Annual Program Statement

2025 VAU PDS Annual Program Statement

A. Basic Information

1. Overview

Funding Opportunity Title VAU PDS 2025 Annual Program Statement

Funding Opportunity Number 2025VE-001A

Announcement Type Initial Announcement

Deadline for Applications June 30, 2025

Assistance Listing Number 19.040 – Public Diplomacy Programs

Length of performance period Up to 12 months

Number of awards anticipated Four awards (dependent on amounts)

Award amounts Up to $25,000

Total available funding $100,000 pending funding availability

Type of Funding FY25 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds

Anticipated program start date October 1, 2025

The VAU of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce the 2025 VAU PDS Annual Program Statement to strengthen people-to-people ties between the United States and the people of Venezuela through programs that highlight shared values and make American safer, stronger, and more prosperous.  

This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding.  Please carefully follow all instructions below.

Funding Instrument Type: Grant agreement 

Program Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 12 months or less. The Department of State will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.

This notice is subject to the availability of funding.

2.Executive Summary

VAU PDS invites proposals that focus on higher education cooperation between the United States and Venezuela, highlighting shared values and building networks that make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

Priority Region:  Venezuela

Eligibility Eligible Applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply: 

• Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience
• Non-profit or governmental educational institutions

Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing is not required.

3.Other Eligibility Requirements

All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information.  Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding.  

C. Program Description

Proposals that focus on higher education cooperation between the United States and Venezuela, highlighting shared values and building networks that make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. 

Priority Program Areas:

VAU PDS will prioritize grant proposals that address the following themes:

• Building university partnerships and/or higher-education exchanges, focusing on:
• Curricula Development; 
• Research Capacity Building; 
• Post-Graduate Career Services; and/or
• Intellectual Property. 

PLEASE NOTE:  

1. All programs must include an American component, conveying an element of U.S. culture, history, and/or shared values. This must be a concrete element that establishes or strengthens ties between people in Venezuela and the United States. For example, competitive proposals will include a connection with U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions that promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives and/or increased cooperation that continues after the conclusion of the program that makes America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. 

1. Grant proposals from individuals will not be accepted.  All proposals must be submitted by educational and/or registered non-profit institutions that have the capacity to receive U.S. government funding, in the name of the entity applying for funds.

Participants and Audiences:

Venezuelans in Venezuela and their U.S. counterparts in the sectors represented in the priority program areas listed above.

The following types of programs are not eligible for funding: 

• Programs relating to partisan political activity;
• Charitable or development activities;
• Construction programs;
• Programs that support specific religious activities;
• Fund-raising campaigns;
• Lobbying for specific legislation or programs;
• Scientific research;
• Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; or
• Programs that duplicate existing programs.