Africa Regional Services Paris Annual Program Statement: ARS Speaker Program
The ARS Speaker Program seeks U.S. citizens with expertise to join its roster for small grants to deliver in-person or virtual programs in Sub-Saharan Africa on security, prosperity, innovation, arts, and sports.
Funder: Africa Regional Services
Due Dates: August 31, 2026: Statement of Interest / Full application deadline
Funding Amounts: Awards range from $500 to $12,000; total program funding is $50,000; typical duration is 1–12 months.
Summary: Supports U.S. citizen speakers, artists, and athletes/coaches to deliver outreach programs in Sub-Saharan Africa, promoting American excellence, innovation, and partnership.
Key Information: Applicants must be U.S. citizens with proficiency in English and either French or Portuguese; inclusion on the roster does not guarantee funding.
Description
Africa Regional Services (ARS) Paris, part of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, invites Statements of Interest (SOIs) from U.S. citizen individuals—speakers, artists, and athletes/coaches—for inclusion on the ARS Speaker Program roster. Roster members may be selected for small grants to conduct in-person or virtual outreach across sub-Saharan Africa. The program aims to advance U.S. foreign policy goals by strengthening security, supporting shared prosperity, and promoting American excellence, particularly in the context of the United States' 250th anniversary and the Decade of Sport in America.
Priority program areas include:
- Security and countering transnational threats
- Economic prosperity, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, energy security, and critical minerals
- American arts, sports, and creative industries as engines of economic opportunity
- Migration, urbanization, and legal pathways
- U.S. founding principles and diplomatic milestones
Selected individuals will be added to the ARS roster following review and interview. Funding is not guaranteed by inclusion on the roster; grants are awarded when a U.S. embassy or consulate request matches a roster member’s expertise and availability.
