Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS USNATO PAA 2020 002
The grant opportunity titled "The Next 70 Years: NATO in 2089" (Funding Opportunity Number DOS-USNATO-PAA-2020-002) is a U.S. Department of State public diplomacy competition run by the Office of the Public Affairs Advisor at the U.S. Mission to NATO. It was released on June 18, 2020, with an application deadline of July 31, 2020, under CFDA 19.040 (Public Diplomacy Programs). The program set aside a total of $250,000, with individual awards capped at $100,000, and anticipated making up to about five awards.
The central aim is to fund public-facing projects that spark serious discussion and new ideas about how NATO should evolve over the long term, framed around the question: what should NATO look like in 2089. The rationale is that as the Alliance moves past its 70th anniversary, it faces a markedly different security and political environment shaped by the global pandemic, intensifying cyber and hybrid threats, sophisticated disinformation campaigns (particularly associated with Russia in the announcement), and expanding economic and infrastructure pressures linked to China. The opportunity is designed to push organizations to engage audiences in thinking through how NATO can adapt to that changing world order, not just through internal policy debates, but through outward-facing dialogue that strengthens understanding of NATO's mission and relevance.
Eligible applicants are described broadly as not-for-profit, non-governmental organizations and think tanks with a focus on international affairs, defense and security, and U.S.-European relations. The competition emphasizes proposals that can communicate clear, accessible messages to specific target groups across Allied countries. Those audiences include the general public, women, youth and future leaders, the defense and security community, policymakers, and influential voices such as journalists, analysts, and other opinion shapers, particularly within Europe. A consistent thread in the announcement is that projects should not simply "talk about NATO," but should build a coherent narrative explaining why the Alliance matters, what problems it is meant to solve, and what priorities should guide its future.
Projects are expected to be delivered primarily in Europe and/or Canada and aimed at European and/or Canadian audiences; activities outside those locations are not ruled out, but would require clear justification. The notice encourages on-the-record public programming and creative engagement formats, suggesting the funder wants visibility, transparency, and broad reach rather than closed-door workshops alone. Applicants are also asked to be candid about gaps in NATO strategies and to pair critique with practical solutions, indicating a preference for proposals that move beyond advocacy into constructive problem-solving.
The opportunity lays out a set of priority topic areas that proposals can address. These include defense budgets and equitable burden sharing among Allies; countering disinformation and misinformation; cyber, hybrid, and information threats; NATO and the Middle East; NATO's role during pandemics and other natural disasters; counterterrorism; the rise of China; Russian aggression; and questions related to NATO expansion. While applicants can tailor projects as they see fit, these themes signal what the sponsor considers most pressing for public diplomacy engagement and long-range thinking about Alliance strategy and cohesion.
In terms of allowable or encouraged activities, the announcement highlights public debates and moderated discussions, digital engagements, and the creation of digital content such as videos and short films. It also mentions developing educational materials, which suggests an interest in tools that can outlast a single event and be reused by educators, civic organizations, or community groups. The call strongly favors innovative approaches that make effective use of digital technology and social media, both to reach broader audiences and to engage younger demographics in particular.
Beyond the content itself, the grant places notable weight on how projects will be evaluated. Applicants are expected to explain how they will measure effectiveness, which typically implies defining intended audiences, setting objectives (such as changes in awareness, engagement, or understanding), and using concrete metrics like attendance, online reach, participation rates, survey results, media pickup, or qualitative feedback. The announcement also stresses diversity of thought and background as well as gender balance, signaling that the sponsor is looking for inclusive panels, representative speaker lineups, and programming that brings in voices beyond the usual set of security insiders.
Overall, this funding opportunity is best understood as a public diplomacy initiative that uses grants to stimulate open discussion, creative outreach, and forward-looking policy conversations about NATO's future. It is aimed at organizations capable of translating complex security issues into compelling, public-facing programming for European and Canadian audiences, while also demonstrating strong planning, modern communications approaches, inclusive participation, and credible methods to assess impact.Apply for DOS USNATO PAA 2020 002
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to NATO in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "The Next 70 Years: NATO in 2089" 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 Jun 18, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 31, 2020. (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 $100,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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