Deadline: 15-Aug-2026
The U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission Iraq has announced the Public Diplomacy Annual Program Statement 2026 to strengthen cultural, educational, and people-to-people ties between the United States and Iraq.
The programme supports public diplomacy initiatives that promote mutual understanding, American values, cultural exchange, and institutional partnerships across education, media, culture, and economic sectors.
Focus Areas
The programme supports:
- Academic lectures and speaker programs
- Educational seminars and workshops
- Cultural and artistic exchanges
- Joint performances and exhibitions
- Professional and academic exchanges
- English language learning programmes
- Media and digital freedom initiatives
- Countering malign state-sponsored propaganda
- Cultural heritage preservation
- Sports programming linked to global events
- Freedom of speech and democratic values programming
It also prioritises:
- Strengthening U.S.–Iraq relations
- Promoting American expertise and systems
- Expanding commercial and economic ties
- Supporting private-sector development
- Building partnerships in key sectors:
- Energy
- Technology
- Healthcare
- Higher education
- Business management
Funding Support
Total funding available:
- USD 5 million
Grant size:
- USD 25,000 to USD 500,000 per project
Project duration:
- Up to 24 months
Award types:
- Grants
- Cooperative agreements
- Fixed amount awards
Programme Objectives
The initiative aims to:
- Strengthen mutual understanding between Iraq and the United States
- Promote American cultural and institutional values
- Expand educational and professional exchange opportunities
- Counter misinformation and malign influence
- Strengthen democratic values and freedom of expression
- Support long-term institutional partnerships
Projects must include:
- A clear American cultural or institutional component
- Collaboration with U.S.-based experts or organisations
Target Groups
The programme targets:
- Youth and students
- Policymakers
- Journalists and media professionals
- Entrepreneurs and business communities
- Civil society organisations
- English language learners
- Cultural heritage communities
- Minority and local cultural groups
Eligible Activities
Supported activities include:
- Training and capacity-building programmes
- Cultural exhibitions and performances
- Academic exchanges and study visits
- Media literacy and digital freedom initiatives
- English language education programmes
- Sports diplomacy initiatives
- Economic and business partnership programmes
Ineligible Activities
The following are not eligible:
- Partisan political activities
- Charitable relief or aid distribution
- Construction projects
- Religious activities
- Fundraising campaigns
- Lobbying activities
- Scientific research projects
- Commercial profit-driven activities
- Duplicate or previously funded projects
How to Apply
Applicants should:
- Design a public diplomacy-focused programme
- Include U.S. partnership or expertise component
- Define clear cultural or educational outcomes
- Identify target groups in Iraq
- Submit proposals through official U.S. Mission channels
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Weak or missing U.S. collaboration components
- Proposals focused only on aid or service delivery
- Political or religious programming
- Commercial or profit-driven activities
- Poorly defined public diplomacy outcomes
FAQ
- Who is funding the programme?
- The programme is funded by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission Iraq.
- What is the funding range?
- Grants range from USD 25,000 to USD 500,000.
- How long can projects last?
- Projects may run for up to 24 months.
- What is the main goal of the programme?
- To strengthen cultural, educational, and institutional ties between the United States and Iraq.
- Are research or commercial projects eligible?
- No, scientific research and commercial activities are not eligible.
Conclusion
The U.S. Mission Iraq Public Diplomacy Annual Program Statement 2026 supports cultural, educational, and institutional exchange programmes that strengthen U.S.–Iraq relations, promote American values, and build long-term partnerships across key sectors including education, media, culture, and the economy.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.