Annual Program Statement (APS) - Public Diplomacy Grants Program: Advancing America First Priorities

The U.S. Mission to Ecuador (Department of State) is soliciting applications for public diplomacy grants to advance America First Priorities with an application deadline of August 6, 2026, at 23:59 Ecuador Time. Eligible applicants are not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, individuals, and public international organizations; for-profit entities are excluded. All organizations except individuals must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier and maintain active registration in SAM.gov, and applicants may submit only one proposal per organization.

The program will award two to five grants ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 each, totaling $100,000 in FY26 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds. Projects must be completed within 24 months, with anticipated start date of September 30, 2026, and all implementation occurs in Ecuador. All programs must include an American element demonstrating connection to U.S. policy, people, values, culture, or institutions.

Priority program areas are: Advancing Security Cooperation and Countering Transnational Crime; Countering Illegal Immigration; Increasing Economic Prosperity, Trade, and Innovation; and Celebrating U.S. Excellence and Freedom 250. Eligible activities include lectures, seminars, artistic and cultural workshops, exchanges, professional development training, and heritage conservation initiatives targeting journalists, educators, students, entrepreneurs, civil society organizations, and other relevant Ecuadorian audiences.

Applications must include SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B forms; a ten-page maximum proposal narrative; detailed line-item budget with justification; key personnel resumes; letters of support; proof of nonprofit status and registration; and a security package addressing participant safety and emergency procedures. Review criteria weight program quality and feasibility at 30 points, organizational capacity and grant history at 25 points, project planning at 20 points, budget detail and reasonableness at 10 points, monitoring and evaluation plans at 10 points, and sustainability at 5 points. Post-award recipients must comply with 2 CFR Part 200, submit quarterly progress and financial reports, acknowledge U.S. government funding, and follow Department of State branding guidance. The program falls under CFDA 19.040 (Public Diplomacy Programs). Submission address is contactocultural@state.gov.