Annual Program Statement - Small Grants Program

The U.S. Embassy in Norway has released its Annual Program Statement for the Fiscal Year 2025 Small Grants Program under the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) PDS-OSL-APS-FY25-0001. This funding initiative is managed by the Public Diplomacy section and aims to foster mutual understanding and support the bilateral relationship between the United States and Norway. Funded through the Smith-Mundt and Fulbright-Hays Public Diplomacy Funds, the program is designed to support projects that align with key diplomatic themes and foster collaboration and outreach. The program accepts applications on a rolling basis with four specific review periods throughout 2025. Proposed projects must be completed within a 12-month timeframe. Awards will range from $1,000 to $24,000, with a total available funding pool of $100,000, contingent on fund availability. Between 10 and 20 awards are anticipated. Funding instruments may include grants, fixed amount awards, or cooperative agreements, with some types involving direct embassy involvement in project implementation. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad, encompassing Norwegian and American not-for-profit organizations, think tanks, civil society/non-governmental organizations, public and private educational institutions, individuals, and public international or governmental institutions. However, grants cannot support religious or partisan political activities, fundraising, commercial ventures, personal academic research, construction, or projects primarily focused on institutional or personal development. Applicants must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), though full SAM.gov registration is only required under specific conditions. Proposals should focus on enhancing U.S.-Norway relations, particularly in areas such as security and defense cooperation, economic engagement, research security, and shared cultural values. Programs that engage Norwegian youth and take place outside of Oslo are particularly encouraged. Each project must include a clear American element, such as collaborations with U.S. experts or institutions, and must have a public engagement component in Norway. The application process consists of two stages. Initially, applicants submit a Statement of Interest (SOI), which includes a summary of the project, organizational background, objectives, activities, partners, and a detailed budget. If selected, applicants are invited to submit a full application, including official forms (SF-424 series), resumes for key staff, and additional budget documentation. The final deadline for submissions is June 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM Oslo time. Applicants are advised to plan their submissions at least three months before the intended project start date. Evaluation criteria include program feasibility, organizational capacity, relevance to embassy priorities, budget realism, and sustainability. Applicants are also expected to comply with a series of federal laws and executive orders, particularly those concerning anti-discrimination and financial integrity. Contact for the program is via email at oslogrants@state.gov. Application resources are available at the embassy’s grants webpage and Grants.gov.

Submit application 3 months in advance; ensure clarity on American element; review UEI/SAM requirements early; align project with priority areas.