The Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs leads Department efforts to expand and strengthen the relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other countries.
The Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program aims to fund projects that support its mission priorities. These priorities include encouraging youth to plan their studies and identify employment opportunities, inspiring them to engage in civic activities, and fostering inclusive economic growth in Jordan. The grants target primarily Jordanian youth under 30 and focus on areas outside the Greater Amman Municipality. While proposals targeting other audiences are eligible, they must clearly justify their alignment with the program's goals. Partnerships with other organizations are not mandatory but encouraged to enhance project effectiveness. The program outlines specific types of projects that are not eligible for funding, including charitable or developmental activities, construction projects, and those promoting a single religion or serving purely for organizational growth, among others. Funding is authorized under the Smith-Mundt Act and sourced from FY2019 Public Diplomacy Funding.