[U.S. Mission to Benin](https://bj.usembassy.gov/)

June 30, 2025 (Statements of Interest)

$5,000–$20,000 per award | Total program funding: $100,000 | Project period: up to 12 months

Supports projects advancing public diplomacy, resilience, and U.S.-Benin cooperation in media, youth, business, and governance.

Forecasted opportunity; submission is a Statement of Interest (SOI) as the first step.

--- ## Description The U.S. Embassy in Cotonou, through its Public Diplomacy Section, invites Statements of Interest (SOIs) for projects that promote public diplomacy, economic growth, and U.S.-Benin partnership. The program aims to support media, youth, and business leaders with training, mentorship, and grants to build resilience, strengthen ties, and foster prosperity. Projects should align with one or more of the following goals: - Make America safer by countering extremism and radicalization. - Make America stronger by promoting governance, democracy, and English language learning. - Make America more prosperous by expanding trade, investment, and entrepreneurship. The SOI process is the first step in a two-step application. Only selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. --- ## Due Dates - Statement of Interest (SOI) Deadline: June 30, 2025 (11:59 p.m. UTC+1) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Award range: $5,000 to $20,000 per project - Estimated total program funding: $100,000 - Expected number of awards: approximately 6 - Project duration: 10–12 months (must be completed within 12 months) --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicants include: - U.S. and Beninese registered not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs) - Individuals - Non-profit or governmental educational institutions - Governmental institutions **Note:** For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and active SAM.gov registration; individuals are not required to register in SAM.gov. Applicants may submit only one SOI per organization. Multiple submissions from the same organization will render all submissions ineligible. --- ## Application Process ### Step 1: Statement of Interest (SOI) - Submit a concise SOI (max 3 pages) in English, outlining the project, objectives, outcomes, beneficiaries, timeline, and budget. - SOI must be emailed to: [CotonouPASGrants@state.gov](mailto:CotonouPASGrants@state.gov) - Deadline: June 30, 2025 ### Step 2: Full Proposal (by invitation only) - Selected SOI applicants will be notified and invited to submit a full proposal within two weeks of notification. - Required forms: SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B (as applicable). ### Review - SOIs are evaluated on program idea, organizational capacity, planning, and budget. - A review committee of U.S. Embassy staff will assess applications in July 2025. --- ## Additional Information - No cost-sharing or matching is required. - Projects should address one or more priority program objectives related to security, governance, or economic growth. - All activities must comply with applicable federal anti-discrimination laws and U.S. Department of State terms and conditions. - Projects must not provide funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). --- ## External Links - [Opportunity listing on Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/358808) - [U.S. Mission to Benin](https://bj.usembassy.gov/) - [Full SOI Guidelines (PDF)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/SOI%20-%20FY2025%20PDS%20Cotonou.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | Notes | |-----------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|------------------|---------------| | U.S. Embassy Cotonou Public Diplomacy Grants Management Team | [CotonouPASGrants@state.gov](mailto:CotonouPASGrants@state.gov) | +229 01 21 36 75 01 | For inquiries | ---

U.S. Embassy Cotonou PDS Request for Statements of Interest

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