FY 2016 U.S.-Russia Peer-to-Peer Dialogue Program | DOSRUS 16 GR 003

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOSRUS 16 GR 003

The FY 2016 U.S.-Russia Peer-to-Peer Dialogue Program (Funding Opportunity Number DOSRUS 16 GR 003) is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in Moscow (U.S. Mission to Russia). The central aim is to expand direct, practical contacts between Americans and Russians by funding projects that create sustained peer-to-peer collaboration and people-to-people engagement. The program is designed to support projects where participants in similar roles or fields work together, compare approaches, and exchange best practices on topics that matter to both societies, with the broader goal of building familiarity, trust, and long-term professional and institutional relationships.

Projects supported under this opportunity must be explicitly non-political in nature. Instead of advocacy or partisan themes, proposals are expected to concentrate on areas of mutual interest that encourage constructive dialogue and cooperation. The program emphasizes activities that improve mutual understanding of shared values, strengthen institutional and professional development, and increase awareness of the benefits of inclusive societies. Applicants are encouraged to use innovative methods to reach these goals, meaning proposals that go beyond standard conferences or one-time events may be more competitive if they clearly deepen interaction among peers and create meaningful engagement rather than superficial contact.

A key expectation of the grant is that funded projects will produce a concrete product or outcome that continues to enhance interaction and understanding between the U.S. and Russia after the formal activities end. While the notice does not list specific deliverables in the provided summary, the language implies that projects should culminate in something tangible and shareable such as joint toolkits, collaborative publications, training modules, practice guides, virtual platforms, or other outputs that keep the peer network active and useful. In other words, the program is not only about hosting exchanges, but also about leaving behind results that support ongoing collaboration and wider impact.

Funding is provided through grants with an award ceiling of up to $100,000 per project, and the program anticipated making around 16 awards. The opportunity was posted on March 25, 2016, with an original closing date of May 24, 2016. The CFDA number listed is 19.900, and the funding activity category is labeled as "Other," reflecting that it can support a range of collaborative themes as long as they fit the people-to-people and peer-to-peer focus and remain non-political.

Eligibility is open to both U.S. and Russian organizations, but with specific restrictions. On the U.S. side, eligible applicants include public and private non-profit organizations and academic institutions (public or private) that meet the requirements of 26 USC 501(c)(3). On the Russian side, eligible applicants include non-commercial organizations and academic institutions that are not owned or controlled by the Government of the Russian Federation. The same eligibility standards apply to any proposed sub-partners or sub-grantees, meaning applicants must ensure that all collaborating organizations fit within these parameters to remain compliant.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a relationship-building and capacity-building grant program: it funds collaborative, non-political projects that bring American and Russian peers together around shared professional or societal interests, encourages creative engagement models, and prioritizes lasting outcomes that strengthen mutual understanding and continued exchange between the two societies.

• The U.S. Mission to Russia in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2016 U.S.-Russia Peer-to-Peer Dialogue Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.900.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-03-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-05-24. (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 16 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for DOSRUS 16 GR 003

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