# GameON – U.S.-Albania E-Sports and Innovation

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/americanspacesgameon-2026-gameon-u-s-albania-e-sports-and-innovation/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/363247

> U.S. Mission to Albania offered grants of up to $8,000 (at least $3,000) to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make one award worth $8,000 in total. Applications closed on August 20, 2026.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | AMERICANSPACESGAMEON-2026 |
| Agency | U.S. Mission to Albania |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | August 20, 2026 |
| Award ceiling | $8,000 |
| Award floor | $3,000 |
| Expected awards | 1 |
| Total funding | $8,000 |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 19.441 |

## Who can apply

- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

1. Eligible Applicants The following organizations are eligible to apply: • Not-for-profit U.S. and Albanian organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations • U.S. and Albanian Individuals For-profit entities, even those that may fall into the categories listed above, are not eligible to apply for this NOFO. Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal. For more information on the difference between sub-contract and sub-recipient, please refer to 2 CFR 200.331. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing or matching is encouraged but not required for this funding opportunity. 3. Other Eligibility Requirements All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.gov. Please see Section E.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov. 4. This opportunity will not support: • Projects relating to partisan political activity; • Charitable or development activities; including direct social services such as medical, psychological, and/or humanitarian support • Construction projects; • Projects that support specific religious activities; • Fund-raising campaigns; • Lobbying for specific legislation or programs • Scientific research or surveys; • Commercial projects; • Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; • Projects that duplicate existing projects; or • Illegal activities

## What the grant funds

1. Project Background, Goals, and Objectives Albania's youth face a rapidly evolving digital economy that demands advanced technical skills, entrepreneurial mindsets, and exposure to international industry standards. Albanian interest in gaming – a global market forecasted to surpass $745 billion by 2030, in which the United States is leading – is high, presenting an opportunity to increase Albanian understanding of how U.S. economic strength and technological leadership support shared prosperity. By providing youth access to high-quality, structured training in coding, game design, and digital entrepreneurship, this program strengthens Albanian youths’ association between the United States and innovation, creativity, and opportunity; demonstrates the United States capacity to adapt and lead in a burgeoning tech market; and increases interest in U.S. products, technology, and brands. As a global, web-based arena for exchange, the gaming market also presents opportunities to promote digital freedom increases the durability and reach of U.S. narratives beyond official channels. This program will further those efforts by prioritizing American standards and values in online game development. Include information of past projects. How will this project build on previous efforts? What kinds of programming has the Mission and other partners funded in the past to address this problem? Which activities have worked well (best practices), and which activities have not (lessons learned)? This program capitalizes on a popular past U.S. Speaker Program on game development and an established network of partners in the local tech, business, and education community. It also complements ongoing programs in cybersecurity and AI training to promote American technology across an array of emerging fields. All activities must demonstrate strong connections to U.S. expertise, technology, and best practices, clearly explaining how these ties support program objectives and advance U.S. interests. Examples include: use of U.S.-developed game engines, coding platforms, and e-sports platforms; curriculum informed by U.S. industry standards and educational models; guest speakers or mentors from U.S. tech companies, universities, or entrepreneurial ecosystems, or alumni of the Department of State exchanges who serve as credible validators of American innovation; and exposure to U.S. startup methodologies and business frameworks.

## Questions people ask

### Is AMERICANSPACESGAMEON-2026 still open?

No. It closed on August 20, 2026.

### Who can apply for GameON – U.S.-Albania E-Sports and Innovation?

U.S. Mission to Albania accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for GameON – U.S.-Albania E-Sports and Innovation?

Closed August 20, 2026. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $8,000 each. About $8,000 in total for one award.

### Who has won ECA – American Spaces grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees, Project Harmony Inc, Kazakhstan Amcorners Network, Oo. The program made 1,809 awards worth $35.9 million in that time.