Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0018862
The Syria Annual Program Statement (Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0018862) is a discretionary U.S. Department of State grant competition run by the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC). It invites organizations to submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) proposing innovative foreign assistance programs connected to Syria that both benefit partner countries and directly advance U.S. economic, security, and diplomatic objectives. A central theme of the opportunity is using assistance as a tool of statecraft and commercial diplomacy, with proposals expected to put American interests first by reinforcing U.S. strategic priorities and strengthening alignment with the U.S. private sector.
The program strongly emphasizes a "trade, not aid" approach. In practice, that means applicants should describe how their projects will use limited assistance funds to catalyze sustainable, market-driven activity rather than long-term dependency. Competitive SOIs will show how activities can champion American enterprise, support U.S.-linked infrastructure and standards, and attract or unlock private capital using market principles. Applicants are also expected to design projects that orient implementing partners toward engagement with the American business community and encourage burden-sharing, meaning costs, responsibilities, or complementary contributions are shared across partners rather than falling solely on U.S. government funding.
NEA/AC indicates that proposed programming can span a wide range of sectors, giving applicants flexibility as long as the project logic clearly ties to U.S. objectives and Syria-related needs. Examples of focus areas mentioned include energy; digital connectivity; emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence and telecommunications; 5G infrastructure; agriculture; regional economic integration; advanced manufacturing; and workforce training that is explicitly aligned with U.S. business needs. The opportunity also allows space for governance and stabilization-adjacent work such as transitional justice and economic recovery in conflict-affected areas, again with the expectation that proposals link these efforts to broader diplomatic and economic goals and to sustainable recovery dynamics.
Awards will be made through a cooperative agreement, which typically implies substantial involvement from the U.S. government during implementation (for example, coordination on milestones, approvals, or strategic direction). NEA/AC notes it may make multiple awards, a single award, or no awards at all, depending on funding availability and the quality and viability of the submissions. The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $5,500,000 and anticipates up to three awards, indicating mid-sized to larger projects are plausible, though actual award sizes may vary based on final program design and available funds.
Eligibility is broad. Applicants may include not-for-profit organizations (including NGOs, civil society groups, and think tanks), public and private educational institutions, for-profit companies (including commercial firms and corporations), and public international organizations and governmental institutions. Regardless of organization type, applicants must demonstrate they can operate in Syria and are able to obtain any registrations and permits required to legally implement activities. The posted closing date is August 31, 2026, and the opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.601.Apply for DFOP0018862
- The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Syria Annual Program Statement" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.601.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-31. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $5,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Syria Annual Program Statement (DFOP0018862)
What is the Syria Annual Program Statement (Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0018862)?
It is a discretionary U.S. Department of State grant competition run by the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC). The opportunity invites organizations to submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) proposing innovative foreign assistance programs connected to Syria.
Which U.S. government office is running this competition?
The competition is run by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC).
What type of application is required to apply?
Applicants are invited to submit a Statement of Interest (SOI). The opportunity description emphasizes SOIs rather than a full proposal package in the summary provided.
What is the main purpose of the programs this opportunity is seeking?
The opportunity seeks innovative Syria-connected foreign assistance programs that both benefit partner countries and directly advance U.S. economic, security, and diplomatic objectives. A central theme is using assistance as a tool of statecraft and commercial diplomacy.
What does it mean that proposals should "put American interests first"?
Based on the description provided, proposals are expected to reinforce U.S. strategic priorities, directly advance U.S. economic, security, and diplomatic objectives, and strengthen alignment with the U.S. private sector (including encouraging engagement with the American business community).
What is the "trade, not aid" approach in this program?
The opportunity strongly emphasizes a "trade, not aid" approach. In practical terms, applicants should explain how limited assistance funds will catalyze sustainable, market-driven activity rather than create long-term dependency on aid.
How should an SOI demonstrate a market-driven approach?
Competitive SOIs are expected to show how activities can (1) catalyze sustainable market activity, (2) attract or unlock private capital using market principles, and (3) use limited assistance strategically rather than as ongoing subsidy.
Does the opportunity encourage projects that involve the U.S. private sector?
Yes. The description states that proposals are expected to strengthen alignment with the U.S. private sector, champion American enterprise, and orient implementing partners toward engagement with the American business community.
What does "commercial diplomacy" mean in the context of this opportunity?
From the information provided, commercial diplomacy is reflected in designing assistance that supports U.S. economic objectives, champions American enterprise, aligns with U.S.-linked infrastructure and standards, and encourages engagement with the American business community.
What is meant by "burden-sharing" in this funding opportunity?
Bearing-sharing means costs, responsibilities, or complementary contributions are shared across partners rather than relying entirely on U.S. government funding. The opportunity expects applicants to encourage this approach in program design.
What sectors or themes can be included in proposed programs?
The opportunity indicates programming can span a wide range of sectors, as long as the project logic clearly ties to U.S. objectives and Syria-related needs. Examples mentioned include energy; digital connectivity; emerging technologies (especially artificial intelligence and telecommunications); 5G infrastructure; agriculture; regional economic integration; advanced manufacturing; and workforce training aligned with U.S. business needs.
Are governance or stabilization-adjacent activities allowed?
Yes. The description allows space for governance and stabilization-adjacent work such as transitional justice and economic recovery in conflict-affected areas, with the expectation that proposals link these efforts to broader diplomatic and economic goals and to sustainable recovery dynamics.
Do projects have to be implemented inside Syria?
The opportunity invites programs "connected to Syria" and emphasizes benefits to partner countries as well as advancing U.S. objectives. At the same time, applicants must demonstrate they can operate in Syria and can obtain any required registrations and permits to legally implement activities.
What type of award will be used for funding?
Awards will be made through a cooperative agreement.
What does a cooperative agreement imply for implementation?
The description notes that a cooperative agreement typically implies substantial involvement from the U.S. government during implementation, such as coordination on milestones, approvals, or strategic direction.
How many awards might be made?
NEA/AC notes it may make multiple awards, a single award, or no awards at all, depending on funding availability and the quality and viability of submissions. The opportunity anticipates up to three awards.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $5,500,000.
Does the award ceiling mean every project will receive $5,500,000?
No. The $5,500,000 figure is listed as the award ceiling. The description indicates actual award sizes may vary depending on final program design and available funds.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes not-for-profit organizations (including NGOs, civil society groups, and think tanks), public and private educational institutions, for-profit companies (including commercial firms and corporations), and public international organizations and governmental institutions.
Are for-profit companies allowed to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes for-profit companies, including commercial firms and corporations.
Are educational institutions eligible?
Yes. Public and private educational institutions are listed as eligible applicants.
What operational requirements apply to applicants?
Regardless of organization type, applicants must demonstrate they can operate in Syria and are able to obtain any registrations and permits required to legally implement activities.
What is the deadline to apply?
The posted closing date is August 31, 2026.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.601.
What kinds of project features are likely to make an SOI more competitive based on the description?
Based on the information provided, competitive SOIs are expected to: clearly advance U.S. economic, security, and diplomatic objectives; reflect a "trade, not aid" approach; catalyze sustainable, market-driven activity; attract or unlock private capital; champion American enterprise; support U.S.-linked infrastructure and standards; encourage engagement with the American business community; and incorporate burden-sharing among partners.
Is funding guaranteed?
No. NEA/AC indicates it may make multiple awards, one award, or no awards at all. Awards depend on funding availability and the quality and viability of submissions.
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