Grants for Individuals (Under $50K)

The U.S. Department of State’s Embassy Gaborone announces an open competition for alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to submit project proposals for the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF).  This competition seeks projects that position sports as a sustainable driver of economic growth and social inclusion in Botswana. It supports U.S. foreign policy priorities by promoting excellence, investment, and shared prosperity through people-to-people engagement, aligned with the Freedom 250 initiative commemorating 250 years of American independence. The 2026 AEIF call for proposals aims to strengthen the governance, management, and sustainability of Botswana’s sports organizations; develop effective business models and fundraising strategies; enhance marketing, branding, and event management capacity; support athletes in preparing for post-sports careers; and foster international partnerships, especially with U.S. collegiate and professional teams. The intended program targets sports federation and club leaders, coaches, administrators, and young athletes across Botswana who seek to build professional skills and organizational capacity. Eligible applicants are alumni of U.S. government exchange programs with the experience and networks to lead impactful projects. Experience in sports or their administration is an added advantage. 

The U.S. Embassy Muscat invites alumni of U.S. government-sponsored and facilitated exchange programs to apply for the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026).  Proposals must include teams of at least two alumni who meet all program eligibility requirements.  The most competitive proposals will advance key priorities identified below.  Interested exchange alumni must apply via the online application form which includes space to upload the required proposal and budget documents.  The deadline to apply is  June 14th, 2026 .  For questions, please contact  muscatpasgrants@state.gov .   This year, the U.S. Embassy Muscat is seeking proposals from teams of at least two (2) alumni.   All AEIF projects must celebrate and promote Freedom 250 – the celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary.   Preference will also be given to projects engaging with one or more of the following themes:  Commercial ties   Sports diplomacy  Cultural heritage and showcasing U.S. excellence in creative industries  Emerging and advanced technologies  Space cooperation and innovation  

UPDATE APRIL 14, 2026: Proposals for the FY26 Small Grants Program will be reviewed on a rolling basis based on funding availability. Please follow all instructions in the   Annual Program Statement (see Related Documents tab), which includes instructions on required forms and recommended templates and submit proposals to SofiaGrants@state.gov no later than June 15, 2026 with "FY26 APS" in the subject line of the email. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy Sofia Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), announces an open competition for programs that strengthen the U.S.-Bulgaria partnership and advance U.S. administration priorities to make the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous. All programs must support U.S. foreign policy objectives and comply with applicable Executive Orders and Department of State guidance.    Proposals must include a clear U.S. element, such as collaboration with American experts, organizations, or institutions, and should promote shared interests by strengthening cooperation in areas that advance security, economic growth, innovation, freedom of speech, countering censorship, and citizen diplomacy (people-to-people) ties. Competitive proposals should support Bulgaria as a sovereign, resilient, and economically strong partner and reinforce the role of the United States as a trusted ally and leader.    U.S. Embassy Sofia invites proposals for projects that engage Bulgarian audiences through educational, cultural, professional, and public outreach programs that highlight American excellence, strengthen bilateral cooperation, and promote practical partnerships that benefit both the United States and Bulgaria. Programs must deliver measurable impact, encourage long-term collaboration, and support cooperation in strategically important sectors.    Priority will be given to proposals that address one or more of the following areas:    Freedom250: Celebrating the American story and advancing future cooperation : Programs that support the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States (Freedom250) by highlighting American history, diplomacy, innovation, and culture, while strengthening public understanding of the U.S.–Bulgarian partnership and its importance in advancing peace, security, and prosperity. Programs should connect the American experience to future cooperation between the United States and Bulgaria and promote informed public understanding of U.S. priorities and shared strategic interests.    American leadership, innovation, and applied solutions in strategic sectors:  Programs that showcase U.S. achievements and best practices in entrepreneurship, science, technology, energy, agriculture, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, space, and other frontier fields, with an emphasis on practical cooperation, locally applicable solutions, and partnerships that support economic growth, technological advancement, and long-term prosperity. This includes programs that highlight cooperation in strategic sectors such as civil nuclear energy, critical infrastructure, and emerging technologies, and that increase public understanding of the benefits of Bulgarian investments in U.S. technologies and continued cooperation in these strategic fields.     Education, exchanges, and workforce development : Programs that expand English language learning, promote study in the United States, strengthen academic and professional exchanges, and build partnerships between U.S. and Bulgarian institutions, especially in fields that support innovation, competitiveness, and economic opportunity. This includes programs for educators, journalists, and young professionals that provide accurate information about the United States and support long-term professional cooperation.   Strong alliances, sovereign partners, and regional resilience:  Programs that increase public understanding regarding the importance of cooperation between the United States, Bulgaria, and other allies and partners, and that demonstrate how strong, sovereign nations working together contribute to stability, security, and economic resilience in Europe and the Black Sea region/NATO’s eastern flank. This includes programs that promote accurate, fact-based understanding of U.S. policies, support freedom of speech and efforts to counter censorship, strengthen professional exchanges with influencers, media and opinion leaders, and increase awareness of the benefits of defense modernization and close cooperation with allies.    Entrepreneurship, investment, and transparent economic growth:  Programs that promote entrepreneurship, financial literacy, intellectual property protection, fair and transparent business practices, and stronger commercial, educational, and technological ties with the United States, helping create an environment that supports innovation, investment, and prosperity. This includes programs that highlight the role of U.S.–Bulgarian cooperation in energy, technology, and strategic investment projects, and that increase understanding of how transparent, rules-based economic partnerships contribute to long-term growth and security.  ELIGIBILITY  The Public Diplomacy Section encourages applications from Bulgarian, European or, U.S.-based organizations and individuals with proven experience of executing programs. Proposals that demonstrate the long-term sustainability of the proposed project will receive priority.   The following organizations are eligible to apply : Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience Individuals Non-profit or governmental educational institutions Foreign Public Entities (FPE) and Governmental institutions   For-profit entities, even those that may fall into the categories listed above, are not  eligible to apply for this NOFO. 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.   SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Please carefully review and follow all instructions in the   Annual Program Statement and submit proposals to SofiaGrants@state.gov on a rolling basis, but no later than June 15, 2026 .   Note: all submitted/emailed proposals must include “FY26 APS” in the subject line.

Priority Region: Sub-Saharan Africa  Africa Regional Services (ARS) Paris, part of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, invites U.S. citizen speakers, artists, and athletes/coaches to submit Statements of Interest (SOIs) for inclusion on the ARS U.S. Speaker Program roster. Roster members may be selected for small program specific grants to conduct in-person and virtual outreach across sub-Saharan Africa.  The ARS Speaker Program supports U.S. foreign policy goals in Africa by strengthening security, supporting shared prosperity, and promoting American excellence. In line with the Department’s Freedom 250 initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the United States and the Decade of Sport in America programs are encouraged to:  Share the American story and 250 years of American excellence in innovation, technology, and culture; and celebrate American achievement in sports.  Lead the next era of results driven U.S.–Africa partnership.  This Annual Program Statement seeks U.S. citizen individuals with demonstrated expertise who can deliver programs in English  and  either French or Portuguese.   Priority Program Areas include security; economic prosperity, innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship; energy security, and critical minerals; and American arts, sports, and creative industries as engines of economic opportunity.  Selected individuals will be added to the ARS roster following review and interview. Being on the roster does not guarantee funding; individual grants will be made only when a specific U.S. embassy or consulate request matches a roster member’s expertise and availability. SOIs must be submitted using the dedicated form available at  https://forms.office.com/g/NyK95VxSH9 . All supporting documents (credentials/testimonials/endorsements, U.S. passport and a CV or résumé) must be emailed to  arsspeaker@state.gov . Make sure the email subject line says “SOI” with your full name. Incomplete Statements of Interest will be rejected.   

The Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG) offers funding of up to £30,500 for the production of a UKFS-compliant woodland creation design plan. Landowners, land managers and public bodies can apply. WCPG is open for applications year-round. The ‘Find a grant’ tool requires a ‘closing date’ to be specified, however 31 March 2027 reflects the period WCPG funding is currently confirmed until, rather than a known closure date. The scheme was re-launched in autumn 2020 to enable more people to apply and help proposals move more quickly through the Environmental Impact Assessment process and future planting and establishment grant funding.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) supports the decarbonisation of homes and small and medium non-domestic buildings in England and Wales. The scheme provides upfront capital grants of up to £7,500 to encourage property owners to replace existing fossil fuel heating with more efficient, low carbon heating systems including heat pumps and biomass boilers.

The Electric Car Grant will support the industry and drivers by reducing the prices of new, eligible EVs priced at or under £37,000.

Proposals should be submitted via email to the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy: PASGrantsAustralia@state.gov. Post's grant proposal forms can be found at the link below. Please include as many specific details as possible, including a project timeline and a description of how the U.S. Embassy would be involved and acknowledged in conjunction with the project. Please include a detailed budget, as well as information about cost sharing by other entities.

Spruce Site Assessment can help to evaluate costs involved in felling spruce in the proactive spruce removal area and identify funding available to help with the cost.

Skills Bursaries provide grants of up to £1,000 for people seeking to grow their expertise in community heritage work. Open to applicants at any stage of their personal or professional journey, these bursaries can be used for training, mentoring, attending workshops, or other professional development activities related to heritage and community engagement to be determined by you. Offered on a rolling basis, Skills Bursaries are designed to be accessible and responsive, helping to build confidence and capacity across the sector—particularly among those who may not have had access to such opportunities before.

Payments are available for farmers in England for vet visits and diagnostic testing to reduce endemic diseases, improve productivity, and raise welfare standards across herds and flocks. It is part of the wider Animal Health and Welfare Pathway. The grant provides direct payments to livestock keepers to cover the cost of these vet visits.

The grant provides electric vehicle (EV) drivers with support towards the costs of the purchase and installation of EV chargepoints at residential properties when also installing a cross-pavement charging solution.

The grant provides electric vehicle (EV) drivers who are renters or own a flat with support towards the costs of the purchase and installation of EV charge points.