Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0017898

  • The Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fueling AI Innovation and Adoption" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.665.
  • This funding opportunity was created on 2026-03-12.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-11. (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 $4,000,000.00 in funding.
  • Eligible applicants include: Others.
Apply for DFOP0017898

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Opportunity Summary:

Fueling AI Innovation and Adoption (FAIIA) is a U.S. government grant opportunity aimed at reducing major barriers to deploying and adopting artificial intelligence internationally. The program is framed around advancing the U.S. approach to AI innovation, global competitiveness, real-world application, and governance, with a strong emphasis on shaping international environments in ways that support open, market-driven technology development and responsible use.

A central focus of FAIIA is pushing back on regulatory approaches abroad that the program views as overly burdensome or poorly designed and that could slow down private-sector innovation or weaken U.S. technological leadership. In practical terms, proposed projects would likely be expected to help international partners understand and adopt policies, standards, or governance models that enable AI development and adoption while avoiding frameworks that unnecessarily restrict innovation, investment, or deployment.

FAIIA also explicitly targets geopolitical and information influence concerns related to China. The opportunity highlights China’s efforts to expand authoritarian influence through AI tools and ecosystems, including promoting pro-China narratives, creating technology dependencies, and enabling censorship. Alongside that, the program seeks to counter claims attributed to China that the United States is blocking partners’ access to AI solutions. Taken together, this suggests the program is interested in activities that strengthen the ability of other countries and institutions to access, evaluate, and adopt AI technologies aligned with open societies and transparent governance, while reducing reliance on ecosystems that could embed surveillance, censorship, or strategic dependency.

The funding opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy and will be awarded as a cooperative agreement, meaning the government typically expects substantial involvement during the project period (for example, coordination on objectives, deliverables, or stakeholder engagement). It is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development and is listed under CFDA 19.665. The opportunity number is DFOP0017898, and the application closing date is May 11, 2026.

Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based organizations, including not-for-profit entities such as think tanks and civil society or non-governmental organizations, as well as U.S.-based for-profit organizations. The award ceiling is $4,000,000. The posting lists “ExpectedAwards: 0,” which can indicate that the number of awards is not predetermined or has not been finalized in the notice, rather than meaning no awards will be made.

Fueling AI Innovation and Adoption (FAIIA) - FAQs

What is the Fueling AI Innovation and Adoption (FAIIA) program?

Fueling AI Innovation and Adoption (FAIIA) is a U.S. government grant opportunity focused on reducing major barriers to deploying and adopting artificial intelligence internationally. The program is framed around advancing the U.S. approach to AI innovation, global competitiveness, real-world application, and AI governance, with an emphasis on shaping international environments that support open, market-driven technology development and responsible use.

What problem is FAIIA trying to solve?

FAIIA is intended to address obstacles that slow or block international AI deployment and adoption. Based on the opportunity description, a key concern is that some regulatory approaches abroad may be overly burdensome or poorly designed, potentially discouraging private-sector innovation, limiting investment, or weakening U.S. technological leadership.

What kinds of outcomes does FAIIA appear to prioritize?

The notice suggests the program prioritizes outcomes that help international partners understand and adopt policies, standards, or governance models that enable AI development and adoption, while avoiding frameworks that unnecessarily restrict innovation, investment, or deployment.

Does FAIIA have a policy or governance focus, or is it only about technology?

FAIIA is strongly oriented toward the international policy, standards, and governance environment surrounding AI, not only the technology itself. It emphasizes real-world application and governance, with the goal of supporting open, market-driven technology development and responsible use.

How does FAIIA relate to international regulation of AI?

The opportunity explicitly highlights concern about regulatory approaches abroad that are viewed as overly burdensome or poorly designed. In practical terms, projects would likely be expected to help partners adopt enabling approaches to AI governance and avoid regulatory frameworks that would slow innovation or deployment.

Is FAIIA connected to geopolitical competition with China?

Yes. The opportunity description explicitly targets geopolitical and information influence concerns related to China. It highlights China’s efforts to expand authoritarian influence through AI tools and ecosystems, including promoting pro-China narratives, creating technology dependencies, enabling censorship, and shaping information environments.

What does the program mean by technology dependency and ecosystem reliance?

Based on the notice, the program is concerned about countries or institutions becoming reliant on AI tools and ecosystems that could embed surveillance, censorship, or strategic dependency. FAIIA appears to favor activities that reduce reliance on such ecosystems and strengthen access to AI technologies aligned with open societies and transparent governance.

Does FAIIA address claims that the United States blocks access to AI solutions?

Yes. The opportunity notes an interest in countering claims attributed to China that the United States is blocking partners’ access to AI solutions. This suggests projects may include efforts that strengthen partners’ ability to access, evaluate, and adopt AI technologies consistent with open and transparent governance approaches.

Which U.S. government office is issuing this funding opportunity?

The funding opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy.

What type of award is FAIIA?

FAIIA will be awarded as a cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement typically involves substantial U.S. government involvement during the project period, such as coordination on objectives, deliverables, or stakeholder engagement.

What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement for applicants?

Because the award is a cooperative agreement, the program description indicates the government generally expects substantial involvement during the project period. This can include coordination on objectives, deliverables, or stakeholder engagement, rather than a hands-off relationship.

What is the program category or area?

The opportunity is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

What is the CFDA number for FAIIA?

The listing identifies CFDA 19.665.

What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is DFOP0017898.

When is the application deadline?

The application closing date is May 11, 2026.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based organizations. The notice includes U.S.-based not-for-profit entities (such as think tanks and civil society or non-governmental organizations) and U.S.-based for-profit organizations.

Are international or non-U.S.-based organizations eligible?

Based on the information provided, eligibility is limited to U.S.-based organizations, so non-U.S.-based organizations would not be eligible under the stated eligibility scope.

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $4,000,000.

How many awards will be made?

The posting lists “ExpectedAwards: 0.” This can indicate the number of awards is not predetermined or has not been finalized in the notice, rather than meaning that no awards will be made.

Does “ExpectedAwards: 0” mean there will be no awards?

Not necessarily. The information provided indicates that “ExpectedAwards: 0” can reflect that the number of awards is not predetermined or has not been finalized, rather than confirming that no awards will occur.

What kinds of activities might fit this opportunity based on the description?

Based on the program framing, activities would likely align with reducing barriers to international AI deployment and adoption, supporting enabling AI policies or governance approaches, and strengthening partner capacity to access and adopt AI technologies aligned with open societies and transparent governance. The description also suggests an emphasis on countering AI-enabled authoritarian influence, censorship, and technology dependency risks.

Is the program focused on domestic U.S. AI adoption or international AI adoption?

The opportunity is aimed at reducing barriers to deploying and adopting AI internationally, with emphasis on shaping international environments and working with international partners.

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