Liberty Under Law: The Shared Anglo-American Tradition

The Liberty Under Law program is a funding opportunity issued by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in London, specifically its Public Diplomacy Section. This initiative is part of the broader Public Diplomacy Grants Program and is designed to strengthen international engagement and shared democratic values between the United States and the United Kingdom. The program aligns with diplomatic priorities that emphasize transatlantic cooperation and civic education, particularly in relation to legal traditions rooted in the Anglo-American system. It is funded through FY26 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds and reflects a strategic effort to promote mutual understanding through educational and cultural programming. The primary purpose of this grant is to support innovative, high-visibility public education and civic engagement initiatives in the United Kingdom that explore the shared Anglo-American legal tradition. A central thematic focus includes the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the American Bar Association Magna Carta Memorial in 2027. Funded projects are expected to connect foundational principles such as rule of law, due process, freedom of speech, and limited government to contemporary civic life. Programs should aim to foster sustained national dialogue in the UK that reinforces democratic norms and highlights shared civilizational values. Funding is available for one to three awards, with individual grant amounts ranging from 100000 to 500000 dollars and a total program funding pool of 500000 dollars. Projects may span up to 18 months and must begin no later than September 30, 2026. Allowable activities include symposia, traveling exhibitions, speaker exchanges, and digital outreach campaigns. The program strongly encourages scalable initiatives that combine in-person engagement with digital dissemination to reach broad audiences, particularly younger populations. Funding may be issued as grants, fixed amount awards, or cooperative agreements, depending on the level of involvement by the Department of State. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit and educational organizations. U.S.-based 501c3 nonprofits, universities, and consortia with transatlantic experience may apply. UK-based charities and educational institutions are also eligible if they partner with at least one U.S. entity. For-profit organizations, individuals, and most government entities are not eligible. Applicants must be registered in SAM.gov and possess a Unique Entity Identifier. Only one application per organization is permitted, and proposals must clearly document partnerships and roles if multiple entities are involved. The application process requires submission of standard federal forms including SF-424 and SF-424A, along with a detailed project narrative of up to 15 pages. Applicants must include organizational capacity, program design, partnership plans, and evaluation strategies. A comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan is mandatory, along with a theory of change and supporting data framework. A detailed line-item budget and budget justification narrative are also required. Additional attachments include resumes of key personnel, letters of support, and proof of nonprofit status. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the final deadline of August 21, 2026. Submissions must be emailed directly to the designated program inbox. Proposals are evaluated based on relevance to program objectives, project design and feasibility, organizational capacity, monitoring and evaluation plans, and cost effectiveness. Preference is given to proposals that demonstrate strong U.S.-UK partnerships and innovative digital engagement strategies. Applicants can expect notification within approximately 120 days after the deadline. Post-award, recipients must comply with federal reporting requirements, including quarterly program and financial reports and a final report within 120 days of project completion. Branding and marking requirements apply, ensuring visibility of U.S. government support. The program emphasizes sustainability, encouraging projects to produce lasting educational resources and measurable impacts on public discourse.

Emphasize transatlantic partnerships measurable impact and digital outreach; align clearly with rule of law themes and public diplomacy goals