Apply Now: Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program (Libya)

The U.S. Department of State is offering small grants of $50,000–$100,000 to support projects that strengthen U.S.-Libya relations and promote stability, economic opportunity, and cultural exchange. The program funds initiatives in entrepreneurship, education, STEM, cultural diplomacy, and national cohesion. Projects must be completed within 12 months and align with U.S. public diplomacy goals in Libya.

Overview of the Grant Program

The U.S. Mission to Libya, operating through the Tunisia-based Libya External Office, has launched a Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program under its Annual Program Statement.

The program supports high-impact, small-scale initiatives that:

Strengthen U.S.-Libya bilateral relations
Promote economic development and entrepreneurship
Enhance cultural and educational exchange
Support national unity and stability in Libya

Core Objectives

Key Goals

Strengthen economic collaboration between the U.S. and Libya
Promote shared cultural and democratic values
Support youth, students, and professionals
Enhance Libya’s stability and national cohesion
Expand educational and technical cooperation

Priority Areas

Projects must align with one or more of the following focus areas:

1. Economic Opportunity and Entrepreneurship

Supporting startups and small businesses
Expanding commercial and trade linkages
Encouraging innovation and private sector growth

2. Cultural and Educational Diplomacy

U.S.-Libya cultural exchange programs
English language learning initiatives
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) collaboration
Heritage preservation projects

3. Stability and National Cohesion

Promoting unity across Libyan communities
Strengthening civil society engagement
Supporting peacebuilding and social cohesion

Eligible Applicants

The program is open to a wide range of applicants:

U.S. and foreign non-profit organizations
Educational institutions
Individuals
Public international or governmental organizations

Requirements

Organizations must have a valid UEI (Unique Entity Identifier)
Registration on SAM.gov is required for organizations (not individuals)
Only one proposal per organization is allowed
Cost-sharing is encouraged but not mandatory

Funding Details

Award size: $50,000 to $100,000 per project
Estimated number of awards: ~5 grants
Project duration: Up to 12 months
Expected start date: Around October 1, 2026

Funding instruments may include:

Grants
Cooperative agreements
Fixed amount awards

(Some awards may involve limited U.S. government participation in implementation.)

What the Program Supports

Eligible Activities

Entrepreneurship and business development training
Cultural diplomacy initiatives
Educational exchange programs
STEM workshops and collaboration
English language learning projects
Heritage and cultural preservation
Youth engagement and leadership development

Strongly Encouraged

Projects involving alumni of U.S. exchange programs

Ineligible Activities

The program does NOT fund:

Political campaigns or partisan activities
Charitable or humanitarian aid delivery
Construction projects
Religious activities or proselytization
Fundraising initiatives
Lobbying efforts
Scientific research (standalone)
Organizational overhead-focused projects

How It Works / Application Process

Step 1: Identify Project Theme

Align your proposal with:

Economic opportunity
Cultural exchange
Education and STEM
Stability and cohesion

Step 2: Design Project

Include:

Clear objectives
Target beneficiaries (students, professionals, communities)
U.S.-Libya collaboration element

Step 3: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure:

Organization has UEI and SAM.gov registration (if applicable)
Only one submission per organization

Step 4: Submit Proposal

Submit under the Annual Program Statement
Follow U.S. Embassy Libya guidelines

Step 5: Review and Selection

Projects are evaluated based on:

Alignment with U.S. foreign policy goals
Impact and feasibility
Sustainability and partnership value

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Weak connection to U.S.-Libya cooperation
Overly large or operational-focused projects
Including ineligible activities (e.g., construction, political work)
Missing UEI or registration requirements
Lack of measurable outcomes

Why This Program Matters

This funding opportunity is important because it:

Strengthens diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Libya
Promotes economic growth and entrepreneurship
Expands educational and cultural exchange opportunities
Supports youth and professional development
Contributes to long-term stability and unity in Libya

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the purpose of this grant program?

It supports projects that strengthen U.S.-Libya relations and promote stability, education, and economic cooperation.

2. How much funding is available?

Between $50,000 and $100,000 per project.

3. How many grants will be awarded?

Approximately five grants, depending on funding availability.

4. What is the project duration?

Up to 12 months.

5. Who can apply?

Nonprofits, educational institutions, individuals, and public international organizations.

6. Is registration required?

Organizations must have a UEI and be registered on SAM.gov.

7. What types of projects are preferred?

Entrepreneurship, education, STEM, cultural exchange, and stability-focused initiatives.

Conclusion

The U.S. Department of State Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program for Libya is designed to foster meaningful cooperation between the United States and Libya. By supporting education, entrepreneurship, cultural exchange, and stability-focused initiatives, the program helps build stronger institutions, deeper partnerships, and long-term opportunities for Libyan communities.