Opportunity Information: Apply for PDS APS FY25 01 SOFIA
The U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria (Public Diplomacy Section) is offering a small grants opportunity under its Annual Program Statement to support projects that strengthen people-to-people connections between the United States and Bulgaria. The central idea is to fund cultural and exchange-oriented programs that highlight shared democratic values, encourage long-term cooperation, and help Bulgarian audiences better understand U.S. policy and perspectives. A core requirement is that every proposal include a clear U.S. element, meaning a meaningful link to an American expert, organization, institution, or partner in the relevant field rather than a purely local activity.
Competitive proposals are expected to align with one or more priority areas. The first is educational and cultural exchange, with emphasis on building active, sustainable alumni networks, expanding opportunities for Bulgarians to study in the United States (and for Americans to study in Bulgaria), and creating strategic partnerships between U.S. and Bulgarian educational, cultural, or civil society institutions. Examples implied by the announcement include joint degree initiatives, internships, trainings, and structured exchanges that can continue beyond the grant period. A second major theme is media and civil society development, focusing on reinforcing independent media and capable civil society organizations, increasing civic participation, improving trust in democratic institutions, and raising media and digital literacy to strengthen resilience against disinformation.
A third priority is youth empowerment and economic development, especially programming aimed at secondary and university students and particularly those from underserved, vulnerable, rural, or non-metropolitan communities. The Embassy is interested in projects that cultivate leadership, civic engagement, entrepreneurship, and innovation, while also building practical skills such as critical thinking, financial literacy, and STEM-related competencies. These activities are framed not only as professional development, but also as a way to support young people in building futures in Bulgaria after graduation. The fourth theme, inclusion and integration, supports initiatives that advance the participation and integration of historically underserved or vulnerable groups, including women, religious, linguistic, or ethnic minorities, LGBTQI individuals, Ukrainian refugees, other migrants, and disadvantaged youth.
The opportunity also highlights regional cooperation, aiming to increase interconnectivity between Bulgaria and neighboring countries, including projects that encourage cooperation specifically between citizens of Bulgaria and North Macedonia. Another priority area is environmental sustainability, with support for dialogue and civic engagement around climate change, environmental protection, and energy diversification. Across these themes, the Embassy is signaling a preference for practical, community-facing work that creates durable networks and measurable engagement rather than one-off events with limited follow-through.
Projects must take place in Bulgaria, or at minimum be initiated there, and they must primarily serve Bulgarian participants and audiences. Target audiences can include students, academics, think tanks, government officials at any level, journalists and media professionals, entrepreneurs, artists and musicians, and underserved or vulnerable communities, depending on the project focus. While it is not mandatory, the Embassy will give special consideration to proposals that reach beyond Sofia, particularly in areas with less exposure to the United States such as Northwest and Southeast Bulgaria and the Black Sea coast. Applicants are also encouraged to use American Corners as venues and partners (in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, and Burgas), especially for youth-focused programming.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Mission to Bulgaria. The funding opportunity number is PDS APS FY25 01 SOFIA, with a listed award ceiling of $25,000 per award. The original closing date is August 1, 2025. Eligible applicants include registered non-profit organizations (including NGOs, think tanks, and civil society groups with programming experience), individuals, non-profit or governmental educational institutions, and foreign public entities and governmental institutions. Applicants are directed to follow the specific application instructions provided in the opportunity package (referenced as being in the Related Documents section).Apply for PDS APS FY25 01 SOFIA
- The U.S. Mission to Bulgaria in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Sofia PDS Annual Program Statement" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-08.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-08-01. (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 $25,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other
Next opportunity: Strengthening comprehensive HIV and TB services and health systems in high-burden areas of Namibia under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
Previous opportunity: Connecting Organizations and People to Empower Diabetes Prevention and Treatment (Connections)
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 PDS APS FY25 01 SOFIA
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PDS APS FY25 01 SOFIA) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation Grants Program Apply for AFCP LAPAZ FY25 Funding Number: AFCP LAPAZ FY25 Agency: U.S. Mission to Bolivia Category: Other Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| AMBASSADORS FUND FOR CULTURAL PRESERVATION(AFCP) 2025 Apply for AFABJ 25 01 Funding Number: AFABJ 25 01 Agency: U.S. Mission to Nigeria Category: Other Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Mozambique Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) Annual Program Statement Apply for AF PD MAP FY25 01 Funding Number: AF PD MAP FY25 01 Agency: U.S. Mission to Mozambique Category: Other Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2025 Apply for WINDHOEKAEIF FY25 04 01 Funding Number: WINDHOEKAEIF FY25 04 01 Agency: U.S. Mission to Namibia Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| 2025 Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation Grant Apply for PDS DOS GEO FY25 001 Funding Number: PDS DOS GEO FY25 001 Agency: U.S. Mission to Georgia Category: Other Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Managing Restrictive Housing Populations Training Apply for 25JD03 Funding Number: 25JD03 Agency: National Institute of Corrections Category: Other Funding Amount: $165,000 |
| FY2024 Historic Preservation Fund - Historically Black Colleges and Universities Grants Apply for P24AS00547 Funding Number: P24AS00547 Agency: National Park Service Category: Other Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning and Adapting Activity (MERLA) Apply for 72052125RFI00001 Funding Number: 72052125RFI00001 Agency: Haiti USAID-Port Au Prince Category: Other Funding Amount: $30,000,000 |
| U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) 2025 Grants Program Apply for EMBASSY DHAKA AFCP FY25 Funding Number: EMBASSY DHAKA AFCP FY25 Agency: U.S. Mission to Bangladesh Category: Other Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| NIC Staffing Analysis Implementation Project Apply for 25PR03 Funding Number: 25PR03 Agency: National Institute of Corrections Category: Other Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| NASA Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Rapid Response Research (R3) Apply for NNH24ZHA003C EPSCORR3 Funding Number: NNH24ZHA003C EPSCORR3 Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Category: Other Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Civil Society Strengthening for Accountability Activity (CSS4A) Apply for 72049725RFI00002 Funding Number: 72049725RFI00002 Agency: Indonesia USAID-Jakarta Category: Other Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) Apply for AF PD MAP FY25 03 Funding Number: AF PD MAP FY25 03 Agency: U.S. Mission to Mozambique Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| 2025 Annual Program Statement, Harare PD Apply for AF HAR FY25 01 Funding Number: AF HAR FY25 01 Agency: U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe Category: Other Funding Amount: $30,000 |
| Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2025 - Brazil Apply for FY25 BSB 410603 Funding Number: FY25 BSB 410603 Agency: U.S. Mission to Brazil Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2025 Apply for PAS ZAF FY25 01 Funding Number: PAS ZAF FY25 01 Agency: U.S. Mission to South Africa Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| 2025 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Apply for PAS JOR FY25 001 Funding Number: PAS JOR FY25 001 Agency: U.S. Mission to Jordan Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| U.S. EMBASSY LA PAZ PD ANNUAL PROGRAM STATEMENT Apply for PD LAPAZ FY25 01 Funding Number: PD LAPAZ FY25 01 Agency: U.S. Mission to Bolivia Category: Other Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Bratislava PAS, AEIF 2025 Apply for PAS SVK FY2025 01 Funding Number: PAS SVK FY2025 01 Agency: U.S. Mission to Slovakia Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| Implementing Organizational Resources to Support Behavioral Change Apply for 25CS06 Funding Number: 25CS06 Agency: National Institute of Corrections Category: Other Funding Amount: $175,000 |
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 "PDS APS FY25 01 SOFIA", 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.