U.S. Mission to the United Nations-Geneva, Small Grants Program
🏛 U.S. Mission to the United Nations
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 20, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for international organizations, NGOs, think tanks, and educational institutions working on U.S. foreign policy priorities. Applicants must be based in Geneva or have a presence there, or carry out projects in Geneva itself. Both individuals and organizations can apply, but for-profit entities cannot. Projects must target international audiences and advance U.S. policy goals in the multilateral sphere.
Eligible organizations include nonprofits, civil society groups, foreign public entities, UN organizations, and educational institutions. Projects focused on human rights, humanitarian response, global health, climate change, UN system accountability, or gender issues are prioritized. Proposals undergo review for compliance with U.S. federal regulations and State Department foreign policy objectives.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Program description
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) outlines funding priorities, strategic areas of focus, and instructions for submitting requests for funding. Please follow all instructions carefully.
Through its Small Grants Program, the United States Mission in Geneva is accepting project proposals that promote U.S. policy priorities in the multilateral sphere. Project should be aimed at international (not U.S.) audiences, and impact should resonate in Geneva`s multilateral environment. Projects should be implemented by an organization or individual with a presence in Geneva and/or be carried out in Geneva itself.
U.S. Mission Geneva’s Small Grants Program supports projects that include, but are not limited to, the following priority areas:
· Promoting human rights, including the protection of human rights defenders
· Monitoring and managing the response to humanitarian crises
· Strengthening global public health and global health security systems
· Mobilizing action on climate change
· Promoting transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the UN system
· Advancing gender across the range of Mission Geneva’s priority areas
Authorizing legislation, type and year of funding: FY23 Fulbright Hays Public Diplomacy Funds
Awards will be made to successful applicants subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
For further details about the program and how to apply, please see the full notice at the link below.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Project proposal/narrative
- Budget and budget narrative
- Organization/applicant background information
- Evidence of Geneva presence or operational capacity
- Alignment statement with U.S. foreign policy objectives
Program contact
- 👤 Sarah S Banerjee Grantor
- 📧 GenevaGrants@state.gov
- 📞 5714278330
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
-
$3,076,525
-
$2,650,000
-
$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?
Nonprofits, NGOs, think tanks, civil society organizations, educational institutions, and UN organizations based in or working in Geneva. For-profit companies are not eligible.
What types of projects does this grant fund?
Projects promoting human rights, humanitarian crisis response, global health security, climate action, UN transparency, and gender equality. All projects must target international audiences and align with U.S. foreign policy priorities.
Do I need to be based in Geneva to apply?
You must have a presence in Geneva or implement your project there. Applicants based abroad are eligible if they operate in the Geneva multilateral environment.
What is the typical award amount?
Awards range from $1,000 to $100,000. The total funding pool is approximately $200,000, making this highly competitive.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required. However, proposals are evaluated on how well they meet U.S. foreign policy objectives and Mission priorities.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus your proposal on international impact in Geneva's multilateral space, not U.S. domestic outcomes. Reviewers prioritize work affecting the UN system and international actors.
- Clearly connect your project to at least one priority area: human rights, humanitarian response, global health, climate action, UN accountability, or gender equality. Vague alignment weakens competitiveness.
- Demonstrate organizational capacity to operate in Geneva. Mention existing partnerships, staff presence, or track record of work in the multilateral environment to strengthen credibility.
- Review U.S. foreign policy objectives before finalizing your proposal. State Department priorities evolve, so ensure your project aligns with current diplomatic goals.
- Keep your budget realistic for the $1,000–$100,000 range and explain how funds directly advance project outcomes. Vague or inflated budgets raise red flags for reviewers.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Targeting U.S. domestic audiences or domestic policy impact instead of international multilateral audiences. Projects must demonstrate impact in Geneva's UN environment or broader international sphere.
Proposing work disconnected from the six stated priority areas (human rights, humanitarian response, global health, climate action, UN accountability, or gender). Reviewers reject projects that don't clearly fit Mission priorities.
Failing to demonstrate Geneva presence or capacity. Applicants without credible ties to Geneva or the multilateral system struggle to compete.
Similar grants
- ROLLING Small Grants Program — U.S. Mission to the United Nations
- CLOSED Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program — U.S. Mission to the European Union
- CLOSED Public Affairs Section Notice of Funding Opportunity 2020 — U.S. Mission to Cambodia
- ROLLING U.S. Mission Australia Annual Program Statement — U.S. Mission to Australia
- CLOSED Small Grant Program in the People’s Republic of China — U.S. Mission to China