Opportunity Information: Apply for AF PDPA FY26 01
The Africa Regional Services (ARS) Paris Annual Program Statement (ARS Speaker Program) is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of African Affairs opportunity aimed at building a roster of U.S. citizen speakers, artists, and athletes/coaches who can support U.S. public diplomacy and foreign policy engagement across sub-Saharan Africa. Rather than operating like a typical open competition for a single project, this program first creates a vetted pool (roster) of qualified individuals. Once on the roster, participants may later be invited to carry out specific, small-scale engagements funded through program-specific grants, depending on the needs of U.S. embassies and consulates in the region. Activities can be in-person and/or virtual, and are meant to advance objectives such as strengthening security cooperation, promoting shared prosperity, and highlighting American excellence.
A major theme of the program is storytelling around U.S. achievements and partnership with Africa, particularly in connection with the Department of State's Freedom 250 initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, and the Decade of Sport in America. Proposed engagements are encouraged to share the American story and showcase 250 years of American excellence in areas like innovation, technology, culture, and sports. The broader aim is to support a results-driven U.S.-Africa partnership by bringing credible U.S. practitioners and public figures into direct dialogue with African audiences through workshops, talks, performances, clinics, or other outreach formats that align with embassy priorities.
The program is specifically seeking U.S. citizen individuals with demonstrated expertise who can deliver programming in English plus either French or Portuguese, reflecting key languages used across many sub-Saharan African countries. Priority program areas include security; economic prosperity; innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship; energy security and critical minerals; and American arts, sports, and creative industries as engines of economic opportunity. Applicants should understand that being accepted onto the roster is not the same as receiving an award. Funding only happens when a U.S. embassy or consulate requests a program that matches a roster member's expertise, language ability, and availability.
Eligibility is limited to individuals who are U.S. citizens. Green-card holders and non-U.S. citizens are not eligible. Organizations are not eligible under this announcement, and for-profit or commercial entities are also not eligible to apply. The funding instrument is a grant, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary, and it is listed under CFDA 19.040. The award ceiling is $12,000 per grant, with an expected 10 awards, indicating relatively small, targeted engagements rather than large multi-year projects. The opportunity number is AF PDPA FY26 01, and the closing date is August 31, 2026.
To apply, candidates must submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) using the dedicated online form at https://forms.office.com/g/NyK95VxSH9. In addition to the form, applicants must email supporting documents to arsspeaker@state.gov, including credentials/testimonials/endorsements, proof of U.S. citizenship (U.S. passport), and a CV or resume. The email subject line must include the word "SOI" and the applicant's full name. The announcement emphasizes that incomplete submissions will be rejected, so applicants need to ensure both the form and the required emailed materials are submitted correctly and in full. Selected individuals will go through a review process and an interview before being added to the ARS Speaker Program roster.Apply for AF PDPA FY26 01
- The Africa Regional Services in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Africa Regional Services Paris Annual Program Statement: ARS Speaker Program" 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 2026-04-27.
- 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 $12,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Individuals.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the ARS Paris Annual Program Statement (ARS Speaker Program)?
The Africa Regional Services (ARS) Paris Annual Program Statement (ARS Speaker Program) is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of African Affairs opportunity that builds a vetted roster (pool) of qualified U.S. citizen speakers, artists, and athletes/coaches. Roster members may later be invited to deliver small-scale public diplomacy engagements across sub-Saharan Africa when U.S. embassies and consulates request programming that matches their expertise, language skills, and availability.
Is this a typical grant competition for one project?
No. This opportunity primarily creates a vetted roster of qualified individuals. Being accepted to the roster is not the same as receiving funding. Funding occurs later, only if a U.S. embassy or consulate requests a specific engagement and selects a roster member to carry it out through a program-specific grant.
Who is this opportunity intended for?
This opportunity is intended for U.S. citizen individuals who can serve as speakers, artists, or athletes/coaches and who have demonstrated expertise relevant to the program priorities. Applicants should be capable of engaging audiences in sub-Saharan Africa through formats like workshops, talks, performances, clinics, or other outreach aligned with embassy priorities.
What geographic region does the program support?
The program supports U.S. public diplomacy and foreign policy engagement across sub-Saharan Africa, based on the needs and priorities identified by U.S. embassies and consulates in the region.
What kinds of activities might roster members be invited to do?
Engagements may include workshops, talks, performances, sports clinics, or other outreach formats. Activities can be delivered in-person and/or virtually, depending on embassy/consulate needs.
What are the main objectives of the ARS Speaker Program?
Activities are intended to advance U.S. public diplomacy objectives such as strengthening security cooperation, promoting shared prosperity, and highlighting American excellence, while supporting a results-driven U.S.-Africa partnership through direct dialogue with African audiences.
What themes does the program emphasize?
A major theme is storytelling around U.S. achievements and partnership with Africa, including programming connected to the Department of State's Freedom 250 initiative (marking the 250th anniversary of the United States) and the Decade of Sport in America. Proposed engagements are encouraged to share the American story and showcase American excellence in areas such as innovation, technology, culture, and sports.
What are the priority program areas?
Priority program areas include security; economic prosperity; innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship; energy security and critical minerals; and American arts, sports, and creative industries as engines of economic opportunity.
What language requirements are expected for applicants?
The program is specifically seeking individuals who can deliver programming in English plus either French or Portuguese, reflecting key languages used across many sub-Saharan African countries.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to individuals who are U.S. citizens.
Are green-card holders eligible?
No. Green-card holders (lawful permanent residents) and non-U.S. citizens are not eligible under this announcement.
Can organizations apply?
No. Organizations are not eligible to apply under this announcement.
Can for-profit or commercial entities apply?
No. For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply under this announcement.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
How is this opportunity categorized?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.040.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $12,000 per grant.
How many awards are expected?
The announcement indicates an expected 10 awards, suggesting small, targeted engagements rather than large multi-year projects.
Does being accepted to the roster guarantee funding?
No. Acceptance onto the roster does not guarantee an award or funding. Funding only happens when a U.S. embassy or consulate requests a program that matches a roster member's expertise, language ability, and availability.
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is AF PDPA FY26 01.
What is the application deadline (closing date)?
The closing date is August 31, 2026.
How do I apply?
Applicants must submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) using the dedicated online form at https://forms.office.com/g/NyK95VxSH9. In addition, applicants must email required supporting documents to arsspeaker@state.gov.
What documents are required to be emailed?
Applicants must email supporting documents including: credentials/testimonials/endorsements, proof of U.S. citizenship (U.S. passport), and a CV or resume.
What should the email subject line include?
The email subject line must include the word "SOI" and the applicant's full name.
Do I need to complete both the online form and the email submission?
Yes. The announcement specifies that submissions must include the online Statement of Interest (SOI) form and the required emailed supporting materials. Incomplete submissions will be rejected.
What happens after I submit my application?
Selected individuals will go through a review process and an interview before being added to the ARS Speaker Program roster.
Where do I send questions or supporting materials?
Supporting documents must be emailed to arsspeaker@state.gov. (The announcement highlights this address for required submissions.)
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