Gastrodiplomacy – Exploring the U.S.-India Partnership Fusion Food | ND NOFO 22 100

Opportunity Information: Apply for ND NOFO 22 100

The grant opportunity "Gastrodiplomacy - Exploring the U.S.-India Partnership Fusion Food" (Funding Opportunity Number: ND NOFO 22 100) is a U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to India initiative designed to highlight and strengthen the U.S.-India strategic partnership through culinary and cultural diplomacy. The central idea is to use food, storytelling, and social media engagement to showcase the diversity of both countries, encourage people-to-people connections, and reinforce a positive public perception of U.S.-India relations. A key theme running through the program is the way food reflects multicultural national identity in both societies, and how culinary exchange can support broader goals tied to growth, prosperity, and trade, including increased interest in U.S.-origin food products in the Indian market.

The project is structured around producing professionally filmed content in five major Indian cities: New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad. In each location, at least one video segment is expected to feature a senior representative from the U.S. Embassy or the local U.S. Consulate, including the Consul General where applicable. These representatives would participate in on-location cooking demonstrations with well-known local chefs and join a "foodie walk" that explores the citys food culture, markets, and signature dishes. The purpose is not only to present recipes, but to frame each episode as a cultural exchange that shows how culinary traditions travel, adapt, and blend.

A defining feature of the content is the focus on "fusion" dishes, specifically traditional Indian cuisines that incorporate U.S.-origin ingredients. The videos are meant to show where and how American ingredients can naturally fit into Indian cooking without erasing regional authenticity. Alongside embassy and consulate participation, the program requires involvement from a prominent regional chef or food expert in each city to ground the storytelling in local credibility and culinary knowledge. In addition, a renowned American chef is expected to travel to multiple Indian cities and serve as a consistent narrative thread across the series, acting as a storyteller who participates in demonstrations and appears during the foodie walks to connect audiences to the broader theme of partnership.

The production timeline is intentionally tight: filming is expected to take no more than two weeks total, covering all planned locations. After filming, the cooking demonstrations, food tours, and related scenes would be edited into five finished videos intended for release on social media and other online formats using Mission Indias broad digital reach. The opportunity also notes that U.S. Embassy New Delhi may pursue additional publication channels to amplify the campaign, suggesting the content should be designed to be shareable and adaptable for different platforms and audiences. Overall, the grant is framed as a modern public diplomacy effort, using visually engaging, locally relevant food content to spark two-way conversation with Indian consumers while commemorating the 75th anniversary of U.S.-India relations.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding opportunity offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. government is likely to remain actively involved in shaping or coordinating elements of implementation rather than simply issuing funds with minimal interaction. The award ceiling is $75,000, with up to 10 expected awards. Eligible applicants include nonprofits (both with and without 501(c)(3) status, excluding higher education institutions), individuals, and for-profit organizations (other than small businesses). The opportunity was created on April 7, 2022, with an original closing date of May 31, 2022, and it is categorized under Food and Nutrition (CFDA number 19.040).

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to India in the food and nutrition sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Gastrodiplomacy – Exploring the U.S.-India Partnership Fusion Food" 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 07, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 31, 2022. (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 $75,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: 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, Individuals, For profit organizations other than small businesses.

Apply for ND NOFO 22 100

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