U.S. Embassy Port Louis Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program

The U.S. Embassy Port Louis Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program is administered by the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Mauritius. This program is designed to strengthen bilateral relationships between the United States and both Mauritius and Seychelles by supporting projects that promote mutual understanding, shared values, and collaboration across a variety of sectors. As part of the broader Public Diplomacy Programs assistance listing, the initiative reflects the Department of State’s mission to engage foreign publics and foster international partnerships through cultural, educational, and professional exchange activities. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to solicit innovative project ideas that align with public diplomacy goals, including advancing arts, community development, education, environmental awareness, health initiatives, and science and technology collaboration. Projects funded under this program are expected to demonstrate clear benefits in enhancing relationships between the United States and the target countries. The funding scope allows for awards ranging from 5,000 to 25,000 USD, supporting small-scale but impactful initiatives that can be completed within a defined timeframe. Eligible applicants include individuals, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, public and private institutions of higher education, and other qualifying entities. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, lowering barriers to entry for applicants. The funding instrument may take the form of a grant, fixed amount award, or cooperative agreement, with the latter potentially involving substantial participation by the U.S. Embassy in project implementation. Applicants should ensure their proposed activities align with the mission’s priorities and demonstrate measurable outcomes. The application process is structured as a two-step submission. In the first phase, applicants must submit a concise one-page Statement of Interest (SOI) outlining the project concept, objectives, and intended impact. This initial submission is used to evaluate the viability and alignment of project ideas without requiring a full proposal. Based on a merit review of SOIs, selected applicants will be invited to proceed to the second phase, which involves submitting a comprehensive full proposal. Only after the second review phase are final funding decisions made. The SOI submission requires specific components including project title, applicant information, organizational background, target audience, detailed project description, timeline, purpose, partner involvement, and budget estimates. The official template for submission provides structured prompts to ensure applicants include all required information. The deadline for SOI submission is July 15, 2025, and submissions must be emailed to the Public Affairs Section at the provided address. Projects funded under this program must be completed within an 18-month period or less. There is also potential for continuation funding beyond the initial project period, contingent upon availability of funds, satisfactory progress, and alignment with Department of State priorities. This opportunity is subject to funding availability and is issued as a forecast notice, indicating that final application and award dates may be updated. Contact for this program is provided through the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Port Louis, with a named contact and phone number available for inquiries. While specific evaluation criteria are not fully detailed in the forecast notice, the merit-based review process emphasizes project relevance, feasibility, and alignment with public diplomacy objectives. Applicants are encouraged to carefully follow submission instructions and ensure clarity and conciseness in their initial SOI to increase the likelihood of advancing to the full proposal stage.

Ensure SOI is concise, clearly aligned with public diplomacy goals, and demonstrates measurable impact; strong project justification improves advancement chances