Assistance Listing Number: 19.040 - Public Diplomacy Programs

Length of performance period: 1 to 12 months

Number of awards anticipated: Up to 10 (dependent on amounts)

Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $25,000 (approximately)

Total available funding: $100,000 - $150,000 pending availability of funds

Type of Funding: FY26 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds

Anticipated program start date: October 1, 2026 (for a maximum of one year)

The Embassy Kuwait’s Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below.

Funding Instrument Type: Grant, fixed amount award (FAA), or cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements include substantial involvement of the bureau or embassy in program implementation of the project. An FAA can also include substantial involvement. Examples of substantial involvement are included in section C below. (Note: If a cooperative agreement or FAA that includes substantial involvement may be used, the substantial involvement section of part C must include a description of what is meant by that. For example, you can note that PDS will be involved in the selection of participants, review of proposed publications, or more.)

Project Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 12 months or less.

 The Department of State will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.

This notice is subject to availability of funding. The Public Diplomacy Section reserves the right to award less or more than the funds described under circumstances deemed to be in the best interest of the U.S. government, pending the availability of funds and approval of the designated grants officer.

The Embassy Kuwait’s Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) announces an open competition to support projects that advance U.S. security, commercial, cultural, and educational interests in Kuwait. This APS outlines strategic funding priorities, eligibility criteria, and application guidelines for grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, with project durations of up to 12 months. The overarching goals of U.S. policy in the region are to 1) advance U.S. security interests and foster burden sharing; 2) secure opportunities that advance U.S. commercial and strategic interests; 3) counter malign actors; and 4) advance regional integration to keep Americans safe and secure. Applicants should clearly explain how their projects make America safer, stronger, or more prosperous, reinforce U.S. leadership, and showcase American excellence.

PDS Kuwait will use targeted Public Diplomacy tools to advance these U.S. objectives, including educational partnerships; speaker programs; grants to NGOs, think tanks, and media organizations; and cultural programs that build durable pro-U.S. networks and counter malign influence. Programs should include a U.S. cultural element or involve U.S. experts and institutions to increase understanding of U.S. policy, strengthen preference for American institutions and products, and reinforce the United States as Kuwait’s partner of choice. Eligible applicants include registered non-profits, NGOs, and educational institutions based in Kuwait; for-profit entities are not eligible. Projects should focus on Kuwaiti youth, students, educators, entrepreneurs, media professionals, and civil society organizations.

In addition, in 2026, all U.S. embassies worldwide are launching the "Freedom 250" campaign to celebrate 250 years of U.S. independence (July 4, 2026) through year-long cultural, educational, and exchange programs. Key aspects of the international Freedom 250 celebrations include cultural and educational ties and partnerships with local organizations. The campaign highlights American excellence, constitutional freedoms, innovation, and ingenuity, and will use the hashtag #Freedom250 on social media.

Applications must be submitted by July 15, 2026, for projects beginning as early as October 1, 2026. For more information, contact PASKuwaitM@state.gov. Please follow all instructions below.  

The following Kuwait-based applicants are eligible to apply:

·      Registered Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations

·      Not-for-profit educational institutions

·      Individuals

Only Kuwait-registered organizations or Kuwait-based individual applicants will be considered.

For-profit entities, even those that may fall into the categories listed above, are not eligible to apply for this APS. Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal. For more information on the difference between sub-contract and sub-recipient, please refer to 2 CFR 200.331.

Cost sharing is encouraged, but not required, for this funding opportunity.   

All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.gov. Please see Section E.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding under this funding opportunity.

4.    This opportunity will not support:

·      Projects relating to partisan political activity;

·      Charitable or development activities; including direct social services such as medical, psychological, and/or humanitarian support

·      Construction projects;

·      Projects that support specific religious activities;

·      Fund-raising campaigns;

·      Lobbying for specific legislation or programs

·      Scientific research or surveys;

·      Commercial projects;

·      Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization;

·      Projects that duplicate existing projects; or

·      Illegal activities.

The Embassy Kuwait’s PDS is pleased to solicit applications for federal assistance funding opportunities, pending availability of funds, through its Small Grants Program. This is an Annual Program Statement outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below.

The Public Diplomacy Section invites proposals for programs that support one of the following U.S. Embassy priority program areas listed below. 

Examples of Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to:

·      Academic and professional lectures, seminars and speaker programs;

·      Training programs for journalists and other media professionals;

·      Independent studies and analyses by Kuwaiti think tanks on priority topics;

·      Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances and exhibitions;

·      Professional and academic exchanges and programs.