Opportunity Information: Apply for DOSRUS21GR001
America Works in Russia is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Russia, specifically the U.S. Embassy Moscow Public Affairs Section (PAS). The program is designed to strengthen practical, people-to-people engagement between Americans and Russians around business, entrepreneurship, and higher education. At its core, it funds projects that help Russian participants build real-world skills and better understand how American business and workplace norms operate, while also encouraging longer-term cooperation between U.S. and Russian professionals and institutions.
Funding is available for proposals requesting up to $200,000 per award, but applicants are not expected to request the maximum. Budgets are supposed to match the applicant organization’s actual capacity and be tightly aligned with the project’s goals and activities, and the opportunity notes that smaller awards may move faster in the approval process. Applications were accepted on a rolling basis until June 1, 2021, with proposals reviewed monthly and awards made on a first-come, first-served basis as funds were available. Some projects could be funded quickly, while others might not receive funding until later in the year (the notice mentions that some funding might not be available until September 2021). The total amount available was dependent on the availability of funds, and the opportunity anticipated around 20 awards.
The purpose and expected impact of funded projects is fairly specific: PAS Moscow is looking for programs that expand understanding of entrepreneurship and American business, workplace, and legal values, and that measurably increase entrepreneurship skills and career opportunities for Russian people. Strong proposals are expected to improve Russian participants’ competitiveness in the international business environment and deepen understanding of issues like innovation, rule of law, labor rights, and environmentally responsible business practices. A key competitiveness factor is a sustained U.S. connection, meaning projects should include meaningful involvement from American experts, organizations, or institutions in ways that can keep U.S.-Russia professional ties going even after the grant period ends. In addition to business and entrepreneurship, PAS also welcomes proposals that help Russians understand the U.S. higher education system and build connections between U.S. and Russian universities and students.
The opportunity organizes its priorities into several theme areas. In entrepreneurship and business, it highlights skill-building for small business and entrepreneurship, especially for youth, women, minorities, and other under-represented groups. It also emphasizes promoting free, fair, and open communication, trade, and investment opportunities between the United States and Russia, as well as showcasing the contributions of American companies operating in Russia and supporting women’s economic empowerment. In the rule of law in business category, it prioritizes responsible business conduct, disability rights in the workplace, stronger intellectual property protection, fair labor practices, and corporate social responsibility. It also encourages projects that address eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable business practices and efforts to prevent movement of illicit goods, including trafficking in persons and wildlife, plus education around the legal rights of corporations and individuals in business. A third pillar focuses on U.S. higher education, including promoting the U.S. university system as a study destination, explaining the U.S. application process, positioning U.S. education as a pathway to higher income and prosperity, connecting U.S. and Russian institutions and students, and elevating the voices and achievements of Russian alumni of U.S. universities. There is also an agriculture theme area, which includes sharing agricultural practices, building agricultural trade links, supporting free and fair trade of agricultural commodities, encouraging community-supported farming models, and promoting farm-to-table concepts such as organic markets and cuisine.
There are also clear boundaries on what the grants will not support. Projects cannot be structured to solely benefit a single Russian or American entity, business, or university, which signals an emphasis on broader public benefit rather than private gain. Projects also should not be designed to generate income for participants or organizers, and any revenue incidentally produced by project activities must be reinvested to advance the project’s goals (for example, extending the project or supporting additional participants). In addition, proposals should not primarily be academic or scientific research projects, indicating the program prefers applied, skills-oriented, and engagement-focused programming rather than research for its own sake.
A major operational constraint at the time of the announcement was COVID-19. PAS Moscow stated it could not fund projects involving travel or in-person interaction due to the pandemic. Proposals that included any in-person component needed to provide a credible virtual alternative that could be implemented if in-person activities remained impossible. Applications that failed to include a workable virtual plan risked being excluded from further consideration, so virtual delivery and contingency planning were effectively built into the program’s expectations.
Eligibility is broad and includes both U.S. and Russian organizations. The notice lists nonprofits (including those with and without U.S. 501(c)(3) status), private institutions of higher education, NGOs and civil society organizations, and community-focused entities such as museums, parks, reserves, and community organizations. For-profit organizations and individuals appear in the eligible applicant data, but the narrative makes clear that corporate and individual applicants would only be funded in limited circumstances and that prospective applicants in those categories were encouraged to consult the grants office directly. The funding instrument is a grant, the activity category is Business and Commerce, the opportunity number is DOSRUS21GR001, and the CFDA number listed is 19.040. Overall, the program is positioned as a practical engagement vehicle: it funds skill-building, exchange, and collaboration activities that connect U.S. and Russian expertise in ways that are tangible, broadly beneficial, and sustainable beyond the life of the award.Apply for DOSRUS21GR001
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Russia in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "America Works in Russia" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 25, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 01, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): America Works in Russia (DOSRUS21GR001)
What is the America Works in Russia grant opportunity?
America Works in Russia is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Russia, specifically the U.S. Embassy Moscow Public Affairs Section (PAS). It funds practical, people-to-people engagement between Americans and Russians focused on business, entrepreneurship, and higher education.
Who is the funding agency and which office manages the program?
The funding agency is the U.S. Department of State. The program is managed through the U.S. Mission to Russia, U.S. Embassy Moscow, Public Affairs Section (PAS).
What is the main goal of the program?
The program aims to strengthen practical engagement between Americans and Russians by funding projects that build real-world skills for Russian participants, increase understanding of American business and workplace norms, and encourage longer-term cooperation between U.S. and Russian professionals and institutions.
What types of outcomes are expected from funded projects?
PAS Moscow is looking for projects that measurably increase entrepreneurship skills and career opportunities for Russian people, improve participants competitiveness in the international business environment, and deepen understanding of topics such as innovation, rule of law, labor rights, and environmentally responsible business practices.
What is meant by a "sustained U.S. connection" and why does it matter?
A key factor is demonstrating a sustained U.S. connection, meaning meaningful involvement from American experts, organizations, or institutions in ways that can keep U.S.-Russia professional ties going after the grant period ends. This is presented as a competitiveness factor for proposals.
What is the maximum funding amount per award?
Applicants could request up to $200,000 per award.
Do applicants need to request the full $200,000?
No. The opportunity notes that applicants are not expected to request the maximum. Budgets should reflect the organization’s actual capacity and align tightly with the project’s goals and activities.
Can smaller-budget proposals be advantageous?
Yes. The notice indicates that smaller awards may move faster in the approval process.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated around 20 awards, depending on the availability of funds.
How was the application timeline structured?
Applications were accepted on a rolling basis until June 1, 2021. Proposals were reviewed monthly, and awards were made on a first-come, first-served basis as funds were available.
When could applicants expect funding decisions or award timing?
Some projects could be funded quickly, while others might not receive funding until later in the year. The notice mentions that some funding might not be available until September 2021.
What thematic areas does the program fund?
The opportunity organizes priorities into several theme areas: (1) entrepreneurship and business, (2) rule of law in business, (3) U.S. higher education, and (4) agriculture.
What kinds of entrepreneurship and business projects are prioritized?
Priorities include skill-building for small business and entrepreneurship, especially for youth, women, minorities, and other under-represented groups. It also emphasizes promoting free, fair, and open communication, trade, and investment opportunities between the United States and Russia, showcasing contributions of American companies operating in Russia, and supporting women’s economic empowerment.
What does the program prioritize under "rule of law in business"?
Priorities include responsible business conduct, disability rights in the workplace, stronger intellectual property protection, fair labor practices, and corporate social responsibility. The program also encourages eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable business practices, efforts to prevent movement of illicit goods (including trafficking in persons and wildlife), and education around the legal rights of corporations and individuals in business.
What higher education activities are welcomed?
PAS welcomes proposals that help Russians understand the U.S. higher education system and build connections between U.S. and Russian universities and students. Examples noted include promoting the U.S. university system as a study destination, explaining the U.S. application process, positioning U.S. education as a pathway to higher income and prosperity, connecting institutions and students, and elevating the voices and achievements of Russian alumni of U.S. universities.
What types of agriculture-related projects fit this opportunity?
The agriculture theme area includes sharing agricultural practices, building agricultural trade links, supporting free and fair trade of agricultural commodities, encouraging community-supported farming models, and promoting farm-to-table concepts such as organic markets and cuisine.
Are projects required to be practical and skills-focused rather than research-focused?
Yes. The notice indicates proposals should not primarily be academic or scientific research projects, signaling a preference for applied, skills-oriented, and engagement-focused programming.
Are there restrictions on projects benefiting a single entity?
Yes. Projects cannot be structured to solely benefit a single Russian or American entity, business, or university. This signals an emphasis on broader public benefit rather than private gain.
Can the project generate income for participants or organizers?
No. Projects should not be designed to generate income for participants or organizers.
If the project incidentally produces revenue, what must happen to that money?
Any revenue incidentally produced by project activities must be reinvested to advance the project’s goals, such as extending the project or supporting additional participants.
Could PAS Moscow fund projects that include travel or in-person interaction?
At the time of the announcement, PAS Moscow stated it could not fund projects involving travel or in-person interaction due to COVID-19.
If a proposal includes an in-person component, what is required?
Proposals that included any in-person component needed to provide a credible virtual alternative that could be implemented if in-person activities remained impossible.
What happens if an application does not include a workable virtual plan?
Applications that failed to include a workable virtual plan risked being excluded from further consideration.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes both U.S. and Russian organizations. The notice lists nonprofits (including those with and without U.S. 501(c)(3) status), private institutions of higher education, NGOs and civil society organizations, and community-focused entities such as museums, parks, reserves, and community organizations.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
For-profit organizations appear in the eligible applicant data, but the narrative indicates they would only be funded in limited circumstances. Prospective applicants in this category were encouraged to consult the grants office directly.
Are individuals eligible to apply?
Individuals appear in the eligible applicant data, but the narrative indicates individual applicants would only be funded in limited circumstances, and they were encouraged to consult the grants office directly.
What is the funding instrument and activity category?
The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is Business and Commerce.
What are the official identifiers for this opportunity?
The opportunity number is DOSRUS21GR001, and the CFDA number listed is 19.040.
What makes a proposal "strong" under this opportunity?
Based on the notice, strong proposals align clearly with the priority themes, show measurable skill and career impacts for Russian participants, deepen understanding of American business/workplace/legal values, incorporate meaningful U.S. involvement, and are designed to sustain U.S.-Russia professional ties beyond the grant period. They also include credible virtual delivery plans given the COVID-19 constraints and present budgets that match the applicant’s capacity and planned activities.
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