Annual Program Statement (APS) Ethiopia

The Annual Program Statement (APS) issued by the U.S. Mission to Ethiopia through the Department of State is a discretionary funding opportunity intended to strengthen relationships between the United States and the African Union. This funding initiative is facilitated by the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Mission and falls under the broader category of Public Diplomacy Programs. As part of the U.S. foreign policy framework, these initiatives seek to foster mutual understanding, cultural exchange, and collaboration on globally significant issues between the United States and African partners. The APS invites proposals that highlight shared values and strategic cooperation between the U.S. and the African Union. Projects may address a wide range of topics that fall under several key priority areas. These include promoting U.S.-AU cooperation, counterterrorism and anti-extremism efforts, institutional strengthening, promoting fair trade and economic relationships, leadership and entrepreneurship in science and technology, English language instruction, media literacy and journalism development, and economic prosperity initiatives. Projects should also convey an American cultural element or involve American experts, institutions, or organizations to help increase understanding of U.S. policies and perspectives. The funding opportunity allows for proposals from small businesses only, with a focus on applicants who can demonstrate effective collaboration strategies and the potential to make a lasting impact. Award amounts will range between $5,000 and $50,000, with a total estimated program funding of $50,000. Up to five awards are anticipated. Notably, there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement associated with this opportunity, allowing applicants to propose projects without additional financial burden. Applications are currently being accepted, with a posted date of June 20, 2025. The final closing date for application submission is August 15, 2025. No pre-application deadlines or rounds are mentioned in the opportunity. The application process does not appear to operate on a rolling basis and is not explicitly labeled as recurring, although future APS releases are common in similar contexts. Applications must be submitted via the online Grants.gov portal, and applicants are advised to include all required documentation and adhere to the thematic and eligibility guidelines outlined in the notice. Evaluation criteria are not explicitly detailed in the grant notice, but successful proposals are expected to align with the strategic priorities listed and demonstrate potential for tangible impact in U.S.-AU relations. Proposals should be well-organized and realistic in scope and budget, and they must show evidence of a clear U.S. cultural connection. Although specific guidance on application questions or formats is not provided, applicants are encouraged to contact the grantor directly with questions or for technical assistance. For further information or to address issues accessing the full announcement, potential applicants may contact the U.S. Mission to Ethiopia's Public Diplomacy Section at AddisUSAUPD@state.gov. No phone contact information or individual staff names were provided in the notice. Interested applicants are encouraged to prepare their submissions well in advance of the August 15 deadline to ensure timely and complete application processing.