Looking to fund an exchange or project? Apply for Education and Culture Program Funding by June 15 / July 10! Apply now

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Education and Culture Program : Community Project Funding

Community Project Funding

Our members come up with innovative solutions to community-based challenges. We award the funds to support them.

The Education and Culture Community Project Funding opportunity is a small-grants program that supports locally led initiatives across the Western Hemisphere. Funded by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by Partners of the Americas, this program advances practical solutions that strengthen communities, expand economic opportunity, and reinforce collaboration between the United States and the region.

Through grants of up to $5,000, Partners Chapters, PartnersCampuses, and affiliate organizations design and implement projects that apply their expertise to address local challenges. These projects promote workforce readiness, strengthen education and STEM skills, support community stability, and contribute to more resilient local economies.

This funding opportunity builds on more than 40 years of Education and Culture programming, which has connected leaders, educators, and professionals across the Americas through exchange, partnership, and knowledge-sharing. Community Project Funding extends this impact by supporting initiatives that translate ideas into action at the local level. 38 community projects awarded since 2021.

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Opportunity Timeline
Stage
Date
Open Application
Monday, April 27, 2026
Deadline
Friday, July 10, 2026 at 12pm ET
Informational Sessions
(English) Friday, May 15, 2026 – 1:00-1:30 PM ET (Spanish) Monday, May 18, 2026 – 1:00-1:30 PM ET
Award Notification
By August 31, 2026
Period of Performance for Projects
Starting after September 15, 2026 and ending by June 30, 2027

Review our Guidelines

Review our informational session records and PowerPoint slides!

In these sessions we discussed eligibility, application components, and tips to writing a strong application.

  • To be considered for funding, applicants must meet the following criteria:
  • Applications must be submitted on the portal by the deadline and follow the instructions and funding restrictions.
  • All applicants must be based in one or more of the following countries:
    • Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States, and Uruguay.
    • All projects must take place in one of the countries listed above. If a project takes place in the US, there must be another large, related component taking place outside of the US.
  • All applicants must be an active Partners Chapter, PartnersCampus, or affiliate organization, with a bank account and a UEI number.  Learn more about how to become a member here.
  • Applicants may request up to USD $5,000.
  • Cost-Share must equal the Education and Culture funds requested.
  • The projects must meet one of the competition’s themes:
    • Citizen Security
    • Economic Success
    • Education
    • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
  • Activities and expenses (award period) should take place after September 15, 2026 and conclude prior to June 30, 2027. No extensions. Funding cannot be used for any activities or expenses incurred before or after your award period.
  • Use the budget template provided here.
  • Use the monitoring and evaluation template provided here.

All applicants must apply under the following theme. Learn more about the themes in the Request for Applications.

  • Citizen Security
  • Economic Success
  • Education
  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
  • Informational Webinars:

For a full description of the current Education and Culture Community Project Funding opportunity, review the Request for Applications (RFA) below:

The Education and Culture Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by Partners of the Americas.

Learn more about our membership

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With more than 60 Chapters and programs in over 30 countries, from Uruguay to the U.S. to Haiti, we bring together communities, individuals, organizations, local partners, and a robust, active volunteer network that solves local and global challenges.

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