Call for Proposals to Make America and the Region Safer, Stronger, and More Prosperous

The U.S. Mission to Guatemala, under the Department of State, is soliciting proposals through PDS-GUA-FY26-01 to advance America’s strategic interests by making the region safer, stronger, and more prosperous. All proposals must integrate the Freedom 250 Initiative, aligning activities with the 250th anniversary of the U.S. founding through cultural or educational efforts that connect Guatemalan audiences with American institutions, experts, or perspectives to foster deeper understanding of U.S. policy and values. Projects must directly support one or more of four priority goals: countering malign Chinese influence, combating transnational criminal organizations to uphold the rule of law, reducing illegal immigration by expanding economic opportunity, and increasing U.S. business presence and market access in Guatemala. Proposals must be submitted by July 15, 2026, with project performance limited to 12 months or less, and all activities must take place in Guatemala in coordination with the U.S. Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Section. Applicants must comply with federal requirements including 2 CFR Part 200, SAM.gov registration with a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and adherence to Department of State-specific regulations such as 2 CFR 600 and the Branding and Marking guidelines. Budgets must be submitted in U.S. dollars using the prescribed template, detailing personnel, travel, equipment, supplies, contractual costs, and indirect costs, with NICRA documentation required for organizations with negotiated rates. Evaluation is based on a weighted scoring system prioritizing program quality and feasibility (30 points), organizational capacity (25 points), project planning (20 points), budget reasonableness (10 points), monitoring and evaluation design (10 points), and long-term self-sufficiency (5 points). A mandatory risk review under 2 CFR 200.206 precedes award, with high-risk applicants subject to intensive reporting requirements. Recipients must submit quarterly financial and program reports via electronic submission, including an updated PMP datasheet, with final reports due 120 days after project closeout. All materials must be in English, signed by authorized representatives, and submitted as a single proposal per organization. The funding source is FY26 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds, and awards may be extended or continued non-competitively based on performance and funding availability, subject to U.S. government discretion.