Gastrodiplomacy – Exploring the U.S.-India Partnership Fusion Food | ND NOFO 22 105

Opportunity Information: Apply for ND NOFO 22 105

The grant opportunity titled "Gastrodiplomacy - Exploring the U.S.-India Partnership Fusion Food" is a U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to India initiative designed to highlight and strengthen the U.S.-India strategic relationship through cultural and culinary diplomacy. The core idea is to use food, storytelling, and social media engagement to showcase how the two countries connect through shared values of diversity and multicultural identity. By focusing on cuisine as an accessible and popular entry point, the program aims to build people-to-people ties, encourage positive public sentiment about the bilateral relationship, and spark greater curiosity and demand in India for U.S.-origin food products and ingredients.

A major emphasis of the project is digital reach and public engagement. Mission India plans to leverage its large social media audience to create a two-way conversation with Indian consumers, using food content to discuss the significance of the U.S.-India partnership and how culinary traditions reflect each country s regional diversity. Rather than treating this as a one-direction promotional campaign, the opportunity frames the activity as interactive public diplomacy that supports broader themes of growth, prosperity, and trade while reinforcing a favorable perception of U.S.-India relations.

The funded activity is built around producing a short, tightly scheduled filming campaign across five major Indian cities: New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad. In each location, the production is expected to capture at least one video featuring a senior U.S. Embassy or Consulate representative, including the Consul General in each city, participating in an on-location cooking demonstration with respected local chefs. Each city segment also includes a "foodie walk" component, where the U.S. representative and culinary partners explore local markets, street food, or signature neighborhood food scenes to ground the storytelling in local culture and everyday experiences.

A distinctive feature of the program is the inclusion of a renowned American chef who will travel to multiple cities and serve as a consistent on-camera storyteller across the series. This chef is expected to participate directly in cooking demonstrations and join the filmed food explorations, helping connect regional Indian cuisines with the idea of fusion cooking that incorporates U.S.-origin ingredients. The concept of fusion is central: the videos are meant to celebrate traditional Indian dishes while showing practical, appealing ways U.S. ingredients can be used in Indian kitchens, restaurants, or modern culinary interpretations without diminishing local authenticity.

The production timeline is deliberately short, with filming expected to take no more than two weeks total. After filming, the cooking demonstrations, food tours, and related segments will be edited into five finished videos for publication across social media and other online channels. The Embassy also indicates it may pursue additional outlets or publications to extend the visibility of the campaign beyond standard social platforms, reinforcing the broader public diplomacy and outreach goals tied to the 75th anniversary of U.S.-India relations.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding opportunity issued as a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. government is likely to remain actively involved in shaping and coordinating the project as it is carried out, especially given the participation of senior Embassy and Consulate leadership and the multi-city filming schedule. The opportunity is listed under the Food and Nutrition activity category and carries CFDA number 19.040. It anticipated a single award, with a maximum funding amount (award ceiling) of $75,000. The funding opportunity number is ND NOFO 22 105, and it was created on September 9, 2022, with an original closing date of October 9, 2022. Eligibility is described broadly as "Others," with details referenced in the full announcement under the related documents section.

• 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 Sep 09, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 09, 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 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for ND NOFO 22 105

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