Diversity Roadshow | ND NOFO 22 104

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Diversity Roadshow (U.S. Mission to India)

1) What is the Diversity Roadshow grant opportunity?

The Diversity Roadshow is a U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to India (Public Diplomacy Section) grant opportunity intended to strengthen people-to-people ties by encouraging high school students in North India to engage more openly with diversity, inclusion, and the lived experiences of minority communities.

2) Who is offering this funding?

The funding is offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to India, Public Diplomacy Section.

3) What is the main goal of the program?

The program aims to increase empathy and understanding among teenagers by using arts and culture as an entry point for dialogue and meaningful exposure to minority traditions and perspectives. Over time, the intended effect is a more inclusive environment with greater acceptance and tolerance, improved respect for freedom of religion, and reduced communal violence and discrimination.

4) How does the program plan to create behavior change among students?

The approach is intentionally peer-driven. Because participants come from different belief systems, the opportunity expects change to be reinforced through student-to-student interaction after shared experiences and conversations, rather than relying only on top-down messaging from adults.

5) Who is the target audience for activities funded by this opportunity?

The target audience is high school students from multiple schools across North India, generally from middle to upper-middle class households, and representing a mix of liberal and conservative family backgrounds.

6) What region is the program focused on?

The activities are focused on North India and involve high school students drawn from multiple schools in that region.

7) What kinds of schools does the opportunity emphasize selecting?

The program emphasizes selecting schools whose student populations include a range of religious and ethnic identities, reflecting a mix of backgrounds among participants.

8) What role do arts and culture play in the Diversity Roadshow?

Arts and culture are used as an accessible entry point for teenagers to explore diversity and inclusion. The concept is that creative expression and cultural perspectives can make dialogue about minority experiences more relatable and engaging for students.

9) What are D and I (DampI) Clubs?

D and I Clubs (referred to as D and I, or DampI, Clubs) are diversity and inclusion clubs established at the school level as part of the program. They are intended to keep conversations and student-led engagement going after roadshow events end.

10) Are D and I (DampI) Clubs an optional feature or a required deliverable?

Based on the opportunity description, the creation of D and I (DampI) Clubs is a key built-in deliverable. The roadshow is meant to spark sustained engagement through these clubs rather than functioning as a one-time event.

11) What does the funder expect after the roadshow activities are completed?

Within a year of the program, the grantee is expected to share information about the clubs that were formed. This indicates the funder is looking for durable outcomes that continue across schools and demonstrate ongoing student involvement beyond a single program moment.

12) What kind of award mechanism is used for this opportunity?

This is a discretionary funding opportunity offered as a cooperative agreement, which typically means the agency expects to remain more involved in the project than under a standard grant.

13) What does it mean that this opportunity is a cooperative agreement?

The opportunity is described as a cooperative agreement, implying a more hands-on relationship with the agency during implementation compared to a standard grant arrangement. The description suggests the funder may engage more actively as the project is carried out.

14) What is the funding category for this opportunity?

The opportunity falls under a humanities/cultural affairs funding category.

15) What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 19.040.

16) What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is ND NOFO 22 104.

17) What is the maximum funding amount available (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is USD 50,000.

18) How many awards does the opportunity expect to make?

The opportunity indicates an expectation of one award.

19) When was the notice created?

The notice was created on July 25, 2022.

20) When did the opportunity originally close?

The opportunity originally closed on August 29, 2022.

21) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility specifics referenced in the full announcement materials. The summary information provided does not include those additional details.

22) What kind of outcomes is the funder looking for?

The description signals an emphasis on outcomes that last beyond a single event, spread across multiple schools, and demonstrate continued student-led participation through D and I (DampI) Clubs.

23) What long-term social issues does the program hope to impact?

The program is positioned as a way to support increased acceptance and tolerance, stronger respect for freedom of religion, and reductions in communal violence and discrimination over time, by building empathy and understanding among youth.

24) Is this opportunity designed for one-off events or ongoing engagement?

The opportunity is designed to go beyond one-off programming. The roadshow is intended to spark sustained conversations and engagement, with D and I (DampI) Clubs serving as an ongoing structure within schools.