Digital Cities Innovation Accelerator Small Grant Program

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy (CDP) has launched the Digital Cities Innovation Accelerator Small Grant Program, a funding initiative designed to promote the deployment of trusted U.S. digital technologies in subnational urban systems across Latin America and the Caribbean. The primary aim of the program is to integrate American technology and expertise into municipal services and infrastructure, fostering resilient and efficient urban digital ecosystems. With a total budget of approximately $1,250,000 USD, the program seeks to stimulate economic opportunities for U.S. companies while enhancing public service delivery and digital infrastructure in eligible partner countries. This highly competitive small grants program will fund between one and six projects, each receiving between $100,000 and $700,000 USD. The grants target high-impact, low-cost digital city initiatives, with a performance period of up to 18 months from the issuance of funds. Projects must incorporate trusted U.S. technology vendors and demonstrate technology readiness level (TRL) 7 or higher. Outcomes must include strengthening municipal digital resilience, expanding economic opportunities, securing infrastructure, or building partnerships between local and U.S.-based entities. Applicants must participate in a two-stage application process. In Round 1, interested organizations must submit a three-page Statement of Interest (SOI). Only selected applicants will be invited to participate in Round 2, where they will be required to submit a full proposal of up to ten pages. Applications must be submitted through the Microsoft Form linked on the official application page. The deadline to submit Round 1 applications is March 13, 2026. No applicant may submit more than one application. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofits (regardless of 501(c)(3) status), for-profit entities, and public or private institutions of higher education. Foreign-based NGOs, public international organizations, foreign public entities (e.g., municipal governments), and foreign IHEs or for-profits are also eligible. While not required, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit joint proposals that include both U.S. and foreign organizations. U.S.-based applicants must partner with at least one foreign organization, though CDP will support applicants in identifying suitable partners if needed. Signed MOUs are not required for Round 1 but will be necessary for Round 2. Funded projects must address clearly defined public service or infrastructure challenges and show evidence of potential for scalable impact. Proposals must demonstrate why the target location is suitable, highlight local stakeholder engagement strategies, and detail how U.S. technology standards will be leveraged. Applications deploying technology must include maintenance plans and justification of technological readiness. Projects with strong commercial promise may be considered for additional future funding in collaboration with other U.S. agencies, contingent on funding availability. The Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy oversees this initiative and provides detailed guidance through its official application portal. The program emphasizes public-private collaboration, economic development through digital trade, and the secure, transparent deployment of digital tools that enhance urban governance. While voluntary cost share is permitted, no cost match is required. For more information, applicants can access supporting documents, scoring criteria, and guidance on proposal development through the program’s application site.

Prioritize trusted U.S. technology, TRL 7+ readiness, and strong U.S./local partnerships.