Deadline: 15-Jul-2026
The U.S. Mission to the United Arab Emirates is accepting applications under its Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Program Statement (APS) to support public diplomacy initiatives that strengthen U.S.-UAE relations. Grants ranging from approximately $75,000 to $300,000 will fund projects focused on innovation, technology, culture, education, entrepreneurship, economic cooperation, and strategic partnerships between the United States and the UAE.
Program Overview
The Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Program Statement (APS) supports public diplomacy projects that promote stronger ties between the United States and the United Arab Emirates. The program seeks to highlight American leadership, innovation, culture, education, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunities while encouraging collaboration between U.S. and UAE institutions, businesses, experts, and communities.
Projects are expected to create meaningful engagement opportunities, strengthen bilateral relationships, and contribute to shared economic, technological, cultural, and strategic goals.
Funding Information
- Expected grant size: Approximately $75,000 to $300,000
- Funding subject to availability of funds
- Typical project duration: Up to 12 months
- Anticipated implementation period: September to December 2026
- Cost sharing is encouraged but not mandatory
Priority Areas
Projects should focus on one or more of the following areas:
- Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary
- American innovation and technology
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Cybersecurity
- Space exploration and technology
- Energy innovation
- Water security solutions
- Smart agriculture
- Entrepreneurship and startup development
- Economic and commercial engagement
- Culinary diplomacy
- Cultural heritage preservation
- Health and life sciences
- Creative industries
- Digital media and content creation
- Gaming and esports
- Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
- Research collaboration
- Intellectual property protection
- AI-enabled creative innovation
Key Activities Supported
The program supports a wide range of public diplomacy and engagement activities, including:
- Workshops and training programs
- Conferences and seminars
- Speaker series
- Business networking events
- Trade show participation
- Innovation challenges and competitions
- Academic exchanges
- Collaborative research projects
- Cultural performances and exhibitions
- Entrepreneurship initiatives
- Industry engagement programs
- Professional development activities
- Digital outreach campaigns
- Knowledge-sharing platforms
Why This Program Matters
The program strengthens cooperation between the United States and the UAE in areas that are increasingly important to economic growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.
Key benefits include:
- Expanding international partnerships
- Promoting innovation and technology transfer
- Supporting entrepreneurship and startup ecosystems
- Enhancing cultural understanding
- Strengthening educational and research collaboration
- Creating opportunities for business and investment
- Encouraging youth engagement and leadership development
- Building long-term strategic relationships
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Nonprofit organizations
- Think tanks
- Civil society organizations
- Public educational institutions
- Private educational institutions
- Governmental educational institutions
- Qualified individuals
- Research organizations
- Cultural institutions
Applicants must:
- Be registered in either the United States or the UAE
- Demonstrate at least two years of relevant programming experience
- Maintain all required registrations and identifiers
- Have the capacity to manage grant-funded activities
- Comply with applicable grant requirements
Priority Target Audiences
Projects should engage one or more of the following audiences:
- Students
- Emerging leaders
- Young professionals
- Entrepreneurs
- Startup founders
- Innovators
- Researchers
- Educators
- Artists
- Chefs
- Content creators
- Investors
- Industry experts
- Alumni of U.S. government-funded programs
- Academic institutions
- Cultural organizations
- Business associations
Participation from individuals in other countries may also be included when it contributes to broader regional engagement objectives.
What Makes a Strong Proposal?
Competitive proposals should:
- Address a clearly defined priority area
- Demonstrate strong U.S.-UAE collaboration
- Include American experts, institutions, or organizations
- Show measurable outcomes and impact
- Include a sustainability strategy
- Present a realistic implementation plan
- Demonstrate community and stakeholder engagement
- Provide a clear monitoring and evaluation framework
- Support long-term bilateral cooperation
How to Apply
Step 1: Identify a Priority Area
Select the primary program priority that your project will address.
Step 2: Define Project Objectives
Clearly explain:
- The challenge being addressed
- Expected outcomes
- Target audience
- Long-term benefits
Step 3: Develop an Implementation Plan
Include:
- Activities and timeline
- Locations within the UAE
- Partner organizations
- Staffing and management structure
Step 4: Prepare Monitoring and Evaluation Measures
Outline:
- Performance indicators
- Expected outputs
- Success metrics
- Data collection methods
Step 5: Create a Sustainability Strategy
Explain how project results will continue after grant funding ends.
Step 6: Submit the Application
Provide all required documentation, budget details, and supporting materials according to APS requirements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to identify a primary priority area
- Weak connection to U.S.-UAE relations
- Lack of American partner involvement
- Unclear project outcomes
- Inadequate monitoring and evaluation plans
- Unrealistic budgets
- Missing sustainability measures
- Insufficient audience engagement strategies
- Poorly defined implementation timelines
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the main goal of the Fiscal Year 2026 APS?
The program aims to strengthen U.S.-UAE relations through public diplomacy initiatives focused on innovation, culture, education, technology, and economic cooperation.
How much funding is available?
Individual awards are expected to range from approximately $75,000 to $300,000, depending on project scope and available funding.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include nonprofits, educational institutions, think tanks, civil society organizations, and qualified individuals registered in either the United States or the UAE.
Is cost sharing required?
No. Cost sharing is not mandatory, but applicants are encouraged to contribute additional resources where possible.
What types of activities are supported?
Supported activities include workshops, conferences, exchanges, networking events, research collaborations, innovation competitions, cultural programs, training initiatives, and digital engagement activities.
Must projects include American partners?
Yes. Meaningful engagement with American experts, institutions, businesses, or organizations is strongly encouraged and aligns with the program’s objectives.
How long can projects last?
Most projects should be completed within 12 months.
Conclusion
The U.S. Mission to the UAE Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Program Statement provides significant funding opportunities for organizations and individuals seeking to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the United States and the United Arab Emirates. By supporting initiatives in innovation, technology, culture, education, entrepreneurship, and economic engagement, the program aims to create lasting partnerships, expand knowledge exchange, and generate meaningful benefits for both countries. Organizations with strong collaborative ideas, measurable outcomes, and sustainable impact strategies are well-positioned to compete for funding under this opportunity.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.