STORY
The United States embassy in London is offering up to $500,000 for public education and civic engagement programmes in the United Kingdom under a scheme called ‘Liberty Under Law: The Shared Anglo-American Tradition’. The funding opportunity, published by the US Department of State, is open to eligible US organisations and UK charities, educational institutions or non-profit bodies working with a US partner.
The official notice says priority will be given to projects connecting principles including freedom of speech, due process, trial by jury, limited government, the rule of law and taxation by consent with contemporary civic life. It lists total programme funding of $500,000, with three awards expected and individual grants ranging from $100,000 to $500,000.
Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart accused the United States of ‘meddling in British democracy’ and criticised what she described as ‘Trump’s Maga money’. The US embassy said the initiative was intended to strengthen US-UK ties and deepen understanding of constitutional principles, the rule of law and democratic norms, and the funding notice states that it is not intended to support partisan political activity or lobbying.