Public Diplomacy Grants Program | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Public Diplomacy Grants Program (PDS MGA APS FY26 01)?

The Public Diplomacy Grants Program (Funding Opportunity Number: PDS MGA APS FY26 01) is a discretionary small-grants competition run by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in Managua. It funds innovative public diplomacy projects in Nicaragua that advance U.S. security, commercial interests, and broader regional stability.

Who is administering this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is administered by the U.S. Mission to Nicaragua through the U.S. Embassy in Managua.

What is the main purpose of the program?

The program is designed to support practical, on-the-ground public diplomacy activities that engage key Nicaraguan audiences and strengthen information access, economic opportunity, and public understanding of issues that affect both Nicaragua and the United States.

Is this a formula grant or a competitive/discretionary grant?

It is a discretionary small-grants competition.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is PDS MGA APS FY26 01.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 19.040.

When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on April 1, 2026.

What is the application deadline?

The original closing date is May 18, 2026.

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $80,000 per award.

What kinds of projects are a good fit for this program?

The Embassy is looking for actionable public diplomacy programming that is clearly tied to one of the stated priority areas, directly engages intended audiences in Nicaragua, and includes a realistic plan to reach participants and produce measurable impact.

What are the program priority areas applicants must choose from?

Applicants must design proposals around one of three priority areas: (1) advancing U.S. trade and economic interests, (2) protecting free speech and defending religious freedom while countering anti-U.S. narratives, or (3) supporting border security and efforts to reduce mass migration.

Do proposals need to address all three priority areas?

No. Proposals should be structured to align tightly with one priority area.

What does Priority Area 1 focus on?

Priority Area 1 focuses on advancing U.S. trade and economic interests by encouraging market-oriented, private sector-led growth, strengthening trade relationships with the United States, and increasing awareness of foreign economic practices that may undermine U.S. and Nicaraguan commercial interests.

What does Priority Area 2 focus on?

Priority Area 2 centers on protecting free speech and defending religious freedom while countering anti-U.S. narratives. Projects are expected to strengthen independent voices, expand public access to credible information, and build capacity of independent media and civil society groups.

What does Priority Area 3 focus on?

Priority Area 3 supports border security and efforts to reduce mass migration by increasing public understanding of U.S. immigration laws, highlighting the dangers of illegal migration, and helping combat criminal networks that profit from irregular migration.

Who are the target audiences for projects under this program?

The program encourages projects that directly engage specific audiences in Nicaragua, including independent journalists, civil society organizations, religious workers and institutions, youth and university students, entrepreneurs and small businesses, and rural producers.

Are projects required to take place in Nicaragua?

The program is focused on Nicaragua and is intended to engage key Nicaraguan audiences through practical, on-the-ground activities.

What types of activities can be proposed?

Proposed activities may include workshops and skills trainings, exchanges and speaker programs, media and information initiatives, and community-based events designed to broaden access to reliable information and create or expand economic opportunities.

Does the program support media and information initiatives?

Yes. Media and information initiatives are specifically listed as an allowable form of activity, particularly relevant to projects that expand access to credible information and strengthen independent voices.

Does the program support trainings and workshops?

Yes. Workshops and skills trainings are specifically mentioned as possible program activities.

Does the program support exchanges or speaker programs?

Yes. Exchanges and speaker programs are listed as examples of the types of activities that may be supported.

What does the Embassy mean by "actionable programming"?

Based on the announcement, "actionable programming" means practical, on-the-ground activities with a clear connection to one priority area, a realistic plan to engage the intended participants, and a focus on generating measurable impact.

How should applicants structure their proposals?

Applicants should align the proposal tightly with one priority area, specify the intended audience in Nicaragua, describe delivery methods (such as trainings, media initiatives, exchanges, or community events), and explain how the project will advance the Embassy's public diplomacy objectives in Nicaragua.

What should applicants emphasize to show alignment with Embassy objectives?

Applicants should clearly connect the project to one of the priority areas, explain how it will engage the target audiences, and describe how it will strengthen information access, economic opportunity, or public understanding of issues affecting Nicaragua and the United States.

Does the opportunity require measurable impact?

The Embassy is looking for projects that include a realistic plan for reaching participants and generating measurable impact.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes both U.S. and non-U.S. applicants that can credibly carry out the proposed work.

Can individuals apply for this grant?

Yes. Individuals are listed as an eligible applicant category.

Can non-U.S. organizations apply?

Yes. The program states that both U.S. and non-U.S. applicants are eligible if they can credibly carry out the proposed work.

Are nonprofit organizations eligible?

Yes. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society or non-governmental organizations. The eligibility list also includes nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status.

Are educational institutions eligible?

Yes. Public and private educational institutions are eligible, including private institutions of higher education.

Are media organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Media organizations are included among the eligible applicant types.

Does the announcement limit eligibility to specific entity types only?

In addition to named categories (individuals, nonprofits, educational institutions, media organizations), the announcement includes "other qualified entities" and "other eligible applicants as defined in the announcement," indicating broad eligibility so long as the applicant can credibly implement the proposed work.

What geographic focus should applicants assume for participants and audiences?

The announcement emphasizes engaging target audiences in Nicaragua, including journalists, civil society, religious communities, students, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and rural producers.

What overarching outcomes is the program trying to support in Nicaragua?

The program supports initiatives that strengthen information access, expand economic opportunity, and increase public understanding of issues affecting Nicaragua and the United States, while advancing U.S. security, commercial interests, and regional stability.

Is this program specifically aimed at countering anti-U.S. narratives?

Yes. Countering anti-U.S. narratives is explicitly part of Priority Area 2, alongside protecting free speech and defending religious freedom.

Is migration-related programming eligible?

Yes. Migration-related programming fits under Priority Area 3, including efforts to increase public understanding of U.S. immigration laws, highlight the dangers of illegal migration, and help combat criminal networks profiting from irregular migration.

Is trade and economic growth programming eligible?

Yes. Trade and economic growth programming fits under Priority Area 1, including encouraging market-oriented, private sector-led growth, strengthening trade relationships with the United States, and increasing awareness of foreign economic practices that may undermine commercial interests.