U.S. Embassy Oslo Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) Annual Program Statement

The U.S. Embassy in Oslo, through its Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), offers a yearly Small Grants Program. This initiative aims to boost U.S.-Norway relations by supporting projects carried out by eligible organizations and individuals. The grants pay particular attention to projects that promote American culture or connect with American expertise, institutions, or organizations in specific fields, thereby fostering understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

Grants can be applied for throughout the year until the stated deadline. Successful projects will typically include a public outreach component and align with one of the priority program areas, such as promoting global security and understanding of the NATO alliance, engaging Norwegians on Arctic issues, fostering cooperation on environmental initiatives, or advocating for diversity and inclusion. Other areas of interest include cultural heritage conservation, imparting shared values to Norwegian youth, and promoting U.S. higher education.

The PDS also encourages proposals featuring international collaboration, cost-sharing and partnerships with other organizations, projects outside Oslo, or those developed by alumni of State Department exchange programs.

The Small Grants Program could, for instance, fund seminars, workshops, joint performances, cultural heritage conservation programs, or public education initiatives.

The eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, educational institutions, individuals, and foreign public entities such as international organizations or governmental institutions. However, the program does not fund religious or partisan political activities, fundraising campaigns, commercial or for-profit endeavors, individual academic research, construction projects, or projects primarily aimed at institutional development or personal career development.