Public Diplomacy Section Praia: Small Grants Program

The U.S. Department of State, through the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Praia, Cabo Verde, is offering funding through its Small Grants Program under the Annual Program Statement. This funding opportunity supports projects aligned with U.S. foreign policy priorities, particularly those that promote democratic governance, innovation, civic engagement, and bilateral cooperation between the United States and Cabo Verde. The program is administered as part of broader initiatives commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence, including the America250 and Freedom250 campaigns, which emphasize democratic values, civic responsibility, and historical reflection. The primary purpose of this grant opportunity is to support initiatives that engage key audiences such as youth, emerging leaders, educators, and entrepreneurs in Cabo Verde. Projects are expected to explore themes related to democratic principles, freedom of expression, civic participation, and innovation, while also incorporating a clear American element. This may include collaboration with U.S. institutions, experts, or alumni of exchange programs, or content that highlights American democratic institutions and technological leadership. Priority areas include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital literacy, youth civic engagement, and American culture and history. Funding for this program is provided through federal public diplomacy funds, specifically the Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds and Fulbright Hays Public Diplomacy Funds. Individual awards are expected to range from approximately 2000 to 10000 USD, with a total funding pool of about 18000 USD, contingent on availability. The number of anticipated awards is approximately 10, though this may vary. Projects must be completed within a performance period of 6 to 18 months, with a projected start date in July 2026. The funding mechanism may be either a grant or a cooperative agreement depending on the level of involvement required from the Embassy. Eligibility for this opportunity includes nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, individuals, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity and, for organizations, maintain an active registration in SAM.gov and possess a Unique Entity Identifier. Cost sharing is encouraged but not required. Applicants are limited to submitting one proposal per organization. The program explicitly excludes funding for partisan political activities, charitable or humanitarian aid, construction, religious programming, fundraising, lobbying, scientific research, commercial ventures, and other non-aligned activities. The application process requires submission of standard federal forms, including SF-424 and related budget documentation, along with a detailed proposal of up to 10 pages. The proposal must include a summary, organizational background, problem statement, program design, timeline, key personnel, partnerships, sustainability plan, and a monitoring and evaluation framework. A detailed line-item budget and justification narrative are also required, along with supporting documents such as resumes and letters of support. Applications may be submitted via email or through Grants.gov, and all materials must be in English and denominated in U.S. dollars. Applications will be evaluated based on criteria including program quality and feasibility, organizational capacity, project planning, budget justification, monitoring and evaluation rigor, and sustainability. Successful applicants will be notified within approximately 120 days after the application deadline. Award recipients must comply with federal reporting requirements, including quarterly program and financial reports, as well as final reports upon project completion. The Embassy will provide oversight and may engage more actively in cooperative agreements, including approving materials and facilitating partnerships. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is May 31, 2026. The program is issued as an open competition and is expected to recur annually, though future funding is subject to availability. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the Embassy’s grants office via email for additional guidance. This opportunity represents a strategic investment in strengthening democratic values and fostering long-term partnerships between the United States and Cabo Verde.

Ensure strong alignment with America250 themes; include measurable outcomes with clear indicators; prioritize interactive and sustainable programming; demonstrate organizational capacity and detailed budget justification; avoid one-time events without follow-up