promote democratic principles and social cohesion. A key emphasis is building a more inclusive India across ethnic, religious, caste, LGBTQI, and other identities while reinforcing democratic norms and civic values. Examples include exchanges, dialogues, cultural programming, leadership development, civic education, and sports-based community engagement that encourages participation, pluralism, and respect for rights.
What types of projects fit under "Empowering women and girls"?
This area targets initiatives that reduce social, political, and economic barriers that limit women and girls from fully contributing to and benefiting from India's growth. The opportunity notes examples such as expanding access to education and skills, supporting workforce participation and entrepreneurship, strengthening leadership and civic participation, addressing structural discrimination, and improving pathways to safety, opportunity, and representation. Successful proposals typically define the concrete barriers being addressed and explain how activities will produce measurable improvements.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligibility (as stated) is open to:
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions)
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 19.040.
How much funding can an applicant request?
The award ceiling is $25,000.
How many awards are expected?
The anticipated number of awards is about 10.
Is funding guaranteed if a proposal is selected?
Funding is dependent on availability, as stated in the opportunity description.
What scale of projects does PAS Mumbai expect to fund?
Awards are described as relatively small and programmatic in scale, emphasizing practical activities and measurable outcomes.
What activity categories does the opportunity cover?
The activity categories are broad and include areas such as education, environment, health, law/justice/legal services, natural resources, and regional development.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on March 18, 2021.
How were proposals reviewed (timing/cycles)?
Proposals were reviewed in periodic download cycles on May 1, 2021; August 1, 2021; November 1, 2021; and February 1, 2022.
What was the original closing date for the opportunity?
The original closing date was February 1, 2022.
What is the core expectation for a strong proposal?
The core expectation is a focused proposal tied primarily to one priority area, supported by clearly stated SMART objectives and a realistic plan for delivering measurable results within the proposed timeline and budget.
Should applicants consult any additional guidance?
Yes. Applicants are expected to consult the full announcement for detailed requirements, even though the summary emphasizes the importance of a focused approach, SMART objectives, and measurable outcomes.
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