OpportunityTitle: US-Russia Peer-to-Peer Dialogue Program
CategoryExplanation: Peer-to-Peer projects may focus on any theme including, but not limited to higher education, cultural exchange, journalism, environment, community development, social services, public health, civil society, etc.  Projects should be original, creative, and dynamic and focus on sharing innovative practices unique to each country.  Potential activities may include but are not limited to short-term exchanges, web-chats, seminars, interactive training, the development of online resources, and classroom activities.  Potential applicants must ensure that project activities are directly tied to the goals of the project, and are encouraged to introduce new and unique approaches to facilitating peer-to-peer interaction and the exchange of best practices.  Successful project will be results-driven and have a multiplier effect.
Description: To help foster greater contacts between Americans and Russians, the U.S. Department of State announces the FY 2015 U.S.-Russia Peer-to-Peer Dialogue Program, which will provide grants up to $100,000 to support unique projects centered on Russian-American, peer-to-peer collaboration, including an exchange of best practices between Russians and Americans on a topic of mutual interest. Projects must be non-political in nature and focus on Russian-American peer-to-peer dialogue or people-to-people engagement on themes of mutual interest. Applicants are encouraged to incorporate innovative methodologies to accomplish program goals and foster interaction among peers. Successful projects will result in a product or outcome which enhances interaction and understanding between our two societies. The program competition and selection will be administered in two stages. In Stage One, applicants must submit a Statement of Interest (SOI), as outlined under &#147;Application and Submission Information&#148; below. Successful applicants from Stage One will be requested to submit a detailed proposal for consideration during Stage Two (guidelines for Stage Two will be provided via email to successful applicants). For examples of previously funded projects under the U.S.-Russia Peer-to-Peer Dialogue Program, please refer to the program website. APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY American and Russian non-commercial organizations and academic institutions (both Public and Private) are eligible to apply. A proposal must include one Russian and one American organization; a letter of intent from the proposed partner must be included with the Statement of Interest as an attachment. Commercial firms are not eligible to apply under this program. Organizations which have received a Peer-to-Peer grant in the past are not eligible to apply. Cost-sharing is encouraged, but not required. Please note: Projects that include political activity or focus primarily on academic or scientific research will not be supported. The U.S.-Russia Peer-to-Peer Dialogue Program is not intended to support core administrative funding for applicant organizations or to provide continued funding for existing, ongoing activities between two established partners. Projects must be non-political in nature and focus on Russian-American peer-to-peer dialogue or people-to-people engagement on themes of mutual interest. Applicants are encouraged to incorporate innovative methodologies to accomplish program goals and foster interaction among peers. Successful projects will result in a product or outcome which enhances interaction and understanding between our two societies.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: U.S. Department of State email for US-Russia Peer-to-Peer Dialogue Program
GrantorContactText: Jeni Washeleski &lt;br/&gt;Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer &lt;br/&gt;
CloseDateExplanation: The deadline to submit Statements of Interest is Monday, March 9, 2015, 18:00 Moscow time (11:00 EDT).