Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program - U.S. Mission Nicaragua
Summary
The U.S. Department of State's Embassy in Managua announced an open competition for the Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program targeting Nicaragua. Awards range from $20,000 to $80,000 for initiatives advancing U.S. trade interests, protecting free speech, and addressing migration concerns. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, educational institutions, media organizations, and individuals.
What changed
The U.S. Mission to Nicaragua released its 2026 Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program announcement, offering $20,000 to $80,000 per award for programs in three priority areas: advancing U.S. trade and economic interests, protecting free speech and countering anti-U.S. narratives, and supporting border security while ending mass migration. Target audiences include independent journalists, civil society organizations, religious workers, youth, entrepreneurs, and rural producers. The program lists 19.040 (Public Diplomacy Programs) as the assistance listing.
Prospective applicants should prepare and submit proposals through grants.gov by May 18, 2026. Required documents include the application form (Attachment 1) and budget narrative template (Attachment 2). Eligibility extends to U.S. and foreign nonprofits, think tanks, civil society organizations, public and private educational institutions, and individuals. The Embassy Managua Public Diplomacy Team can be contacted at PASManagua@state.gov for inquiries.
What to do next
- Verify organizational eligibility by reviewing 501(c)(3) status and organizational type requirements
- Download and complete the Application Form (Attachment 1) and Budget Narrative Template (Attachment 2) from the opportunity listing
- Submit application through grants.gov before the May 18, 2026 closing date
Source document (simplified)
Public Diplomacy Grants Program
Agency: U.S. Mission to Nicaragua
Assistance Listings: 19.040 -- Public Diplomacy Programs
Last Updated: April 1, 2026 View version history on Grants.gov
Description
The U.S. Department of State’s Embassy Managua announces an open competition for the Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program to advance U.S. security, commercial interests, and regional stability in Nicaragua through innovative public diplomacy initiatives.
Proposals must address one of three priority areas: advancing U.S. trade and economic interests by promoting market-oriented, private sector–led growth, fostering trade relationships with the United States, and increasing awareness of foreign economic practices that undermine U.S. and Nicaraguan commercial interests; protecting free speech, defending religious freedom, and countering anti-U.S. narratives by strengthening independent voices, expanding access to credible information, and building the capacity of independent media and civil society; or supporting border security and ending mass migration by increasing public understanding of U.S. immigration laws, the dangers of illegal migration, and combating criminal networks.
Target audiences may include independent journalists, civil society organizations, religious workers and institutions, youth and university students, entrepreneurs and small businesses, and rural producers. Programs may use workshops, trainings, exchanges, media initiatives, and community-based activities to expand access to information and create economic opportunities.
Eligible applicants include individuals, non-profit organizations, civil society groups, educational institutions, media organizations, and other qualified entities capable of implementing programs aligned with these priorities.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Nonprofit
- Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)
- Nonprofits non-higher education without 501(c)(3)
Miscellaneous
- Other
- Individuals
Education
- Private institutions of higher education
Additional information
The following organizations (U.S. and foreign) are eligible to apply:
• Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
• Public and private educational institutions
• Individuals
Grantor contact information
Description
Embassy Managua Public Diplomacy Team
For Inquiries
Documents
Download all
| File name | Description | Last updated |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 260401EmbassyManagua2026APS_.pdf | Annual Program Statement Announcement | Apr 1, 2026 05:29 PM UTC |
| Attachment1-2026APSApplication_Form.docx | Attachment 1 (Application Form) | Apr 1, 2026 05:29 PM UTC |
| Attachment2-2026APSGrantBudgetNarrative_Template.xlsx | Attachment 2 (Budget Template) | Apr 1, 2026 05:30 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
--
Closing: May 18, 2026
Application process
This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates. View on Grants.gov
Award
$--
Program Funding
--
Expected awards
$20,000
Award Minimum
$80,000
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
PDS-MGA-APS-FY26-01
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
No Funding instrument type:
Grant
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
-- Category of Funding Activity:
Other
Category Explanation:
Public Diplomacy
History
Version:
1
Posted date:
April 1, 2026
Archive date:
June 17, 2026
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