Opportunity Information: Apply for 23 MMR NOFO 01
The U.S. Embassy Rangoon Public Affairs Small Grants Competition (Funding Opportunity Number: 23 MMR NOFO 01) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Myanmar (CFDA 19.040). Its core purpose is to fund cultural and public diplomacy projects that strengthen cultural ties between the United States and Myanmar. The Embassy is looking for programs that highlight shared values, encourage cooperation, and build people-to-people connections. A central requirement is that every proposed activity must include a clear American cultural element or a concrete connection to the United States, such as involvement by American experts, U.S. organizations, or U.S. institutions in a relevant field. That U.S. linkage should be meaningful and tied to the goal of increasing understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives, not just added as a formality.
The application process is intentionally staged so applicants do not need to write a full proposal upfront. The first step is a short Statement of Interest (SOI), limited to two pages, that explains the program idea and objectives in a clear, concise way. This SOI is not a full proposal; it is a concept submission meant to help the Embassy screen ideas before asking anyone to invest time in a complete application package. Eligible SOIs go through an initial merit review, and only selected applicants are invited to submit a full proposal. Full proposals then go through a second merit review, after which the Embassy makes final funding decisions. This two-step approach is designed to make the competition more accessible while still ensuring that funded projects are well-developed and aligned with Embassy priorities.
Funding is available through grants, with an award ceiling of $99,000 per award, and the Embassy anticipated making around 12 awards. The opportunity used a rolling review process for SOIs, meaning submissions could be reviewed as they came in rather than waiting for a single batch deadline, with SOIs reviewed on a rolling basis until September 15, 2023 (the original closing date). Because it is rolling, applicants who submit earlier may receive earlier feedback about whether they are invited to proceed to the full proposal stage.
Priority is given to projects that fit one or more of four program areas. The first priority area focuses on the U.S.-Myanmar bilateral relationship, emphasizing programs that help Myanmar audiences better understand U.S. policies, culture, and society, while also promoting shared values and interests between Americans and the people of Myanmar. This can include cultural exchanges, collaborative activities, and other efforts that create lasting ties between individuals and institutions in both countries. The second priority area supports an inclusive and diverse society, backing initiatives that deepen understanding of diversity and inclusion and encourage tolerance and peace. Activities under this theme can involve dialogue programs, skills development, socio-economic development efforts, and economic empowerment work, especially where these approaches help reduce division and support more inclusive communities.
The third priority area covers education and culture, supporting programs that increase understanding of U.S. education and culture, help people prepare for study in the United States, and build linkages between American and Myanmar private academic and cultural institutions. This can also include training opportunities for Myanmar students, faculty, and artists, particularly when those opportunities strengthen professional networks and increase mutual understanding. The fourth area targets media literacy, independent media, and press freedom, prioritizing projects that improve digital and media literacy, support independent and citizen journalism, and counter disinformation. In practice, this area often lends itself to training, workshops, and community-facing programming that helps audiences evaluate information quality and strengthens the capacity of media actors to operate more effectively and responsibly.
Eligibility is listed broadly (including categories beyond the standard nonprofit-only model, and the announcement indicates that organizations and individuals may apply), but applicants are expected to follow the Embassy guidance and use the mandatory application forms referenced in the related documents for the SOI phase. Overall, the competition is structured for applicants who can propose realistic, well-targeted cultural and public engagement activities with a strong U.S. connection, clear objectives, and an obvious link to one or more of the Embassy's stated priority areas.Apply for 23 MMR NOFO 01
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Myanmar in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Rangoon Public Affairs Small Grants Competition" 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 Oct 26, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 15, 2023 SOIs will be reviewed on a rolling-basis until September 15, 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 $99,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the U.S. Embassy Rangoon Public Affairs Small Grants Competition?
It is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Myanmar (U.S. Embassy Rangoon). The competition funds cultural and public diplomacy projects intended to strengthen cultural ties between the United States and Myanmar.
2. What is the Funding Opportunity Number (NOFO) for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is 23 MMR NOFO 01.
3. What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.040.
4. What is the main purpose of the grants?
The core purpose is to support cultural and public diplomacy programming that highlights shared values, encourages cooperation, and builds people-to-people connections between the United States and Myanmar.
5. What types of projects does the Embassy want to fund?
The Embassy is seeking projects that strengthen U.S.-Myanmar cultural ties and advance public diplomacy goals. Proposed programs should clearly align to one or more of the Embassy's priority areas and should be designed as realistic, well-targeted activities with clear objectives.
6. Is a U.S. connection required in every project?
Yes. Every proposed activity must include a clear American cultural element or a concrete connection to the United States.
7. What counts as a "concrete connection" to the United States?
The opportunity describes examples such as involvement by American experts, U.S. organizations, or U.S. institutions in a relevant field. The key is that the link to the United States should be meaningful and connected to the project goals.
8. Can the U.S. element be added as a formality?
No. The U.S. linkage is expected to be substantive and tied to increasing understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives, rather than included as a superficial add-on.
9. How does the application process work?
The competition uses a staged, two-step process. Applicants first submit a short Statement of Interest (SOI). After an initial merit review, selected applicants are invited to submit a full proposal. Full proposals then undergo a second merit review before final funding decisions are made.
10. What is the first step in applying?
The first step is submitting a Statement of Interest (SOI).
11. How long can the Statement of Interest (SOI) be?
The SOI is limited to two pages.
12. Is the SOI the same as a full proposal?
No. The SOI is a concept submission that briefly explains the program idea and objectives. It is explicitly not a full proposal.
13. Why does the program use a two-step application process?
The two-step approach is designed to reduce the burden on applicants by avoiding the need to write a full proposal upfront, while still allowing the Embassy to ensure that selected projects are well-developed and aligned with priorities.
14. What happens after I submit an SOI?
Eligible SOIs go through an initial merit review. Only selected applicants are invited to proceed to the full proposal stage.
15. How are final funding decisions made?
After invited applicants submit full proposals, those proposals go through a second merit review. The Embassy then makes final funding decisions.
16. What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $99,000 per award.
17. How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?
The Embassy anticipated making around 12 awards.
18. Is the review process rolling or deadline-based?
SOIs were reviewed on a rolling basis, meaning they could be reviewed as they were received rather than held until a single review date.
19. What was the rolling review period for SOIs?
SOIs were reviewed on a rolling basis until September 15, 2023 (the original closing date).
20. Does submitting earlier matter in a rolling process?
Yes. Because submissions may be reviewed as they arrive, applicants who submit earlier may receive earlier feedback on whether they are invited to submit a full proposal.
21. What are the priority program areas for this opportunity?
Priority is given to projects that fit one or more of four program areas: (1) U.S.-Myanmar bilateral relationship, (2) inclusive and diverse society, (3) education and culture, and (4) media literacy, independent media, and press freedom.
22. What does the "U.S.-Myanmar bilateral relationship" priority area focus on?
This area emphasizes programs that help Myanmar audiences better understand U.S. policies, culture, and society, while promoting shared values and interests. It can include cultural exchanges, collaborative activities, and efforts that build lasting ties between individuals and institutions in both countries.
23. What does the "inclusive and diverse society" priority area include?
This theme supports initiatives that deepen understanding of diversity and inclusion and encourage tolerance and peace. Examples described include dialogue programs, skills development, socio-economic development efforts, and economic empowerment activities that reduce division and support more inclusive communities.
24. What does the "education and culture" priority area include?
This area supports programs that increase understanding of U.S. education and culture, help people prepare for study in the United States, and build linkages between American and Myanmar private academic and cultural institutions. It can also include training opportunities for Myanmar students, faculty, and artists when those opportunities strengthen professional networks and mutual understanding.
25. What does the "media literacy, independent media, and press freedom" priority area include?
This area prioritizes projects that improve digital and media literacy, support independent and citizen journalism, and counter disinformation. The description notes that this often includes training, workshops, and community-facing programming to help audiences evaluate information quality and strengthen media capacity.
26. Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described broadly and includes categories beyond a standard nonprofit-only approach. The announcement indicates that organizations and individuals may apply, provided they follow Embassy guidance for submissions.
27. Are there required forms for the application?
Yes. Applicants are expected to use the mandatory application forms referenced in the related documents for the SOI phase.
28. What should an SOI include to be competitive based on the description?
Based on the opportunity description, a strong SOI should present a clear program idea and objectives, show an obvious fit with one or more priority areas, and include a meaningful U.S. cultural element or concrete U.S. connection tied to the purpose of increasing understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.
29. What is the overall focus the Embassy is trying to achieve through funded projects?
The program is focused on cultural and public engagement activities that are realistic and well-targeted, strengthen understanding and cooperation, and create durable people-to-people and institution-to-institution ties between the United States and Myanmar.
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