Muscat - Annual Program Statement (APS)- PD Small Grants Program

The U.S. Embassy Muscat, under the U.S. Department of State, administers the Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program as part of its Annual Program Statement. This federal funding opportunity is designed to support initiatives that advance U.S. foreign policy objectives in Oman while strengthening bilateral ties between the United States and the Sultanate of Oman. The program operates under Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy funding and reflects the broader mission of promoting American values, innovation, and expertise abroad. It is structured to foster mutual understanding and collaboration through targeted cultural, educational, technological, and economic programming. The purpose of the program is to fund projects that align with strategic priorities including strengthening commercial ties, promoting innovation and emerging technologies, enhancing youth leadership and sports diplomacy, and showcasing American excellence in culture and creative industries. Each funded project must incorporate a clear U.S. element, such as engagement with American experts, institutions, or methodologies, and must demonstrate how it contributes to strengthening the U.S.-Oman relationship. The program emphasizes practical outcomes, such as skill development, partnership building, and increased awareness of U.S. leadership in various sectors. Funding is available for projects ranging from 1000 to 50000 dollars, with a total program funding pool of approximately 100000 dollars, subject to availability. Projects must be completed within a performance period of up to 12 months. Allowable activities include workshops, training programs, academic exchanges, lectures, and collaborative initiatives. However, funding restrictions prohibit activities such as partisan political efforts, charitable donations, construction, profit making ventures, and religious programming. Cost sharing is not required, making the program accessible to a broad range of applicants. Eligibility is inclusive and extends to nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, individuals, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier and maintain active registration in SAM.gov, while individuals are exempt from these requirements. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity, relevant experience, and the ability to manage federal funds effectively. The application process requires submission of standard federal forms including SF 424, SF 424A, and SF 424B where applicable, along with a detailed proposal. The proposal must include a summary, organizational background, problem statement, goals and objectives, project activities, methodology, timeline, personnel, partnerships, monitoring and evaluation plan, and sustainability strategy. Additional required materials include budget justification, resumes of key personnel, and letters of support. Applications must be submitted via email to the designated embassy address. Applications are evaluated based on criteria such as program quality and feasibility, organizational capacity, alignment with objectives, budget justification, monitoring and evaluation plans, and sustainability. Each criterion is weighted, with program quality receiving the highest emphasis. A review committee conducts the evaluation, and final award decisions are made by a Grants Officer. Successful applicants will receive formal award agreements and must comply with federal reporting and administrative requirements throughout the project period. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is August 9, 2026, with an anticipated project start date in September 2026. While the announcement is structured as an annual program statement, future cycles are expected but not explicitly detailed. Applicants are encouraged to begin preparations early, particularly for required registrations, as these may take several weeks to complete. Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the embassy via the provided email contact.

Ensure strong alignment with U.S. foreign policy goals; provide measurable outcomes; demonstrate organizational capacity; present a clear and feasible implementation plan