Opportunity Information: Apply for DOSRUS21GR002
The International Cooperation grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DOSRUS21GR002) is offered by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Russia, through the U.S. Embassy Moscow Public Affairs Section (PAS). It is a discretionary funding program that supports projects designed to strengthen American and Russian cooperation in multinational and binational settings, with an emphasis on practical collaboration around global issues, the rule of law, and international agreements and partnerships. The overall intent is not just to run a one-time event or activity, but to deepen public understanding of how U.S.-Russia cooperation and broader multinational engagement can have real-world impact, and to encourage relationships that last beyond the life of the grant.
Funding is available through grants and cooperative agreements, with an award ceiling of up to $200,000 per project. Applicants are not expected to request the maximum; proposals are encouraged to match the budget to the organization’s capacity and to what is realistically needed to achieve clear outcomes. The program notes that smaller awards may move faster in the review and approval process. Total funding available is dependent on funds availability, and the opportunity anticipated around 10 awards.
Applications were accepted on a rolling basis until June 1, 2021, with proposals reviewed monthly and funding decisions made as needed on a first-come, first-served basis. This structure meant applicants could apply any time before the closing date rather than waiting for a single deadline, and some projects could be funded quickly. At the same time, the announcement cautioned that in some cases funding might not be available until September 2021, so applicants needed to plan timelines and start dates accordingly. Submissions were expected to use the specific application document and budget template provided by PAS Moscow.
A key competitiveness factor is demonstrating a concrete connection to American experts, organizations, or institutions. Proposals are expected to show how U.S. partners will meaningfully contribute to the programming and how the project will help sustain cooperation and people-to-people ties between the United States and Russia after the funded activities end. In other words, projects should be structured to build ongoing networks, shared capabilities, or durable partnerships rather than producing isolated outputs.
Because the opportunity was released during the COVID-19 pandemic, PAS Moscow stated it could not fund projects involving travel or in-person interaction at that time. Proposals that included any in-person component needed to provide a credible virtual backup plan explaining how the same program could be delivered online if in-person activity remained impossible. Applications that failed to include such a contingency plan risked not being considered further by the grants committee.
The program highlights three main thematic areas. The first, International Commitments, focuses on raising awareness and taking action related to global issues, the rule of law, and international agreements and partnerships, including U.S.-Russia collaboration in international festivals or events that promote global citizenry and global challenges, as well as programming that supports pluralism and peaceful coexistence among different interests and values within society. The second area, Educating Global Citizens, supports efforts that build English language skills in Russia and develop U.S.-Russia English language partnerships, expand debate partnerships and debate skill-building, and create civil-society educational programming. The third area, Bilateral Cooperation, includes support for Sister City cooperation and projects that inform audiences about the 80th anniversary of the World War II Lend-Lease Act.
The announcement also sets clear boundaries on what PAS Moscow will not fund. Projects cannot be designed to solely benefit a single Russian or American entity, business, or university, and they cannot be intended to generate income for the applicant; any income connected to grant activities must be reinvested to advance the project’s goals (for example, extending the project or adding participants). Proposals should not primarily be academic or scientific research projects, and they should not be political in nature, signaling that the focus is on public engagement, educational and cultural programming, and cooperative problem-solving rather than partisan or electoral activity.
Eligible applicants include a wide range of U.S. and Russian organizations such as nonprofits, NGOs and civil society groups, institutions of higher education, museums, parks and reserves, and community organizations. The source data also lists eligibility categories that can include independent school districts, nonprofits with or without U.S. 501(c)(3) status, private universities, individuals, and for-profit organizations (including small businesses), though the narrative notes that corporations and individuals would only be funded in limited circumstances and potential applicants in those categories were encouraged to email PAS with questions. Overall, the opportunity is geared toward organizations capable of delivering public-facing, partnership-based programming that strengthens U.S.-Russia cooperation in international and bilateral frameworks while meeting practical constraints such as virtual delivery when necessary.Apply for DOSRUS21GR002
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Russia in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), business and commerce, community development, education, regional development, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "International Cooperation" 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 Dec 10, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 01, 2021. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Independent school districts, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.
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International Cooperation Grant (DOSRUS21GR002) - FAQs
What is the International Cooperation grant opportunity (DOSRUS21GR002)?
International Cooperation (Funding Opportunity Number DOSRUS21GR002) is a discretionary funding opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Russia, through the U.S. Embassy Moscow Public Affairs Section (PAS). It supports projects that strengthen American and Russian cooperation in multinational and binational settings, with practical collaboration around global issues, the rule of law, and international agreements and partnerships.
What is the main purpose of this program?
The program is designed to deepen public understanding of how U.S.-Russia cooperation and broader multinational engagement can have real-world impact. It also aims to encourage relationships and people-to-people ties that continue beyond the life of the grant, rather than supporting a single one-time activity.
What types of funding instruments are used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
Funding is available through grants and cooperative agreements.
How much funding can an individual project receive?
The award ceiling is up to $200,000 per project. Applicants are not expected to request the maximum; proposals are encouraged to request an amount that matches organizational capacity and what is realistically needed to achieve clear outcomes.
Is it better to request the maximum amount?
No. The opportunity explicitly notes that applicants are not expected to request the maximum, and it encourages budgets that are appropriately sized to the work plan and achievable outcomes. It also notes that smaller awards may move faster in review and approval.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated around 10 awards, depending on funds availability.
Was there a deadline to apply?
Yes. Applications were accepted on a rolling basis until June 1, 2021.
What does "rolling basis" mean for this opportunity?
It means applications could be submitted at any time before the closing date, rather than waiting for a single submission deadline. Proposals were reviewed monthly and funding decisions were made as needed on a first-come, first-served basis.
How often were proposals reviewed?
Proposals were reviewed monthly.
How were funding decisions made?
Funding decisions were made as needed on a first-come, first-served basis, within the rolling review structure and depending on funds availability.
Could projects be funded quickly?
Yes. Because proposals were reviewed monthly and decisions could be made as needed, some projects could be funded quickly. However, the announcement also cautioned that funding might not be available until September 2021 in some cases.
Should applicants plan for delayed start dates?
Yes. The announcement cautioned that funding might not be available until September 2021 in some cases, so applicants needed to plan timelines and start dates accordingly.
Were specific application forms required?
Yes. Submissions were expected to use the specific application document and budget template provided by PAS Moscow.
What makes a proposal competitive under this program?
A key competitiveness factor is demonstrating a concrete connection to American experts, organizations, or institutions. Competitive proposals should show how U.S. partners will meaningfully contribute to programming and how the project will sustain cooperation and people-to-people ties after funded activities end.
Does the program prioritize long-term partnerships over one-time events?
Yes. The program intent is not just to run a one-time event or activity, but to build ongoing networks, shared capabilities, or durable partnerships that last beyond the grant period.
Were travel or in-person activities allowed?
Because the opportunity was released during the COVID-19 pandemic, PAS Moscow stated it could not fund projects involving travel or in-person interaction at that time.
What if a proposal included an in-person component?
Proposals that included any in-person component needed to provide a credible virtual backup plan explaining how the same program could be delivered online if in-person activity remained impossible.
What happens if an application did not include a virtual contingency plan?
Applications that failed to include a credible virtual backup plan for any in-person component risked not being considered further by the grants committee.
What are the main thematic areas supported by the program?
The program highlights three main thematic areas: (1) International Commitments, (2) Educating Global Citizens, and (3) Bilateral Cooperation.
What kinds of projects fit under "International Commitments"?
This theme focuses on raising awareness and taking action related to global issues, the rule of law, and international agreements and partnerships. It includes U.S.-Russia collaboration in international festivals or events that promote global citizenry and global challenges, as well as programming that supports pluralism and peaceful coexistence among different interests and values within society.
What kinds of projects fit under "Educating Global Citizens"?
This theme supports efforts to build English language skills in Russia and develop U.S.-Russia English language partnerships, expand debate partnerships and debate skill-building, and create civil-society educational programming.
What kinds of projects fit under "Bilateral Cooperation"?
This theme includes support for Sister City cooperation and projects that inform audiences about the 80th anniversary of the World War II Lend-Lease Act.
What types of projects were not eligible for funding?
The announcement lists several boundaries. Projects cannot be designed to solely benefit a single Russian or American entity, business, or university. Projects cannot be intended to generate income for the applicant. Proposals should not primarily be academic or scientific research projects. Projects should not be political in nature.
Can the project benefit only one organization (for example, one university or one business)?
No. Projects cannot be designed to solely benefit a single Russian or American entity, business, or university.
Can a project generate revenue for the applicant?
No. Projects cannot be intended to generate income for the applicant. If there is any income connected to grant activities, it must be reinvested to advance the project goals (for example, extending the project or adding participants).
Are academic or scientific research projects allowed?
Proposals should not primarily be academic or scientific research projects, indicating the focus is on public engagement, educational and cultural programming, and cooperative problem-solving.
Are political activities eligible?
No. Projects should not be political in nature.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include a wide range of U.S. and Russian organizations such as nonprofits, NGOs and civil society groups, institutions of higher education, museums, parks and reserves, and community organizations.
Can individuals apply?
The source data lists eligibility categories that can include individuals, but the narrative notes that individuals would only be funded in limited circumstances and potential applicants in that category were encouraged to email PAS with questions.
Can for-profit organizations apply?
The source data lists eligibility categories that can include for-profit organizations (including small businesses). However, the narrative notes that corporations would only be funded in limited circumstances and potential applicants were encouraged to email PAS with questions.
Do applicants need U.S. 501(c)(3) status to be eligible?
The source data lists eligibility categories that can include nonprofits with or without U.S. 501(c)(3) status.
Is this opportunity intended for U.S. organizations only?
No. Eligible applicants include both U.S. and Russian organizations, and the program is oriented toward strengthening U.S.-Russia cooperation through partnership-based programming.
What is the role of American partners in a funded project?
Competitive proposals are expected to demonstrate a concrete connection to American experts, organizations, or institutions, and to explain how U.S. partners will meaningfully contribute to the programming. The project should also be structured to sustain cooperation and ties after activities end.
What kind of outcomes is PAS Moscow looking for?
Based on the program intent, PAS Moscow is looking for outcomes that deepen public understanding and lead to lasting cooperation, such as ongoing networks, shared capabilities, or durable partnerships, rather than isolated outputs from a one-time activity.
Does this program focus on public-facing programming?
Yes. The opportunity emphasizes public engagement, educational and cultural programming, and cooperative problem-solving, rather than academic/scientific research or political activity.
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