Celebrating America's 250th Anniversary (APS 2025)

The United States Mission to France, under the Public Diplomacy Section of the Department of State, is offering funding through the Annual Program Statement (APS) titled “Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary and its Friendship with France: 250 Years of Diplomacy and Shared Prosperity.” This initiative aligns with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, to be celebrated on July 4, 2026. The program invites eligible organizations to propose creative public diplomacy initiatives that highlight the historical and contemporary ties between the United States and France. Through cultural, historical, educational, and experiential projects, this APS seeks to renew and expand bilateral understanding and shared democratic values. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support public programming that emphasizes U.S. innovation, history, and the Franco-American partnership. Proposed initiatives must include a significant U.S. component, such as collaboration with American experts or institutions, and aim to enhance French understanding of American culture, ideals, and achievements. Programs should target French audiences and focus on themes such as American ingenuity in science and the arts, American history including civil rights and democratic progress, and the long-standing diplomatic and cultural partnership with France. Funding for this program will be awarded through grants, fixed amount awards (FAAs), or cooperative agreements, with cooperative agreements involving closer involvement from the Public Diplomacy Section. The total available funding is $100,000, pending availability, with individual awards ranging from $5,000 to $24,999. Approximately 5 to 20 awards are expected. Projects may commence no earlier than October 2025 and may last for up to 18 months. All funds must be used in accordance with federal guidelines and are subject to availability under the Smith-Mundt Act, with funds sourced from FY2025 or FY2026 Public Diplomacy allocations. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, and governmental bodies from both the United States and France. For-profit entities are not eligible. Additionally, organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active SAM.gov registration to apply, and only one application is permitted per organization. Cost sharing is not required but may be included for consideration. Applications must be submitted in English and include the required forms (SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B), a proposal narrative, a budget with justification, and optional supporting documents like resumes of key personnel and letters of support. Proposals should clearly describe objectives, activities, expected outcomes, timelines, promotional strategies, and monitoring and evaluation plans. All applications are due by August 8, 2025, at 18:00 CET and must be submitted to GrantsFrance@state.gov with a subject line indicating “APS FY250 - America 250: Name of applicant & Project Title.” Proposals will be reviewed based on alignment with U.S. strategic priorities, program feasibility, organizational capacity, budget justification, monitoring and evaluation strategies, and sustainability beyond the funding period. Applicants will be notified of award decisions within 60 days of the submission deadline. Award recipients must submit financial and programmatic reports, and materials produced under the grant must feature U.S. government branding unless exempted. All terms follow U.S. Department of State and federal grants regulations, including compliance with applicable anti-discrimination laws and foreign funding disclosure for U.S. institutions of higher education.