Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0018712
The NEA/AC Regional Annual Program Statement (Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0018712) is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs opportunity that invites organizations to submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) for foreign assistance programs in the Near Eastern Affairs region. It is structured as an open competition and is meant to surface innovative program concepts that both benefit partner countries and clearly advance U.S. interests. The central theme is using foreign assistance as a tool of statecraft that supports U.S. economic, security, and diplomatic objectives, with a strong emphasis on commercial diplomacy and outcomes that reinforce American strategic priorities.
A defining feature of this program statement is its explicit preference for approaches that "promote trade, not aid." In practice, that means proposed concepts should show how assistance resources can be used to strengthen markets, support sustainable economic growth, and encourage conditions where private capital can flow. Applicants are expected to articulate how their ideas would champion American enterprise and infrastructure and how projects could catalyze private investment using market principles, rather than relying on long-term donor dependency. The SOI should make a clear case for why the concept is the right fit for the region and how it will deliver partner-country benefits while also advancing U.S. commercial engagement and broader foreign policy goals.
The funding instrument for this opportunity is a cooperative agreement, which typically signals that the U.S. government expects a higher level of engagement during implementation than with a standard grant. The opportunity is listed as discretionary and falls under the "Other" funding activity category, with CFDA/Assistance Listing number 19.600. While the announcement focuses on the SOI stage, the message is that proposals should be strategic, results-oriented, and designed to leverage resources in ways that multiply impact, especially through partnerships and private-sector participation.
Eligibility is broad and includes not-for-profit organizations (such as think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations), public and private educational institutions, for-profit organizations, and public international organizations and governmental institutions. This wide eligibility suggests NEA/AC is open to a range of implementers, from universities and NGOs to private firms and multilateral or governmental entities, as long as they can present credible, innovative concepts aligned with the program's commercial diplomacy and U.S.-interest framing.
In terms of scale, the award ceiling is listed at up to $30,000,000, and the Bureau anticipates making around 9 awards. The opportunity was created on 2026-07-23, and the stated closing date is 2026-09-30. Overall, this program statement is best understood as a call for ambitious, strategically aligned initiatives that demonstrate how foreign assistance can be used to advance partner-country development goals while directly supporting U.S. economic engagement, private-sector driven growth, and broader U.S. foreign policy objectives in the region.Apply for DFOP0018712
- The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NEA/AC Regional Annual Program Statement" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.600.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-23.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-30. (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 $30,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 9 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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FAQs: NEA/AC Regional Annual Program Statement (DFOP0018712)
What is the NEA/AC Regional Annual Program Statement (DFOP0018712)?
It is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA/AC) funding opportunity that invites organizations to submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) for foreign assistance programs in the Near Eastern Affairs region. It is designed as an open competition to surface innovative program concepts that benefit partner countries while clearly advancing U.S. interests.
Which U.S. government office is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, specifically NEA/AC.
What is the main purpose or theme of this opportunity?
The central theme is using foreign assistance as a tool of statecraft that supports U.S. economic, security, and diplomatic objectives. The program statement emphasizes commercial diplomacy and results that reinforce American strategic priorities.
What does "promote trade, not aid" mean in this program?
The program statement explicitly prefers approaches that use assistance resources to strengthen markets, support sustainable economic growth, and encourage conditions where private capital can flow. Concepts should be framed around market principles and reducing long-term donor dependency, with an emphasis on catalyzing private investment.
What kinds of outcomes or approaches are expected in a strong SOI?
Based on the program description, competitive concepts are expected to be strategic, innovative, and results-oriented, with clear partner-country benefits and a direct link to advancing U.S. interests. The opportunity strongly emphasizes leveraging resources to multiply impact, particularly through partnerships and private-sector participation.
How should applicants connect their idea to U.S. interests?
The SOI is expected to make a clear case that the concept advances U.S. commercial engagement and broader foreign policy goals, including commercial diplomacy and outcomes aligned with U.S. economic, security, and diplomatic objectives. Applicants are also expected to explain how their ideas would champion American enterprise and infrastructure.
What is being requested at this stage: a full proposal or something else?
The announcement focuses on the SOI (Statement of Interest) stage. The SOI should present a credible, innovative concept aligned with the program statement's emphasis on commercial diplomacy and U.S.-interest outcomes.
What type of funding instrument will be used?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that this will be a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement typically indicates the U.S. government expects a higher level of engagement during implementation than would be expected under a standard grant.
Is this opportunity competitive?
Yes. It is described as an open competition intended to identify innovative program concepts.
What is the award ceiling?
The award ceiling is listed as up to $30,000,000.
How many awards does the Bureau expect to make?
The Bureau anticipates making around 9 awards.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations), public and private educational institutions, for-profit organizations, public international organizations, and governmental institutions.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations are included in the eligibility categories listed in the opportunity description.
Are universities and educational institutions eligible?
Yes. Both public and private educational institutions are eligible.
Are NGOs, civil society organizations, and think tanks eligible?
Yes. Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations, are eligible.
Are public international organizations and government institutions eligible?
Yes. Public international organizations and governmental institutions are included as eligible applicants.
What geographic region does this opportunity focus on?
It focuses on foreign assistance programs in the Near Eastern Affairs region.
How is the opportunity categorized in federal assistance listings?
The opportunity is listed as discretionary, under the "Other" funding activity category, with CFDA/Assistance Listing number 19.600.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DFOP0018712.
What are the key dates for this opportunity?
The opportunity was created on 2026-07-23, and the stated closing date is 2026-09-30.
What is NEA/AC looking for in terms of leverage and partnerships?
The program statement emphasizes leveraging resources to multiply impact, especially through partnerships and private-sector participation. Concepts should be designed to catalyze private investment and support private-sector driven growth.
How should a concept demonstrate partner-country benefits while aligning with U.S. priorities?
Applicants are expected to explain why the concept is a strong fit for the region, what benefits it will deliver to partner countries, and how it simultaneously advances U.S. commercial engagement and broader foreign policy objectives.
What overarching idea best describes what NEA/AC is soliciting?
The opportunity can be understood as a call for ambitious, strategically aligned initiatives showing how foreign assistance can advance partner-country development goals while directly supporting U.S. economic engagement, private-sector driven growth, and broader U.S. foreign policy objectives in the region.
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