Annual Program Statement for Public Diplomacy Section Fiscal Year 2026

The Annual Program Statement for Public Diplomacy Section is offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Cambodia, specifically the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh. As part of the federal government’s broader public diplomacy efforts, this program is designed to strengthen bilateral ties between the United States and Cambodia. Public diplomacy programs funded under this opportunity aim to promote mutual understanding, highlight American values and expertise, and advance U.S. foreign policy objectives through educational and cultural engagement. The funding falls under the Public Diplomacy Programs assistance listing and reflects the Department of State’s commitment to international engagement through grantmaking. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support projects that enhance cooperation and understanding between Cambodian and American communities. Applicants are encouraged to design programs aligned with one or more priority areas identified by the U.S. Embassy. These include commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence, addressing transnational cybercrime while promoting U.S. technological leadership, engaging alumni networks of U.S.-funded exchange programs, promoting U.S. higher education opportunities, advancing English language education, and countering malign influence while supporting free speech. Each project must incorporate a clear American component, such as collaboration with U.S. experts, institutions, or organizations, to ensure alignment with public diplomacy goals. Funding is provided through a grant mechanism with an estimated total program funding of 25000 dollars and an expected five awards. Individual awards range from a minimum of 5000 dollars to a maximum of 25000 dollars. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which lowers the barrier to entry for eligible applicants. While the announcement does not provide extensive detail on allowable costs, public diplomacy grants typically support programmatic expenses such as events, training, educational outreach, and collaboration initiatives that directly contribute to the stated objectives. Applicants are expected to design projects that are feasible within the funding range and timeframe. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations that hold a valid 501c3 status with the Internal Revenue Service, excluding institutions of higher education. This restriction indicates a focus on nonprofit civil society organizations capable of implementing community-based or educational programming. Although the geographic scope is Cambodia, the opportunity is administered by a U.S. federal agency and requires programming that fosters bilateral engagement, suggesting that activities must primarily benefit Cambodian audiences while incorporating American expertise or partnerships. The application process is structured as an open competition. Interested organizations must submit proposals through the designated federal grants platform by the stated deadline. While specific application components are not detailed in the synopsis, standard requirements for Department of State grants typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational information, and evidence of capacity to implement the proposed activities. There is no indication of a pre application requirement such as a letter of intent. Applicants are responsible for ensuring timely submission and compliance with all federal grant regulations. The application window opened on July 9, 2026, and closes on August 30, 2026. This establishes a defined submission period of approximately seven weeks. The opportunity does not explicitly state that it is recurring, although annual program statements are commonly reissued each fiscal year. No specific award notification timeline or project performance period is provided in the synopsis, but such details are typically communicated to selected applicants following the review process. For questions or technical assistance, applicants are directed to contact the U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh through the provided Public Diplomacy Section email inbox.

Ensure strong alignment with U.S. public diplomacy priorities and include clear American collaboration element