About the Funder & Opportunity:

The U.S. Embassy Nepal's Public Affairs Section (U.S. Department of State) announces an open competition for a single $25,000 grant to run a nationwide communications campaign addressing the risks and consequences of irregular migration from Nepal to the United States. The campaign uses fact-based, human-centered storytelling to bridge the gap between perception and reality, counter misinformation, and promote informed, safe migration decisions — while highlighting sustainable livelihood opportunities within Nepal.

What the Program Funds:

The grantee will work with journalists, content creators, and filmmakers to produce multimedia content — feature stories, videos, and digital storytelling — capturing the lived experiences of migrants, returnees, and affected families, and conveying the financial costs, risks, and long-term consequences of unsafe migration pathways. Eligible project types include multimedia campaigns, documentaries, digital storytelling, journalism projects, and public-awareness initiatives. All proposals must highlight sustainable livelihood opportunities within Nepal, showing how informed choices and local economic pathways support long-term resilience. The campaign aims to reach at least 500,000 people.

Target Audience:

Individuals considering migration, their families, affected communities, and the wider Nepali public — with the goal of reducing vulnerability to exploitation and encouraging safe, lawful pathways.

Eligibility:

Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations, civil society organizations, NGOs, think tanks, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. Applicants should show experience in communications, public-awareness campaigns, media production, journalism, or community engagement, plus the capacity to create high-quality multimedia content and reach large audiences. (Standard State Department NOFO requirements — UEI and SAM.gov registration, which can take 4–8 weeks — typically apply; confirm in the NOFO.)

Nepal Relevance & Context:

This is a direct, open, Nepal-relevant grant. Irregular migration is a major real-world issue in Nepal, and the campaign's focus on safe migration, anti-misinformation storytelling, and sustainable local livelihoods aligns closely with the work of Nepali media organizations, communications NGOs, and civil-society groups. It's especially well-suited to organizations that can mobilize journalists, filmmakers, and content creators. Unlike the Embassy's AEIF (alumni-only) fund, this is open to qualified organizations applying directly. The main considerations are the demonstrated communications/media experience, the 500,000-reach ambition, standard federal registration (UEI/SAM.gov), and the firm July 20, 2026 deadline.

Who Should Apply:

Nepali (and other eligible) NGOs, civil-society organizations, think tanks, media/communications organizations, and governmental institutions with proven experience in public-awareness campaigns, multimedia production, or journalism — able to deliver a large-reach migration-awareness campaign within 1–12 months.

KEY DETAILS

• GRANT: Strategic Communications Campaign on Illegal Migration Risks and Economic Stability
  
• CMS CATEGORY: GRANT (U.S. Department of State assistance award)
  
• Funder: U.S. Embassy Nepal — Public Affairs Section (U.S. Department of State)
  
• Status: OPEN
  
• NEPAL RELEVANCE: ELIGIBLE & DIRECTLY APPLYABLE — open to Nepal-based organizations (not alumni-restricted)
  
  
• DEADLINE: July 20, 2026, 5:00 PM Nepal Standard Time (confirm in NOFO)
  
• Performance period: 1–12 months
  
  
• FUNDING:
  — $25,000 (single award; total available $25,000)
  — 1 award anticipated
  — Embassy may award more/less per funding availability
  
  
• WHO CAN APPLY:
  — Nonprofits / civil society organizations / NGOs
  — Think tanks
  — Public international organizations
  — Governmental institutions
  — Should show experience in communications, public-awareness campaigns, media production, journalism, or community engagement
  
  
• PROGRAM GOAL:
  — Nationwide campaign on irregular-migration risks (Nepal → U.S.)
  — Fact-based, human-centered storytelling
  — Counter misinformation; promote safe, informed choices
  — Highlight SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD opportunities within Nepal
  — Reach at least 500,000 people
  
  
• ELIGIBLE PROJECT TYPES:
  — Multimedia campaigns, documentaries
  — Digital storytelling, journalism projects
  — Public-awareness initiatives
  — Work with journalists, content creators, filmmakers
  
  
• HOW TO APPLY:
  — Email application to KTMPASSOCIALMEDIA@state.gov
  — Subject line: "Communications Campaign on Illegal Migration Risks and Economic Stability · Application"
  — Standard State Dept registration (UEI/SAM.gov; 4–8 weeks) typically required — confirm in NOFO
  
  
• WHY THIS IS SIGNIFICANT:
  — OPEN & directly Nepal-eligible (no alumni/consortium barrier)
  — Tackles a major real-world Nepal issue (unsafe migration)
  — Credible U.S. government funding
  — Strong fit for media/communications NGOs and journalists
  — Focused scope ($25K, ≤12 months)
  
  
• IMPORTANT NOTES:
  — Firm deadline: July 20, 2026 (confirm exact time in NOFO)
  — DEMONSTRATED communications/media experience expected
  — Single $25,000 award — only 1 grant given (competitive)
  — Must highlight sustainable livelihoods within Nepal (required framing)
  — 500,000-reach target — plan dissemination accordingly
  — UEI/SAM.gov registration can take 4–8 weeks — start early
  
  
• CONTACT:
  KTMPASSOCIALMEDIA@state.gov
  https://np.usembassy.gov/nofo-strategic-communications-campaign-on-illegal-migration-risks-and-economic-stability-initiative/