Opportunity Information: Apply for OFOP0002797
The grant opportunity titled "Launching the Next 250 Years of American and European Innovation and Growth" (Funding Opportunity Number OFOP0002797) is a discretionary U.S. government program run by the U.S. Mission to Belgium in support of the U.S. Mission to the European Union's broader commemoration of the United States' 250th birthday. The central idea is to use the America 250 milestone as a practical platform for engaging European Union audiences, highlighting the United States' history and innovation, and reinforcing the shared U.S.-EU story of advancing global peace, security, and prosperity. Rather than focusing only on symbolic celebration, the program is oriented toward forward-looking activities that strengthen relationships and encourage measurable cooperation and growth between the United States and the EU.
At its core, the opportunity seeks projects that can communicate "Freedom 250"-themed success stories and build durable people-to-people and institution-to-institution ties with EU partners. Selected grantees are expected to work through the end of the year with influential stakeholders across the EU ecosystem, including civil society organizations, government actors, private sector leaders, and business and industry representatives. The intent is to convene, connect, and amplify credible voices that can translate the America 250 commemoration into concrete collaboration, visibility, and momentum in areas where the United States and Europe have shared interests and mutual economic upside.
The program is explicitly interested in proposals tied to key transatlantic priority sectors and policy areas. Examples emphasized in the announcement include trade, technological innovation (with specific mention of AI), energy, critical minerals, and defense. Projects may involve developing and spotlighting stories, research, policy ideas, and partnership opportunities that support U.S. initiatives and joint U.S.-EU initiatives. In practical terms, that could mean producing analysis and outreach that helps decision-makers understand shared challenges, promoting transatlantic cooperation that unlocks investment or market access, or organizing engagements that connect researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers around scalable solutions in critical fields. The description also leaves room for other high-impact domains that demonstrably contribute to a stronger, safer, and more prosperous United States and Europe.
Funding is offered through a cooperative agreement, which typically means the funder expects an active partnership role during implementation rather than a fully hands-off grant. The award ceiling is $100,000, and the agency anticipates making about three awards. The application deadline listed is June 26, 2026. Eligible applicants are broad and include not-for-profit organizations (such as think tanks and NGOs), public and private educational institutions, individuals, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at applicants who can credibly operate in EU-facing environments, bring together cross-sector leaders, and translate a commemorative theme into substantive engagement that supports transatlantic economic growth and strategic cooperation.Apply for OFOP0002797
- The U.S. Mission to Belgium in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Launching the Next 250 Years of American and European Innovation and Growth" 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 2026-05-28.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-26. (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 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Launching the Next 250 Years of American and European Innovation and Growth."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is OFOP0002797.
Which U.S. government entity is running this program?
This is a discretionary U.S. government program run by the U.S. Mission to Belgium, in support of the U.S. Mission to the European Union's broader commemoration of the United States' 250th birthday.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program uses the America 250 milestone as a practical platform to engage European Union audiences, highlight U.S. history and innovation, reinforce the shared U.S.-EU story of advancing global peace, security, and prosperity, and drive forward-looking activities that strengthen relationships and encourage measurable cooperation and growth between the United States and the EU.
Is this grant mainly for symbolic or ceremonial celebrations?
No. While it is connected to the America 250 commemoration, the emphasis is on forward-looking, practical activities that translate the milestone into concrete collaboration, visibility, and momentum between the United States and the EU.
What does "Freedom 250" refer to in this opportunity?
"Freedom 250" refers to the themed success stories and messaging the program wants projects to communicate, using the America 250 moment to highlight credible examples of U.S. and transatlantic innovation, cooperation, and shared progress.
What kinds of activities or outcomes is the program trying to support?
The opportunity seeks projects that convene, connect, and amplify credible voices and that build durable people-to-people and institution-to-institution ties with EU partners. It is designed to encourage measurable cooperation and growth, and to support concrete collaboration in areas where the United States and Europe have shared interests and mutual economic upside.
Who are grantees expected to engage with during the project?
Selected grantees are expected to work with influential stakeholders across the EU ecosystem, including civil society organizations, government actors, private sector leaders, and business and industry representatives.
Which sectors or policy areas are specifically highlighted as priorities?
The announcement emphasizes proposals tied to transatlantic priority sectors and policy areas including trade, technological innovation (specifically mentioning AI), energy, critical minerals, and defense.
Are proposals limited only to the listed sectors?
No. The description leaves room for other high-impact domains, as long as the proposal can demonstrate a clear contribution to a stronger, safer, and more prosperous United States and Europe.
What are some examples of project components mentioned in the description?
Examples include developing and spotlighting stories, research, policy ideas, and partnership opportunities; producing analysis and outreach that helps decision-makers understand shared challenges; promoting transatlantic cooperation that unlocks investment or market access; and organizing engagements that connect researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers around scalable solutions in critical fields.
What type of funding instrument is used?
Funding is offered through a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?
It typically means the funder expects an active partnership role during implementation, rather than a fully hands-off grant relationship.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $100,000.
How many awards does the agency expect to make?
The agency anticipates making about three awards.
What is the application deadline?
The listed application deadline is June 26, 2026.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations (such as think tanks and NGOs), public and private educational institutions, individuals, public international organizations, and governmental institutions.
Is this opportunity only for organizations, or can individuals apply?
Individuals are included among the eligible applicants.
What kind of applicant seems best positioned to be competitive?
Based on the program description, applicants who can credibly operate in EU-facing environments, convene cross-sector leaders, and translate a commemorative theme into substantive engagement that supports transatlantic economic growth and strategic cooperation appear aligned with the opportunity's intent.
What is the geographic or audience focus of the program?
The program is aimed at engaging European Union audiences and stakeholders and strengthening ties with EU partners, while reinforcing shared U.S.-EU objectives.
How long are selected grantees expected to work with stakeholders?
The announcement states that selected grantees are expected to work through the end of the year with influential stakeholders across the EU ecosystem.
What is the overarching theme connecting the program to America 250?
The theme is to use the United States' 250th birthday as a platform to highlight U.S. history and innovation and to reinforce a shared U.S.-EU story of advancing peace, security, and prosperity, while prioritizing practical, forward-looking collaboration.
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