Grants / Department of State / Africa Regional Services

AF-PDPA-FY26-01: Africa Regional Services Paris Annual Program Statement: ARS Speaker Program

Closed Closed August 31, 2026 Opportunity AF-PDPA-FY26-01 ☆ Save

This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: Austrian-American Partnership Fund (AAPF) (OFOP0002825). Status: Closes January 1, 2099 (26353 days left). It is in our archive of Africa Regional Services notices from 2026.

• Award ceiling$12,000
• Award floor$500
• Total funding$50,000
• Expected awards10
• Cost sharingNot required
• Funding typeGrant

Key dates

Who can apply

This opportunity was open to individuals.

• Individuals

Green-card holders and non-American citizens are not eligible applicants. For profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply. Organizations are not eligible under this APS.

More grants for individuals.

Is this a realistic fit?

• Past Public Diplomacy Programs awards averaged $26,570; this notice allows up to $12,000 per award.
• No cost sharing or match is required.

What the grant funds

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.

Category: Other.

Applying now

This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, OFOP0002825, which is open now.

The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.