Deadline: 20-Sep-2026
The U.S. Mission to New Zealand is offering cooperative agreements of $25,000 to $100,000 for projects that strengthen U.S.-Australia and Pacific partnerships through flag football, Holocaust education, or arts, culture, and education initiatives. Up to three awards may be made from a total funding pool of $300,000, with projects lasting up to 24 months.
About the U.S. Mission to New Zealand Program
The U.S. Mission to New Zealand is inviting eligible higher education institutions to propose projects that advance U.S. economic, commercial, and security interests in Australia.
The programme seeks to strengthen U.S.-Australia bilateral relations, promote mutual understanding, and build connections across Australia and the Pacific through targeted public diplomacy activities.
Projects must address at least one of the programme’s strategic priorities and demonstrate a clear connection to American expertise, organisations, or cultural elements.
Funding Available
The programme provides cooperative agreements ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 per project.
Key funding details include:
- Minimum award: $25,000
- Maximum award: $100,000
- Total programme funding: $300,000
- Expected number of awards: Up to 3
- Project duration: Up to 24 months
- Award type: Cooperative agreement
The number and value of awards are subject to the availability of programme funds.
What Projects Can Be Supported?
Applicants must propose projects addressing at least one of three strategic goals.
1. Promote Flag Football in Australia
Projects may support initiatives that increase awareness, participation, and engagement with flag football in Australia.
Activities should help create stronger connections between the United States and Australia through sport while highlighting relevant American expertise and cultural connections.
2. Combat Antisemitism Through Holocaust Education
Projects may focus on Holocaust education as a tool for combating antisemitism and promoting greater awareness and understanding.
Educational activities should contribute to mutual understanding and demonstrate an appropriate connection to U.S. expertise, organisations, or perspectives.
3. Strengthen Pacific Islands Partnerships
Projects may strengthen relationships among the United States, Australia, and Pacific Island communities through:
The objective is to highlight common cultural connections and strengthen partnerships across the region.
U.S. Connection Requirement
A central requirement is that proposed projects demonstrate a clear connection to American expertise, organisations, or cultural elements.
Applicants should explain how the proposed activities will help participants better understand:
- The United States
- U.S. policy perspectives
- American expertise
- U.S. cultural contributions
- Shared U.S.-Australia-Pacific interests
Projects should therefore go beyond simply delivering a local activity and demonstrate a meaningful U.S. connection.
Who Is Eligible?
The opportunity is specifically open to:
- Public institutions of higher education
- State-controlled institutions of higher education
Eligible institutions should be able to demonstrate the institutional capacity and expertise required to deliver the proposed project.
The opportunity is therefore targeted at qualifying higher education institutions rather than individual applicants or general community organisations.
How the Programme Works
Step 1: Identify a Strategic Priority
Select at least one of the three eligible themes:
- Flag football in Australia
- Holocaust education and combating antisemitism
- Pacific Islands partnerships through arts, culture, education, or training
Step 2: Develop a Project Concept
Create a clear project plan explaining:
- The problem or opportunity being addressed
- Target participants or beneficiaries
- Proposed activities
- Expected outcomes
- Project timeline
- Requested funding
Step 3: Establish the U.S. Connection
Clearly explain the role of American expertise, organisations, cultural elements, or perspectives in the project.
This connection should be integrated into the project’s activities rather than treated as a minor addition.
Step 4: Prepare a Realistic Budget
The proposed budget should correspond directly to project activities and the requested cooperative agreement amount.
Applicants should ensure that costs are reasonable, necessary, and clearly justified.
Step 5: Demonstrate Bilateral and Regional Impact
Explain how the project will contribute to stronger relationships between:
- The United States and Australia
- The United States, Australia, and Pacific Island communities, where relevant
- Participating institutions and communities
Projects should demonstrate measurable benefits and meaningful engagement.
Step 6: Submit the Proposal
Eligible higher education institutions should submit their proposal according to the U.S. Mission’s application instructions and requirements.
Why This Opportunity Matters
The programme uses public diplomacy, education, sport, and cultural exchange to strengthen international partnerships.
It provides higher education institutions with an opportunity to develop projects that connect American expertise and perspectives with Australian and Pacific communities.
The three thematic areas also create opportunities to address broader issues such as:
- Youth and community engagement
- Antisemitism awareness
- Holocaust remembrance
- Cultural preservation
- Regional cooperation
- Educational exchange
- Sport diplomacy
- U.S.-Australia relations
- Pacific partnerships
Tips for Preparing a Strong Proposal
Applicants should:
- Choose a clear priority: Make it obvious which strategic goal the project addresses.
- Explain the U.S. connection: Clearly identify American experts, organisations, knowledge, or cultural elements involved.
- Define measurable outcomes: State what participants and communities will gain.
- Show regional relevance: Explain how the project contributes to U.S.-Australia or Pacific partnerships.
- Build a realistic timeline: Ensure activities can be completed within the 24-month maximum.
- Justify every major cost: Connect budget items directly to planned activities.
- Demonstrate institutional capacity: Highlight relevant expertise, partnerships, and experience.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Proposing projects unrelated to the three strategic priorities.
- Failing to demonstrate a meaningful U.S. connection.
- Presenting a project that benefits only the applicant institution without broader public impact.
- Providing vague or unmeasurable outcomes.
- Submitting an unrealistic budget.
- Treating the programme as general institutional funding.
- Exceeding the 24-month project duration.
- Applying as an organisation that does not meet the specified higher education eligibility requirements.
Key Programme Details
- Programme: U.S. Mission to New Zealand Cooperative Agreements
- Geographic focus: Australia and the Pacific
- Funding: $25,000–$100,000 per award
- Total funding: $300,000
- Awards: Up to 3
- Maximum duration: 24 months
- Award mechanism: Cooperative agreements
- Eligible applicants: Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Priority areas: Flag football, Holocaust education, and Pacific Islands partnerships
- Required connection: American expertise, organisations, or cultural elements
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of this programme?
The programme supports projects designed to strengthen U.S. economic, commercial, security, and diplomatic interests through greater cooperation and mutual understanding with Australia and Pacific communities.
How much funding is available?
Awards range from $25,000 to $100,000, with a total programme budget of $300,000 for up to three awards.
What types of projects are eligible?
Projects must address at least one of three priorities: promoting flag football in Australia, combating antisemitism through Holocaust education, or strengthening Pacific Islands partnerships through arts, cultural heritage, education, or training.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants are public and state-controlled institutions of higher education.
Does every proposal need a U.S. connection?
Yes. Proposals must demonstrate a clear connection to American expertise, organisations, or cultural elements and explain how this connection promotes understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.
How long can projects last?
Projects can have a maximum duration of 24 months.
How many awards are expected?
The programme anticipates making up to three awards, subject to funding availability and the quality of applications.
Conclusion
The U.S. Mission to New Zealand’s cooperative agreement opportunity provides funding of up to $100,000 for eligible higher education institutions developing projects connected to sport, Holocaust education, or cultural and educational partnerships. Strong proposals should clearly align with one or more strategic priorities, demonstrate meaningful American involvement, define measurable outcomes, and show how the project will strengthen U.S.-Australia and Pacific partnerships.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
