Launching the Next 250 Years of American and European Innovation and Growth
🏛 U.S. Mission to Belgium
Can you apply?
This grant is for international development and cultural diplomacy projects celebrating U.S. history and advancing U.S.-EU relations. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, think tanks, civil society organizations, public and private educational institutions, individuals, and public international organizations. Projects must engage EU audiences and advance relations in priority areas like trade, technology, energy, critical minerals, and defense. Activities typically span the remainder of calendar year 2026.
Funding ranges from $20,000 to $100,000. Cost sharing is required. Successful projects showcase American innovation or build people-to-people ties with EU institutions.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
This grant is for international development and cultural diplomacy projects celebrating U.S. history and advancing U.S.-EU relations. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, think tanks, civil society organizations, public and private educational institutions, individuals, and public international organizations. Projects must engage EU audiences and advance relations in priority areas like trade, technology, energy, critical minerals, and defense. Activities typically span the remainder of calendar year 2026.
Funding ranges from $20,000 to $100,000. Cost sharing is required. Successful projects showcase American innovation or build people-to-people ties with EU institutions.
Program description
The U.S. Mission to the European Union’s commemoration of America’s 250th birthday aims to showcase America’s rich history and honor U.S.-EU contributions to global peace, security, and prosperity. Proposed projects should celebrate U.S. history and innovation among EU audiences and advance relations and economic growth between the United States and the EU. Examples of priority issues and sectors are trade, technological innovation, energy, critical minerals and defense.
Now through the end of the year, chosen grantees will work with influential EU civil society, government, private sector, business, and industry leaders to showcase Freedom 250-themed success stories or build people-to people ties with EU institutions to advance or drive growth in priority areas. Through these activities, grantees may develop and highlight stories, policies, research, and opportunities to support U.S. and joint U.S.-EU initiatives and policies related to but not limited to trade, technological innovation, AI, energy, critical minerals, security and defense, or other critical fields that have made the United States and Europe stronger, safer, and more prosperous.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for international development and cultural diplomacy projects celebrating U.S. history and advancing U.S.-EU relations. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, think tanks, civil society organizations, public and private educational institutions, individuals, and public international organizations. Projects must engage EU audiences and advance relations in priority areas like trade, technology, energy, critical minerals, and defense. Activities typically span the remainder of calendar year 2026.
Funding ranges from $20,000 to $100,000. Cost sharing is required. Successful projects showcase American innovation or build people-to-people ties with EU institutions.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Application form (likely SF-424)
- Project narrative/proposal (specific page limit not stated)
- Budget and budget narrative
- Cost-sharing documentation
- Letters of support from EU partners (recommended)
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. Mission to Belgium
- 📞 202-890-9795
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.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Nonprofits, think tanks, educational institutions (public and private), individuals, and public international organizations are eligible. Government agencies and private for-profit companies typically cannot apply directly.
What should projects focus on?
Projects must celebrate U.S. history and innovation for EU audiences. Priority areas include trade, technology, energy, critical minerals, AI, and defense initiatives.
When must projects be completed?
Grantees work through the end of calendar year 2026. The application deadline is June 22, 2026, so projects have limited timeframe for execution.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes, cost sharing is mandatory. You must contribute matching funds or in-kind resources alongside the federal award.
What makes a competitive proposal?
Strong proposals build partnerships with EU civil society, government, or business leaders. Include specific stories, policies, or opportunities that strengthen U.S.-EU ties in priority sectors.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Identify influential EU partners early. Partnerships with government, business, or civil society leaders strengthen your proposal and demonstrate feasibility.
- Focus on concrete outcomes, not abstract concepts. Clearly show how your project advances U.S.-EU relations in trade, technology, energy, or defense.
- Plan for a short timeline. With a June 2026 deadline, execution happens within months. Build a realistic schedule you can deliver on.
- Develop compelling stories and case studies. The grant emphasizes showcasing success stories and innovation narratives that resonate with EU audiences.
- Document your cost-sharing commitment upfront. Clearly identify matching resources (staff time, partner contributions, facilities) and explain their value in your budget narrative.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications lack specific EU partner commitments or letters of support from EU organizations. Proposals focus too broadly on bilateral relations without clear connections to trade, technology, energy, or defense sectors. Applicants underestimate the short timeline and propose unrealistic deliverables for a half-year execution window.
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