About the Funder & Opportunity:

The U.S. Embassy Nepal's Public Affairs Section, through the U.S. Department of State, announces an open competition (NOFO PAS-KTM-NOFO-26-04) to fund a program strengthening Nepal's investment climate. The single $25,000 grant supports improved policy communication, regulatory transparency and analysis, and private-sector engagement through training in strategic communications and AI-driven insights. It is funded by FY26 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds.

What the Program Funds:

The grantee will deliver a program helping entrepreneurs, business leaders, and government officials articulate clear, evidence-based policy recommendations and engage constructively with stakeholders to advance reforms that improve Nepal's ease of doing business. Recognizing Nepal's economic potential (energy resources, strategic location, young workforce), the program helps public and private actors communicate efforts to reduce barriers to foreign direct investment — policy predictability, administrative efficiency, and regulatory clarity. Participants gain practical skills in strategic communication, data-informed advocacy, and stakeholder engagement.

Target Beneficiaries:

Entrepreneurs, business leaders, and government officials — particularly in trade, investment, and innovation sectors — plus civil society and policy stakeholders working on economic governance. The aim is a more transparent, predictable, investment-conducive environment supporting greater U.S. private-sector engagement and long-term economic partnership.

Eligibility:

Eligible applicants are U.S. and Nepal-based non-governmental organizations, think tanks, research institutions, or private-sector entities with demonstrated experience in strategic communications, economic policy, and investment-climate reform. (Standard State Department NOFO requirements — including UEI and SAM.gov registration — typically apply; confirm details in the NOFO PDF.)

Nepal Relevance & Context:

This is a direct, open, Nepal-eligible grant. Unlike the Embassy's AEIF (alumni-only) fund, this NOFO is open to Nepal-based organizations applying on their own, provided they have relevant experience. It's well-suited to Nepali think tanks, policy research institutions, economic/business NGOs, and communications-focused private-sector firms working on investment climate, economic governance, and private-sector development. The single $25,000 award and 1–12 month performance period make it a focused, achievable project for an experienced organization. The main considerations are the demonstrated-experience requirement, standard U.S. federal registration (UEI/SAM.gov), and the firm July 20, 2026 deadline.

Who Should Apply:

Nepal- or U.S.-based NGOs, think tanks, research institutions, or private-sector entities with proven experience in strategic communications, economic policy, and investment-climate reform — able to train entrepreneurs, business leaders, and officials and deliver the program within 1–12 months.

KEY DETAILS

• GRANT: Government and Private Sector Strategic Communications and Policy Advocacy for Investment Climate
  
• NOFO Number: PAS-KTM-NOFO-26-04
  
• CMS CATEGORY: GRANT (NOFO states "Funding Instrument Type: Grant")
  
• Funder: U.S. Embassy Nepal — Public Affairs Section (U.S. Department of State)
  
• Status: OPEN (published June 17, 2026)
  

• NEPAL RELEVANCE: ELIGIBLE & DIRECTLY APPLYABLE — open to Nepal-based organizations (not alumni-restricted)
  
• DEADLINE: July 20, 2026, 5:00 PM Nepal Standard Time
  
• Project start: ~September 21, 2026 | Performance period: 1–12 months
  
  
• FUNDING:
  — $25,000 (single award; total available $25,000)
  — 1 award anticipated
  — FY26 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds
  — Embassy may award more/less per funding availability
  
  
• WHO CAN APPLY:
  — U.S. AND Nepal-based organizations
  — NGOs, think tanks, research institutions, OR private-sector entities
  — Must have demonstrated experience in: strategic communications + economic policy + investment-climate reform
  
  
• PROGRAM GOAL:
  — Strengthen Nepal's investment climate
  — Train entrepreneurs, business leaders, government officials
  — Skills: strategic communication, data-informed advocacy, stakeholder engagement, AI-driven insights
  — Improve ease of doing business / attract FDI
  
  
• TARGET BENEFICIARIES:
  — Entrepreneurs, business leaders, government officials (trade/investment/innovation)
  — Civil society & policy stakeholders in economic governance
  
  
• HOW TO APPLY:
  — Email application to KTMPASSOCIALMEDIA@state.gov
  — Subject line: "Government and Private Sector Communications and Policy Advocacy for Investment Climate Application"
  — Full requirements in the NOFO PDF (linked)
  — Standard State Dept registration (UEI/SAM.gov) typically required — confirm in PDF
  
  
• WHY THIS IS SIGNIFICANT:
  — OPEN & directly Nepal-eligible (no alumni/consortium barrier)
  — Credible U.S. government funding
  — Focused, achievable scope ($25K, ≤12 months)
  — High-value theme: investment climate, economic governance, FDI
  — Single award — competitive, so a strong proposal matters
  
  
• IMPORTANT NOTES:
  — Firm deadline: July 20, 2026, 5:00 PM NPT
  — DEMONSTRATED EXPERIENCE required — not for first-timers in this space
  — Single $25,000 award — only 1 grant given
  — Read the full NOFO PDF for required documents + registration
  — UEI/SAM.gov registration can take time — start early
  — Project must be completable within 1–12 months
  
  
• CONTACT:
  KTMPASSOCIALMEDIA@state.gov
  https://np.usembassy.gov/notice-of-funding-opportunity-nofo-government-and-private-sector-strategic-communications-and-policy-advocacy-for-investment-climate/