U.S. Embassy Jerusalem Public Diplomacy Annual Program (Israel, Palestine)

Deadline: 06-Aug-2026

The U.S. Embassy Jerusalem Public Diplomacy Small Grants Competition provides funding for projects that advance U.S. economic, commercial, and security interests among Palestinian audiences. The program offers cooperative agreements ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 for projects lasting up to 18 months that promote innovation, education, health technology cooperation, tourism, and freedom of expression.

U.S. Embassy Jerusalem Public Diplomacy Annual Program Statement

The U.S. Embassy Jerusalem’s Public Diplomacy Section is inviting applications for projects that strengthen engagement with Palestinian audiences while advancing U.S. economic, commercial, and security priorities. The program supports strategic public diplomacy initiatives that promote American leadership, technological innovation, educational excellence, regional cooperation, and shared economic opportunities.

Projects should align with one or more of the program’s strategic objectives and demonstrate measurable outcomes that strengthen relationships between the United States and Palestinian communities.

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

• Advance U.S. economic and commercial interests.
• Promote American technological leadership.
• Strengthen U.S.-Israeli-Palestinian cooperation.
• Encourage innovation in healthcare and health technology.
• Promote Christian tourism.
• Showcase excellence in American education and educational technology.
• Support freedom of expression and counter malign influences.
• Strengthen public diplomacy and mutual understanding.

Focus Areas

The funding opportunity supports projects related to:

• Economic development.
• Commercial engagement.
• Technology and innovation.
• Health technology cooperation.
• Digital innovation.
• Christian tourism.
• Education technology (EdTech).
• American higher education.
• Workforce development.
• Public diplomacy.
• Regional cooperation.
• Free speech.
• Countering misinformation and malign influences.
• Leadership development.

About the Program

The Annual Program Statement supports cooperative partnerships between the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem and eligible organizations to implement projects that promote American values, innovation, and collaboration.

The initiative seeks to strengthen economic partnerships, educational exchanges, healthcare innovation, and people-to-people connections while advancing shared regional interests through practical and measurable public diplomacy activities.

Funding Information

• Estimated total program funding: US$1,000,000
• Award ceiling: US$250,000
• Award floor: US$50,000
• Project duration: Up to 18 months
• Funding mechanism: Cooperative Agreement

Eligible Activities

Projects may include activities such as:

• Entrepreneurship and innovation programs.
• Technology and digital skills initiatives.
• Health-tech collaboration projects.
• Educational exchange and capacity-building programs.
• Promotion of American education and EdTech.
• Christian tourism initiatives.
• Public diplomacy campaigns.
• Professional workshops and conferences.
• Community engagement activities.
• Leadership and workforce development.
• Programs promoting free speech and media literacy.
• Initiatives that strengthen economic cooperation.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• U.S. nonprofit organizations.
• Israeli nonprofit organizations.
• Palestinian nonprofit organizations.
• Think tanks.
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• U.S. public educational institutions.
• U.S. private nonprofit educational institutions.
• Israeli public educational institutions.
• Israeli private nonprofit educational institutions.
• Palestinian public educational institutions.
• Palestinian private nonprofit educational institutions.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should:

• Be an eligible nonprofit organization or educational institution.
• Propose projects aligned with one or more strategic priorities.
• Demonstrate measurable outcomes and community impact.
• Have the organizational capacity to manage federally funded projects.
• Submit a complete application in accordance with the program guidelines.

Why This Program Matters

The program strengthens public diplomacy by encouraging collaboration in education, innovation, healthcare, technology, and economic development.

The initiative helps:

• Expand economic partnerships.
• Promote technological innovation.
• Improve educational opportunities.
• Strengthen regional cooperation.
• Encourage cross-sector collaboration.
• Support freedom of expression.
• Highlight American leadership and expertise.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Review the Annual Program Statement and eligibility criteria.
2. Identify one or more strategic objectives that align with the proposed project.
3. Develop a detailed project plan with measurable outcomes.
4. Prepare a comprehensive project budget.
5. Include all required supporting documentation.
6. Ensure the proposal demonstrates organizational experience and implementation capacity.
7. Submit the completed application through the prescribed application system before the official deadline.

Application Tips

To improve your application:

• Clearly demonstrate how the project advances U.S. public diplomacy objectives.
• Include measurable performance indicators.
• Present a realistic implementation timeline.
• Develop a detailed and justified budget.
• Highlight organizational expertise and partnerships.
• Show long-term community impact and sustainability.
• Explain how the project promotes collaboration and mutual understanding.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Submitting incomplete proposals.
• Failing to align activities with strategic priorities.
• Providing vague objectives or outcomes.
• Presenting unrealistic budgets or timelines.
• Omitting monitoring and evaluation plans.
• Failing to demonstrate organizational capacity.
• Including activities outside the program scope.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem Public Diplomacy Annual Program Statement?

It is a funding opportunity that supports projects advancing U.S. economic, commercial, educational, and security interests through public diplomacy initiatives targeting Palestinian audiences.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include U.S., Israeli, and Palestinian nonprofit organizations, NGOs, think tanks, and public or private nonprofit educational institutions.

How much funding is available?

The program has an estimated total budget of US$1,000,000, with individual awards ranging from US$50,000 to US$250,000.

How long can funded projects last?

Projects may have a maximum duration of 18 months.

What types of projects are eligible?

Eligible projects include initiatives related to technology, education, health-tech cooperation, Christian tourism, public diplomacy, economic development, and freedom of expression.

What funding mechanism is used?

The program provides funding through cooperative agreements, allowing close collaboration between the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem and the selected recipients.

What should applicants demonstrate in their proposals?

Applicants should clearly explain how their projects align with the program’s strategic objectives, provide measurable outcomes, demonstrate organizational capacity, and present a realistic implementation plan.

Conclusion

The U.S. Embassy Jerusalem Public Diplomacy Annual Program Statement provides substantial funding for organizations seeking to strengthen economic cooperation, technological innovation, educational excellence, and public diplomacy among Palestinian audiences. By supporting collaborative, measurable, and strategically aligned initiatives, the program promotes stronger regional partnerships while advancing shared interests in innovation, education, health, and economic development.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.