Digital Cities Small Grants Program

The U.S. Department of State Digital Cities Small Grants Program supports projects that use advanced digital technologies to improve the efficiency and resilience of municipal services in the Western Hemisphere. The program is managed by the Department of State's Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy. Its broader purpose is to create economic opportunities for U.S. companies and partner cities while integrating trusted American technology into Western Hemisphere urban systems and expanding U.S. technology export markets in Latin America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. A Digital City is described as a city that uses digital technologies to improve the delivery, efficiency, and resiliency of urban services and to strengthen public services and the management of subnational digital infrastructure. Supported projects are intended to be high-impact, low-cost initiatives that deploy and integrate advanced digital technologies into municipal services. Technologies identified by the program include the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data analytics. Digital city solutions may also promote transparency, accountability, secure digital systems, economic growth, and effective governance. The source does not provide a detailed list of allowable or prohibited expenditures, indirect cost limitations, subaward restrictions, or other spending rules. It directs prospective applicants to a separate Call for Statements of Interest for detailed information on award eligibility and the types of programs likely to be funded. Individual awards range from USD 100,000 to USD 700,000. The Department of State anticipates making between one and six awards and describes the opportunity as highly competitive. The performance period may extend for up to 18 months from issuance of funds. The provided source does not state a total amount of funding available across the program and does not state a required cost share or matching contribution. It also does not provide sufficient applicant eligibility details to identify specific eligible organization types without relying on information outside the supplied material. The application process consists of two rounds. In Round 1, applicants complete a three-page Statement of Interest form describing their proposed program. The source provides an online application link for this submission. Applicants whose Statements of Interest are determined to be competitive may advance to Round 2. Round 2 is by invitation only and requires completion of a 10-page full proposal. Therefore, submission of the three-page Statement of Interest is the initial competitive step and determines access to the full-proposal stage. The deadline for submissions is March 13, 2026. The source article announcing the opportunity is dated February 18, 2026, but it does not expressly identify that publication date as the official application opening date. No separate deadline for the invited 10-page full proposal is provided, and no award notification date or anticipated issuance date is stated. The source also does not indicate that the opportunity is rolling, annual, biennial, or otherwise recurring. Based on the supplied information, no future cycle can be established. The source does not identify a named program contact, program email address, or telephone number. It directs readers to the Department of State's Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy for additional information about the managing bureau and provides separate links to the Call for Statements of Interest and the Round 1 application. Detailed eligibility requirements and additional information concerning the types of projects likely to receive funding are expressly deferred to the Call for Statements of Interest and are not contained in the supplied text.

Prioritize trusted U.S. technology, TRL 7+ readiness, and strong U.S./local partnerships.