The U.S. Embassy Antananarivo Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. PAS awards a limited number of grants to individuals, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions to support exchange between the U.S. and Madagascar or the Comoros with the aim of improving mutual respect and understanding. PAS will only consider grants that have an American component or aspect in their proposal. This could include, but is not limited to, having an American expert as a speaker, using curriculum developed by a U.S. institution, projecting an American film. Requests to sponsor events should ensure the event has a connection to one of the above five elements and that the grant proposal be linked to a specific line item or line items, and not be a request for a flat amount to be pooled with other sources. (For example, a request to sponsor a conference should mention specific items, such as flights for certain U.S. academics, publication of a post-conference booklet, or sponsorship of the travel and accommodation of a U.S. speaker to the conference, rather than just a flat amount.) Grant projects generally must be completed in one year or less. PAS will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State. Proposals should be submitted online to the U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo at the following email address: PASAntanGrants@state.gov.