Syria Annual Program Statement

The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs is soliciting cooperative agreement applications for innovative foreign assistance programs in Syria that advance U.S. commercial diplomacy and economic interests, with statements of interest due August 31, 2026.

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, educational institutions, for-profit companies, and public international organizations with capacity to operate in Syria and obtain necessary registrations and permits. No cost share is required. The opportunity offers approximately $10 million in Economic Support Funds across three anticipated awards with separate funding ceilings: Removing Barriers to Entry for U.S. Companies ($5.5 million ceiling), Agriculture System Recovery ($3 million ceiling), and Foster Returnee Business Recovery ($1.5 million ceiling). NEA/AC may decide to grant multiple awards, one award, or no awards subject to funding availability and proposal viability. Performance periods are 12–15 months with an anticipated project start date of October 1, 2026.

Programming should promote trade over aid by leveraging foreign assistance to champion American enterprise and infrastructure and catalyze private capital through market principles. Eligible sectors include energy, digital connectivity, emerging technologies (particularly AI and telecommunications), 5G infrastructure, agriculture, regional economic integration, advanced manufacturing, workforce training aligned with U.S. business needs, transitional justice, and economic recovery in conflict-affected areas. Projects should orient implementing partners toward the American business community and foster burden-sharing.

The two-stage process begins with statements of interest submitted through MyGrants. SOIs must be 1–3 pages and include project title, organization name, target country, funding request, cost share, project length, issue and challenge description, proposed solution, anticipated outcomes, theory of change, partner roles, and resource contributions. Selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals. Evaluation criteria are Quality of Project Idea (50 points), Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants (35 points), and Project Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives (15 points). Recipients must comply with vetting through the Department's Risk Analysis and Management Program, quarterly reporting, terrorism financing risk mitigation, Leahy Law compliance, and branding requirements.

The assistance listing is 19.601.