Grants / Department of State / U.S. Mission to Bulgaria

PDS-APS-FY26-01-SOFIA: U.S. Embassy Sofia PDS Annual Program Statement

Closed Closed June 15, 2026 Opportunity PDS-APS-FY26-01-SOFIA ☆ 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 U.S. Mission to Bulgaria notices from 2026.

• Award ceiling$25,000
• Award floor$5,000
• Expected awards10
• Cost sharingNot required
• Funding typeGrant

Key dates

Who can apply

This opportunity was open to nonprofits and individuals.

• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Individuals
• Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

• Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience• Individuals• Non-profit or governmental educational institutions• Foreign Public Entities (FPE) and Governmental institutions

More grants for nonprofits, individuals.

Is this a realistic fit?

• Past Public Diplomacy Programs awards averaged $26,570; this notice allows up to $25,000 per award.
• No cost sharing or match is required.

What the grant funds

UPDATE APRIL 14, 2026: Proposals for the FY26 Small Grants Program will be reviewed on a rolling basis based on funding availability. Please follow all instructions in the Annual Program Statement (see Related Documents tab), which includes instructions on required forms and recommended templates and submit proposals to SofiaGrants@state.gov no later than June 15, 2026 with "FY26 APS" in the subject line of the email. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy Sofia Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), announces an open competition for programs that strengthen the U.S.-Bulgaria partnership and advance U.S. administration priorities to make the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous. All programs must support U.S. foreign policy objectives and comply with applicable Executive Orders and Department of State guidance. Proposals must include a clear U.S. element, such as collaboration with American experts, organizations, or institutions, and should promote shared interests by strengthening cooperation in areas that advance security, economic growth, innovation, freedom of speech, countering censorship, and citizen diplomacy (people-to-people) ties. Competitive proposals should support Bulgaria as a sovereign, resilient, and economically strong partner and reinforce the role of the United States as a trusted ally and leader. U.S. Embassy Sofia invites proposals for projects that engage Bulgarian audiences through educational, cultural, professional, and public outreach programs that highlight American excellence, strengthen bilateral cooperation, and promote practical partnerships that benefit both the United States and Bulgaria. Programs must deliver measurable impact, encourage long-term collaboration, and support cooperation in strategically important sectors. Priority will be given to proposals that address one or more of the following areas: Freedom250: Celebrating the American story and advancing future cooperation: Programs that support the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States (Freedom250) by highlighting American history, diplomacy, innovation, and culture, while strengthening public understanding of the U.S.–Bulgarian partnership and its importance in advancing peace, security, and prosperity. Programs should connect the American experience to future cooperation between the United States and Bulgaria and promote informed public understanding of U.S. priorities and shared strategic interests.

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.