Opportunity Information: Apply for DOSRUS21GR004
Same Planet (also described as the "One Planet: Environment, Health, and Science" grant) is a U.S. Department of State funding opportunity run by the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. The program is designed to support projects in Russia that advance environmental, public health, science, technology, and energy priorities that matter to both the United States and the broader global community. At its core, the grant is looking for practical, public-facing initiatives that encourage innovation and collaboration and that help build longer-term connections between Americans and Russians around shared challenges that affect people and the planet.
Awards can be requested for any amount up to $200,000 per project, and applicants are encouraged to propose budgets that realistically match their organizational capacity and the outcomes they plan to deliver rather than automatically aiming for the maximum. The Embassy notes that smaller awards may move faster through the approval process. Funding is offered through grants and cooperative agreements, and the opportunity was set up to make multiple awards (the source data mentions an expectation of around 50 awards, subject to available funds). Total funding available is not fixed in the notice and is described as dependent on funds availability.
The application window is rolling, with proposals accepted and reviewed monthly until June 1, 2021. Decisions and distribution of funds operate largely on a first-come, first-served basis as needs and available funds allow. Some projects may be funded quickly, while others might not receive funding until later in the cycle; the announcement indicates that, if approved, funding would be available before September 30, 2021, though some awards might not be funded until September 2021.
The program strongly emphasizes sustained U.S.-Russia cooperation. Competitive proposals are expected to include a meaningful connection to American experts, organizations, or institutions, with the goal of keeping collaboration alive beyond the grant period. The Embassy is also interested in university-to-university partnerships and student engagement, especially project-based learning and long-term student-to-student interaction focused on solving mutual environmental, health, or science problems. Projects that help participants better understand American higher education in environment, science, health, and technology fields may also fit the program.
Because the opportunity was offered during the COVID-19 pandemic, the announcement includes a strict operational constraint: the Embassy could not fund projects involving travel or in-person interaction at that time. Any proposal that includes an in-person component must also include a credible virtual backup plan explaining how activities would proceed if in-person programming remains impossible. Proposals without a viable virtual plan risk being set aside.
The solicitation identifies several thematic areas where proposals are particularly welcome. In health, it prioritizes efforts that improve outcomes for specific communities (including youth, women, minorities, low-income groups, people with disabilities, at-risk populations, and rural communities), projects that build shared understanding of health issues, and COVID-19 awareness and prevention programming. In space, it encourages concrete demonstrations of cooperation between Americans and Russians in space exploration, science, and technology, as well as initiatives that highlight both historic and current U.S.-Russia collaboration in space. In the Arctic theme, it supports work that promotes Arctic study and conservation and that strengthens sustainable income and prosperity for Indigenous communities in Arctic regions. In environment, it welcomes projects that improve access to clean water, strengthen waterway management, conserve marine areas and support animal life in those habitats, promote joint work on climate issues (especially mitigation and limiting impacts), and foster collaboration in sustainable development, energy, eco-tourism, and related areas.
There are also clear boundaries on what the program will not support. Projects cannot be structured to solely benefit a single Russian or American entity, business, or university. Projects are not supposed to be income-generating in purpose; if any income is produced incidentally, it must be reinvested to advance program goals (for example, extending the project or supporting additional participants). Finally, proposals should not primarily focus on academic or scientific research; the program is aimed more at collaboration, engagement, innovation, and applied problem-solving than at funding stand-alone research efforts.
Eligibility is broad and includes U.S. and Russian nonprofits, NGOs and civil society organizations, higher education institutions, museums, parks, reserves, and community organizations. The source data also lists additional eligible applicant categories such as independent school districts, small businesses, and individuals, but the narrative guidance says corporations and individuals would only be funded in limited circumstances and encourages potential applicants in those categories to consult the Embassy first. Applications must follow the Embassy's instructions and use the specified application document and budget template referenced in the announcement.Apply for DOSRUS21GR004
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Russia in the disaster prevention and relief, education, energy, environment, food and nutrition, health, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Same Planet" 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 Dec 01, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 01, 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 $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 50 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Independent school districts, 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, Small businesses.
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Same Planet (One Planet: Environment, Health, and Science) Grant - FAQs
What is the Same Planet (One Planet: Environment, Health, and Science) grant?
Same Planet is a U.S. Department of State funding opportunity run by the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. It supports practical, public-facing projects in Russia that advance shared priorities in environment, public health, science, technology, and energy, while building longer-term connections between Americans and Russians around common challenges.
Who runs and administers this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow under the U.S. Department of State.
Where are projects expected to take place?
The program is designed to support projects in Russia.
What is the main goal of the program?
The core goal is to fund applied, public-facing initiatives that encourage innovation and collaboration, and that help sustain U.S.-Russia cooperation beyond the grant period.
How much funding can an applicant request?
Applicants may request any amount up to $200,000 per project.
Is it better to request the maximum award amount?
Not necessarily. Applicants are encouraged to propose budgets that realistically match their organizational capacity and the outcomes they plan to deliver, rather than automatically requesting the maximum. The Embassy also notes that smaller awards may move faster through the approval process.
What types of funding instruments are used?
Funding is offered through grants and cooperative agreements.
How many awards will be made?
The source information indicates an expectation of around 50 awards, subject to available funds.
Is the total funding amount fixed?
No. The total funding available is not fixed in the notice and is described as dependent on funds availability.
When are applications accepted?
The application window is rolling, with proposals accepted and reviewed monthly until June 1, 2021.
How are decisions made in a rolling application process?
Decisions and distribution of funds operate largely on a first-come, first-served basis, as needs and available funds allow.
When would funded projects receive their funding?
The announcement indicates that, if approved, funding would be available before September 30, 2021, though some awards might not be funded until September 2021.
Can some projects be funded quickly while others take longer?
Yes. The notice explains that some projects may be funded quickly, while others might not receive funding until later in the cycle.
What kind of U.S.-Russia collaboration is expected in a competitive proposal?
The program strongly emphasizes sustained cooperation. Competitive proposals are expected to include a meaningful connection to American experts, organizations, or institutions, with the intent of keeping collaboration alive beyond the grant period.
Are university partnerships and student engagement encouraged?
Yes. The Embassy is particularly interested in university-to-university partnerships and student engagement, including project-based learning and long-term student-to-student interaction focused on solving shared environmental, health, or science problems.
Do projects that explain American higher education fit this program?
They may. The program notes that projects helping participants better understand American higher education in environment, science, health, and technology fields may fit the program.
Were there COVID-19 restrictions on travel or in-person activities?
Yes. Because the opportunity was offered during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Embassy could not fund projects involving travel or in-person interaction at that time.
If a project includes in-person elements, what is required?
Any proposal that includes an in-person component must include a credible virtual backup plan explaining how activities would proceed if in-person programming remains impossible. Proposals without a viable virtual plan risk being set aside.
What health-related topics are prioritized?
Health priorities include efforts that improve outcomes for specific communities (including youth, women, minorities, low-income groups, people with disabilities, at-risk populations, and rural communities), projects that build shared understanding of health issues, and COVID-19 awareness and prevention programming.
What space-related topics are prioritized?
The space theme encourages concrete demonstrations of cooperation between Americans and Russians in space exploration, science, and technology, as well as initiatives that highlight both historic and current U.S.-Russia collaboration in space.
What Arctic-related topics are prioritized?
The Arctic theme supports work that promotes Arctic study and conservation and strengthens sustainable income and prosperity for Indigenous communities in Arctic regions.
What environment-related topics are prioritized?
Environmental priorities include improving access to clean water, strengthening waterway management, conserving marine areas and supporting animal life in those habitats, promoting joint work on climate issues (especially mitigation and limiting impacts), and fostering collaboration in sustainable development, energy, eco-tourism, and related areas.
Are projects allowed to primarily benefit a single organization or institution?
No. Projects cannot be structured to solely benefit a single Russian or American entity, business, or university.
Can the project be designed to generate income?
No. Projects are not supposed to be income-generating in purpose. If any income is produced incidentally, it must be reinvested to advance program goals (for example, extending the project or supporting additional participants).
Does this grant fund academic or scientific research?
Not as a primary focus. Proposals should not primarily focus on academic or scientific research; the program is aimed more at collaboration, engagement, innovation, and applied problem-solving than at funding stand-alone research efforts.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes U.S. and Russian nonprofits, NGOs and civil society organizations, higher education institutions, museums, parks, reserves, and community organizations.
Are small businesses, individuals, and school districts eligible?
The source data lists additional eligible categories such as independent school districts, small businesses, and individuals. However, the narrative guidance says corporations and individuals would only be funded in limited circumstances and encourages applicants in those categories to consult the Embassy first.
Are there any special instructions or required templates for applying?
Yes. Applications must follow the Embassy's instructions and use the specified application document and budget template referenced in the announcement.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Disaster Prevention and Relief, Education, Energy, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Natural Resources, Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Institutes for K-12 Educators
Previous opportunity: National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT) Program
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