The U.S. Embassy Sofia Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is offering funding through its Annual Program Statement under the Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program for the fiscal year 2025. This initiative is authorized under the Smith-Mundt and Fulbright-Hays Acts and aims to support programs that align with U.S. administration goals to enhance safety, strength, and prosperity. The programs must incorporate a U.S. component or establish a tangible link with U.S. experts, institutions, or organizations.

The funding opportunity prioritizes several thematic areas, including showcasing American leadership and innovation, celebrating U.S. culture and achievements, increasing English language proficiency, building alumni networks from U.S. exchange programs, and forging U.S.-Bulgarian partnerships. Other focus areas include enhancing regional people-to-people ties, promoting study abroad opportunities, protecting intellectual property rights, and ensuring accurate media representation of U.S. policies. Projects should primarily be conducted in Bulgaria and address Bulgarian or regional non-U.S. citizen audiences. Special preference is given to initiatives targeting underrepresented regions such as Northwest and Southeast Bulgaria and the Black Sea area.

Eligible applicants include registered not-for-profit organizations, individuals, non-profit or governmental educational institutions, and foreign public entities. U.S.-based organizations must complete full registration in SAM.gov, while foreign organizations may qualify for certain exemptions if their award is under $500,000. Individuals are not required to have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) or SAM.gov registration.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with the final deadline being July 25, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Sofia time. Award decisions are expected by August 22, with notifications sent by August 29. Proposals should be submitted at least 2–3 months prior to the desired start date. The application package must include completed federal forms (e.g., SF-424 series), a summary page, a detailed proposal (10 pages max), a budget justification, and relevant attachments such as CVs and letters of support. All application materials must be submitted via email to SofiaGrants@state.gov and not through Grants.gov.

Grant awards can range from $500 to $25,000, with a maximum performance period of 12 months. Funding is contingent upon availability. Awards may be structured as grants, fixed amount awards, or cooperative agreements. Although cost-sharing is not required, proposals demonstrating long-term sustainability are favored. Programs involving prohibited activities such as religious events, lobbying, or for-profit ventures will not be considered.

Evaluation criteria include proposal completeness, organizational capacity, program feasibility, alignment with U.S. priorities, budget reasonableness, and monitoring plans. Grantees must adhere to U.S. federal regulations and submit program and financial reports as specified in the award documentation. For additional information or questions, applicants may contact the U.S. Embassy at SofiaGrants@state.gov.