Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS BE200 FY21 02
The U.S. Embassy Brussels PAS Annual Program Statement (APS) is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the Department of State (U.S. Mission to Belgium) through its Office of Public Diplomacy. The program is meant to support non-profit, cultural, and educational efforts that deepen U.S.-Belgian ties. The Embassy emphasizes open competition and transparency, noting that opportunities are posted publicly (including on Grants.gov). This specific APS covers a wide range of public diplomacy activities across areas such as arts, education, humanities, regional development, and science and technology-related programming, as long as the focus is on strengthening the relationship between Belgium and the United States.
Funding is available for projects with budgets up to USD 100,000 (award ceiling), with an estimated 100 awards expected. Applications were accepted on a rolling basis until July 20, 2021, and proposals are reviewed quarterly by a grants review committee, with final selections depending on funding availability and priorities. The opportunity is listed on Grants.gov under different numbers depending on applicant type: PAS-BE200-FY21-01 for organizational applicants and PAS-BE200-FY21-02 for individual applicants (the provided opportunity number is PAS BE200 FY21 02, and eligible applicants for that listing are individuals).
Project ideas must clearly connect to the U.S. in a meaningful way. Every proposal is expected to include an American cultural element, align with at least one priority program area, and involve a concrete connection to U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions. The Embassy is looking for programs that do more than host a one-off event; they should help Belgians better understand U.S. policy and perspectives, highlight shared values, and encourage practical bilateral cooperation.
The Embassy outlines five main priority areas. These include programs that show active U.S.-Belgian partnership on emerging security challenges; initiatives highlighting cooperation to counter or prevent terrorism, extremism, transnational crime, and polarization; projects that strengthen transatlantic economic connections and improve socio-economic well-being; innovative educational, cultural, or professional development programs that represent a sustainable long-term investment in the bilateral relationship; and programs with national reach that bridge Belgium's linguistic and regional divides by linking like-minded organizations across communities.
Target audiences are broad, but the APS specifically welcomes projects reaching academic institutions, business leaders and entrepreneurs, community leaders, cultural institutions, journalists and media organizations, social and new media users, and U.S. and Belgian thought leaders. It also places special attention on women and youth from underserved communities, as well as youth more generally, signaling an interest in inclusion and longer-term societal impact.
The types of activities that can be funded are intentionally flexible. Examples include lectures, seminars, and speaker programs; artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions; entrepreneurship and innovation programming (including technology-focused efforts); grassroots initiatives countering violent extremism; media collaborations and press outreach; professional and academic projects; sports-related programming; and youth leadership programs, particularly those serving underserved groups. In practice, the strongest proposals typically combine a clear theme tied to the priority areas, credible partners on both sides of the Atlantic, and a plan for measurable impact and continuity beyond the grant period.
The APS is also clear about what it will not fund. Ineligible projects include charitable or development activities, construction, fundraising campaigns, lobbying related to specific legislation or projects, partisan political activities, duplicative projects, projects supporting specific religious activities, and scientific research. This reflects the program's public diplomacy mission: it supports relationship-building and mutual understanding rather than direct aid, political campaigning, or research for its own sake.
Several compliance and administrative requirements are highlighted. All application forms must be completed in English, and budgets must be presented in U.S. dollars. If the project includes travel to and from the United States, airfare must comply with the Fly America Act and/or the EU-U.S. Open Skies Agreement. Award recipients will work with a Grants Officer and/or Grants Officer Representative to confirm that costs are allowable and that the program can be implemented as proposed under U.S. government grant rules.
On the submission side, applicants must use Grants.gov Workspace to prepare and submit the full application package. In addition, applicants must be registered in SAM.gov to participate in federal assistance programs. Non-U.S. organizations may need to obtain DUNS and NCAGE identifiers before completing SAM registration. The Embassy explicitly states it cannot help with SAM.gov registration. It also warns that there are no fees for registration or for steps in the application and grant management process, and that any third-party organizations offering paid registration help are not endorsed by the U.S. government. SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually at no cost.
For questions, the Embassy directs applicants to contact USGrantsBE@state.gov.Apply for PAS BE200 FY21 02
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Belgium in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), education, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda), regional development, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Brussels PAS Annual Program Statement (APS)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 08, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 20, 2021. (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 $100,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 100 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Individuals.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the U.S. Embassy Brussels PAS Annual Program Statement (APS)?
The U.S. Embassy Brussels PAS Annual Program Statement (APS) is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to Belgium) through its Office of Public Diplomacy. It supports non-profit, cultural, and educational efforts designed to deepen ties between Belgium and the United States through public diplomacy programming.
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The program funds activities that strengthen the U.S.-Belgian relationship. Proposals should help Belgian audiences better understand U.S. policy and perspectives, highlight shared values, and encourage practical bilateral cooperation. The Embassy is looking for programs that go beyond a one-off event and demonstrate measurable impact and continuity.
What kinds of projects are eligible under this APS?
The APS is intentionally broad and supports a wide range of public diplomacy activities across areas such as arts, education, humanities, regional development, and science and technology-related programming, as long as the core focus is strengthening the relationship between Belgium and the United States.
What is the maximum funding amount per award?
The award ceiling is up to USD 100,000 per project.
How many awards are expected to be made?
The Embassy estimated approximately 100 awards under this APS, subject to funding availability and priorities.
When was the application deadline, and how were applications reviewed?
Applications were accepted on a rolling basis until July 20, 2021. Proposals were reviewed quarterly by a grants review committee, with final selections dependent on funding availability and program priorities.
Where is the opportunity posted, and what are the opportunity numbers?
The Embassy emphasizes open competition and transparency and notes that opportunities are posted publicly, including on Grants.gov. This APS appears under different opportunity numbers depending on applicant type: PAS-BE200-FY21-01 for organizational applicants and PAS-BE200-FY21-02 for individual applicants. The provided listing is PAS BE200 FY21 02, which is for individuals.
Who is eligible to apply under the PAS BE200 FY21 02 listing?
Under the provided opportunity number (PAS BE200 FY21 02 / PAS-BE200-FY21-02), eligible applicants are individuals.
What connection to the United States is required in a proposal?
Project ideas must clearly connect to the United States in a meaningful way. Every proposal is expected to include an American cultural element and include a concrete connection to U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions.
Does every proposal need to align to specific Embassy priorities?
Yes. Proposals are expected to align with at least one priority program area identified by the Embassy as part of this APS.
What are the main priority program areas for this APS?
The Embassy outlines five priority areas:
- Programs showing active U.S.-Belgian partnership on emerging security challenges.
- Initiatives highlighting cooperation to counter or prevent terrorism, extremism, transnational crime, and polarization.
- Projects that strengthen transatlantic economic connections and improve socio-economic well-being.
- Innovative educational, cultural, or professional development programs that are a sustainable long-term investment in the bilateral relationship.
- Programs with national reach that bridge Belgium's linguistic and regional divides by linking like-minded organizations across communities.
Who are the target audiences for supported projects?
Target audiences are broad. The APS specifically welcomes projects reaching:
- Academic institutions
- Business leaders and entrepreneurs
- Community leaders
- Cultural institutions
- Journalists and media organizations
- Social and new media users
- U.S. and Belgian thought leaders
The APS also places special attention on women and youth from underserved communities, as well as youth more generally.
What types of activities can be funded?
Examples of eligible activities include:
- Lectures, seminars, and speaker programs
- Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances, and exhibitions
- Entrepreneurship and innovation programming (including technology-focused efforts)
- Grassroots initiatives countering violent extremism
- Media collaborations and press outreach
- Professional and academic projects
- Sports-related programming
- Youth leadership programs, particularly those serving underserved groups
Does the Embassy fund one-time events?
The Embassy indicates it is looking for programs that do more than host a one-off event. Strong proposals typically include a plan for measurable impact and continuity beyond the grant period.
What characteristics are typical of the strongest proposals?
Based on the APS description, strong proposals typically combine:
- A clear theme tied to one or more priority areas
- Credible partners in Belgium and in the United States
- A concrete connection to U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions
- A plan for measurable impact and continuity beyond the grant period
What types of projects are not eligible for funding?
The APS lists several ineligible project types, including:
- Charitable or development activities
- Construction
- Fundraising campaigns
- Lobbying related to specific legislation or projects
- Partisan political activities
- Duplicative projects
- Projects supporting specific religious activities
- Scientific research
In what language must the application be submitted?
All application forms must be completed in English.
In what currency must the budget be presented?
Budgets must be presented in U.S. dollars (USD).
Are there special rules if the project includes travel to and from the United States?
Yes. If the project includes travel to and from the United States, airfare must comply with the Fly America Act and/or the EU-U.S. Open Skies Agreement.
How are costs and compliance handled after an award is made?
Award recipients will work with a Grants Officer and/or Grants Officer Representative to confirm that costs are allowable and that the program can be implemented as proposed under U.S. government grant rules.
How do applicants submit an application?
Applicants must use Grants.gov Workspace to prepare and submit the full application package.
Is SAM.gov registration required?
Yes. Applicants must be registered in SAM.gov to participate in federal assistance programs. SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually at no cost.
Do non-U.S. organizations need additional identifiers to register in SAM.gov?
Yes. The APS notes that non-U.S. organizations may need to obtain DUNS and NCAGE identifiers before completing SAM registration.
Can the U.S. Embassy help with SAM.gov registration?
No. The Embassy explicitly states it cannot help with SAM.gov registration.
Are there fees to register in SAM.gov or to apply for this grant?
No. The APS warns that there are no fees for registration or for steps in the application and grant management process. It also notes that third-party organizations offering paid registration help are not endorsed by the U.S. government.
How does the Embassy describe competition for these grants?
The Embassy emphasizes open competition and transparency and indicates that opportunities are posted publicly (including on Grants.gov).
Who should applicants contact with questions?
Questions should be directed to the Embassy at USGrantsBE@state.gov.
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