Opportunity Information: Apply for ANK NOFO FY19 01
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara, through the Department of State (Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs), offered a country-wide Public Affairs Grant Program designed to fund projects across Turkey that strengthen U.S.-Turkey cooperation and reinforce shared priorities. The opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number ANK NOFO FY19 01) was a discretionary program using either grants or cooperative agreements, meaning projects could be funded as standard grants or structured with more direct involvement and coordination with the U.S. government under a cooperative agreement model. The program sat broadly in the arts, education, and science and technology/research and development space (CFDA 19.040), reflecting a public diplomacy focus that blends cultural, educational, and civic programming.
At the heart of the competition were five bilateral themes. The first theme, Support Shared Security, targeted proposals that advance U.S.-Turkey cooperation on defeating ISIS/DAESH and other extremist organizations, contribute to stability in Syria, and strengthen counterterrorism capacity more broadly, including efforts against transnational crime. It also welcomed initiatives that build collaboration within NATO or other multilateral security organizations, positioning projects to complement shared security objectives through training, dialogue, exchanges, or other constructive engagement activities that fit a public affairs grant framework.
The second theme, Strengthen Economic Prosperity by Promoting Innovation and Fostering Entrepreneurship, focused on building entrepreneurial capacity in ways appropriate to the local context and maturity of the ecosystem in the region being served. Competitive proposals under this category could include introductory entrepreneurship trainings, mentorship and networking programs, small-and-medium enterprise (SME) development planning, and practical instruction on marketing and outreach. The opportunity also explicitly encouraged activities that stimulate research and development and innovation, suggesting that programs linking education, private sector engagement, and applied skill-building would fit well, especially if they lead to tangible growth in entrepreneurial know-how and local economic resilience.
The third theme, Reinforce Democratic Values - Media, prioritized support for journalists and citizen journalists through professional development and capacity building. The program description highlighted areas such as media literacy, investigative journalism, social media and internet publishing skills, research and fact-checking, documentary filmmaking, and other forms of visual or narrative storytelling. In practice, this theme aligns with projects that strengthen the information environment by improving skills, ethical standards, verification practices, and the ability of media actors to produce credible, impactful content.
The fourth theme, Reinforce Democratic Values - Freedom of Expression and Public Discourse, was aimed at cultural and arts-based exchanges that create space for dialogue and the expression of diverse viewpoints. The Embassy emphasized innovative creative expression and outreach to underserved audiences, explicitly naming groups such as ethnic or religious minorities, LGBTI communities, youth, and women. Proposals were expected to encourage respect for cultural and social diversity, pluralism, and equity in cultural life and policy, indicating interest in programs that widen participation in arts and civic discussion while building inclusive platforms for public discourse.
The fifth theme, Foster Turkish and U.S. Ties, focused on deepening people-to-people connections and long-term educational and cultural linkages. This category included programs that develop American Studies, strengthen English language teaching and learning, expand STE(A)M education opportunities for Turkish youth, and encourage study in the United States. Projects in this lane would typically be well-suited to partnerships among schools, universities, education-focused NGOs, and community organizations, especially when they produce sustained engagement and clear pathways for participants to connect with U.S. educational or cultural institutions.
In terms of who could apply, eligibility was broad and included public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without U.S. 501(c)(3) status (as long as they were not higher education institutions in that classification), and individuals. The Embassy anticipated making up to 20 awards, with an award ceiling of $100,000 per project, signaling support for small-to-mid-sized initiatives that are scalable, measurable, and feasible within typical public diplomacy grant constraints.
Key administrative details included a creation date of November 5, 2018, and an original application deadline of December 17, 2018, at 10:00 AM Turkey time. Overall, the grant program was structured to fund practical, partnership-driven projects that deliver measurable public impact in Turkey while advancing shared U.S.-Turkey priorities across security cooperation, economic opportunity, democratic values (including media and expression), and educational and cultural ties.Apply for ANK NOFO FY19 01
- The Department of State, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), education, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Ankara, Public Affairs Grant Program" 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 Nov 05, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 17, 2018 December 17, 2018, 1000 AM Turkey Time. (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 $100,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 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, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a U.S. Embassy Ankara (Department of State, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs) country-wide Public Affairs Grant Program designed to fund projects across Turkey that strengthen U.S.-Turkey cooperation and reinforce shared priorities. The funding opportunity number is ANK NOFO FY19 01.
Who is offering the program?
The program is offered by the U.S. Embassy in Ankara through the U.S. Department of State (Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs).
Where can projects take place?
Projects are intended to take place across Turkey (country-wide).
What is the overall purpose of the program?
The program aims to support practical, partnership-driven projects that deliver measurable public impact in Turkey while advancing shared U.S.-Turkey priorities in security cooperation, economic opportunity, democratic values (including media and freedom of expression), and educational and cultural ties.
What kind of funding instrument is used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
This is a discretionary program that may use either grants or cooperative agreements. Projects could be funded as standard grants, or as cooperative agreements that include more direct involvement and coordination with the U.S. government.
What program area or category does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is broadly positioned in arts, education, and science and technology/research and development, reflecting a public diplomacy focus. It is associated with CFDA 19.040.
How many thematic areas (themes) does the program support?
The competition is organized around five bilateral themes.
What are the five themes?
The five themes are: (1) Support Shared Security; (2) Strengthen Economic Prosperity by Promoting Innovation and Fostering Entrepreneurship; (3) Reinforce Democratic Values - Media; (4) Reinforce Democratic Values - Freedom of Expression and Public Discourse; and (5) Foster Turkish and U.S. Ties.
What does the "Support Shared Security" theme focus on?
This theme supports proposals that advance U.S.-Turkey cooperation on defeating ISIS/DAESH and other extremist organizations, contribute to stability in Syria, and strengthen broader counterterrorism capacity, including efforts against transnational crime. It also welcomes initiatives that build collaboration within NATO or other multilateral security organizations through training, dialogue, exchanges, or other constructive public affairs-style engagement.
What types of activities fit under the shared security theme?
Examples mentioned include training, dialogue, exchanges, and other constructive engagement activities that complement shared security objectives within a public affairs grant framework.
What does the "Strengthen Economic Prosperity" theme focus on?
This theme emphasizes promoting innovation and fostering entrepreneurship by building entrepreneurial capacity in ways that fit the local context and the maturity of the ecosystem in the region being served.
What kinds of entrepreneurship activities are encouraged?
Examples include introductory entrepreneurship trainings, mentorship and networking programs, SME development planning, and practical instruction on marketing and outreach.
Does the program encourage research and development (R&D) and innovation activities?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly encouraged activities that stimulate research and development and innovation, including programs linking education, private sector engagement, and applied skill-building, especially when they build tangible entrepreneurial know-how and local economic resilience.
What does the "Reinforce Democratic Values - Media" theme focus on?
This theme prioritizes professional development and capacity building for journalists and citizen journalists.
What media-related skills and topics are highlighted under the media theme?
The description highlights media literacy, investigative journalism, social media and internet publishing skills, research and fact-checking, documentary filmmaking, and other forms of visual or narrative storytelling.
What is the goal of the media-focused theme in practical terms?
The theme aligns with strengthening the information environment by improving skills, ethical standards, verification practices, and the ability of media actors to produce credible, impactful content.
What does the "Reinforce Democratic Values - Freedom of Expression and Public Discourse" theme focus on?
This theme is aimed at cultural and arts-based exchanges that create space for dialogue and the expression of diverse viewpoints, with an emphasis on innovative creative expression.
Does the program prioritize reaching underserved audiences under the freedom of expression theme?
Yes. The Embassy emphasized outreach to underserved audiences and explicitly named ethnic or religious minorities, LGBTI communities, youth, and women.
What kinds of values are proposals expected to encourage under the freedom of expression theme?
Proposals were expected to encourage respect for cultural and social diversity, pluralism, and equity in cultural life and policy, with interest in programs that widen participation in arts and civic discussion while building inclusive platforms for public discourse.
What does the "Foster Turkish and U.S. Ties" theme focus on?
This theme focuses on deepening people-to-people connections and long-term educational and cultural linkages between Turkey and the United States.
What kinds of projects are included under "Foster Turkish and U.S. Ties"?
Examples include programs that develop American Studies, strengthen English language teaching and learning, expand STE(A)M education opportunities for Turkish youth, and encourage study in the United States.
What types of organizations are likely to be strong partners for projects under the U.S.-Turkey ties theme?
Projects in this lane are described as typically well-suited to partnerships among schools, universities, education-focused NGOs, and community organizations, especially when they produce sustained engagement and clear pathways for participants to connect with U.S. educational or cultural institutions.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without U.S. 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not higher education institutions in that classification), and individuals.
Do nonprofits need U.S. 501(c)(3) status to apply?
No. Nonprofit organizations may apply with or without U.S. 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not higher education institutions in that classification.
Are individuals allowed to apply?
Yes. Individuals are included in the eligible applicant categories.
How many awards were anticipated?
The Embassy anticipated making up to 20 awards.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $100,000 per project.
What size or style of projects does this program seem to target?
Based on the award ceiling and expected number of awards, the program signals support for small-to-mid-sized initiatives that are scalable, measurable, feasible within typical public diplomacy grant constraints, and oriented toward practical outcomes and partnerships.
When was this opportunity created?
The creation date listed for the opportunity is November 5, 2018.
What was the application deadline?
The original application deadline was December 17, 2018, at 10:00 AM Turkey time.
What does "country-wide" mean in this context?
In this opportunity, "country-wide" indicates that projects were intended to be implemented across Turkey rather than being limited to a single city or region.
What does the program mean by "measurable public impact"?
The description emphasizes projects that deliver measurable public impact in Turkey, suggesting a preference for initiatives with clear, demonstrable outcomes tied to the program themes (security cooperation, entrepreneurship and innovation, democratic values in media and expression, and educational/cultural ties).
How does the program connect arts, education, and science/technology to public diplomacy?
The opportunity frames its scope across arts, education, and science and technology/research and development as a public diplomacy approach that blends cultural, educational, and civic programming to reinforce shared U.S.-Turkey priorities.
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