Annual Program Statement (APS) For Fiscal Year 2026

The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) at U.S. Embassy Tunis invites results-oriented proposals for programs that foster economic opportunities for U.S. businesses and investors, innovation collaboration, showcase American leadership and excellence in science, technology, culture, the arts, sports, education, and English language, and strengthen ties between the United States and Tunisia in ways that make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence (2026) and 230 years of U.S.-Tunisian friendship (2027). All proposed programs must include an American element or a connection with American expert(s), organization(s), or institutions in ways that promote increased understanding of U.S. policies, perspectives, and society and/or celebrate U.S. culture and values. Proposals that include programming outside Greater Tunis or across multiple governorates and/or promote increased collaboration and networking among alumni of U.S. government programs are encouraged. Examples of possible PD small grant proposals include, but are not limited to: • Subject-matter expert, academic, and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs that include U.S. speakers/experts. • Programs that connect U.S. companies with Tunisian partners, suppliers, and market opportunities, facilitate business-to-business networking and investment matchmaking, prepare Tunisian startups and established businesses to meet U.S. market standards, enter U.S. markets, and partner with U.S. investors. • Sports diplomacy, culinary diplomacy, art exhibitions, film festivals, theater, musical theater, musical performances and master classes. • Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs, including through use of new and immersive technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) technology. • U.S.-Tunisian University-industry partnerships, including with research or technology parks, that generate mutually beneficial commercialization projects or that create opportunities for U.S. companies in STEM fields and emerging technologies and innovation. • Hackathons, STEM or Maker Space camps/competitions, or other related hands-on activities that showcase American leadership and excellence in innovation and STEM fields, including but not limited to space exploration, technologies with beneficial applications to daily life developed as a result of NASA initiatives, or that foster target audiences’ artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and readiness. • University and cultural institution linkages programs that include but are not limited to development and implementation of a course, joint PhD advising, or joint degree program, or the design and teaching of a jointly-led course that includes virtual or in-person instruction from a U.S. professor/expert in fields outlined under Excellence in Education and English Teaching priority outlined in this APS. • English language programs, including but not limited to teacher training and programs that share innovative American English teaching methodologies, specialized English courses to improve business opportunities and innovation collaboration with U.S. companies, investors, U.S.-Tunisian university-industry partnerships, and foster economic self-reliance among target audiences. • Podcasts. • Professional and academic exchanges and programs. (Note: This funding cannot be used to support construction-related activities. End note.) Priority Program Areas and Strategic Themes: Proposals must focus on one of the five priority areas outlined below: ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP: Initiatives that expand U.S. commercial and investment opportunities; strengthen U.S. ties with Tunisia’s entrepreneurship ecosystem; promote U.S. entrepreneurial values and practices; and/or share best practices of successful U.S. business partnerships, startups, and investors with the aim of creating economic opportunities for U.S. and Tunisian businesses and investors. CELEBRATING AMERICA’S 250thANNIVERSARY AND U.S.-TUNISIAN ENDURING PARTNERSHIP: Initiatives, including innovative, small-scale programming and programming at our American Corners, that: 1) celebrate U.S. scientific breakthroughs, innovation, economic dynamism, sport prowess, agricultural strength, national parks, tourism, public service, freedom of speech or press, and other ideas and partnerships that shaped America’s development during the 250th anniversary year of U.S. Independence (2026) and in honor of the 230th anniversary year of the 1797 treaty of friendship between the U.S. and Tunisia (2027); 2) showcase and share American excellence in visual and performing arts, music, theater, film, and cultural heritage protection, including through artistic and cultural workshops, performances, exhibitions, or other activities, including community service initiatives that bring together Americans and Tunisians during the 250th anniversary year of U.S. Independence (2026) and the 230th anniversary year of the 1797 treaty of friendship between the U.S. and Tunisia (2027); 3) leverage people-to-people or institutional ties through sports or cultural diplomacy initiatives to increase the Tunisian public’s awareness and understanding of the history and benefits of the over two centuries of U.S.-Tunisian friendship, trade, and security cooperation. INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Initiatives that encourage artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and readiness in Tunisia through use of U.S. AI platforms and technologies; raise awareness and promote collaboration on projects related to the 2027 solar eclipse; and expand U.S. ties to Tunisia’s innovation ecosystem through research collaboration and university-industry partnerships, including research and technology parks, to generate mutually beneficial commercialization projects that create opportunities for U.S. companies in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), including but not limited to cybersecurity, space, energy, water security, food security, smart agriculture, health technology, and AI. MEGA DECADE OF SPORTS: Initiatives that leverage the U.S.-hosted 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, and 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, in ways that strengthen people-to-people ties between the United States and Tunisia, promote American values, and demonstrate U.S. economic strength, infrastructure, and excellence and leadership in sports and tourism. Excellence in EDUCATION AND ENGLISH TEACHING: Initiatives that showcase American leadership and excellence in education and English teaching in public or private institutions; provide specialized English courses to improve opportunities with U.S. companies/investors for target audiences; and foster innovative collaboration between U.S. and Tunisian higher education institutions to enhance Tunisian participants’ understanding of U.S. culture, values, history, and policies, including in American studies, culture, and literature, freedom of speech, the arts and creative industries (film, music, design thinking, and cultural entrepreneurship), cultural heritage preservation, tourism and hospitality, municipal management, water and/or waste management, urban design, and STEM fields. Program and application details are available in the TUNIS APS FY2026 Questions should be addressed to PASTunisSmallGrants@state.gov