Opportunity Information: Apply for ND NOFO 21 102
The U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to India, announced a discretionary funding opportunity (ND NOFO 21 102) called "Promoting Gender Equality through Music" to support a four-week music residency and performance program in India planned for late 2021 or early 2022, contingent on funding availability. The central idea is to use the reach and credibility of established male and female musicians, described as cultural influencers, to raise awareness about gender equality and encourage respect for diversity and differing viewpoints. The program is meant to connect with urban Indian youth, particularly in Tier I and Tier II cities, and use music as a practical tool for strengthening community resilience and social cohesion.
The project design emphasizes collaboration among musicians who include both U.S. government exchange alumni (specifically alumni of programs administered by PAS India) and non-alumni. During the residency, participants are expected to jointly compose original music centered on the theme of gender equality, then bring that message to audiences through live performances and related engagement activities. The overall approach treats music not simply as entertainment, but as a culturally grounded way to spark conversation, normalize equitable attitudes, and reach audiences that might not engage with traditional policy or advocacy messaging.
A key operational requirement is flexibility due to COVID-19. Applicants are asked to plan for the possibility that the residency and performances could be conducted in person, virtually, or through a hybrid format. To support realistic planning, the announcement allows (and effectively encourages) submitting two separate budget scenarios: one for a fully in-person program and another for a virtual or hybrid model. This dual-budget expectation signals that the funder is prioritizing continuity and feasibility under changing public health conditions.
The opportunity is grounded in the broader policy context that the United States strongly supports gender equality and recognizes gender inequality in India as widespread and multifaceted, affecting both women and men. The announcement highlights that, at the population level, women experience disadvantages that can compound over time, influencing health outcomes, educational attainment, and economic opportunity across a lifetime. Against this backdrop, the program positions music as a uniquely effective bridge across social divisions, noting that music in India is deeply embedded in daily life and can cut across barriers such as class, caste, gender, religion, and political or economic differences. By engaging prominent musicians who already shape youth culture, the program aims to deliver pro-equality messages in a way that feels relatable and persuasive rather than purely instructional.
In terms of funding details, awards are to be issued either as grants or cooperative agreements under CFDA 19.040, with activity categories aligned to arts and education (cultural affairs). The award ceiling is $90,000, and the agency anticipated up to 10 awards. Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizations and individuals: public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not higher education institutions), and individuals. The notice was created on April 5, 2021, with an original closing date of May 28, 2021. For applicants seeking full requirements, selection criteria, and compliance details, the announcement directs readers to the complete notice in the "related documents" section.Apply for ND NOFO 21 102
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to India in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Promoting Gender Equality through Music" 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 05, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 28, 2021. (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 $90,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 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, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Promoting Gender Equality through Music (ND NOFO 21 102)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Promoting Gender Equality through Music" and is identified as ND NOFO 21 102.
Which U.S. government entity is offering this opportunity?
It is offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to India.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program is designed to use music and the influence of established male and female musicians to raise awareness about gender equality and encourage respect for diversity and differing viewpoints. It is intended to strengthen community resilience and social cohesion by reaching audiences through culturally grounded engagement rather than traditional policy or advocacy messaging.
What does the project plan to do in practice?
The project supports a four-week music residency and performance program. During the residency, participating musicians are expected to collaborate to jointly compose original music centered on the theme of gender equality and then share that message with audiences through live performances and related engagement activities.
Where will the program take place?
The program is planned for India.
When is the program expected to happen?
The residency and performances were planned for late 2021 or early 2022, contingent on funding availability.
Who is the intended audience?
The program is meant to connect with urban Indian youth, with a particular focus on Tier I and Tier II cities.
Why does the program emphasize using musicians as cultural influencers?
The opportunity frames established musicians as cultural influencers with reach and credibility among youth audiences. The idea is that pro-equality messages delivered through popular culture and respected artists can feel relatable and persuasive, and can spark conversations that might not happen through conventional advocacy channels.
How does the opportunity describe the role of music in India?
The notice highlights that music in India is deeply embedded in daily life and can cut across barriers such as class, caste, gender, religion, and political or economic differences. This cross-cutting nature is presented as a key reason music can bridge social divisions and support social cohesion.
Does the program require participation by U.S. government exchange alumni?
The project design emphasizes collaboration among musicians that include both U.S. government exchange alumni (specifically alumni of programs administered by PAS India) and non-alumni.
Is the program limited only to exchange alumni?
No. The design calls for a mix of alumni and non-alumni participants.
What theme should the original music focus on?
The original music created during the residency is expected to center on the theme of gender equality.
Are live performances required?
The announcement indicates that the jointly created music should be brought to audiences through live performances and related engagement activities, while also requiring flexibility in format due to COVID-19.
How should applicants plan for COVID-19 uncertainties?
Applicants are asked to plan for multiple delivery possibilities: in-person, virtual, or hybrid. The opportunity stresses operational flexibility because public health conditions may change.
Can an applicant submit more than one budget?
Yes. The announcement allows (and effectively encourages) applicants to submit two separate budget scenarios: one for a fully in-person program and another for a virtual or hybrid model.
What is the maximum funding amount available per award?
The award ceiling is $90,000.
How many awards does the agency expect to make?
The agency anticipated making up to 10 awards.
What type of award instrument will be used?
Awards are to be issued either as grants or cooperative agreements.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is issued under CFDA 19.040.
What activity categories does this opportunity align with?
The activity categories are aligned to arts and education (cultural affairs).
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not higher education institutions), and individuals.
Are nonprofits required to have 501(c)(3) status to apply?
No. Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status may apply, provided they are not higher education institutions.
Are individuals eligible applicants?
Yes. Individuals are listed as eligible applicants.
When was the notice created?
The notice was created on April 5, 2021.
What was the original application closing date?
The original closing date was May 28, 2021.
Is the program guaranteed to run on the planned timeline?
No. The notice states the program was planned for late 2021 or early 2022 contingent on funding availability, and it also emphasizes flexibility in implementation due to COVID-19.
Where can applicants find the complete requirements and selection criteria?
The announcement directs applicants to the complete notice in the "related documents" section for full requirements, selection criteria, and compliance details.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Education
Next opportunity: India Partnership for Early Learning (IPEL) Activity
Previous opportunity: Jail to Community Reentry Initiative (JCRI)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for ND NOFO 21 102
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (ND NOFO 21 102) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| FY 2022 Notice of Funding Opportunity: Cultural Grants Program Apply for DOS PAS SLO 2022 001 Funding Number: DOS PAS SLO 2022 001 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Slovenia Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Education Funding Amount: $10,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "ND NOFO 21 102", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.