Apply now for U.S. Mission Italy Annual Program 2025 (Italy)

The United States Embassy invites proposals from qualified individuals and organizations. All programs must include a significant American cultural element and/or a connection with American experts, organizations or institutions in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. foreign policy and perspectives.

Priority Areas

• Democracy and Democratic Values: Proposals in this area should strengthen and reinforce the practice of democratic principles within Italy (such as countering racism and gender-based violence, and reducing extremism, antisemitism, and intolerance of marginalized groups in Italy) and/or strengthen the capacity of Italian civil society in fostering democratic values and renewing.
• Economic Prosperity: Proposals in this area should promote transparent and rules-based trade and investment. Proposals that reinforce positive examples of U.S.-Italian collaboration in key sectors, including science and technology, the sustainable and digital economies, culture, and women’s economic empowerment will receive favorable consideration.
• Countering Disinformation: Proposals in this area should increase target audiences’ understanding of and ability to counter foreign information manipulation and interference that undermines faith in democratic governance. They encourage proposals that support increased awareness of disinformation among the media and journalists.

Funding Information

• Minimum for Each Award: $20,000.
• Maximum for Each Award: $50,000.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Public Diplomacy Section encourages applications from Italy and the United States:
  • Registered U.S. and Italian not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience in Italy;
  • U.S. or Italian individuals;
  • U.S. and Italian non-profit or governmental educational institutions;
  • U.S. and Italian Governmental institutions.

Ineligibility Criteria

• The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:
  • Programs relating to partisan political activity;
  • Programs targeting an American audience;
  • 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;
  • Programs that duplicate existing programs.

Review Criteria

• The criteria listed are closely related and will be considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of a proposal:
  • Mission priorities: The applicant has clearly described how stated goals are related to and support U.S. Mission Italy’s priority areas or target audiences. Goals and objectives are clearly stated, and the program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.
  • Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea: The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline and will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program.
  • Monitoring and evaluation plan: The applicant demonstrates it can measure program success against key indicators and provide milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes outputs, outcomes, and indicators and shows how and when those will be measured.
  • Budget: The budget justification is reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities.
  • Organizational capacity and record on previous grants: The organization has expertise in its stated field and PDS is confident of its ability to undertake the program. This includes past performance with U.S. government funds.
  • Media plan: The applicant demonstrates how they will disseminate information about their project to the public, including using press releases, interviews, podcasts, etc. in conjunction with social and traditional media platforms. Media plans should account for the inclusion of U.S. Mission to Italy branding on all products.

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Italy.