Deadline: 22-Jul-2026
The U.S. Embassy Jerusalem Public Diplomacy Section is accepting proposals for projects that advance U.S. economic, commercial, security, and cultural interests in Israel. The program supports cooperative agreements of up to 12 months, with awards generally ranging from $25,000 to $250,000.
Priority areas include U.S.-Israel economic and technology cooperation, countering malign influence, promoting free speech, supporting peace and stability, advancing American arts and culture, and engaging alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs.
What is the Public Diplomacy Annual Program Statement?
The Public Diplomacy Annual Program Statement is a funding opportunity announced by the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem Public Diplomacy Section.
The program supports projects that promote U.S. strategic interests in Israel through public engagement, partnerships, cultural exchange, economic cooperation, media literacy, technology leadership, and alumni engagement.
Projects should demonstrate measurable results and align with the strategic goals of the Public Diplomacy Section.
Main Purpose of the Program
The main purpose of the program is to strengthen U.S.-Israel cooperation and advance U.S. interests through public diplomacy activities.
The program aims to:
- Advance U.S. economic and commercial interests
- Promote American technological leadership
- Strengthen U.S.-Israel business partnerships
- Counter malign influence
- Promote free speech and access to accurate information
- Support peace, dialogue, and stability
- Showcase American arts and culture
- Strengthen alumni networks
- Promote American leadership, innovation, excellence, and engagement
Geographic Focus
The program supports projects implemented in Israel.
Applicants should ensure that proposed activities clearly align with U.S. Embassy Jerusalem Public Diplomacy Section priorities and benefit relevant audiences in Israel.
Funding Amount
Awards may range from approximately $25,000 to $250,000.
Total available funding is up to $1 million, subject to availability of funds.
Funding is expected to be awarded on a rolling basis after approval.
Project Duration
Projects should be completed within 12 months.
Applicants should prepare realistic project timelines that allow for planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and measurable results within the 12-month period.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants may include:
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Educational institutions
- Individuals
Applicants must meet all program requirements, including registration requirements where applicable.
Proposals should show strong capacity to implement public diplomacy projects and achieve measurable results.
Priority Area 1: Advancing U.S. Economic Interests and Technological Leadership
Projects under this priority should strengthen U.S.-Israel economic cooperation and promote American innovation.
Supported themes may include:
- U.S.-Israel business partnerships
- American innovation
- Entrepreneurship
- Critical technology sectors
- Artificial intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Health technology
- Energy
- Connections between entrepreneurs and American resources
- Business and commercial engagement
Projects should help expand meaningful links between Israeli audiences, businesses, entrepreneurs, and U.S. commercial or innovation networks.
Priority Area 2: Countering Malign Influence and Promoting Free Speech
Projects under this priority should improve access to accurate information and strengthen resilience against information manipulation.
Target audiences may include:
- Journalists
- Media professionals
- Social media influencers
- Civil society organizations
- Students
- Educators
- Communities vulnerable to information manipulation
Supported activities may focus on media literacy, responsible information sharing, free speech, fact-based public dialogue, and professional capacity building.
Priority Area 3: Promoting Peace and Stability
The program supports initiatives connected to Peace Plan objectives that encourage dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding.
Projects may engage:
- Civil society leaders
- Local and municipal leaders
- Business communities
- Youth organizations
- Educators
- Academics
- Community stakeholders
- Other relevant groups
Projects should promote constructive engagement, cooperation, and stability through practical activities and measurable outcomes.
Priority Area 4: Advancing U.S. Interests through American Arts and Culture
American arts and culture projects should strengthen cultural ties and promote cross-cultural dialogue between American and Israeli audiences.
Supported activities may include:
- Cultural programming
- Artistic exchanges
- Performances
- Exhibitions
- Workshops
- Public discussions
- Creative collaborations
- Projects showcasing American artistic achievements
Projects should create lasting connections and deepen understanding of American culture, creativity, and values.
Priority Area 5: Engaging Alumni Networks
Projects engaging alumni networks should strengthen the role of alumni from U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs.
Supported activities may focus on:
- Alumni-led initiatives
- Alumni engagement in key sectors
- Outreach through alumni networks
- Supporting U.S. priorities
- Expanding alumni influence
- Strengthening collaboration among exchange program participants
Strong alumni projects should show how former participants can contribute to public diplomacy goals and long-term U.S.-Israel engagement.
What Types of Projects Are Supported?
The program supports public diplomacy projects that are strategic, measurable, and aligned with U.S. Embassy priorities.
Supported projects may include:
- Workshops
- Training programs
- Speaker programs
- Cultural initiatives
- Educational activities
- Media literacy projects
- Entrepreneurship programs
- Technology-focused activities
- Alumni engagement initiatives
- Dialogue and cooperation programs
- Professional exchange-related activities
- Public outreach campaigns aligned with program goals
Key Focus Areas
The program focuses on public diplomacy, U.S.-Israel cooperation, and strategic engagement.
Key focus areas include:
- U.S. economic interests
- Commercial diplomacy
- Technology leadership
- Artificial intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Health technology
- Energy
- Free speech
- Accurate information
- Media resilience
- Peace and stability
- American arts and culture
- Alumni engagement
- Public diplomacy
- Cross-cultural dialogue
Ineligible Activities
The funding opportunity does not support certain activities.
Ineligible activities include:
- Partisan political activities
- Direct charitable services
- Construction projects
- Religious activities
- Fundraising campaigns
- Lobbying
- Commercial projects
- Organizational development activities
Applicants should ensure that proposals are focused on public diplomacy outcomes rather than general operations, political activity, charitable relief, or commercial gain.
Key Concepts Explained
Public Diplomacy
Public diplomacy refers to programs that engage foreign audiences, build relationships, share information, promote mutual understanding, and advance foreign policy goals through people-to-people engagement.
Cooperative Agreement
A cooperative agreement is a funding mechanism in which the funder may have substantial involvement in project planning, implementation, or oversight.
Malign Influence
Malign influence refers to harmful information, manipulation, or interference efforts that can undermine public trust, free speech, civic dialogue, or democratic engagement.
Alumni Networks
Alumni networks include individuals who have participated in U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs and can support continued cooperation, leadership, and public engagement.
Measurable Results
Measurable results are clear outcomes that can be tracked through indicators such as number of participants reached, skills gained, partnerships created, events delivered, media engagement, or follow-up activities completed.
How the Program Works
Applicants submit proposals aligned with one or more priority areas.
Selected projects receive cooperative agreement funding for activities that advance U.S. public diplomacy goals in Israel.
Awards are expected to begin on a rolling basis after approval, subject to availability of funds.
Projects must be completed within 12 months and should include clear objectives, activities, target audiences, timelines, budgets, and measurable results.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a complete proposal that clearly aligns with the Public Diplomacy Section’s priorities.
Suggested Application Steps
- Confirm applicant eligibility as a not-for-profit organization, educational institution, or individual.
- Review registration requirements where applicable.
- Select one or more relevant priority areas.
- Define the project goal and target audience in Israel.
- Explain how the project advances U.S. economic, commercial, security, cultural, or public diplomacy interests.
- Develop activities that are practical, measurable, and achievable within 12 months.
- Prepare a realistic budget between approximately $25,000 and $250,000.
- Include measurable outputs and outcomes.
- Ensure the project does not include ineligible activities.
- Submit the proposal according to the official program instructions.
Assessment Considerations
Applications should demonstrate strong alignment with program priorities and the ability to deliver measurable public diplomacy results.
Review may consider:
- Alignment with U.S. Embassy Jerusalem priorities
- Clear project objectives
- Relevance to target audiences
- Feasibility within 12 months
- Quality of project design
- Measurable outcomes
- Applicant capacity
- Budget clarity
- Strategic value for U.S.-Israel engagement
- Sustainability or follow-on potential
- Compliance with eligibility and activity restrictions
Expected Results
Funded projects should create measurable engagement and strengthen U.S.-Israel connections.
Expected results may include:
- Stronger U.S.-Israel business and technology partnerships
- Increased awareness of American innovation
- Improved media literacy and access to accurate information
- Stronger free speech-related engagement
- Greater dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders
- Expanded cultural ties through American arts
- Stronger alumni-led outreach
- Increased public understanding of U.S. priorities
- Practical partnerships that continue beyond the project period
Why It Matters
Public diplomacy programs help build trust, cooperation, and shared understanding between countries.
This funding opportunity supports projects that connect Israeli audiences with American expertise, culture, innovation, and leadership.
By supporting economic cooperation, technology engagement, free speech, cultural exchange, peace-related dialogue, and alumni networks, the program strengthens long-term U.S.-Israel engagement.
Tips for Strong Applications
A strong application should clearly connect the project to a specific priority area and show measurable results.
Applicants should focus on:
- Clear alignment with Public Diplomacy Section goals
- Strong target audience definition
- Practical project activities
- Measurable outputs and outcomes
- Strong implementation timeline
- Realistic budget
- Clear U.S. connection or American content
- Strong partnerships where relevant
- Public impact within Israel
- Compliance with ineligible activity restrictions
Applicants should avoid broad proposals that do not clearly explain how the project advances U.S. interests or produces measurable public diplomacy outcomes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should carefully review the program scope and restrictions before submitting.
Common mistakes include:
- Proposing partisan political activities
- Including direct charitable services
- Requesting construction funding
- Submitting religious activities as the main project purpose
- Including fundraising or lobbying activities
- Proposing commercial projects
- Requesting organizational development support
- Providing weak measurable outcomes
- Not aligning with a priority area
- Submitting an unrealistic 12-month work plan
- Providing an unclear or unsupported budget
FAQ
What is the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem Public Diplomacy Annual Program Statement?
It is a funding opportunity supporting public diplomacy projects that advance U.S. economic, commercial, security, and cultural interests in Israel.
How much funding is available?
Awards may range from approximately $25,000 to $250,000, with total available funding of up to $1 million, subject to availability of funds.
How long can projects last?
Projects should be completed within 12 months.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, and individuals that meet program and registration requirements.
What are the priority areas?
Priority areas include U.S. economic and technological leadership, countering malign influence, promoting free speech, peace and stability initiatives, American arts and culture, and alumni network engagement.
What activities are not supported?
The program does not support partisan political activities, direct charitable services, construction, religious activities, fundraising, lobbying, commercial projects, or organizational development activities.
When will awards begin?
Awards may begin on a rolling basis after approval, subject to availability of funds.
Conclusion
The U.S. Embassy Jerusalem Public Diplomacy Annual Program Statement supports projects that strengthen U.S.-Israel engagement through economic cooperation, technology leadership, free speech, cultural exchange, peace-related dialogue, and alumni networks. With awards generally ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 and project periods of up to 12 months, the program offers support for measurable and strategic public diplomacy initiatives in Israel.
Strong applications will demonstrate clear alignment with priority areas, practical activities, measurable results, strong audience engagement, realistic budgets, and compliance with program restrictions.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
