Grants for Small businesses - International Development
Explore 135 grant opportunities
Application Deadline
Aug 26, 2025
Date Added
Aug 27, 2025
This program provides funding for innovative partnerships that help reduce poverty through economic growth in developing countries, focusing on initiatives like infrastructure resilience and women's entrepreneurship.
Application Deadline
May 10, 2024
Date Added
Mar 12, 2024
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that increase transparency in citizens’ rights to due process. Uzbekistan’s constitution and law prohibit arbitrary arrest and detention and provide for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of his or her arrest or detention in court. Additionally, by law a judge must review any decision to arrest accused individuals or suspects. Judges grant arrest warrants in most cases. Detention without formal charges is limited to 48 hours, although a prosecutors may request that a judge extend detention an additional 48 hours, after which the person must be charged or released. Judges typically grant such requests, and the judge who issues such an extension is often the same one who presided over the trial, which creates incentives to cover up violations. The arresting authority is required to notify a relative of a detainee of the detention and to question the detainee within 24 hours of arrest. Visibility into arrest procedures and treatment of detainees is low, even for family members of detainees and Uzbekistani civil society engaged on the issue of due process. 2 Through this award, DRL aims to support the safe, secure, and professional collection of credible information on political detainees by Uzbekistani media, Civil Society Organizations, (CSOs) and human rights defenders, for human rights reporting and advocacy and to improve the capacity of Uzbekistani CSOs to advocate for transparency and improved conditions in detention facilities.
Application Deadline
Not specified
Date Added
Nov 21, 2023
Grant Opportunity: The Future of America's Alliances Funder: The Charles Koch Foundation Award Details: Funding levels are commensurate with the requirements of the research and the potential for the research to advance an understanding of critical issues. Accepted proposals may also receive support to disseminate the research findings. Eligibility: Organizations of all types across the USA, including nonprofits, startups, researchers, local governments, and small businesses. Other Relevant Information: - Proposals should evaluate areas where U.S. interests converge or diverge from long-established allies and consider challenges in maintaining alliances in different regions. - Projects should study ways to promote burden-sharing and partners' deterrent capabilities. - Research on the long-term future of NATO, unintended consequences of alliances, advantages of different security arrangements, and problems with foreign arms sales is encouraged. - Proposals should assess historical cases of alliance dissolution and explore options for "transatlantic transformation." - A two-to-five page abstract, CV or résumé, and a brief itemized budget are required in the application. - Proposals will be accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis. For more information and to apply, visit: https://charleskochfoundation.tfaforms.net/344037?tfa_13=tfa_1476
Application Deadline
Aug 31, 2026
Date Added
Aug 5, 2026
This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations working to address human rights abuses and promote fundamental freedoms in China, including efforts against censorship, legal repression, and sanctions evasion.
Application Deadline
Sep 3, 2026
Date Added
Aug 7, 2026
This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations working to combat forced labor and illegal fishing in seafood supply chains, particularly in East Asia and the Pacific and the Western Hemisphere, excluding Indonesia and the Philippines.
Application Deadline
Jun 12, 2024
Date Added
Apr 27, 2024
Drawing on the science of prebunking and the popularity and penetration of video games, the implementer will organize a game jam. Games developed during the United with Ukraine Game Jam will increase player skepticism of foreign propaganda and disinformation.
Application Deadline
Feb 24, 2026
Date Added
Sep 27, 2025
This grant provides funding for innovative research on brain and nervous system disorders, encouraging collaboration between U.S. and low- and middle-income country researchers to improve global health outcomes.
Application Deadline
Jul 12, 2024
Date Added
May 28, 2024
The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for an evaluation project that contributes to building a portfolio of evidence regarding inclusive human rights in Ukraine. In support of this goal, DRL seeks to promote the use of sound data and generate findings on what works, for whom, and why in democracy and human rights programming abroad. Projects should support the following objective: the rights of marginalized, underserved, and at-risk individuals in Ukraine are recognized and respected within a democracy, rights, and good governance framework.
Application Deadline
Aug 31, 2026
Date Added
Aug 17, 2026
This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations to research and advocate for immigration policies that uphold sovereignty and the rule of law while promoting democratic resilience in Europe.
Application Deadline
Aug 31, 2026
Date Added
Aug 17, 2026
This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations to develop ethical technology initiatives that promote human rights and counter authoritarian influences globally.
Application Deadline
Jun 18, 2024
Date Added
May 3, 2024
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in eliminating labor abuses and conditions of forced labor connected to cyber scam operations in Southeast Asia.
Application Deadline
Not specified
Date Added
Jun 23, 2026
This funding initiative provides non-dilutive capital and support to businesses owned or led by women entrepreneurs globally, helping them grow and thrive while promoting sustainable development and economic inclusion.
Application Deadline
Not specified
Date Added
Nov 21, 2023
Grant Opportunity: Grand Strategy Research Grants Funder: Charles Koch Foundation The Grand Strategy Research Grants program, funded by the Charles Koch Foundation, aims to support scholars and research institutions interested in challenging the current approach to U.S. foreign policy and providing alternative visions. The program is open to proposals from various fields, with a particular interest in political science, international relations, history, and economics. The grant opportunity seeks research projects that explore topics such as a grand strategy of restraint, the role of values and ethics in U.S. foreign policy formulation, unintended consequences of military actions abroad, impact on American society and civil liberties, executive-legislative relations in foreign policy, influence of interest groups on foreign policy decisions, growth of intelligence and national security establishments since 9/11, costs and impacts of foreign aid and alliance commitments, Pentagon spending and defense policy demands, consequences of a multipolar world, and leveraging technology for a sound approach to grand strategy. Applicants are required to submit a two-to-five page abstract of the project along with a CV or résumé and a brief itemized budget. Final projects should be original and meet high standards in their respective fields. Funding levels will depend on the research requirements and potential for advancing understanding of critical issues. Accepted proposals may also receive support for disseminating research findings. Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis. Interested applicants can find more information about the grant opportunity and access the application form on the Charles Koch Foundation's website at https://charleskochfoundation.tfaforms.net/344037?tfa_13=tfa_22
Application Deadline
Aug 1, 2024
Date Added
Jun 3, 2024
The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur announces an open competition for a cooperative agreement to develop, organize, and oversee the 2025 Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Summit, pending the availability of funds. The four-day Summit (exclusive of arrival and departure dates) in 2025 will gather over 150 YSEALI exchange program alumni from across ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste. The award recipient is expected to design a youth-focused, high-energy, and dynamic Summit that will provide the next generation of Southeast Asian leaders the opportunity to build networks, discuss ideas, and develop solutions to contemporary challenges. The YSEALI Summit in Malaysia will be conducted in English. The content of the program should touch on each of the four pillars of YSEALI and include leadership, mentorship, and teamwork training. The Summit will enable participants to see how YSEALI members have become leaders in Southeast Asian communities through community service, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and education. The Summit should feature panels and presentations by prior YSEALI participants from each country who have become changemakers in their fields. The Summit should feature sessions giving participants the opportunity to work together to develop possible solutions to current environmental, social, political, and economic challenges in the region. Participants should learn innovative approaches to promote relations among ASEAN countries and with the United States through presentation, case studies and simulations. The Summit will also provide leadership and other soft skills training on topics such as advocacy, negotiation, and personal branding, which are core soft skills YSEALI alumni need to become successful leaders. Participants will also have a chance to join cultural activities, and other site visits that support the Summits theme. The Summit will include a mix of informational sessions, discussions and challenges, and break-out sessions on different topics and group presentations, as well as site and cultural visits.
Application Deadline
Aug 13, 2026
Date Added
Jul 15, 2026
This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations working to combat online threats to freedom of expression, particularly those targeting journalists and human rights defenders from authoritarian regimes.
Application Deadline
Aug 28, 2026
Date Added
Aug 17, 2026
This funding opportunity supports organizations and individuals working to analyze and counter the manipulation of migration by foreign governments to destabilize democracies in Central and Eastern Europe.
Application Deadline
Not specified
Date Added
Nov 21, 2023
Grant Opportunity: Ending Endless Wars in the Middle East Funder: The Charles Koch Foundation Award Details: The Charles Koch Foundation is offering grants to support research and other activities on important foreign policy issues confronting the United States today. The grant opportunity focuses on ending endless wars in the Middle East and seeks proposals that explore various aspects related to prolonged conflicts, economic and security opportunity costs, withdrawal strategies, working with specific partners, de-escalating tensions with Iran, effects of military and foreign aid, strategic consequences of military action, social/political/economic/humanitarian effects on local populations, financial costs of military ventures, political and foreign policy processes, benefits and risks of U.S. military withdrawal. Eligibility: Organizations of all types across the USA are eligible to apply for this grant opportunity. This includes nonprofits, startups, researchers, local governments, small businesses, etc. Other Relevant Information: - Proposals should include a two-to-five page abstract of the project, a CV or résumé, and a brief itemized budget. - Final projects should be original and meet high standards. - Funding levels will be determined based on the research requirements and potential impact. - Accepted proposals may receive support for disseminating research findings. - Proposals will be accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis. For more information and to apply for this grant opportunity from The Charles Koch Foundation, visit their website at https://charleskochfoundation.tfaforms.net/344037?tfa_13=tfa_1474.
Application Deadline
Not specified
Date Added
Jun 23, 2026
This funding initiative provides financial support for early-stage infrastructure projects in emerging markets, focusing on sustainable development and private sector innovation in areas like transport, water, sanitation, and clean energy.
Application Deadline
Aug 31, 2026
Date Added
Aug 19, 2026
This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations working globally to protect and promote fundamental freedoms and democratic values through rapid response initiatives in times of crisis or political change.
Application Deadline
May 31, 2024
Date Added
Dec 14, 2023
U.S. Embassy Lilongwes Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) is pleased to announce that we are accepting proposals for our Small Grants Program. This announcement is an Annual Program Statement outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes on which we focus, and the procedures for submitting funding requests. Please read this document carefully and follow all instructions. This notice is subject to the availability of funding. Purpose of Small Grants: PDS invites proposals for projects that strengthen ties between the United States and Malawi through programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural element or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policies and perspectives in Malawi. Examples of programs implemented through the PDS Small Grants Program include, but are not limited to: • U.S. experts conducting lectures, seminars, or speaking tours with Malawian audiences • Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions • Professional and academic exchanges and programs • Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs • Programs developed by an alumnus/a of a U.S. sponsored or supported educational or professional exchange program • Initiatives aimed at maintaining contact with alumni of U.S. exchange programs • Projects to promote English language teaching skills or widen access to books and other sources of information about the United States Priority Program Areas: • Promote good governance and rule of law • Facilitate and encourage growth of entrepreneurship • Promote gender equality to increase participation in education and improved health decision-making by adolescent girls and young women • Increase transparency of government activities through a more capable media • Support and improve conditions for vulnerable and marginalized citizens, such as the disabled, people living with albinism, and those subject to stigma or persecution • Prevent gender-based violence and trafficking in persons • Promote stronger, more numerous university partnerships between U.S. and Malawian universities PDS will ONLY consider proposals that contain a significant American component or aspect. This could include, but is not limited to, an American expert as a speaker, using curriculum developed by a U.S. institution, or screening an American film.

