U.S. Mission to NATO Grants Program 2025 | Funding for Defense & Security Projects

The applications are now open for the U.S. Mission to NATO Grants Program 2025 under the Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. The funding initiative is designed to strengthen transatlantic defense cooperation, reinforce NATO priorities, and support strategic partnerships focused on security, diplomacy, industrial resilience, and international collaboration.

Organizations, research institutions, policy experts, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and industry stakeholders working in defense and security-related sectors are encouraged to apply for this funding opportunity.

The grants program reflects the commitment of the United States to building a stronger and more resilient NATO Alliance by supporting innovative projects that contribute to collective defense, industrial capacity, strategic cooperation, and public diplomacy initiatives.

U.S. Mission to NATO Grants Program 2025 Overview

About the U.S. Mission to NATO

The U.S. Mission to NATO (USNATO) represents United States foreign policy interests within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and plays a central role in diplomatic coordination among NATO member countries.

Located at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, the mission works to strengthen peace, collective defense, security cooperation, and strategic partnerships among allied and partner nations.

The mission supports engagement at political and military levels through the North Atlantic Council (NAC), NATO’s principal political decision-making body.

Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program

The Office of the Public Affairs Advisor manages the Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program to support initiatives aligned with key U.S. and NATO priorities across:

• Academia
• Public policy
• Defense and security sectors
• Industry collaboration
• Civil society organizations
• Strategic research institutions

The program prioritizes projects that:

• Reinforce U.S. leadership within NATO
• Advance defense investment and industrial capacity
• Strengthen transatlantic security cooperation
• Build professional expertise and strategic networks
• Support NATO commitments and operational readiness
• Promote a stronger and more resilient Alliance

Funding Opportunity Focus

One of the major funding opportunities available through the program is:

Advancing NATO’s Collective Defense and Industrial Capacity

Applicants are encouraged to develop innovative proposals aligned with NATO’s strategic priorities and long-term transatlantic cooperation goals.

Eligible Areas of Support

Projects supported under the grants program may include:

• Defense and security policy research
• NATO awareness and education initiatives
• Strategic dialogue forums and workshops
• Industrial cooperation and defense innovation
• Capacity-building activities
• Public diplomacy campaigns
• Academic conferences and policy programs
• Networking initiatives among experts and institutions
• Collaborative research on collective defense

Programs demonstrating measurable impact, strategic collaboration, and international cooperation are strongly encouraged.

Application Guidelines

Applicants must carefully follow all application requirements and submission instructions.

Important Requirements

• All applications must be submitted in English
• Budgets must be prepared in U.S. Dollars (USD)
• Travel-related programs involving the United States must comply with the Fly America Act
• Selected grantees will work closely with assigned Grants Officers

Applicants should prepare detailed proposals explaining:

• Project objectives
• Expected outcomes
• Target audience
• Budget breakdown
• Timeline
• Relevance to NATO priorities

Leadership at the U.S. Mission to NATO

The leadership team at the U.S. Mission to NATO includes:

• Matthew Whitaker – Permanent Representative of the United States to NATO
• Scott Oudkirk – Deputy Chief of Mission
• Scott Delius – Defense Advisor
• Stephen Gee – Political Advisor
• Aaron Honn – Public Affairs Advisor

These officials coordinate U.S. diplomatic engagement and strategic cooperation across the NATO Alliance.

Why This Opportunity Matters

The U.S. Mission to NATO Grants Program 2025 provides an important platform for organizations and institutions seeking to contribute to international security, defense cooperation, diplomacy, and strategic policy development.

The program allows participants to:

• Expand transatlantic partnerships
• Influence security and defense dialogue
• Support NATO strategic priorities
• Build institutional and research capacity
• Collaborate with international experts and policymakers
• Contribute to global peace and collective defense efforts

For organizations working in international relations, defense policy, diplomacy, public affairs, industrial resilience, and strategic research, this funding opportunity can serve as a major catalyst for impactful projects and international collaboration.

How to Apply?

Applicants can apply through the official Grants.gov portal where all funding opportunities and submission guidelines are published.

Interested applicants should:

1. Visit the official grants portal
2. Review the funding opportunity details
3. Prepare the required proposal and budget documents
4. Submit the online application

Applicants are encouraged to regularly monitor the official portal for updates, deadlines, and additional funding notices.

Important Links

Why You Should Apply

The U.S. Mission to NATO Grants Program 2025 is an excellent opportunity for organizations, researchers, and institutions seeking to contribute to international security, defense innovation, public diplomacy, and strategic cooperation initiatives.

With support for impactful projects, policy engagement, defense collaboration, and institutional partnerships, this program offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen international networks and contribute to NATO’s long-term strategic goals.

Organizations and professionals working in defense, diplomacy, policy research, industrial innovation, and international cooperation are highly encouraged to apply.