The U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, part of the U.S. Department of State, has released its Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Program Statement (APS) to outline funding priorities and strategic themes for small grants administered through its Public Diplomacy Section (PDS). This opportunity is intended to support initiatives that strengthen cultural ties and bilateral cooperation between the United States and Burkina Faso. The PDS aims to promote mutual understanding through cultural programming that features American perspectives and expertise.

Eligible applicants include U.S. and foreign not-for-profit organizations, think tanks, civil society groups, educational institutions, and individuals. All proposals must demonstrate a direct impact on Burkinabe audiences and must feature a tangible American element, such as partnerships with U.S. institutions or inclusion of American cultural content. Priority program areas include good governance, economic prosperity, countering malign narratives, promoting English language, and other creative initiatives that address economic empowerment, human rights, or innovation.

Applicants may request funding ranging from $1,000 to $25,000, with a total program funding cap of $300,000. Up to 15 awards may be distributed, pending funding availability. The performance period for grants is one year, with potential for continuation subject to review. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with submissions reviewed quarterly. The next application deadline is June 27, 2025, with an anticipated award start date of March 30, 2025. Submissions can be made through Grants.gov, MyGrants, or by email to ouagapdgrants@state.gov.

Applications must include specific federal forms (SF-424 series), a detailed proposal not exceeding eight pages, a summary page, budget narrative, and key personnel resumes. Required documents must be in English, in specified formats, and proposals must be single-spaced using 12-point Calibri font. Cost sharing is encouraged but not required, and individual applicants are not required to register in SAM.gov. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and be actively registered on SAM.gov, unless a justified exemption is granted.

Proposals will be evaluated based on several criteria including relevance to U.S. government priorities, quality and feasibility, organizational capacity, clarity of goals and objectives, soundness of budget, monitoring and evaluation strategy, and sustainability. The review process includes technical checks, merit assessments, and risk evaluations. Final decisions are made by a review committee and awards are administered by a Grants Officer. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified via MyGrants or mail. Award recipients must adhere to strict reporting requirements and federal guidelines.