Annual Program Statement (APS) For Fiscal Year 2026

The Annual Program Statement (APS) issued by the U.S. Mission to Tunisia through the Public Diplomacy Section at U.S. Embassy Tunis is a federal funding opportunity designed to strengthen ties between the United States and Tunisia through educational, cultural, economic, scientific, and public diplomacy programming. The opportunity supports initiatives that promote American leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange while commemorating the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence in 2026 and the 230th anniversary of U.S.-Tunisian friendship in 2027. The funding opportunity encourages projects that improve mutual understanding of U.S. society, values, and policies while fostering collaboration between Tunisian and American institutions, experts, businesses, and communities. The APS supports a broad range of public diplomacy activities across five priority program areas: Economic Prosperity and Entrepreneurship; Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary and the U.S.-Tunisian Enduring Partnership; Innovation and Collaboration in Science and Technology; Mega Decade of Sports; and Excellence in Education and English Teaching. Proposed programs are expected to include a clear American element, such as participation by U.S. experts, organizations, institutions, or cultural content. The Embassy specifically encourages activities outside the Greater Tunis area and projects that strengthen networking among alumni of U.S. government exchange programs. Eligible activities may include speaker programs, startup and investment matchmaking initiatives, sports diplomacy, cultural heritage preservation, STEM and innovation camps, university-industry partnerships, English language training, podcasts, exchanges, and artistic or cultural events. Funding may be used to support programmatic activities aligned with the APS priorities, including workshops, conferences, educational programming, collaborative research, professional exchanges, technology-focused events, entrepreneurship development, and cultural engagement activities. The APS emphasizes projects that promote economic opportunity, innovation readiness, artificial intelligence adoption, educational excellence, and stronger people-to-people ties between Tunisia and the United States. Programs that demonstrate measurable outcomes and broad community engagement are likely to align well with the goals of the opportunity. The notice specifically states that funding may not be used for construction-related activities. No cost sharing or matching contribution is required under this opportunity. Eligibility for this APS is broad and inclusive. Eligible applicants include state governments, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) tax status, public and private educational institutions, think tanks, civil society organizations, governmental institutions, and individuals. The opportunity is intended for organizations and applicants capable of implementing programming that advances U.S. public diplomacy goals in Tunisia. Because the program focuses on U.S.-Tunisian collaboration, proposals are expected to demonstrate meaningful local engagement and clear integration of American expertise, perspectives, or institutional participation. Applicants should also ensure that their proposed activities directly align with one of the five stated strategic themes and clearly articulate measurable program outcomes. The application process is expected to open on May 6, 2026, with applications due by June 8, 2026. The opportunity is listed as a forecasted grant notice on Grants.gov but is currently within the active application period based on the estimated posting and closing dates. No pre-application requirement such as a letter of intent or concept paper is identified in the notice. The APS references additional program and application details available through the TUNIS APS FY2026 materials, which applicants are expected to review carefully before submission. Applicants should be prepared to submit a complete proposal package demonstrating program objectives, implementation plans, target audiences, expected outcomes, and budget information aligned with embassy priorities. The funding opportunity anticipates approximately six awards with award amounts ranging from $10,000 to $200,000. Total program funding was not specified in the notice. The APS appears to be part of an annually recurring embassy public diplomacy grant program, making it likely that future funding cycles will continue beyond the current fiscal year. Questions regarding the opportunity may be directed to the Public Diplomacy Section through the official email address PASTunisSmallGrants@state.gov or by telephone at 0021671107266. Applicants are encouraged to develop proposals that demonstrate strong partnerships, practical implementation capacity, regional outreach beyond the capital, and clear alignment with U.S. diplomatic and cultural engagement priorities in Tunisia.

Emphasize strong U.S.-Tunisian collaboration measurable public diplomacy outcomes and clear integration of American expertise or institutions. Programs outside Greater Tunis and initiatives connecting alumni networks are specifically encouraged.