Opportunity Information: Apply for SRB10022FO005
The PDS Belgrade Serbian-American Cooperation Grants Program is a U.S. Department of State funding opportunity run by the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade. It invites both individuals and organizations to propose projects focused on Serbia that help strengthen Serbian-U.S. ties and improve Serbian audiences understanding of the United States, including U.S. culture, society, values, and policies. The Embassy is looking for projects that also support broader priorities such as economic development and countering brain drain, strengthening democratic practices through civic participation, supporting free media and human rights, and encouraging regional stability and cooperation. The program is framed as supporting progress that aligns with Serbia stated goal of European Union membership.
A key requirement is that every funded project must include a clear "American element." In practice, this could mean a formal partnership between Serbian and U.S. institutions or organizations, bringing in an American expert (either in person or virtually), designing programming that explores shared Serbian-American values or interests, or applying a U.S.-based approach or method to a local challenge in Serbia. The program is open to a wide range of public diplomacy style activities, including academic competitions, camps (for example, language or sports-focused camps), exchanges, conferences, workshops and trainings, courses and curriculum development, exhibits, hackathons and app development, online initiatives, mock trials and moot court competitions, simulations like Model United Nations or Model Congress, and cultural programming such as film or theater festivals and performances.
Because the notice was released during ongoing COVID-19 concerns, applicants are encouraged to incorporate virtual components such as video conferencing and distance learning tools where appropriate. If a proposal includes in-person activities, PDS expects applicants to think ahead and include contingency plans in case public health conditions require a shift to social distancing measures during the grant period.
Projects must be designed primarily for audiences in Serbia, and participants or target audiences are expected to be citizens or legal residents of Serbia. That said, proposals may include partners or limited participation from neighboring Western Balkans countries when it directly supports the project objectives, but applicants are expected to pay close attention to any restrictions described in the full NOFO. The opportunity also emphasizes equity and inclusion: proposals should explain how the project advances engagement with underserved communities and improves equity across factors such as race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability, and why that focus strengthens the overall project outcomes.
The funding level is relatively flexible, with anticipated awards in the range of about 10 to 15 grants depending on requested amounts. Individual award sizes can range from $3,000 to $50,000, with approximately $400,000 total available funding (subject to availability). The funding instrument may be a standard grant or a fixed amount award. PDS notes that first-time applicants are strongly encouraged to keep requests under $25,000, which suggests they are looking for proposals with realistic, manageable scopes and budgets, especially from organizations that have not previously managed U.S. government grant compliance and reporting.
Timing matters. Projects are expected to start no earlier than July 1, 2022 and no later than July 1, 2023. Most projects should run 6 to 12 months, though larger or more complex efforts can extend up to 18 months total, and that total period includes evaluation/assessment activities and completion of the final report. Grantees should also plan for communications and visibility: recipients are expected to publicize activities via social media and/or traditional media and to acknowledge U.S. Embassy support, including using the Embassy logo on project materials.
There are clear restrictions on what PDS will not fund. Ineligible projects include partisan political activity, charitable or humanitarian aid distribution, fundraising campaigns, commercial ventures (including projects that generate profit or support current or future business development), and direct provision of social services such as health care, childcare, food subsidies, or similar assistance. The program is designed to fund defined projects with specific objectives and deliverables, not to cover an organization general operating costs or routine activities; proposals that mainly seek general support for ongoing operations are considered technically ineligible.
Applications had to be submitted in English, with budgets in U.S. dollars, and formatted to A4 or 8.5 x 11 inch pages with numbered pages. Required forms include the SF-424 (or SF-424-I for individuals), SF-424A, and in some cases SF-424B, along with the Embassy FY2022 grant application form and a detailed budget justification narrative using the provided Excel template. Supporting attachments include one-page CVs for key personnel, partner letters of support (if applicable), any NICRA documentation if indirect costs are claimed, permission letters where needed, and proof of initiating SAM.gov registration if it was not yet complete. The deadline listed was March 31, 2022, with submission by email to BelgradePDSGrants@state.gov, and PDS anticipated final funding decisions by about May 15, 2022. The official opportunity identifiers include Funding Opportunity Number SRB10022FO005 and CFDA 19.040, issued by the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Serbia.Apply for SRB10022FO005
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Serbia in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "PDS Belgrade Serbian-American Cooperation Grants" 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 05, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 31, 2022. (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 $50,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): PDS Belgrade Serbian-American Cooperation Grants Program
1. What is the PDS Belgrade Serbian-American Cooperation Grants Program?
It is a U.S. Department of State funding opportunity run by the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade. It supports projects focused on Serbia that strengthen Serbian-U.S. ties and improve Serbian audiences understanding of the United States, including U.S. culture, society, values, and policies.
2. Who is the funding agency and where is it administered?
The program is administered by the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade under the U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to Serbia).
3. Who can apply: individuals, organizations, or both?
Both individuals and organizations are invited to propose projects under this opportunity.
4. What types of projects is the Embassy looking to support?
The Embassy is seeking public diplomacy-style projects focused on Serbia that strengthen ties between Serbia and the United States and improve understanding of the U.S. The notice also highlights interest in projects that support broader priorities such as economic development and countering brain drain, strengthening democratic practices through civic participation, supporting free media and human rights, and encouraging regional stability and cooperation.
5. How does the program relate to Serbia and EU membership goals?
The program is framed as supporting progress aligned with Serbia stated goal of European Union membership.
6. What is the required "American element" and why is it important?
Every funded project must include a clear "American element." This is a key requirement and must be clearly reflected in the proposal. The American element can take several forms, such as a formal partnership between Serbian and U.S. institutions or organizations, involvement of an American expert (in-person or virtual), programming that explores shared Serbian-American values or interests, or applying a U.S.-based approach or method to a local challenge in Serbia.
7. What are examples of acceptable activities under this grant program?
The opportunity describes a wide range of eligible public diplomacy activities, including:
- Academic competitions
- Camps (for example, language or sports-focused camps)
- Exchanges
- Conferences
- Workshops and trainings
- Courses and curriculum development
- Exhibits
- Hackathons and app development
- Online initiatives
- Mock trials and moot court competitions
- Simulations such as Model United Nations or Model Congress
- Cultural programming such as film or theater festivals and performances
8. Are virtual components encouraged?
Yes. Because the notice was released during ongoing COVID-19 concerns, applicants are encouraged to incorporate virtual components such as video conferencing and distance learning tools where appropriate.
9. If a project includes in-person activities, are contingency plans required?
PDS expects applicants proposing in-person activities to think ahead and include contingency plans in case public health conditions require a shift to social distancing measures during the grant period.
10. Who should the project primarily serve?
Projects must be designed primarily for audiences in Serbia.
11. Do participants have to be based in Serbia?
Participants or target audiences are expected to be citizens or legal residents of Serbia.
12. Can projects include partners or participants from neighboring Western Balkans countries?
Yes, proposals may include partners or limited participation from neighboring Western Balkans countries when it directly supports the project objectives. Applicants are expected to pay close attention to any restrictions described in the full NOFO.
13. How should proposals address equity and inclusion?
Proposals should explain how the project advances engagement with underserved communities and improves equity across factors such as race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability. The proposal should also explain why that focus strengthens the overall project outcomes.
14. How many awards are expected?
The program anticipated making about 10 to 15 grants, depending on the requested amounts.
15. What is the award amount range for a single grant?
Individual award sizes can range from $3,000 to $50,000.
16. What is the total funding available?
Approximately $400,000 in total funding was available, subject to availability.
17. What type of funding instrument will be used?
The funding instrument may be a standard grant or a fixed amount award.
18. Is there guidance for first-time applicants on budget size?
Yes. PDS notes that first-time applicants are strongly encouraged to keep requests under $25,000, suggesting a preference for realistic and manageable scope and budgets, especially for organizations without prior experience managing U.S. government grant compliance and reporting.
19. When can projects start?
Projects are expected to start no earlier than July 1, 2022.
20. What is the latest allowed start date?
Projects are expected to start no later than July 1, 2023.
21. What is the typical project period?
Most projects should run 6 to 12 months.
22. Can projects last longer than 12 months?
Yes. Larger or more complex efforts can extend up to 18 months total.
23. Does the project period include evaluation and final reporting?
Yes. The total period includes evaluation/assessment activities and completion of the final report.
24. Are recipients expected to publicize project activities?
Yes. Grantees are expected to publicize activities via social media and/or traditional media.
25. Are there branding or acknowledgement requirements?
Yes. Recipients are expected to acknowledge U.S. Embassy support, including using the Embassy logo on project materials.
26. What types of projects are explicitly ineligible for funding?
PDS will not fund projects that include:
- Partisan political activity
- Charitable or humanitarian aid distribution
- Fundraising campaigns
- Commercial ventures (including projects that generate profit or support current or future business development)
- Direct provision of social services (such as health care, childcare, food subsidies, or similar assistance)
27. Can the grant be used for general operating support?
No. The program is designed to fund defined projects with specific objectives and deliverables, not to cover an organization general operating costs or routine activities. Proposals mainly seeking general support for ongoing operations are considered technically ineligible.
28. What language must the application be submitted in?
Applications had to be submitted in English.
29. What currency must be used for the budget?
Budgets had to be provided in U.S. dollars.
30. What page format requirements were stated?
Applications had to be formatted to A4 or 8.5 x 11 inch pages, with numbered pages.
31. What standard federal forms were required?
Required forms include the SF-424 (or SF-424-I for individuals) and SF-424A, and in some cases SF-424B.
32. Were there any Embassy-specific application forms required?
Yes. The Embassy FY2022 grant application form was required.
33. Was a budget justification required, and was a template mentioned?
Yes. A detailed budget justification narrative was required, using the provided Excel template.
34. What supporting attachments were requested?
Supporting attachments included one-page CVs for key personnel, partner letters of support (if applicable), NICRA documentation if indirect costs are claimed, permission letters where needed, and proof of initiating SAM.gov registration if it was not yet complete.
35. When is NICRA documentation relevant?
NICRA documentation is relevant when indirect costs are being claimed.
36. Was SAM.gov registration mentioned?
Yes. Applicants were asked to include proof of initiating SAM.gov registration if the registration was not yet complete.
37. What was the application deadline?
The listed deadline was March 31, 2022.
38. How were applications submitted?
Applications were to be submitted by email.
39. What email address was provided for submission?
BelgradePDSGrants@state.gov
40. When were final funding decisions anticipated?
PDS anticipated final funding decisions by about May 15, 2022.
41. What are the official opportunity identifiers?
The opportunity identifiers include Funding Opportunity Number SRB10022FO005 and CFDA 19.040.
42. Who issued the funding opportunity?
It was issued by the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Serbia.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Next opportunity: FY22 Conservation Innovation Grants Vermont State Program
Previous opportunity: INTERETHNIC RECONCILIATION AND YOUTH CAMPS GRANTS PROGRAM
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for SRB10022FO005
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (SRB10022FO005) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Development Cooperation Partnership (DCP), Round 9 Apply for 9 Funding Number: 9 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Ukraine Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Peacebuilding for Access Alumni Apply for SCAISB 22 AW 009 01062022 Funding Number: SCAISB 22 AW 009 01062022 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Pakistan Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| PDS Belgrade Alumni Small Grants Apply for SRB10022FO006 Funding Number: SRB10022FO006 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Serbia Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| Flood Resilience Program Apply for SCAISB 22 AW 010 01072022 Funding Number: SCAISB 22 AW 010 01072022 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Pakistan Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Professional Development for Health Reporters Apply for SCAISB 22 AW 011 01072022 Funding Number: SCAISB 22 AW 011 01072022 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Pakistan Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $30,000 |
| Promoting Civic Leadership & Participation Apply for SCAISB 22 AW 12 01072022 Funding Number: SCAISB 22 AW 12 01072022 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Pakistan Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| DRL Supporting Diverse Anti-Censorship Solutions Apply for SFOP0008516 Funding Number: SFOP0008516 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| DRL Expanding the Reach and Resilience of Wireless Internet-Independent Peer-to-Peer Communications Apply for SFOP0008512 Funding Number: SFOP0008512 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Rangoon PAS Annual Program Statement Apply for 22 MMR NOFO 01 Funding Number: 22 MMR NOFO 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Myanmar Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| FY 2022 Youth Leadership Program with Burma Apply for SFOP0008519 Funding Number: SFOP0008519 Agency: Department of State, Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $190,000 |
| FY 2022 Julia Taft Refugee Fund Apply for 02 Funding Number: 02 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Ukraine Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Media Training for Journalists in the Newly Merged Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Apply for SCAISB 22 AW 13 01112022 Funding Number: SCAISB 22 AW 13 01112022 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Pakistan Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| Countering Violent Extremism and Fostering Community Resilience Apply for SCAISB 22 AW 014 01112022 Funding Number: SCAISB 22 AW 014 01112022 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Pakistan Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| DRL Seeding Deep Expertise in the Networks of Digital Protection Providers Who Serve Threatened Groups Apply for SFOP0008520 Funding Number: SFOP0008520 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Developing Organizational Resources to Support Behavioral Change Apply for 22CS20 Funding Number: 22CS20 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Addressing Environment Protection and Climate Change to Promote Tourism Apply for SCAISB 22 AW 015 01122022 Funding Number: SCAISB 22 AW 015 01122022 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Pakistan Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| 2022 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2022) Apply for SMK800 22 PAS002 Funding Number: SMK800 22 PAS002 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to North Macedonia Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| FY 2022 Notice of Funding Opportunity for Technical Support to Central American Minors (CAM) Program Petitioners Apply for SFOP0008526 Funding Number: SFOP0008526 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Population Refugees and Migration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Hungary 2022 Apply for PDS BUD FY22 NOFO AWE Funding Number: PDS BUD FY22 NOFO AWE Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Hungary Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Building the Capacity to Support Legal and Evidence-Based Pretrial Decisions at the State and Local Level Apply for 22CS09 Funding Number: 22CS09 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "SRB10022FO005", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.