Mission Australia APS, 2026

Mission Australia APS is a federal discretionary funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to New Zealand, with the opportunity description identifying the U.S. Mission to Australia's Public Diplomacy Section as the office announcing the competition. The program operates under Assistance Listing 19.040, Public Diplomacy Programs, and uses cooperative agreements as its funding instrument. The opportunity is intended to implement projects that advance U.S. economic, commercial, and security interests in Australia. The program has estimated total funding of $300,000 and anticipates making three awards. The Annual Program Statement establishes three strategic areas that proposed projects may address. Applicants must address at least one of these goals: promote flag football in Australia; combat antisemitism through Holocaust education; or strengthen Pacific Islands partnership by highlighting shared cultural values among the peoples of the United States, Australia, and the Pacific Islands, with a focus on arts, cultural heritage preservation, education, and training. In addition to alignment with at least one strategic goal, applicants should clearly explain how their proposed activities advance American leadership and excellence and how the project will deliver measurable results. Awards are expected to range from $25,000 to $100,000, and projects may have a duration of up to 24 months. Every proposed program must demonstrate a clear connection to, or inclusion of, American experts, organizations, institutions, or cultural elements in a specific field in a manner that promotes increased understanding of United States policy and perspectives. The notice does not identify a required cost share or matching contribution, and Grants.gov expressly states that there is no cost sharing or matching requirement. The supplied synopsis does not provide additional restrictions concerning indirect costs, subaward limits, or other detailed spending rules. Eligibility is limited in the Grants.gov synopsis to public and State controlled institutions of higher education. No additional eligibility information is provided in the supplied material. The synopsis does not identify additional eligible applicant categories or provide an explicit applicant location restriction. Although the projects are intended to advance U.S. interests in Australia and the stated program goals focus substantially on Australia and the Pacific Islands, the supplied material does not separately define an applicant geography requirement. Applications that fail to meet the eligibility criteria or do not contain all required information will not be considered. The opportunity was posted on August 25, 2026, with a closing date of September 20, 2026. The announcement directs applicants to read the entire APS package before submitting an application and provides an opportunity link through MyGrants as well as the Grants.gov application interface. Based on the supplied synopsis, proposals must address at least one specified strategic goal, explain advancement of American leadership and excellence, describe measurable results, and establish the required American connection or inclusion. No separate letter of intent, concept paper, pre-proposal, notice of intent, or other pre-application gating requirement is identified in the supplied material. Applications are due September 20, 2026, and projects may begin as early as October 1, 2026. Projects may continue for up to 24 months. The supplied synopsis does not provide a separate award notification date or describe a recurring annual or other future application cycle. It also does not state detailed evaluation criteria beyond the substantive requirements and warning that applications failing eligibility requirements or required-information requirements will not be considered. Questions and issues concerning the opportunity may be directed to the program contact at PASGrantsAustralia@state.gov. No individual grantor contact name or telephone number is provided in the supplied material.

Align the proposal directly with at least one stated strategic goal; clearly explain advancement of American leadership and excellence; define measurable results; make the required American connection explicit; verify that all required information is included because incomplete or ineligible applications will not be considered.