Reel American: The Road to the Olympic Rings
🏛 U.S. Mission to Jordan
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 29, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for U.S.-based nonprofits and educational institutions implementing public diplomacy film programs in Jordan.
Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, think tanks, NGOs, and public and private educational institutions. The program must target youth ages 16–25 in Jordan, engaging them through monthly American sports film screenings from October 2026 through June 2028.
Activities include curating and hosting 12 film screenings per year, facilitating discussions about American values like teamwork and perseverance, and building cultural connections ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This is a 21-month project reaching approximately 1,000 youth participants.
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Program description
The U.S. Department of State’s Embassy Amman announces an open competition to implement a program titled Reel American: The Road to the Olympic Rings. Reel American is a 21-month public diplomacy film program designed to showcase American excellence in sports and build excitement ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Beginning in October 2026 and continuing through June 2028, the program will host one film screening per month, showcasing classic American sports films that highlight the nation’s rich athletic history and tradition of competitive excellence.
The program targets 1,000 youth participants, ages 16–25, engaging the next generation of global leaders, athletes, and cultural ambassadors at a pivotal moment in their personal and professional development. Through curated screenings and accompanying discussions, participants will gain insight into American values such as teamwork, perseverance, and competition.
This program directly advances U.S. foreign policy priorities by celebrating America’s proven capacity to host large-scale international events and by reinforcing the United States’ legacy of sports excellence on the world stage. As Los Angeles prepares to welcome the world in 2028, Reel American promotes a positive narrative of American achievement and lays the groundwork for successful public engagement throughout the Olympic cycle.
Applications must be submitted via email only to AmmanGrants@state.gov. Submissions through Grants.gov will not be accepted.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Application package via email to AmmanGrants@state.gov
- Project narrative and program plan
- Budget and budget narrative
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Evidence of partnerships/venue agreements in Jordan
Program contact
- 👤 Noor A AlNoubani Resource Coordination Specialist
- 📧 AmmanGrants@state.gov
- 📞 0096265906578
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?
Not-for-profit organizations, think tanks, NGOs, and public/private educational institutions are eligible. Applicants must be able to implement programming in Jordan.
What is the funding amount and timeline?
Awards range from $80,000 to $100,000. Projects run for 21 months, beginning October 2026 through June 2028.
What activities must the project include?
The program requires monthly American sports film screenings (12 per year), accompanying discussions, and engagement of 1,000 youth ages 16–25 in Jordan.
What is the deadline and application process?
The deadline is August 31, 2026. Applications must be submitted via email to AmmanGrants@state.gov only. Submissions through Grants.gov will not be accepted.
How competitive is this grant?
The total funding pool is $100,000, suggesting limited awards. Strong applications will demonstrate experience with international youth engagement and cultural programming.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Submit applications directly to AmmanGrant@state.gov by email only. Do not use Grants.gov; submissions there will be rejected.
- Demonstrate clear experience working with youth ages 16–25 in international settings or with diaspora/international audiences.
- Detail your film curation strategy, explaining how each selection represents American sports excellence and aligns with Olympic Games themes.
- Plan concrete discussion strategies that help participants understand American values like teamwork, perseverance, and competition through sports narratives.
- Show realistic logistics for hosting 12 monthly screenings in Jordan with documented venue partnerships, marketing plans, and participant recruitment methods.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications lack evidence of capacity to execute international cultural programming. Weak film selections that don't clearly showcase American sports excellence or relevance to Olympic themes. Vague discussion plans without concrete learning outcomes for youth participants.
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