Public Diplomacy Grants Program

The Public Diplomacy Grants Program, administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Embassy in Managua, Nicaragua, is a discretionary grant initiative designed to support U.S. foreign policy objectives in the region through creative and impactful public diplomacy. This program is part of the Department’s broader efforts to advance American security and economic interests while promoting democratic values and regional stability in Nicaragua. The U.S. Mission to Nicaragua seeks to strengthen bilateral relations by engaging with local communities through educational, cultural, and informational programming. Under this grant opportunity, applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that align with one of three strategic priority areas. The first priority is to advance U.S. trade and economic interests in Nicaragua. This involves promoting market-oriented growth, building trade relationships with the United States, and increasing awareness of foreign economic practices that negatively impact commercial interests in both nations. The second priority supports the promotion of democratic principles by protecting freedom of speech, defending religious liberty, and countering misinformation and anti-U.S. narratives. This includes empowering independent media and civil society actors. The third priority focuses on strengthening border security and mitigating mass migration through public education on U.S. immigration laws, the dangers of illegal migration, and the risks associated with criminal networks. Programs funded under this opportunity may target diverse audiences such as independent journalists, religious leaders and institutions, civil society organizations, university students, entrepreneurs, and rural producers. Project activities may include training workshops, educational exchanges, media initiatives, and community-level interventions aimed at broadening access to information and creating economic empowerment. These activities are intended to build local capacity while amplifying shared values between the U.S. and Nicaraguan people. Eligible applicants for this grant include U.S. and foreign individuals, non-profit organizations (including those with or without IRS 501(c)(3) status), civil society organizations, educational institutions, and media entities. This inclusive eligibility framework ensures that a broad spectrum of stakeholders can participate in advancing the stated objectives of the program. No cost sharing or matching is required, making this grant more accessible to smaller or under-resourced entities. Applications must be submitted by May 18, 2026, via Grants.gov. While no pre-application stage such as a Letter of Intent is required, prospective applicants are expected to adhere to the full submission process as outlined in the grant notice. All applications will be evaluated based on their relevance to one of the three priority areas, potential for impact, clarity of implementation strategy, and organizational capacity to carry out the proposed work. The grant provides awards ranging from $20,000 to $80,000 per project. There is no indication of the total program funding or the number of awards anticipated. The Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Team serves as the primary point of contact for inquiries. As of April 1, 2026, the opportunity is open and accepting applications. The grant does not specify whether the program recurs annually, and no PDF link was provided with further documentation. All applicants should ensure timely submission and review the opportunity carefully for alignment with the stated priorities and target audiences.