Call for Applications

We are pleased to announce the next call for OneBeat Accelerator proposals. Accelerator micro-grants contribute to the development and/or implementation of OneBeat Alumni projects that support democratic principles and address issue areas such as access to education, community resilience, conflict transformation, diversity and inclusion, economic empowerment, environmental protection, media literacy, and youth engagement. To date, we’ve supported over 40 incredible OneBeat Alumni projects. See all our previous Accelerator Awardees.

What the Accelerator funds: Projects with a unique approach to fostering community strength, supporting vulnerable or underserved populations, or providing spaces for connection and mutual support, will receive priority. Projects in the initial stage of development are eligible to receive an Accelerator grant, however, the project must demonstrate a path toward sustainability and include an implementation plan. Discrete elements or features of an ongoing project are eligible for support and demonstrate how they are integral to the overall project.

What the Accelerator doesn’t fund: Project proposals that are centered around the creation of an album or recording will not be funded. (The exception is if an album or recording is an output of a larger project, but not the central focus of the proposal.) Proposals from U.S.-based Alumni must include an international exchange component to be considered competitive.

Accelerator grants range from $2500 - $5000 USD. As a condition of the award, Accelerator awardees must: 1) include a tangible output and a public-facing presentation/or engagement (for example, a virtual panel discussion, a workshop, a short video shared on social media, etc.) 2) a brief final report within 6-8 months of receiving the grant.

For more information about crafting a competitive application see Accelerator Tips as well as the Sample Budget for more guidance on creating a project budget.

Please note that if you have previously received a OneBeat Accelerator grant, you will not be eligible for another award for 3 years (from the time of your award).

Review Criteria

1) Vision/Scope: The project should be innovative, compelling, well-defined and relevant to the goals of the OneBeat Accelerator. The project goals and objectives should be reasonable, feasible and flexible. The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable.

2) Impact/Need: The project should clearly demonstrate how it meets the needs of its intended audience/community. The project should continue to have an impact beyond the Accelerator award.

3) Feasibility/Capacity: The individual/team has the capacity to achieve project goals.

Applications will be reviewed by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, Found Sound Nation, and a jury of outside expert reviewers. Applications will close on December 22, 2023, at 11:59 pm EST. Results will be announced by early April 2023.