Annual Program Statement for U.S. Presentation at International Architecture Biennales

The Annual Program Statement (APS) for the U.S. Presentation at International Architecture Biennales invites applications from U.S.-based nonprofit organizations to manage and implement the U.S. exhibition at the renowned Venice Architecture Biennale. Administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), Cultural Programs Division (ECA/PE/C/CU) of the U.S. Department of State, this grant program aims to showcase the innovation and diversity of the American architectural community to an international audience. The exhibition will be held at the U.S. Pavilion in Venice, Italy, owned by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and operated by the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. This pavilion has historically provided a prominent platform to highlight American artistic excellence through thoughtful architectural exhibitions that reflect U.S. values and contribute to international diplomacy. The APS provides up to $375,000 per biennale cycle, pending the availability of funds. Of this amount, $125,000 is designated for the Peggy Guggenheim Collection for logistical and operational support of the pavilion. The remaining $250,000 is intended to cover all other costs associated with the exhibition including curation, production, shipping, and programming. Cost-sharing is a mandatory component of this opportunity; applicants must demonstrate their ability to raise additional funding from internal resources or external partners. Past experience indicates that total costs often exceed the federal contribution, especially when factoring in educational outreach and public programming requirements. Eligible applicants must be U.S.-based nonprofit architectural, design, educational, or cultural organizations that hold valid 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status at the time of submission. Individuals and non-U.S. entities are not eligible to apply. Featured architects must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. In addition, organizations must possess an active registration in SAM.gov and have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Any organization listed on the Excluded Parties List or with outstanding federal debt is ineligible. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov and should include all required forms and documents as outlined in the accompanying Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI). These include the SF-424 series, a cover page and executive summary, a detailed proposal narrative, budget documents, a monitoring and evaluation plan, a timeline, and letters of support. A letter of agreement among the applicant, featured architect, and exhibition curator must also be submitted. Applicants are strongly advised to follow the PSI formatting requirements, including font size, margin settings, and page limits for each section. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis but are reviewed during fixed cycles. For the 2027 Biennale, proposals must be submitted between March 23, 2026 and May 12, 2026, with decisions expected by August 2026. Subsequent review cycles occur for the 2029 and 2031 Biennales, with separate submission windows in 2027–2028 and 2029–2030 respectively. The length of the award period is 18 months, encompassing planning, execution, and reporting activities. The program is biennial in nature, making it a recurring opportunity for U.S. organizations engaged in cultural and architectural diplomacy. Proposals are evaluated based on their architectural merit, alignment with U.S. foreign policy goals, exhibition design quality, promotion of public diplomacy, and organizational capacity. Proposals must clearly articulate the curatorial vision, include visual materials, and outline educational programming. The Department of State may issue awards based solely on the initial submission without further negotiations, making it essential for applicants to submit their strongest application from the outset. For technical inquiries related to this APS, applicants may contact Rain Bian ([email protected]) and Jill Staggs ([email protected]).

Submit strongest proposal from the outset as awards may be made without negotiation.