Just one trip, the right people, and great ideas can spark enduring partnerships between communities in the Americas.
Travel is powerful: It shatters prejudices and opens individuals up to new cultures, ideas, and ways of thinking. Travel is often a means to connect the right people and ideas necessary to enact social change. This program is funded by the U.S. Department of State with implementation support by Partners of the Americas.
Each year, we award professional travel grants through our Education and Culture program to members of Partners of the Americas. The grants fund international travel for qualified members to visit other Partners of the Americas Chapters and affiliate organizations to work together on areas of mutual interest, supporting public diplomacy. Applicants who have not traveled and Chapters that have not had travelers are encouraged to submit an application!
In accordance with the U.S. Department of State priority areas, we fund travel grants activities that closely align with one or more of the following goals through public diplomacy:
- Civil Society Engagement
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)
- Environmental Protection and Resilience
- Inclusive Economic Growth and Entrepreneurship
- Language Learning/Language Teaching
- Leadership Capacity Building
- Media Literacy/Countering Disinformation
Other travel themes (such as art) can be funded, but must be closely tied to 1 or more of the above themes. It is recommended to only pick 1-2 themes. A strong proposal is clear and concise.
Sessions and Recordings
Recordings:
Informational and Networking with Potential Travel Grant Hosts and Travelers: A Roadmap to Professional Exchange – January 2024 – Watch the recording (30 minutes) and view the slides
Goal Setting Strategies for Travel Grants: Roadmap to Professional Exchange – Watch the recording (30 minutes)
Join member Dawn Wooten and others from across the Western hemisphere for a virtual session to learn about and practice SMARTIE goal setting (Strategic, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound, Inclusive, and Equitable). This interactive experience will empower you to align your professional exchange aspirations with program objectives, fostering impactful connections and enhancing your grant application’s success. Join us to master the art of goal setting and unlock unparalleled opportunities for cross-continental collaboration and professional growth.
Travel Grant Alumni Panel – Watch the recording – from February 16, 2023
Travel Grant Requirements
Travel Timeline
Open application: December 15, 2023 – February 15, 2024
Review a PDF version of the application here. All applications must be submitted using the form above.
Travel must be between:
Travel grants fund trips that include a minimum of 10 days of professional activities between:
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- July 15 – August 15, 2024
Hosts should be a Partners of the Americas Chapter and/or Organizational Member.
The exchange should be between the United States and one of the following countries:
Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kits and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Applicant Eligibility
ALL Traveler Applicants must…
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- Be a citizen of the country where they reside – it must be a country listed above
- Travel to a Partners Chapter or Organizational Member
- Have an account on PartnersConnect
- Be 18+ at the time that the application is submitted
- Have a valid passport for 6 months post-travel
- Submit the online application with all required documents, by the application deadline
- Have host approval prior to submission
- Not have received a travel grant in the past 5 years
- Not have received a U.S.-funded international exchange grant in the past 2 years
- Not be a Partners of the Americas employee
- Write a proposal in line with 1+ theme of the program. Strong proposals focus on 1-2 themes, not more.
- Civil Society Engagement
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)
- Environmental Protection and Resilience
- Inclusive Economic Growth and Entrepreneurship
- Language Learning/Language Teaching
- Leadership Capacity Building
- Media Literacy/Countering Disinformation
ONLY Applicants from Latin America and the Caribbean must be…
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- Able to receive a U.S. J-1 Visa
- Learn more about the J-1 visa process at travel.state.gov
- Proficient in spoken and written English at the time of application
- Able to receive a U.S. J-1 Visa
COVID-19 Policy
All travelers participating in face-to-face activities must comply with all CDC, federal, and state/local regulations on COVID protocols. It should be remembered that the situation is fluid. Travelers should have a contingency plan in the event the exchange pivots to a virtual platform.
Travelers must report any positive case to the Partners home office as soon as possible. An at home test or rapid test will suffice. For travelers concerned about obtaining a test, please consult with your host.
Language Policy
Applicants may apply in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. To ensure compliance with J-1 visa requirements for northbound participants from Latin America and the Caribbean, applicants should have the capacity to utilize English. An interview conducted in English will be incorporated as a part of the review process for candidates who present strong proposals.
Resources to support you in your English Language development:
- Advice and sample questions
- Many Partners members are passionate about English education. You can ask your host or someone in their Chapter to see if they would be able to speak with you on a regular basis for practice. This could be 30 minutes/week.
Application Resources
- Contact Us using this Inquiry Form. This form can be used for sub-awards and travel grants inquiries.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- List of Interested Hosts
- Looking for a host? Check this list to see if there is a good fit!
- SMARTIE Goals Information
- Travel Grant Guidelines (In English, Spanish, and Portuguese)
- Travel Grant Informational Session Recording (September 2023)
- Travel Grant Alumni Panel Recording (February 16, 2023)
- Travel Grant Agenda Template
- Example Exchanges:
- PDF version of the application. Applications must be submitted using the Formstack form. Applications cannot be accepted by email. If you have an accessibility accessing or completing the application, please reach out to us using the Inquiry Form.
Alumni Resources
As a recipient of an Education and Culture Travel Grant, you are an alum of a U.S.-funded exchange program. This allows you access to a variety of resources, available on alumni.state.gov. After your trip, you will be able to access this platform where you can find the following:
- Funding Opportunities
- Research Tools
- Events
- Career Center
- Network of #ExchangeAlumni from around the world.