04 to 12 months

Number of awards anticipated

One (1) award

Award amounts

awards may range from a minimum of $40,000.00 U.S. dollars to a maximum of $90,000.00 U.S. dollars

Total available funding

$90,000.00 U.S. dollars pending availability of funds

Type of Funding

FY 2026 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds

Anticipated project start date

August 2026

 

Funding Instrument Type: Grant or Cooperative Agreement. Cooperative agreements include substantial involvement of the U.S. Embassy or Bureau in program implementation of the project.

 

 Select 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 summits should be completed between August 2026 and December 2026.

Optional: 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.

 

2.  Executive Summary

The U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo announces an open competition for alumni-led summits that advance economic freedom, democratic innovation, and hemispheric collaboration in celebration of Freedom 250—the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. For 250 years, the United States has championed free enterprise, transparent markets, and democratic governance, building the world's most dynamic and advanced economy through innovation and the rule of law. This funding opportunity empowers exchange alumni to design and implement high-impact summits in the Dominican Republic that convene leaders from across Latin America and the Caribbean, build stronger partnerships between the United States, the Dominican Republic, and the hemisphere, foster innovative solutions rooted in U.S. business excellence, and promote economic freedom as a pillar of dynamic and advanced economies throughout the Americas.

 

B.   ELIGIBILITY

 

1.  Eligible Applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

 

• Dominican Alumni of U.S. Department of State exchange programs: Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI), International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), Fulbright, and other Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs programs.

·        Dominican not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations

• Dominican public and private educational institutions led by or partnering with exchange alumni

 

2.  Cost Sharing or Matching

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

 

3.  Other Eligibility Requirements

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.

 

Optional: 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.[1] 

 

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;

●      Illegal activities

 

C.  PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

 

1.  Project Background, Goals, and Objectives [2]  

 

Latin America and the Caribbean's creative and cultural industries generate over $124 billion annually [NF3] and employ millions across the region. The entrepreneurial ecosystem throughout the hemisphere continues to grow, yet entrepreneurs—particularly those in creative and emerging sectors—remain among the least investment-ready, face significant intellectual property challenges, and are less connected to U.S. market frameworks and advanced economy practices.

The United States has long been a global leader in fostering innovative business models, protecting intellectual property, promoting transparent governance, and building dynamic markets that reward entrepreneurship and drive economic growth. American excellence in business education, venture capital frameworks, and democratic economic principles has created one of the most prosperous and advanced economies in history.

Past Projects and Best Practices: U.S. Embassy-supported programming has demonstrated that alumni-led convenings create lasting impact when they combine technical capacity-building with structured networking and follow-on collaboration mechanisms. Best practices from past initiatives include: multi-day formats that allow for deep engagement; company visits that showcase innovative business models; pitch rounds and matchmaking sessions that facilitate dynamic partnerships; and public-facing conferences that amplify impact beyond immediate participants.

Lessons Learned: Sustainability requires concrete follow-on activities, clear monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and ongoing support for cross-border collaborations initiated during summits. Programs that integrate U.S. business practices, democratic values, and Freedom 250 themes generate greater visibility and long-term impact.

Program Goal and Success: This funding opportunity addresses the gap between regional entrepreneurial potential and access to U.S. expertise by supporting alumni-led summits that transfer knowledge, build stronger networks, and create pathways for cross-border collaboration. Success will be measured by increased alumni capacity in investment readiness, intellectual property protection, ethical AI literacy, and cross-border market access; documented cross-border partnerships; alumni-led initiatives that advance economic freedom; and visibility that celebrates 250 years of American democratic and economic excellence.

Project Audience(s):

Primary beneficiaries include:

• Exchange Alumni Entrepreneurs from Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly those working in creative industries, technology, and sectors aligned with the Economy (ages 25-45). These participants should be eligible to benefit from exposure to U.S. business practices, investment readiness frameworks, intellectual property protection strategies, ethical AI literacy, and cross-border market access opportunities rooted in U.S. advanced economy models.

• Dominican Exchange Alumni Leaders who are actively leading entrepreneurial ventures, creative enterprises, or innovation initiatives in the Dominican Republic. This group represents the majority of summit participants and should engage in capacity-building activities, structured matchmaking, pitch rounds, and the development of sustained cross-border partnerships with U.S. and regional counterparts.

• Regional Exchange Alumni from Latin America and the Caribbean including entrepreneurs and creative industry leaders from, but not limit to, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and Costa Rica. These participants will contribute to hemispheric collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the formation of strategic alliances that advance economic freedom and democratic innovation across borders.

• U.S. Exchange Alumni, Business Leaders, and Experts: Entrepreneurs, investors, creative economy specialists, and institutional leaders from the United States who will serve as trainers, speakers, mentors, and facilitators, sharing American business excellence, governance frameworks, and innovative practices that characterize dynamic and advanced economies.

Secondary beneficiaries include:

• Broader exchange alumni networks (200+ participants in public-facing conferences), private sector leaders, investors, civil society organizations, government representatives, ecosystem stakeholders, media, and public audiences engaged through Freedom 250 celebrations and summit activities. These groups benefit from increased U.S.-Dominican Republic-LAC collaboration, knowledge transfer, visibility of American values in entrepreneurship, and public-facing project outcomes that strengthen hemispheric ties.

 

Project Goal:  Strengthen U.S.–Latin America and Caribbean collaboration in the creative economy, technology, and entrepreneurship sectors by equipping exchange alumni with the knowledge, networks, and tools rooted in U.S. business excellence to scale responsible enterprises that advance economic freedom, build stronger hemispheric ties, and contribute to dynamic, advanced economies throughout the region.

 

Project Objectives:

·        Objective 1: Knowledge & Capacity Building: By the end of funded summits, at least 85% of participating alumni will demonstrate increased knowledge in at least three of the following areas: investment readiness for creative enterprises, intellectual property protection, ethical AI in creative industries, governance and transparency frameworks, and cross-border market expansion strategies aligned with U.S. advanced economy practices, as measured through pre- and post-event surveys.

 

·        Objective 2: Cross-Border Collaboration: Within three months of funded summits, at least three cross-border collaborations per summit (e.g., co-productions, distribution agreements, joint ventures, or strategic partnerships) between alumni participants will be initiated and documented through follow-up reporting, creating stronger, more dynamic regional networks.

 

·        Objective 3: Alumni Engagement & Ecosystem Expansion: Public-facing conferences associated with funded summits will convene at least 200 exchange alumni and ecosystem stakeholders per event, of whom at least 70% will report increased understanding of entrepreneurship, the creative economy, or related sectors as strategic growth areas aligned with democratic economic principles and U.S. values, as measured through post-event evaluation forms.

 

·        Objective 4: Visibility and Public Diplomacy: Within one month of each funded summit, the program will generate at least five media or digital features (press mentions, institutional newsletters, or social media coverage) highlighting U.S.–LAC collaboration, American business excellence, and the values of economic freedom and innovation that characterize advanced economies.

 

2.  Substantial Involvement

 

U.S. Embassy/Bureau Roles and Responsibilities:

• Provide opening remarks and closing remarks at summit events
• Review and approve major program milestones, including participant selection criteria, speaker selection, and program agenda
• Participate in planning meetings and provide strategic guidance on alignment with U.S. policy priorities and Freedom 250 themes
• Facilitate connections with U.S. speakers, experts, or private sector partners where appropriate
• Review and approve communications materials, press releases, and branding to ensure compliance with Department of State guidelines
• Monitor program implementation and participate in evaluation activities

Recipient Roles and Responsibilities:

• Lead all aspects of program design, implementation, and management
• Recruit and select participants in accordance with approved criteria
• Manage all logistics, including venue selection, travel arrangements, catering, and materials production
• Develop curriculum and coordinate speakers, trainers, and facilitators
• Implement monitoring and evaluation plan and collect all required data
• Manage budget and financial reporting in accordance with federal regulations
• Submit all required programmatic and financial reports
• Coordinate follow-on activities and track cross-border collaboration