The U.S. Embassy in Sofia, through its Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), has announced its Annual Program Statement for Fiscal Year 2025, under the funding opportunity title “U.S. Embassy Sofia PDS Annual Program Statement” and funding number PDS-APS-FY25-01.rev-SOFIA. The initiative is supported by funds authorized by the Smith-Mundt and Fulbright-Hays Acts, and falls under Assistance Listing Number 19.040 – Public Diplomacy Programs. The program aims to bolster ties between the United States and Bulgaria by funding proposals that advance public diplomacy objectives. All programs must demonstrate a U.S. element, such as a connection with American experts or institutions.
The program encourages projects that showcase U.S. innovation and leadership in areas like entrepreneurship, science, technology, and cybersecurity, especially targeted at secondary and university students in Bulgaria. Other priority areas include cultural celebrations, English language acquisition, alumni network development, U.S.-Bulgarian educational partnerships, regional cooperation, intellectual property protection, and media literacy. Projects must occur in Bulgaria and engage Bulgarian or regional audiences. Proposals are encouraged to target underrepresented regions such as Northwest and Southeast Bulgaria and the Black Sea region.
Eligible applicants include Bulgarian, European, or U.S.-based non-profit organizations, educational institutions, governmental entities, and individuals with demonstrated programming experience. For-profit entities are not eligible. All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) via SAM.gov, though full SAM.gov registration is not mandatory for foreign organizations receiving less than $500,000. Individuals are exempt from UEI and SAM.gov registration.
Applications must be submitted by email to SofiaGrants@state.gov and not through Grants.gov. Required materials include completed standard federal forms (SF-424 series), a cover page, a detailed proposal (maximum 10 pages), a budget justification, and optional attachments such as CVs, letters of support, and verification of non-profit status. The proposal must comprehensively outline the program’s objectives, activities, timeline, personnel, partners, metrics, and sustainability plans. Funding may range between $500 and $25,000, and the total number of awards is contingent on available funding.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with a final deadline of July 25, 2025. Proposals should ideally be submitted two to three months before the intended start date, and projects starting before September are unlikely to be reviewed in time. All submissions will be reviewed by August 22, with decisions communicated by August 29. Evaluation criteria include completeness, feasibility, alignment with U.S. Embassy priorities, budget soundness, and sustainability. Awardees must follow branding guidelines and submit program and financial reports per specified timelines.
Submit early due to rolling basis and funding depletion risk; proposals should align with priority themes and include measurable metrics
