2023 Emerging Voices Small Grants Program
🏛 U.S. Mission to the Philippines
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations and groups based in or focused on the Philippines that support emerging voices through small-scale community projects. Philippine-based nonprofits, civil society organizations, community groups, and social enterprises may apply. Projects must address food security or cybersecurity as priority areas, with emphasis on youth engagement and leadership development. Geographic scope is limited to the Philippines and activities supported through the U.S. Embassy.
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Program description
The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines’ Public Affairs Section (PAS Philippines) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that we are considering proposals for the 2023 Emerging Voices (EV) Small Grants Program. Our funding goals, strategic themes, and processes for submitting grant proposals are all outlined in this notice. Please read carefully and follow all instructions. This notice is subject to the availability of funding.
PRIORITY PROGRAM AREAS
Food Security
· Increasing awareness and capacity to promote Food Security
· Creating networks of Youth Leaders and advocates of Food Security
· Addressing Food Security issues
Cybersecurity
· Advancing innovative approaches to combating Cybersecurity issues
· Increasing awareness and capacity to promote Cybersecurity
· Increasing youth participation in formulating policies on Cybersecurity
· Creating networks of Youth Leaders and advocates of Cybersecurity
Please download the full announcement at the Related Documents Tab. Also, submissions are via email ONLY.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Completed grant proposal (format specified in full announcement)
- Project budget and budget narrative
- Organization background/capacity documentation
- Evidence of registration/legal status in Philippines (if required)
Program contact
- 👤 Emerging Voices Team Grantor
- 📧 GrantsManila@state.gov
- 📞 09189486454
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 19.040 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$4,682,072
-
$3,371,312
-
$2,650,000
-
$2,446,525
-
$2,050,500
-
$1,861,451
-
$1,700,000
-
$1,565,795
-
$1,500,000
-
$1,480,000
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 19.040). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2018 | $129,428,262 | |
| 2019 est. | $34,549,598 | |
| 2020 | $129,979,440 | |
| 2021 | $128,999,999 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Organizations based in the Philippines working on food security or cybersecurity issues. The program emphasizes emerging voices and youth-led initiatives.
What is the application deadline?
May 22, 2023 (fixed deadline). Submissions are by email only.
What activities are funded?
Projects promoting food security awareness, cybersecurity capacity-building, youth leadership networks, and policy advocacy in these two priority areas.
What is the funding range?
Awards range from $5,000 to $20,000 per grant. No cost-sharing is required.
Is there a competitive process?
Yes. Total funding available is $40,000, making this highly competitive. Strong proposals addressing youth engagement and local impact will be prioritized.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize youth leadership and emerging voices explicitly in your proposal narrative. This program prioritizes young leaders and new organizations.
- Choose either food security or cybersecurity as your focus. Do not try to address both unless they're deeply integrated into one coherent project.
- Demonstrate local community impact. Proposals showing strong connections to Philippine communities will be more competitive.
- Keep budgets realistic and modest. With only $40,000 total funding across multiple grants, lean projects perform better than heavily resourced ones.
- Submit early and verify email receipt. The program accepts submissions by email only, so confirm your submission arrived.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting proposals that don't clearly align with food security or cybersecurity priorities. Proposing activities that don't meaningfully engage youth or emerging leaders. Failing to demonstrate connections to the Philippines or the U.S. Embassy's public diplomacy goals.
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