E Pluribus Unum - The U.S. Experience

The summary for the E Pluribus Unum - The U.S. Experience grant is detailed below. This summary states who is eligible for the grant, how much grant money will be awarded, current and past deadlines, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers, and a sampling of similar government grants. Verify the accuracy of the data FederalGrants.com provides by visiting the webpage noted in the Link to Full Announcement section or by contacting the appropriate person listed as the Grant Announcement Contact. If any section is incomplete, please visit the website for the US Mission to the United Kingdom, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.

E Pluribus Unum - The U.S. Experience: The Embassy of the United States in London invites eligible organizations to submit proposals to develop and implement a 10-day exchange visit to the United States focused on the concept of “e pluribus unum” (“out of many, one”). Specifically, the project will aim to explore comparative U.S. cases and resources for how the United Kingdom can remain a strong, unified country while also balancing distinct national identities. The project will concentrate on Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland and on historical factors that shape identity, such as the use of symbolism and ethnolinguistic factors, and examine the importance of fostering trust and understanding between groups. This exchange would draw on valuable comparisons and lessons from the United States' tradition of federalism and celebration of dual identity. Strictly subject to the availability of funds, the Embassy of the United States in London expects to select one program implementer for a grant award up to $100,000. Proposals should outline how the program implementer will manage, administer, and evaluate the exchange. If applicable, please plan for dietary restrictions, such as awareness of halal or vegetarian requirements, and for reasonable accommodation for participants with disabilities. As participants may require visas, the budget should allow for any mandatory visa application fees per participant as set by the U.S. Department of State on https://travel.state.gov and the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee, if applicable. Potential grant recipients should consult directly with the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and Bureau of Consular Affairs with questions on visas for the participants. Potential grant recipients should also already be registered, or be prepared to register, as a Designated Sponsor Organization in order to facilitate a U.S. government-funded exchange program, if applicable. For more information on this process, please see https://j1visa.state.gov/sponsors/. Program Objectives: In this solicitation, the Embassy of the United States in London seeks proposals to develop and administer an exchange with the following objectives: 1. Improve participants' understanding of complex issues surrounding the experience of identity, culture, and heritage among various minority identity groups in the United States and the interplay of community, state, and national identities; 2. Encourage positive discourse and self-reflection among Irish, Scottish, and Welsh participants representing diverse/opposing political, ideological, and religious views; 3. Explore educational initiatives and other societal measures promoting U.S. pluralism and appreciation for cultural, religious, and ethnolinguistic diversity; 4. Champion initiatives that build resilience and reduce tensions along sectarian boundaries and wherever the risk of extremism is heightened; 5. Disseminate core U.S. values and qualities in areas like citizenship, civil rights, and multicultural diversity. Broad Program Themes: 1. Explore historical and contemporary factors that have shaped and currently affect American life and society. In particular, examine how the American people assimilate socially and ethnically, while at the same time, maintaining linguistic, cultural, and ethnic identities (e.g., Navajo Nation in northern Arizona/New Mexico, Cajuns in southern Louisiana, Cuban-Americans in Miami); 2. Provide a comprehensive overview of the social, political, economic, and cultural diversity of the United States as well as an introduction to American history in order to better understand its role (“e pluribus unum”). Some focus should be given to the balance between national identity and local identity (e.g., Texan versus American), the unique contribution of the Scots-Irish and Irish-American diaspora within this (e.g., Irish in Butte, Montana, Welsh in Alabama). 3. Explore how culture, language, and identity are celebrated in the United States and particular ways in which cultural expression can convey a plurality of identity, creativity, belief systems, as well as diversity and tolerance. The exchange may also include a multilayered look at Southern heritage and identity, for example, the legacy of the Confederacy, white nationalism, and violent extremism (e.g., 2015 Emanuel AME Church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina) and the symbolic and specific role of Civil War monuments. Participants and Audiences: 10 highly targeted stakeholders across the political and cultural spectrum in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. This includes, but is not restricted to, community groups, government officials, NGOs, and law enforcement officials. Anticipated Timeline: September 2019: Grant is awarded. October 2019: Embassy communicates with successful implementing partner to agree next steps and discuss details of the exchange. November - December 2019: U.S. Embassy/Consulates select program participants. February 2019: Draft itinerary is in place. March 2020: Exchange takes place (exact dates TBC). April - May 2020: Debrief takes place (exact dates TBC). June 2020: Project completion and final financial and program reports due.