Africa Regional Services Paris Annual Program Statement: ARS Speaker Program
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- AF-PDPA-FY26-01
- Agency
-
Department of State
- Applications due
- Award size
- $500 to $12,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
-
- 19.040 Public Diplomacy Programs
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Other
- Eligible applicants
-
- Individuals
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of African Affairs, through its Africa Regional Services (ARS) Paris office, is seeking U.S. citizen speakers, artists, and athletes/coaches to join a roster for conducting public diplomacy outreach across sub-Saharan Africa. Applicants must demonstrate expertise in priority areas including security, economic prosperity, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, energy security, critical minerals, and American arts and sports, and must be fluent in English with professional-level proficiency in French or Portuguese. Key qualifications include U.S. citizenship, a valid passport, a Social Security Number, and the ability to deliver programs in person or virtually to support U.S. foreign policy objectives aligned with the Freedom 250 initiative and the Decade of Sport in America. Statements of Interest (SOIs) are reviewed on a rolling basis against published criteria, with selected applicants undergoing interviews and language proficiency testing before roster placement. The application deadline is August 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, with submissions required via an online form and supporting documentation (credentials, passport copy, and CV/resume) sent to arsspeaker@state.gov.
Individual grant awards range from $500 to $12,000, with total program funding of $50,000 anticipated to support 8-10 awards. Selected roster members will undertake performance periods of 1-12 months once matched with a specific U.S. embassy or consulate request, though roster placement does not guarantee funding. Programs will be implemented across sub-Saharan Africa, with eligible applicants based in the United States, Africa, Brazil, or Europe. The program authority derives from the Smith-Mundt Act using FY26 Public Diplomacy funds, with an anticipated program start date of June 1, 2026.
Synopsis
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
Priority Region: Sub-Saharan Africa
Africa Regional Services (ARS) Paris, part of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of African Affairs, invites U.S. citizen speakers, artists, and athletes/coaches to submit Statements of Interest (SOIs) for inclusion on the ARS U.S. Speaker Program roster. Roster members may be selected for small program specific grants to conduct in-person and virtual outreach across sub-Saharan Africa.
The ARS Speaker Program supports U.S. foreign policy goals in Africa by strengthening security, supporting shared prosperity, and promoting American excellence. In line with the Department's Freedom 250 initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the United States and the Decade of Sport in America programs are encouraged to:
- Share the American story and 250 years of American excellence in innovation, technology, and culture; and celebrate American achievement in sports.
- Lead the next era of results driven U.S.-Africa partnership.
This Annual Program Statement seeks U.S. citizen individuals with demonstrated expertise who can deliver programs in English and either French or Portuguese.
Priority Program Areas include security; economic prosperity, innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship; energy security, and critical minerals; and American arts, sports, and creative industries as engines of economic opportunity.
Selected individuals will be added to the ARS roster following review and interview. Being on the roster does not guarantee funding; individual grants will be made only when a specific U.S. embassy or consulate request matches a roster member's expertise and availability.
SOIs must be submitted using the dedicated form available at https://forms.office.com/g/NyK95VxSH9. All supporting documents (credentials/testimonials/endorsements, U.S. passport and a CV or résumé) must be emailed to arsspeaker@state.gov. Make sure the email subject line says "SOI" with your full name. Incomplete Statements of Interest will be rejected.
Update #1 ·
Priority Region: Sub-Saharan Africa
Africa Regional Services (ARS) Paris, part of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of African Affairs, invites U.S. citizen speakers, artists, and athletes/coaches to submit Statements of Interest (SOIs) for inclusion on the ARS U.S. Speaker Program roster. Roster members may be selected for small program specific grants to conduct in-person and virtual outreach across sub-Saharan Africa.
The ARS Speaker Program supports U.S. foreign policy goals in Africa by strengthening security, supporting shared prosperity, and promoting American excellence. In line with the Department's Freedom 250 initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the United States and the Decade of Sport in America programs are encouraged to:
- Share the American story and 250 years of American excellence in innovation, technology, and culture; and celebrate American achievement in sports.
- Lead the next era of results driven U.S.-Africa partnership.
This Annual Program Statement seeks U.S. citizen individuals with demonstrated expertise who can deliver programs in English and either French or Portuguese.
Priority Program Areas include security; economic prosperity, innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship; energy security, and critical minerals; and American arts, sports, and creative industries as engines of economic opportunity.
Selected individuals will be added to the ARS roster following review and interview. Being on the roster does not guarantee funding; individual grants will be made only when a specific U.S. embassy or consulate request matches a roster member's expertise and availability.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| APS SOI Speaker FY 2026.pdf |
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