Tech Innovation Lab

The Tech Innovation Lab is a funding opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of State through its Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA), specifically the Morocco Public Affairs Section. This program is designed as part of U.S. public diplomacy efforts and is funded under the Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds. It seeks to strengthen economic and technological ties between the United States and Morocco by promoting the use of American technologies and business practices. The initiative reflects broader U.S. foreign policy goals of fostering innovation, advancing digital capacity, and increasing the adoption of U.S.-developed tools in key global markets. The primary purpose of the Tech Innovation Lab is to equip participants in Morocco with practical, market-relevant skills that enable them to apply American technologies, including artificial intelligence, to solve real-world challenges. The program targets sectors such as agriculture, fisheries and the blue economy, logistics, tourism, and services. Through a structured cohort-based model implemented in multiple Moroccan cities, participants engage in hands-on learning experiences, mentorship, and applied project development. The overarching goal is to build scalable, innovative solutions while strengthening connections between Moroccan participants and U.S. companies, platforms, and expertise. Funding for this opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, with one anticipated award ranging approximately from 150,000 to 200,000 dollars, and total available funding of about 200,000 dollars, subject to availability. The period of performance is expected to last between 12 and 18 months, with projects required to be completed within 18 months or less. Funds may be used for a wide range of program-related costs, including participant travel, training materials, venue logistics, expert honoraria, communications campaigns, and monitoring and evaluation activities. However, restrictions apply, including prohibitions on construction, major unrelated equipment purchases, and purely academic or research-focused activities without a clear public diplomacy component. Cost sharing is not required for this opportunity. Eligibility is limited to Moroccan and U.S.-based nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and civil society organizations that demonstrate experience in STEM programming, youth engagement, and innovation. Applicants must have the organizational capacity to implement a multi-phase training program, manage federal funds, and engage stakeholders across multiple regions. While individuals are not required to hold registrations, organizations must maintain a valid Unique Entity Identifier and active registration in SAM.gov throughout the application and award period. Participants in the program itself are expected to be Moroccan citizens, including students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals with relevant technical or business backgrounds. The application process requires submission of several components, including standard federal forms (SF-424 and SF-424A), a detailed proposal of up to ten pages, and a budget justification narrative. The proposal must clearly outline the program’s objectives, implementation plan, organizational capacity, monitoring and evaluation strategy, and sustainability approach. Additional required attachments include resumes of key personnel, letters of support from partners, and any necessary permissions or agreements. All application materials must be submitted in English, formatted according to specified guidelines, and emailed directly to the designated grants inbox. Applications will be evaluated based on clearly defined criteria, including the quality and feasibility of the program design, organizational capacity, alignment with objectives, budget justification, monitoring and evaluation plans, and incorporation of U.S. components. Reviewers will also assess risk factors such as financial stability and prior performance. Successful applicants will receive a cooperative agreement and will be required to comply with extensive federal reporting, branding, and compliance requirements throughout the award period. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is July 13, 2026 at 23:59 GMT+1, with an anticipated project start date of October 2026. The Department of State may consider continuation funding for successful projects on a non-competitive basis, subject to availability of funds and program performance. Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the official program email.

Ensure strong U.S. technology integration and partnerships; provide detailed and feasible implementation plan; include clear monitoring and evaluation metrics aligned with outcomes