Rock/Metal Diplomacy in India | ND NOFO 20 108

Opportunity Information: Apply for ND NOFO 20 108

The Rock/Metal Diplomacy in India opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number ND NOFO 20 108) is a U.S. Department of State grant run by U.S. Mission to India, led through the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. It invites proposals for a cultural diplomacy program designed to bring American rock and/or heavy metal artists to India during 2020/2021. The Embassy notes that it has historically used jazz to build cultural ties with India, and this grant is meant to broaden that approach by showcasing other American music traditions, specifically alternative genres like rock and metal, as vehicles for shared democratic values. A central theme is using music to highlight and reinforce freedom of speech and freedom of expression as common ground between the United States and India.

The program is expected to include at least one American musician, group, or a production company. The lineup can be fully American or involve Indian or mixed American-Indian collaboration, but it should clearly emphasize the shared values message and cultural exchange purpose. Beyond performances, the proposal must include a strong workshop component so the work is accessible to younger audiences and to people who may not already be familiar with American rock and metal. These workshops are meant to create real dialogue, not just entertainment, and to provide learning opportunities tied to music creation, performance, production, and the broader cultural context.

The Embassy places special weight on proposals that go beyond one-off events and instead increase community engagement and build institution-to-institution linkages. In practice, that means applicants are encouraged to partner with organizations such as universities, arts institutions, music schools, cultural centers, venues, or other community-based institutions that can sustain relationships after the tour ends. The broader goals are to engage citizens and artists in social action through music, highlight American artistic achievement, promote respect for cultural diversity and mutual understanding, and underscore how culture can contribute to economic development and democracy-building.

Applicants are expected to identify target audiences and propose potential institutional partners, showing how the program will reach the intended communities. Proposals should also spell out practical needs, including any materials and equipment required for performances and workshops, which is particularly important for rock/metal programming where technical requirements can be significant. Venues and locations for performances and workshops will be proposed jointly by the grant recipient and U.S. Mission India cultural programming staff, but the Embassy retains final decision-making authority. The Mission will coordinate with the program partner, local partners, and other appropriate institutions to determine priority locations.

The grant also anticipates amplification beyond in-person programming. Performances and workshops may be recorded and prepared for broadcast or social media distribution across various platforms at the Embassy's discretion, extending the outreach to audiences who cannot attend live events. Publicity and local promotion are to be handled in coordination with the U.S. Embassy and/or the U.S. Consulates in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad, indicating a multi-city, nationally oriented communications approach rather than a single local campaign.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant under the Education activity category (CFDA 19.040). Eligible applicants include U.S. public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, U.S. private institutions of higher education, and U.S. nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions when applying under the nonprofit category). The opportunity was created on April 3, 2020, with an original closing date of May 26, 2020. The funding ceiling is $70,000, and the Embassy anticipated making one award, meaning the selection was intended to fund a single, cohesive program rather than multiple smaller projects.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to India in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rock/Metal Diplomacy in India" 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 Apr 03, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 26, 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 $70,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for ND NOFO 20 108

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