U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso PDS Annual Program Statement

The U.S. Department of State, through the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Public Diplomacy Section, has issued an Annual Program Statement to support projects that strengthen ties between the United States and Burkina Faso. This funding opportunity is part of the Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds and is designed to advance U.S. foreign policy objectives by fostering collaboration, mutual understanding, and shared development goals. The Embassy seeks to engage a wide array of stakeholders, including civil society, educational institutions, and individuals, to implement programs that reflect American values, innovation, and leadership. The purpose of this grant program is to promote economic growth, enhance regional security cooperation, and highlight American excellence. Projects are expected to contribute to strengthening bilateral partnerships by encouraging trade and investment, improving public health resilience, and addressing security challenges such as terrorism and transnational crime. Additionally, the program emphasizes people-to-people connections, English language learning, entrepreneurship, and the promotion of democratic values under initiatives such as the Freedom 250 campaign. Funding is available for small grants with awards ranging from approximately 1,000 to 25,000 USD, with total program funding estimated at 60,000 USD, subject to availability. Projects must be completed within a performance period of one to twelve months, with an anticipated start date of September 15, 2026. Funding instruments may include grants, fixed amount awards, or cooperative agreements, and may involve active participation from Embassy staff in project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Certain costs are restricted, including construction, direct social services, and partisan or religious activities. Eligibility is open to a broad range of applicants, including nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, individuals, and public international organizations. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply. Applicants must be registered organizations in Burkina Faso or the United States and demonstrate the capacity to implement successful projects. While cost sharing is encouraged, it is not required. Organizations must maintain compliance with federal requirements, including obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier and maintaining an active SAM.gov registration where applicable. The application process requires submission of several mandatory forms, including SF-424 series documents, a detailed proposal of up to eight pages, a comprehensive budget and justification narrative, and supporting attachments such as resumes and letters of support. Proposals must clearly outline objectives, methodologies, timelines, and evaluation plans, including measurable outcomes and sustainability strategies. Applications must be submitted via email to the designated Embassy address, and all materials must be in English and denominated in U.S. dollars. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the final deadline of July 3, 2026, at 17:00 GMT. The review process includes technical eligibility screening followed by evaluation based on criteria such as program quality, organizational capacity, feasibility, budget justification, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainability. Applicants are typically notified within 120 days after the deadline. The Embassy may also conduct risk assessments and request additional documentation before making final award decisions. This Annual Program Statement is a recurring funding opportunity, allowing for future cycles depending on funding availability. The Embassy reserves the right to adjust funding levels and award conditions as necessary. For inquiries, applicants may contact the Public Diplomacy Section via email at ouagapdgrants@state.gov. Overall, this program aims to support impactful, sustainable initiatives that align with U.S. strategic priorities and foster long-term cooperation between the United States and Burkina Faso.

Align proposal clearly with U.S. foreign policy priorities; demonstrate measurable outcomes and sustainability; ensure detailed and realistic budgeting; highlight organizational capacity and past performance