Cultural Residencies | ADB NOFO 2024 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for ADB NOFO 2024 01

The U.S. Mission to the United Arab Emirates is offering a discretionary grant opportunity called Cultural Residencies (Funding Opportunity Number: ADB NOFO 2024 01) to run a cultural residency program designed to strengthen people-to-people ties between the United States and the UAE, expand partnerships with prominent UAE cultural institutions and major festivals, and build capacity within the UAE creative sector. The award will be made as a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. government is likely to have substantial involvement in shaping or overseeing implementation compared with a standard grant.

At the center of the project is a series of at least six in-person residencies featuring American artists and performers, either as individuals or groups. Each residency can last up to three weeks and is expected to be anchored to one of the UAE's major cultural festivals. Examples listed include Abu Dhabi Art Festival, Ras Al Khaimah Arts Festival, Sharjah Heritage Days, and Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, with the broader expectation that the residencies align with a set of six significant festival platforms. Each residency is not just a performance booking; it must also include educational and professional exchange components. Specifically, each residency must deliver at least one festival performance, hands-on workshops aimed at Emirati youth and emerging artists, and roundtable discussions with local UAE cultural institutions to encourage deeper institutional relationships and knowledge-sharing.

Artist selection is expected to be closely coordinated with local partners and driven by practical and programmatic fit. The NOFO notes that participating American artists and performers will be confirmed based on the UAE partners' priority genres or areas of interest, the timing of festival dates, the artists' prior experience with residencies or similar exchange programs, and their demonstrated ability to carry out educational outreach, such as teaching, facilitating workshops, and engaging in dialogue with local creative communities. In other words, applicants should anticipate proposing a credible approach for sourcing and preparing artists who can both perform at a high level and contribute meaningfully to training and exchange activities.

Eligibility is limited to U.S. organizations that qualify as not-for-profit/non-governmental organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code, and it also includes public and private educational institutions, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. Applicants are encouraged to build partnerships, particularly where collaborators bring complementary strengths that help deliver the full range of residency activities across multiple festivals and locations. The initial period of performance is one year, so proposals should reflect a realistic plan to schedule, staff, and deliver at least six residencies within that timeframe, including coordination with festival calendars and local institutional partners.

The funding source is FY2024 Public Diplomacy Funding, and the program authority is tied to Smith-Mundt. The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $250,000 and anticipates making one award. The original application closing date is September 19, 2024. Applicants are expected to follow federal grant compliance standards, including familiarity with OMB guidance in 2 CFR Part 200, and to submit a complete application package that meets all eligibility and documentation requirements, since incomplete or ineligible submissions will not be reviewed. The CFDA number associated with the opportunity is 19.040, and the agency is the U.S. Mission to the United Arab Emirates.

• The U.S. Mission to United Arab Emirates in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cultural Residencies" 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 2024-08-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-09-19. (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 $250,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for ADB NOFO 2024 01

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