Syria Annual Program Statement

The Syria Annual Program Statement is issued by the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Office of Assistance Coordination within the U.S. Department of State. This funding opportunity is designed as a flexible intake mechanism to solicit innovative foreign assistance concepts that align with United States economic, diplomatic, and security priorities in Syria. The program reflects a strategic shift toward leveraging foreign assistance as a tool of statecraft, emphasizing the promotion of American commercial interests alongside development outcomes. It prioritizes projects that strengthen U.S. private sector engagement, expand market access, and position American companies as preferred partners in Syria’s economic recovery. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support projects that contribute to Syria’s economic stabilization and long term resilience while advancing U.S. policy objectives. Applicants are expected to propose initiatives that facilitate trade rather than traditional aid delivery, focusing on sectors such as energy, digital connectivity, telecommunications, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development. The program encourages leveraging private capital, fostering burden sharing, and promoting regulatory and institutional reforms that enable sustainable economic growth. Projects should address systemic challenges such as infrastructure destruction, unemployment, weak governance structures, and barriers to foreign investment. Funding is provided through Economic Support Funds under the Foreign Assistance Act, with a total program funding level of ten million dollars pending availability. Individual award amounts vary depending on project scope and are further guided by sector specific funding tiers, with ceilings ranging up to five point five million dollars. The anticipated performance period for funded projects is twelve to fifteen months, with a possible start date of October 1, 2026. The Department of State may issue grants, cooperative agreements, or fixed amount awards, with cooperative agreements involving substantial federal oversight and collaboration in implementation. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, for profit entities, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. All applicants must demonstrate the capacity to operate in Syria and obtain necessary permits and registrations. While cost sharing is not required, it may strengthen an application during the merit review process. Applicants must also comply with federal requirements related to registration, including obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier and maintaining an active registration in SAM.gov prior to submitting a full proposal in the second phase. The application process follows a two step structure beginning with the submission of a concise Statement of Interest. This initial submission, limited to one to three pages, outlines the proposed project concept, objectives, and anticipated outcomes. Selected applicants are then invited to submit a full proposal, which undergoes a second round of evaluation. Statements of Interest must be submitted through the Department of State’s MyGrants platform, and applicants must register in advance to access the system. Required components include a project summary, problem statement, proposed activities, anticipated results, and a theory of change, along with optional partner and cost share information. Applications are evaluated based on clearly defined criteria, including the quality and feasibility of the project idea, organizational capacity and past performance, and the ability to achieve stated objectives. The review process involves a multi step evaluation including responsiveness screening, merit panel review, and internal approval. Projects are assessed individually rather than competitively, and successful concepts may be refined through consultative design before advancing. The Department may issue multiple awards, a single award, or none depending on funding availability and alignment with strategic priorities. The submission timeline includes an initial deadline of August 31, 2026 for consideration in the first review panel, with applications accepted on a rolling basis thereafter subject to available funding. Awards are also made on a rolling basis, and the full process from concept submission to award decision may take several months. Applicants are encouraged to plan accordingly and monitor official communications for updates. For questions, applicants may contact the Department of State via the provided grants email address, and additional guidance is available through the MyGrants system and related federal resources.

Align proposals with U.S. commercial interests and clearly demonstrate measurable outcomes; ensure feasibility and strong organizational capacity; prioritize sectors identified in the APS; clearly articulate theory of change and impact