Funding Opportunity: U.S.–EU Cooperation on Innovation and Growth (Belgium)

Deadline: 22-Jun-2026

The “Launching the Next 250 Years of American and European Innovation and Growth” initiative is a funding opportunity from the U.S. Mission to the European Union. It is designed to commemorate America’s 250th birthday while highlighting the value of transatlantic cooperation.

The programme focuses on strengthening partnerships between the United States and the European Union in areas that support innovation, prosperity, and global security. It also aims to showcase Freedom 250-themed success stories that demonstrate the impact of U.S.-EU collaboration.

Key facts

• Funder: U.S. Mission to the European Union.

• Initiative: Launching the Next 250 Years of American and European Innovation and Growth.

• Purpose: Celebrate America’s 250th birthday and promote U.S.-EU cooperation.

• Award ceiling: $100,000.

• Geographic focus: European Union and transatlantic engagement.

• Eligible applicants: Nonprofits, think tanks, civil society organizations, NGOs, educational institutions, individuals, public international organizations, and governmental institutions.

What the initiative supports

The programme supports activities that strengthen ties between the U.S. and the EU across several strategic areas:

• Trade.

• Technological innovation.

• Artificial intelligence.

• Energy.

• Critical minerals.

• Security and defense.

• Economic growth.

• Research collaboration.

• People-to-people ties.

It is especially interested in projects that show how transatlantic cooperation contributes to peace, prosperity, and shared global leadership.

Types of activities

Supported activities may include:

• Storytelling and communications products.

• Research and policy discussions.

• Collaborative events and convenings.

• Freedom 250-themed success stories.

• Engagement with civil society and government stakeholders.

• Cross-sector partnerships involving business and industry.

Projects can focus on one or more strategic themes, as long as they reinforce U.S.-EU cooperation.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Not-for-profit organizations.

• Think tanks.

• Civil society organizations.

• Non-governmental organizations.

• Public and private educational institutions.

• Individuals.

• Public international organizations.

• Governmental institutions.

This broad eligibility makes the opportunity accessible to a wide range of institutions and experts working on transatlantic issues.

What strong proposals should include

A competitive proposal should show:

• A clear connection to U.S.-EU cooperation.

• Relevance to one or more priority themes.

• A strong outreach or engagement plan.

• Practical activities that produce visible impact.

• Potential to amplify Freedom 250 success stories.

• Partnerships with relevant stakeholders in the EU and the United States.

How it works

1. Choose a priority theme.
   Select a focus area such as trade, AI, energy, defense, or research collaboration.

2. Define the transatlantic value.
   Explain how the project strengthens U.S.-EU relations.

3. Plan the activities.
   Include storytelling, research, convenings, policy dialogue, or partnership-building.

4. Engage stakeholders.
   Work with civil society, business leaders, government actors, and other relevant groups.

5. Show measurable outcomes.
   Demonstrate how the project will promote innovation, growth, or public awareness.

Why it matters

This initiative matters because transatlantic cooperation has long supported global stability, economic growth, and technological progress. The programme uses America’s 250th anniversary as a platform to reinforce the strategic importance of U.S.-EU relations.

It is also important because it connects commemoration with practical collaboration. Rather than focusing only on history, the initiative aims to generate new ideas, partnerships, and opportunities for the future.

Common mistakes and tips

• Mistake: Proposing a general international relations project without a U.S.-EU focus.

  • Tip: Make transatlantic cooperation central to the design.

• Mistake: Choosing themes that are too broad.

  • Tip: Tie the project to the specific priority areas named in the call.

• Mistake: Focusing only on events without substantive outcomes.

  • Tip: Include clear deliverables such as stories, research, or policy outputs.

• Mistake: Ignoring stakeholder engagement.

  • Tip: Build strong links with civil society, government, business, and academic actors.

• Mistake: Treating the anniversary as symbolic only.

  • Tip: Show how the project advances long-term cooperation and growth.

FAQ

What is the main goal of this initiative?

• To commemorate America’s 250th birthday.

• To strengthen U.S.-EU cooperation in innovation, growth, security, and prosperity.

How much funding is available?

• The award ceiling is $100,000.

Who can apply?

• A broad range of applicants, including nonprofits, NGOs, think tanks, educational institutions, individuals, international organizations, and government institutions.

What topics are supported?

• Trade, technology, AI, energy, critical minerals, security and defense, economic growth, research collaboration, and people-to-people ties.

What kinds of activities are allowed?

• Storytelling, research, policy discussions, convenings, and partnership-building activities.

What is “Freedom 250”?

• It refers to the anniversary-focused theme used to highlight success stories connected to American and transatlantic values and cooperation.

Does the project need to involve stakeholders?

• Yes.

• The initiative emphasizes collaboration with civil society, government, private sector, and industry stakeholders.

Conclusion

The “Launching the Next 250 Years of American and European Innovation and Growth” initiative is a transatlantic opportunity that blends commemoration with practical cooperation. The strongest proposals will connect the U.S. and EU around strategic sectors, public engagement, and future-focused innovation.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.