Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS USEU PD 2021 001
The Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program is a U.S. Department of State funding opportunity run by the U.S. Mission to the European Union (USEU), Office of Public Affairs, designed to support small, targeted projects that strengthen ties between the United States and the European Union. The central idea is to fund programming for EU audiences that highlights shared democratic values, increases understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives, and encourages practical cooperation across the Atlantic. A key requirement is that every proposed project includes a clear American element, such as a connection to U.S. experts, U.S. institutions, U.S. organizations, or an American cultural component. Projects are expected to be implemented in Brussels and/or across EU Member States, and they may also include a U.S. component.
USEU PA is looking for proposals that speak directly to a set of strategic themes tied to transatlantic cooperation. Priority areas include reinforcing the transatlantic alliance as the backbone of shared security, prosperity, and values; promoting a free and fair transatlantic economy (including work on non-tariff barriers, market access, transatlantic data flows, supply chain resilience, and responses to actors that undermine a rules-based economic order); advancing ambitious climate and clean energy solutions that support carbon reduction goals and improve Europe’s energy security; supporting innovation in digital and emerging technologies while helping the U.S. and EU shape global norms and standards; aligning U.S. and EU foreign policy and security objectives to defend democracy and strengthen multilateral, rules-based institutions; and countering malign influence, including disinformation, corruption, economic coercion, hybrid and cyber threats, intellectual property theft, and broader challenges to global security. The program is specifically interested in projects that engage EU policymakers, opinion leaders, and the wider public, and it encourages creative formats rather than one-size-fits-all programming.
The grants can support activities such as conferences, workshops, exchanges, public events, and training seminars. Projects may feature U.S. government officials or non-government speakers, but applicants should note an important limitation: grant funds cannot pay for travel costs for U.S. government officials. The total funding available for the program is estimated at $250,000, with individual awards ranging from $10,000 to $50,000, and the opportunity anticipated making around eight awards. Awards are issued as cooperative agreements, and all funding is subject to availability.
Eligibility is limited to legally recognized non-profit, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions that comply with relevant U.S. and EU requirements and can demonstrate a solid track record delivering programs in the EU environment. EU-based applicants must be listed in the EU Transparency Register. Cost sharing is not required, but it is encouraged; if offered, it must be clearly described in both the proposal and the budget. Applicants must also have the required registrations in place before an award can be made, including a DUNS number and an active SAM.gov registration (and related identifiers such as NCAGE/CAGE where applicable), along with confirmation of EU Transparency Register listing for EU-based organizations.
Applications must be submitted in English by email to useupa@state.gov by the stated deadline (May 28, 2021, 11:59 p.m. Brussels time). The application package is built around required federal forms (SF-424 and SF-424A), plus a cover sheet and a proposal narrative capped at six pages, supported by a detailed budget and budget justification. The notice is strict about formatting and completeness: documents must be in English, budgets must be in U.S. dollars, pages should be numbered, and the narrative must follow specified formatting rules (8.5 x 11 pages, single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, one-inch margins). Late or incomplete submissions are not considered, and costs incurred before the official grant start date are not reimbursable.
The proposal itself is expected to read like a complete, stand-alone project plan. It should include a summary of objectives and expected results; a description of the applicant organization and relevant experience (including any prior U.S. government funding); a clear problem statement explaining why the project is needed; specific goals and measurable objectives; a detailed description of activities and methods; a realistic schedule with dates and locations; identification of partners and any sub-awardees; a data-driven monitoring and evaluation plan that explains baselines, outputs, outcomes, and what data will be gathered before, during, and after implementation; and a sustainability or future-funding plan when relevant. Budget documentation must be thorough, with a justification that breaks down costs by category (personnel, travel, equipment, supplies, contractual/sub-awards, other direct costs, and indirect costs). Indirect costs are allowed either through an existing negotiated rate (NICRA, if the organization has one) or, for organizations without a NICRA, up to 10 percent of modified total direct costs as defined in federal regulations. The program also flags a clear cost restriction: award funds cannot be used to purchase alcoholic beverages.
Proposals are evaluated competitively by a peer review panel, and awards are made on a “best value” basis considering technical merit, past performance, and cost. The scoring emphasizes the quality and feasibility of the project goals and implementation plan (45 points), followed by budget realism and allowability (20 points), organizational capability and relevant experience (20 points), and the strength of the monitoring and evaluation approach (15 points). USEU PA also looks for evidence that the project’s impact can extend beyond the grant period, whether through sustained partnerships, reusable program materials, follow-on activities, or other credible continuation strategies.
Finally, administrative requirements matter. If selected, the recipient can only begin charging expenses from the start date on the signed award document issued by the Grants Officer. Recipients must comply with applicable federal rules and the Department of State’s standard terms and conditions, including branding/marking requirements (such as U.S. flag branding rules). Grantees should also expect routine program and financial reporting, with exact reporting frequency defined in the award. Funding decisions were to be provided on a rolling basis, with final notifications no later than September 3, 2021, and questions about the process were directed to useupa@state.gov, with the caveat that the office does not provide pre-consultations beyond what is already addressed in the funding notice.Apply for DOS USEU PD 2021 001
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to the European Union in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 28, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 28, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program (U.S. Mission to the European Union) - FAQs
What is the Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program?
The Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program is a U.S. Department of State funding opportunity run by the U.S. Mission to the European Union (USEU), Office of Public Affairs. It supports small, targeted projects that strengthen ties between the United States and the European Union by highlighting shared democratic values, improving understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives, and encouraging practical transatlantic cooperation.
Who runs this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Mission to the European Union (USEU), Office of Public Affairs, under the U.S. Department of State.
What kinds of projects is the program trying to fund?
The program funds programming for EU audiences that advances understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives, highlights shared democratic values, and promotes practical cooperation between the U.S. and the EU. Projects are expected to be small, targeted, and designed to strengthen transatlantic ties.
What is the "American element" requirement?
Every proposed project must include a clear American element. Examples include a connection to U.S. experts, U.S. institutions, U.S. organizations, or an American cultural component.
Where should projects be implemented?
Projects are expected to be implemented in Brussels and/or across EU Member States. Proposals may also include a U.S. component.
Who is the intended audience for funded projects?
The program is specifically interested in projects that engage EU policymakers, opinion leaders, and the wider public.
What strategic themes or priority areas does the program focus on?
Priority areas include:
- Reinforcing the transatlantic alliance as the backbone of shared security, prosperity, and values
- Promoting a free and fair transatlantic economy (including non-tariff barriers, market access, data flows, supply chain resilience, and responses to actors undermining a rules-based economic order)
- Advancing ambitious climate and clean energy solutions that support carbon reduction goals and improve Europe’s energy security
- Supporting innovation in digital and emerging technologies and helping the U.S. and EU shape global norms and standards
- Aligning U.S. and EU foreign policy and security objectives to defend democracy and strengthen multilateral, rules-based institutions
- Countering malign influence (including disinformation, corruption, economic coercion, hybrid and cyber threats, intellectual property theft, and broader global security challenges)
What types of activities can the grant support?
The grant can support activities such as conferences, workshops, exchanges, public events, and training seminars.
Can projects include U.S. government speakers?
Yes. Projects may feature U.S. government officials or non-government speakers.
Can grant funds pay for travel costs for U.S. government officials?
No. Grant funds cannot pay for travel costs for U.S. government officials.
How much total funding is available under this program?
The total funding available for the program is estimated at $250,000, subject to availability.
What is the award size range?
Individual awards range from $10,000 to $50,000.
About how many awards are expected?
The opportunity anticipated making around eight awards.
What type of award will be issued?
Awards are issued as cooperative agreements.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to legally recognized non-profit, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions that comply with relevant U.S. and EU requirements and can demonstrate a solid track record delivering programs in the EU environment.
Do EU-based applicants have any special eligibility requirement?
Yes. EU-based applicants must be listed in the EU Transparency Register.
Is cost sharing required?
No. Cost sharing is not required, but it is encouraged.
If we include cost sharing, what do we need to do?
If cost sharing is offered, it must be clearly described in both the proposal and the budget.
What registrations must be in place before an award can be made?
Applicants must have the required registrations in place before an award can be made, including:
- A DUNS number
- An active SAM.gov registration
- Related identifiers such as NCAGE/CAGE where applicable
- Confirmation of EU Transparency Register listing for EU-based organizations
How do we submit an application?
Applications must be submitted in English by email to useupa@state.gov.
What was the submission deadline?
The stated deadline was May 28, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. Brussels time.
What forms and documents are required in the application package?
The application package includes required federal forms (SF-424 and SF-424A), plus a cover sheet and a proposal narrative capped at six pages, supported by a detailed budget and budget justification.
How long can the proposal narrative be?
The proposal narrative is capped at six pages.
What formatting rules apply to the narrative?
The notice specifies that the narrative must follow these formatting rules: 8.5 x 11 pages, single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, and one-inch margins.
Are there any general formatting and completeness rules for the full application?
Yes. Documents must be in English, budgets must be in U.S. dollars, pages should be numbered, and submissions must be complete and follow the formatting instructions. Late or incomplete submissions are not considered.
Are costs incurred before the grant start date reimbursable?
No. Costs incurred before the official grant start date are not reimbursable.
What should the proposal narrative include?
The proposal is expected to function as a stand-alone project plan and should include:
- A summary of objectives and expected results
- A description of the applicant organization and relevant experience (including any prior U.S. government funding)
- A clear problem statement explaining why the project is needed
- Specific goals and measurable objectives
- A detailed description of activities and methods
- A realistic schedule with dates and locations
- Identification of partners and any sub-awardees
- A data-driven monitoring and evaluation plan (baselines, outputs, outcomes, and data collected before, during, and after implementation)
- A sustainability or future-funding plan when relevant
What level of detail is expected in the budget and budget justification?
Budget documentation must be thorough. The budget justification should break down costs by category, including personnel, travel, equipment, supplies, contractual/sub-awards, other direct costs, and indirect costs.
Are indirect costs allowed?
Yes. Indirect costs are allowed either through an existing negotiated rate (NICRA, if the organization has one) or, for organizations without a NICRA, up to 10 percent of modified total direct costs as defined in federal regulations.
Are there any spending restrictions called out in the notice?
Yes. Award funds cannot be used to purchase alcoholic beverages. Also, grant funds cannot pay for travel costs for U.S. government officials.
How are proposals evaluated?
Proposals are evaluated competitively by a peer review panel, and awards are made on a best value basis considering technical merit, past performance, and cost.
What are the evaluation criteria and point weights?
The scoring is weighted as follows:
- Quality and feasibility of project goals and implementation plan: 45 points
- Budget realism and allowability: 20 points
- Organizational capability and relevant experience: 20 points
- Monitoring and evaluation approach: 15 points
Does USEU PA consider post-grant impact?
Yes. USEU PA looks for evidence that the project’s impact can extend beyond the grant period, such as sustained partnerships, reusable program materials, follow-on activities, or other credible continuation strategies.
When can a selected recipient start charging expenses to the award?
A recipient can only begin charging expenses from the start date on the signed award document issued by the Grants Officer.
What compliance requirements apply if selected?
Recipients must comply with applicable federal rules and the Department of State’s standard terms and conditions, including branding/marking requirements (such as U.S. flag branding rules).
What reporting should grantees expect?
Grantees should expect routine program and financial reporting. The exact reporting frequency is defined in the award.
When were funding decisions expected?
Funding decisions were to be provided on a rolling basis, with final notifications no later than September 3, 2021.
Where can applicants send questions?
Questions about the process were directed to useupa@state.gov.
Will USEU PA provide pre-consultations on project ideas?
The office stated that it does not provide pre-consultations beyond what is already addressed in the funding notice.
Is funding guaranteed once a proposal is submitted?
No. Awards are competitive, issued on a best value basis, and all funding is subject to availability.
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