U.S. Mission to the United Nations – Geneva Small Grants Program

The U.S. Mission to the United Nations in Geneva is offering a Small Grants Program to support projects promoting U.S. policy priorities in multilateral settings. This opportunity targets projects with an international focus, ideally benefiting audiences within Geneva’s multilateral environment. Project themes include promoting human rights, humanitarian crisis response, global health and security, disarmament, climate action, gender equality, and international trade. Funded projects must incorporate an element highlighting U.S. perspectives, policies, or people. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis until September 1 each year, and all activities should conclude within a 12-month period. Funding available under this program totals $200,000, with individual awards typically ranging between $15,000 and $40,000. It is expected that 8-10 awards will be granted depending on the availability of funds. Funding will be provided through grants, fixed amount awards, or cooperative agreements, with cooperative agreements involving more substantial involvement by the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Mission in Geneva. Program continuation beyond the initial 12-month budget period is possible if funding permits and if the project demonstrates ongoing progress and alignment with U.S. Department of State goals. Eligibility is open to individuals and organizations operating in Geneva or internationally, including not-for-profit organizations, think tanks, educational institutions, civil society groups, and UN agencies. For-profit entities are excluded from applying. Additionally, certain types of programs—such as those related to political activity, scientific research, construction, fundraising, and religious activities—are not eligible for funding. All applicant organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and be registered on SAM.gov, although individuals are exempt from this requirement. Applications must be comprehensive and submitted via email to GenevaGrants@state.gov. Required documents include application forms (such as SF-424), a cover sheet, a detailed proposal, a budget justification narrative, and relevant attachments like resumes for key personnel. The proposal, limited to five pages, should clearly outline objectives, methods, monitoring plans, and sustainability strategies. A strong emphasis is placed on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) within program designs, as well as a thorough explanation of any costs. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to submit letters of support from partners if applicable. Proposals are evaluated based on organizational capacity, project quality, alignment with U.S. Mission Geneva’s priorities, budget detail, and the project’s monitoring and evaluation plan. A sustainability plan to ensure impact beyond the grant period is also highly regarded. The review process includes examining the applicant’s performance and integrity records on SAM.gov. Applications are generally processed within 2-3 months, with notifications sent to both selected and unselected applicants via email. Selected awardees will receive a written grant agreement, authorizing the start of the project, and payment will be disbursed based on program needs. Compliance with U.S. government standards for branding and regular reporting requirements is mandatory. Successful projects are also subject to the Foreign Assistance Data Review (FADR), requiring detailed tracking and reporting of foreign assistance expenditures. For questions, applicants may contact the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Mission Geneva at GenevaGrants@state.gov.