Bridging Cultures Through Hip-Hop | ND NOFO 20 110

Opportunity Information: Apply for ND NOFO 20 110

Bridging Cultures Through Hip-Hop is a U.S. Embassy New Delhi (Public Affairs Section) grant opportunity designed to use hip-hop as a cultural exchange tool to deepen understanding between India and the United States. The program is built on the idea that hip-hop, which began as an underground movement in New York and grew into a global art form, now has a rapidly expanding presence in India as well, including a growing number of artists performing in regional and vernacular languages. With India s hip-hop scene gaining mainstream visibility (helped by popular culture moments like the film Gully Boy), the Embassy is seeking projects that examine both the shared connections and the distinct differences between the two countries through the lens of hip-hop music, performance, and youth culture.

At its core, the opportunity emphasizes hip-hop s long history in the United States as a vehicle for free expression and social commentary, especially around issues affecting young people and underserved or minority communities. The Embassy frames the project as a way to highlight American creativity and cultural vibrancy while promoting democratic values such as freedom of expression, pluralism, tolerance, and inclusion. A major objective is to build relationships across communities and institutions that do not typically interact, using collaborative artistic programming to create dialogue and a stronger sense of connection between Indian and U.S. participants.

The funded project is expected to recruit and bring an American hip-hop artist or group to India for a 10 to 14 day tour, reaching audiences in at least four to five Indian cities. The applicant organization (the grantee) is responsible for the full program design and logistics: selecting the U.S. hip-hop performer or group (including at least one American musician or a production company of American or mixed composition), coordinating international and in-country travel, and arranging performances at prominent cultural festivals or other suitable venues. Beyond headline performances, the program must also include structured engagement activities, with an expectation of two to three interactions per program day. These activities can include additional performances, master classes, workshops, and similar sessions intended to make the artistic work and cultural exchange accessible to young Indians and emerging creators.

The Embassy signals a clear preference for proposals that go beyond one-off shows and instead strengthen community engagement and institutional ties between India and the United States. Applicants are encouraged to identify target audiences and propose partnerships with local institutions, community organizations, or cultural and educational entities that can help extend the program s reach and impact. The programming should encourage social action and civic-minded conversation through music, while also showcasing the arts in America and reinforcing respect for cultural diversity and mutual understanding.

Operationally, proposals must include a detailed budget covering performances and related workshops or master classes across the four to five cities, with event formats ranging from small, intimate sessions to large public performances. Strong applications are expected to spell out any technical needs, materials, or equipment required to deliver both performances and educational components. Venues may be proposed by the grantee in consultation with U.S. Mission India cultural staff, but the final venue decisions rest with the Embassy. The Mission will also coordinate with the selected partner, local stakeholders, and relevant institutions to determine priority locations.

The opportunity also notes that performances and workshops may be recorded and adapted for broadcast or social media distribution, depending on the Embassy s discretion, which effectively extends the project s audience beyond in-person attendees. Publicity and local media outreach are to be coordinated with U.S. Embassy New Delhi and potentially with the North India Office and U.S. Consulates in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad, reinforcing that this is a national-level cultural diplomacy effort rather than a single-city event.

From an eligibility and funding standpoint, the program is a discretionary grant (Funding Opportunity Number ND NOFO 20 110) under CFDA 19.040, administered by U.S. Mission to India. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with U.S. 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions within that nonprofit category). The posted award ceiling is $70,000, with an original closing date of May 26, 2020, and the opportunity was created on April 3, 2020.

• The U.S. Mission to India in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Bridging Cultures Through Hip-Hop" 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 2020-04-03.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-05-26. (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.
• 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 20 110

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