U.S. Embassy Nassau Annual Program Statement for Public Diplomacy | OFOP0003294

Grant Opportunity FAQs - U.S. Embassy Nassau (Public Diplomacy) Rolling Grants

What is this grant opportunity?

This is a rolling grant opportunity from the U.S. Embassy in Nassau, through its Public Diplomacy Section, to support programs that deepen U.S.-Bahamas ties and advance priorities shared by both countries. Funding is issued as a discretionary cooperative agreement under the U.S. Mission to The Bahamas.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is OFOP0003294 and the CFDA number is 19.040.

What is the Embassy looking for in proposed projects?

The Embassy is looking for practical, public-facing projects that create meaningful engagement, strengthen mutual understanding, and deliver clear community impact in The Bahamas, while aligning with U.S. public diplomacy goals.

Where should project activities take place?

Projects should deliver clear community impact in The Bahamas and be locally relevant to Bahamian communities, institutions, or audiences.

What are the priority program areas?

The Embassy identified these priority areas:

• Freedom 250 (programming tied to the 250th anniversary of American independence)
• Business development and entrepreneurship
• Educational and cultural programming
• Sports engagement
• Digital freedom and open information environments

What kinds of activities fit under the Freedom 250 priority?

Freedom 250 may include historical, civic, or cultural activities that commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence and encourage public discussion and exchange.

What kinds of activities fit under business development and entrepreneurship?

This priority supports initiatives that build skills, expand opportunity, and strengthen economic linkages.

What types of educational and cultural programming are encouraged?

Examples include exchanges, workshops, trainings, speaker programs, and arts or cultural initiatives that foster connections between Bahamian and American institutions or communities.

What does the sports engagement priority focus on?

Sports engagement is framed around how sports can support youth development, leadership, inclusion, and community-building.

What does "digital freedom and open information environments" mean in this opportunity?

This includes programs that encourage media literacy, responsible digital citizenship, access to credible information, and stronger resilience against misinformation, while supporting open online spaces.

How much funding can an applicant request?

Award amounts are expected to range from $5,000 to $50,000, with a funding ceiling (maximum) of $50,000.

How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?

The Embassy anticipates making about five awards, but the final number will depend on funding availability and the strength of applications received.

What type of award is this?

This funding is issued as a discretionary cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

Because this is a cooperative agreement, applicants should expect the Embassy may remain involved beyond providing funds. That involvement could include coordination, guidance, or collaboration on key aspects of the project, consistent with public diplomacy grantmaking practices.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations, public and private educational institutions, individuals, and public international organizations. The notice also indicates certain foreign-based non-profits, public international organizations, and governmental institutions may be eligible as outlined in the funding opportunity.

Can individuals apply, or is it limited to organizations?

Individuals are listed as eligible applicants, along with organizations and institutions.

Can non-U.S. (foreign-based) organizations apply?

Yes. Both U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations are included in the eligible applicant categories, with additional eligibility details referenced in the funding opportunity.

Are educational institutions eligible?

Yes. Public and private educational institutions are included in the eligible applicant categories.

What should applicants be prepared to demonstrate regarding capacity?

Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate they have the capacity to carry out the proposed activities and manage U.S. government funds responsibly.

What language must the application be written in?

Applications must be prepared in English.

In what currency should the budget be submitted?

Budgets must be presented in U.S. dollars.

Is this a rolling submission opportunity?

Yes. The submission window is rolling, meaning proposals can be submitted at any time until the closing date.

What is the application deadline?

The closing date is listed as August 14, 2026, with the narrative description also referencing August 15, 2026. To reduce deadline risk, applicants should plan to submit well ahead of mid-August 2026.

How do applicants submit their application?

Application materials are submitted directly by email to nassaupublicaffairs@state.gov.

Is there an online portal for submission?

The information provided indicates an email-based intake process (submission by email) rather than a portal submission for this opportunity.

What kinds of projects are considered a good fit overall?

This opportunity is best suited for organizations, schools, and practitioners who can design locally relevant public diplomacy programming in The Bahamas within the priority areas, propose realistic budgets in the $5,000 to $50,000 range, and clearly explain how the project will strengthen U.S.-Bahamas relationships and deliver measurable outcomes.

What should applicants keep in mind about timing and time zones?

Because the deadline occurs in mid-August 2026 and deadlines can be affected by time zones or administrative cutoffs, applicants should plan to submit well in advance to avoid last-minute issues.