Pathways to Success: Career Readiness through American Expertise

closed

The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) at the U.S. Mission in Poland invites proposals for programs that strengthen U.S.-Poland ties by promoting bilateral cooperation and building lasting connections with emerging Polish leaders. Proposals should utilize American leadership, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness best practices to equip high school students (ages 16 – 19) with essential soft skills—such as public speaking, critical thinking, self-management, an entrepreneurial mindset, risk-taking, presentation skills, and problem solving. Programs should also incorporate career guidance components to help youth confidently navigate the transition into adulthood, explore professional pathways, and make informed decisions about their futures. These initiatives should empower participants through practical tools and knowledge that reflect American models of education and career development, while fostering long-term engagement that supports shared democratic values and addresses the challenges of the modern workforce. Projects should empower participants to approach both personal and professional challenges with confidence, adaptability, and a proactive mindset. They should also foster lasting peer connections, mentorship networks, and sustained engagement beyond the program’s duration. Ultimately, all initiatives should focus on equipping youth with key soft skills essential for success in today’s job market, including public speaking, critical thinking, self-management, and problem solving. By strengthening these competencies, Polish high school students will grow into confident and resilient individuals who remain connected to U.S. values and approaches, supporting their continued personal growth and professional development—while advancing the long-term U.S.-Polish partnership. Awards will be made subject to the availability of appropriated funds and final selection. This NOFO is for projects beginning no earlier than September 30, 2025. The deadline for this NOFO is June 18, 2025. Please carefully follow all instructions below. A.   Program Description 1.  Goals and Objectives A successful proposal will include a comprehensive calendar of activities up to 18 months that includes a series of skills-building workshops and/or interactive trainings for high school students. All projects must address the development of youth leadership, critical thinking, project management skills, and resilience as well as career guidance activities. Proposals are encouraged to include the active involvement of U.S. business representatives, U.S. experts, alumni of U.S. government exchange programs, or other individuals with direct U.S. experience to provide real-world insights and mentorship that reflect American leadership in innovative approaches to entrepreneurship and career development. Engaging these stakeholders not only enriches the learning experience for participants but also showcases U.S. achievements in building competitive, skills-based career pathways. These connections help foster a deeper understanding of American values and practices and build long-term connections between Poland and the United States. By the end of the project, participants should demonstrate increased confidence and competence in key soft skills and a clearer understanding of potential career paths. The project should also result in tangible outcomes such as student presentations, project portfolios, or individual career action plans that reflect the skills and knowledge gained. All proposals are required to have a clear connection to the United States, either through U.S. organizations, experts, and/or best practices in order to increase the awareness and understanding of U.S. perspectives, policies, and society. Proposals without significant U.S. content will not be considered for funding. Examples of possible public diplomacy grant activities include, but are not limited to: ·       Workshops, panels, and/or interactive sessions on public speaking, problem solving, critical thinking, and career planning. ·      CV/Resume building clinics, mock interviews, and mentorship meet-ups with professionals. ·      A series of guided sessions helping students explore career options through hands-on experiences, guest speakers, workplace visits, and practical exercises in self-presentation and goal setting. Participants and Audiences: Proposals should describe audiences for the program, including anticipated numbers to be reached. Applicants should be as specific as possible in their proposals about how their project’s primary audience will be recruited and how they will engage them through programming.  Primary audiences are those who will participate directly in the program, while secondary audiences are those who will be reached by the project’s primary audiences as a result of their participation (for example, a workshop for high school students as primary audience could include elements of mentorship where teachers as a secondary audience may take a role of a facilitator or a mentor who would provide new ways to engage with students beyond traditional curricula). The principal method of engagement will be through in-person programming. Virtual engagement may be a part of the overall strategy, augmenting in-person programming. The following types of programs are NOT eligible for funding: · Programs relating to partisan political activity; · Charitable or development activities; · Construction programs; · Programs that support specific religious activities; · Fund-raising campaigns; · Lobbying for specific legislation or programs; · Scientific research; · Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; or · Programs that duplicate existing programs. This funding opportunity aims to support specific projects with objectives that can be achieved within a set timeframe. We will not accept applications that are aimed more broadly at supporting your organization’s usual or typical daily activities and operations. Those will be deemed technically ineligible and will not be considered for funding by the review committee. This notice is subject to availability of funding.