Muscat - Annual Program Statement (APS)- PD Small Grants Program

The goals of U.S. policy in the region are to: 1) secure opportunities that advance U.S. commercial and strategic interests; 2) promote trusted cooperation in emerging technologies, innovation, and space; and 3) deepen people-to-people ties that showcase American excellence. Applicants should clearly explain how their projects support U.S. public diplomacy goals, strengthen the U.S.-Oman partnership, and highlight American expertise, leadership, and innovation.

Programs should include a clear U.S. element, such as engagement with U.S. experts, institutions, companies, universities, artists, athletes, alumni, or professional networks; the use of American models, standards, technologies, or best practices; or activities that increase understanding of the United States and its partnership with Oman.

Program Description1.     Project Background, Goals, and Objectives 

The Public Diplomacy Section of U.S. Embassy Muscat is pleased to invite applications for federal assistance funding opportunities, pending availability of funds, through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This Annual Program Statement outlines the Embassy’s funding priorities, strategic themes, and procedures for submitting proposals. Applicants should carefully follow all instructions below.

The Public Diplomacy Section seeks proposals for programs that advance U.S. foreign policy priorities in Oman while strengthening the long-standing partnership between the United States and Oman. Competitive proposals should clearly demonstrate how the proposed project makes the United States safer, stronger, or more prosperous; and showcases American excellence, expertise, innovation.

Programs should include a clear U.S. element, such as engagement with U.S. experts, institutions, companies, universities, artists, athletes, alumni, or professional networks; the use of American models, standards, technologies, or best practices; or activities that increase understanding of the United States and its role as a trusted partner for Oman.

2.     Program Objectives 

Applicants may submit proposals that address one of the program goals below. Proposals should focus on one or more of the priority outcomes, but applicants may also recommend their own objectives if they clearly align with U.S. Embassy Muscat priorities.

Goal 1. Advancing U.S.-Oman Commercial Ties, and Shared Prosperity:

This goal supports programs that make the United States more prosperous by expanding U.S.-Oman economic cooperation, strengthening commercial ties, and highlighting the value of trusted U.S. expertise, technology, standards, and business practices. Projects may support Omani entrepreneurs, students, business leaders, and institutions in sectors that advance shared economic priorities, including innovation, trade and investment, tourism, logistics, clean energy, creative industries, and other areas linked to Oman’s economic diversification goals.

Programs should demonstrate how engagement with U.S. experts, companies, universities, or professional networks can help Omani audiences develop practical skills, build market-oriented solutions, and identify opportunities for long-term U.S.-Oman commercial cooperation.

Project Audience(s): Entrepreneurs, students, business professionals, chambers of commerce, academic institutions, economic organizations, youth, and relevant civil society partners. 

Priority Outcome(s): Applicants may focus on one or more of the outcomes listed below. Applicants are encouraged to propose additional objectives and innovative activities that address this priority program area.

1.  Increased awareness among Omani audiences of opportunities for U.S.-Oman trade, investment, entrepreneurship, and private-sector collaboration.
2. Stronger connections between Omani entrepreneurs, students, or business leaders and U.S. experts, companies, universities, or professional networks.
3. Greater understanding of American business practices, innovation models, market-based solutions, and trusted U.S. standards in sectors important to Oman’s economic growth.
4. New partnerships or project ideas that position the United States as a preferred partner for economic cooperation, entrepreneurship, and commercial innovation in Oman.

Goal 2. Strengthening Sports Diplomacy, Youth Leadership, and Major-Event Expertise:

This goal supports programs that use sports to advance U.S. public diplomacy goals, strengthen people-to-people ties, and share American excellence in sports management, coaching, athletic development, sports entrepreneurship, and major-event planning. As the United States prepares to host major global sporting events, including the Olympics, proposals may draw on U.S. experience in organizing, managing, and leveraging sports events to support youth development, community engagement, tourism, and economic opportunity.

Projects should demonstrate how U.S. sports expertise can benefit Omani athletes, coaches, sports institutions, youth organizations, and communities while strengthening positive perceptions of the United States and expanding long-term U.S.-Oman cooperation in the sports sector.

Project Audience(s): Youth, athletes, coaches, sports federations and clubs, schools, universities, sports entrepreneurs, community organizations, and relevant public or private-sector partners.

Priority Outcome(s): Applicants may focus on one or more of the outcomes listed below. Applicants are encouraged to propose additional objectives and innovative activities that address this priority program area.

1. Increased exchange of U.S. and Omani expertise in sports management, coaching, leadership, athletic development, and major-event planning.
2. Expanded professional connections between Omani sports institutions, coaches, athletes, or youth organizations and U.S. sports experts or institutions.
3. Greater understanding of how sports diplomacy can support entrepreneurship, education, health, tourism, and community development.
4. Increased recognition of the United States as a global leader in sports innovation, major-event management, and sports diplomacy.

Goal 3. Showcasing American Excellence in Culture, Heritage, and Creative Industries:

This goal supports programs that showcase American excellence, creativity, innovation, and cultural leadership while strengthening cultural understanding between the United States and Oman. Projects may connect American and Omani artists, cultural institutions, heritage professionals, designers, filmmakers, musicians, writers, museum professionals, and creative entrepreneurs. Programs may highlight the role of culture and heritage in strengthening national identity, mutual understanding, tourism, and economic opportunity. Projects may also showcase U.S. excellence in creative industries, including film, music, design, museums, digital storytelling, gaming, publishing, architecture, cultural entrepreneurship, and other creative sectors where the United States has global influence.

Projects under this goal should support marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Freedom 250 programs should highlight American history, constitutional traditions, innovation, entrepreneurship, creativity, civic ideals, and the people-to-people ties that connect the United States and Oman.

Project Audience(s): Artists, cultural institutions, museums, heritage professionals, students, youth, creative entrepreneurs, educators, writers, filmmakers, designers, alumni, and the public. 

Priority Outcome(s): Applicants may focus on one or more of the outcomes listed below. Applicants are encouraged to propose additional objectives and innovative activities that address this priority program area.

1. Increased collaboration between U.S. and Omani cultural, creative, or heritage professionals and institutions.
2. Greater public understanding of the United States through American arts, culture, history, innovation, and creative industries.
3. Strengthened skills among Omani artists, cultural professionals, or creative entrepreneurs through engagement with U.S. experts, institutions, or models.
4. Programs that connect Omani heritage and American creative expertise through exhibitions, workshops, public programs, digital storytelling, or joint cultural initiatives.
5. Freedom 250 programs that increase awareness of American history, constitutional freedoms, innovation, entrepreneurship, and the long-standing U.S.-Oman partnership.

Goal 4. Advancing Emerging Technologies, Space Cooperation, and Innovation:

This goal supports programs that make the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous by expanding U.S.-Oman cooperation in emerging technologies, space science, and innovation. Projects should showcase U.S. leadership in science, technology, and space while supporting Omani talent, institutional capacity, and innovation ecosystems in areas of shared strategic interest.

Projects may focus on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, digital transformation, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, clean technology, trusted digital infrastructure, satellite technology, Earth observation, STEM education, commercial space, or space entrepreneurship. Competitive proposals should include a clear U.S. connection, such as collaboration with U.S. universities, research institutions, technology companies, NASA-related educational resources, private-sector innovators, U.S. exchange alumni, or American experts.

Programs should demonstrate how U.S. expertise, standards, and innovation models can help Omani students, researchers, entrepreneurs, educators, and professionals develop practical skills, build trusted partnerships, and contribute to long-term U.S.-Oman cooperation in technology and space.

Project Audience(s): Students, youth, universities, researchers, entrepreneurs, technology professionals, STEM organizations, science communicators, educators, civil society organizations, and relevant public or private-sector partners. 

Priority Outcome(s): Applicants may focus on one or more of the outcomes listed below. Applicants are encouraged to propose additional objectives and innovative activities that address this priority program area.

1.     Increased understanding among Omani audiences of U.S. leadership, standards, and best practices in emerging technologies, advanced technologies, space science, and innovation.

2.     Stronger connections between Omani students, researchers, entrepreneurs, or professionals and U.S. technology, STEM, or space-related experts, institutions, and innovation networks.

3.     Practical skills development in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analysis, digital entrepreneurship, technology governance, STEM education, satellite technology, or space entrepreneurship, utilizing American platforms and providers.

4.     Greater awareness of trusted, responsible, and secure U.S. technology solutions that support innovation, economic growth, institutional resilience, and shared security.

5.     Programs that encourage U.S.-Oman collaboration in space education, Earth observation, climate and environmental monitoring, commercial space, science communication, or related fields.