Assistance Listing Number: 19.040 - Public Diplomacy Programs

Length of performance period: 1 to 12 months

Number of awards anticipated: 10 - 15 awards (dependent on amounts)

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

Total available funding: $100,000 - $200,000 (Variable)

Type of Funding: FY25 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds

Anticipated program start date: October 1, 2025 (for a maximum of one year)

The U.S. Embassy Kuwait Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State 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 and some FAAs are different from grants in that bureau/embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation (“Substantial Involvement”). 

Program 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 the availability of funds.

2.  Executive Summary

Priority Region: Kuwait

Executive Summary

The U.S. Embassy Kuwait’s Public Affairs Section (PAS) announces funding opportunities through the FY25 Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program to support projects that foster cultural, educational, and bilateral cooperation between the United States and 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. PAS Kuwait seeks proposals that advance people-to-people ties, promote economic cooperation, and strengthen regional stability through educational partnerships, cybersecurity initiatives, women’s empowerment, media professionalization, and cultural preservation. Programs should include a U.S. cultural element or involve U.S. experts and institutions to foster mutual understanding and address shared challenges. 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. Applications must be submitted by July 31, 2025, for projects beginning as early as October 1, 2025. For more information, contact PASKuwaitM@state.gov.

B.    Eligibility

1.  Eligible Applicants 

The Public Affairs Section encourages applications from Kuwait based:

·      Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience

·      Individuals

·      Non-profit educational institutions

For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply. 

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

2.  Cost Sharing or Matching 

Cost sharing is not required.

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

C.   Program DescriptionThe U.S. Embassy Kuwait Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to solicit applications for Federal Assistance funding opportunities, pending availability of funds, 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.

Purpose of Small Grants: PAS Kuwait invites proposals for programs that strengthen educational and cultural ties between the U.S. and Kuwait through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will America safer, stronger, prosperous, and celebrate American excellence.

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

·      Academic and professional lectures, seminars and speaker programs;

·      Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances and exhibitions;

·      Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs;

·      Professional and academic exchanges and programs;

1.  Goals and Objectives 

·      The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Kuwait invites proposals for projects to strengthen people-to-people ties between Kuwait and the U.S. and to advance our shared goals of economic well-being, and a safe and secure world. All projects must include an American connection or component that will increase understanding of U.S. policy, perspectives, or the relationship between the United States and Kuwait.

·      All projects must include a U.S. element or connection. For example, projects can include U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policies and perspectives. Additionally, projects must address one or more of the priority areas listed below. Both requirements should be highlighted in your proposal.

Priority Program Areas:

1.      Strengthening and Expanding U.S.-Kuwait Partnerships: Focused on enhancing regional stability and security, this includes fostering collaborations in education, arts, freedom of speech, and fortifying bilateral ties.

2.      Enhancing National Security: Addressing political reform, economic development, and legal frameworks. Emphasis includes advancing cybersecurity, responsible AI use, and fostering national security cooperation.

3.      Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs: Promoting conservation efforts, by American experts, of Kuwait’s historical and cultural sites to increase the world profile of the sites, while showcasing American excellence.

4.      Promoting Economic Cooperation and Environmental Preservation: Facilitating U.S.-Kuwait economic collaborations to support entrepreneurship and address heat mitigation challenges and air quality.

Participants and Audiences:

This solicitation of proposals focuses on programs for Kuwait and its audiences.

The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:

·  Programs relating to partisan political activity;

·  Charitable or development activities;

·  Construction programs;

·  Programs that support specific religious activities;

·  Fund-raising campaigns;

·  Lobbying for specific legislation or programs;

·  Scientific research;

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

·  Programs that duplicate existing programs.