Opportunity Information: Apply for PDS UKRAINE FY26 01
The Innovation and Tech Lab (Funding Opportunity Number PDS UKRAINE FY26 01) is a U.S. Embassy in Kyiv grant opportunity that funds a single not-for-profit organization to run an America House-based program aimed at deepening U.S.-Ukraine cooperation in innovation, technology, and creative industries at a moment when Ukraine is focused on economic recovery and rebuilding competitiveness. Positioned as part of the Freedom 250 initiative tied to the lead-up to Americas 250th anniversary, the program is meant to move beyond one-off events and instead create practical pathways for Ukrainian startups, tech leaders, creative entrepreneurs, and early-stage innovators to engage with U.S. expertise, companies, and innovation ecosystems. The larger policy goal is to expand U.S. partnerships, increase sustained engagement with American organizations, and help Ukraine align with U.S. market expectations and standards over the long term.
At its core, the Lab is designed as an applied capacity-building and market-access program. It is expected to deliver hands-on training and real-world exposure to how the U.S. market works, with a focus on what Ukrainian innovators need in order to scale internationally. That includes preparing participants to enter the U.S. market, improving investment readiness, strengthening strategic communications and pitching, and helping teams learn how to approach partnerships with American companies. The program also emphasizes durable outcomes, such as sustained partnerships, connections to U.S. accelerators or innovation hubs, and concrete steps toward establishing a U.S. footprint where appropriate (for example, forming U.S.-based operations or building an ongoing presence in U.S. innovation networks).
Programming is envisioned as a structured series of thematic lectures, workshops, mentorship, networking events, and investor engagement. A key feature is that delivery should leverage the Embassys American Spaces network, meaning the project is not meant to be concentrated in only one location. Proposals are required to include programming at two to three American Spaces, specifically referencing the America Houses in Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa and/or Windows on America. This requirement signals that the Embassy is looking for a model that can convene and serve innovators across multiple hubs, broaden participation, and strengthen the national network effect rather than focusing only on the capital.
The award will be issued as a cooperative agreement, which typically implies more active engagement and coordination with the U.S. Mission during implementation than a standard grant. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary, under CFDA 19.441, with an award ceiling of $190,000 and an expectation of one award. Eligible applicants are U.S. and Ukrainian not-for-profit organizations, including NGOs and civil society organizations, which opens the door to local implementers, U.S.-based organizations with relevant expertise, or partnerships that combine U.S. market connections with Ukrainian on-the-ground delivery capacity.
The application window closes on 2026-06-15. Overall, a competitive proposal would likely present a clear participant pipeline (how startups and innovators will be recruited and selected), a coherent curriculum tied to U.S. market entry and investor readiness, credible access to U.S. mentors and companies, a plan for meaningful investor or accelerator engagement, and measurable outcomes that demonstrate durable U.S.-Ukraine economic and technological linkages beyond the end of the program.Apply for PDS UKRAINE FY26 01
- The U.S. Mission to Ukraine in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovation and Tech Lab" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.441.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-15. (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 $190,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Innovation and Tech Lab funding opportunity?
The Innovation and Tech Lab (Funding Opportunity Number PDS UKRAINE FY26 01) is a U.S. Embassy in Kyiv grant opportunity to fund a single not-for-profit organization to implement an America House-based program that strengthens U.S.-Ukraine cooperation in innovation, technology, and creative industries.
Who is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv (the U.S. Mission in Ukraine).
How many awards are expected?
The Embassy expects to make one award.
What type of award will be issued?
The award will be issued as a cooperative agreement, which generally means the U.S. Mission is likely to have more active engagement and coordination during implementation than under a standard grant.
What is the maximum funding available (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $190,000.
Is this a discretionary funding opportunity?
Yes. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.441.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are U.S. and Ukrainian not-for-profit organizations, including NGOs and civil society organizations.
Can a Ukrainian NGO apply directly?
Yes. Ukrainian not-for-profit organizations (including NGOs and civil society organizations) are eligible.
Can a U.S.-based nonprofit apply?
Yes. U.S. not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply.
Is the program intended for for-profit companies to apply as the implementing organization?
No. The implementing organization to be funded is described as a single not-for-profit organization. (The program itself may serve startups and innovators, but the award recipient must be a nonprofit eligible applicant.)
What is the application deadline?
The application window closes on 2026-06-15.
What is the main purpose of the Lab?
The Lab is designed to deepen U.S.-Ukraine cooperation in innovation, technology, and creative industries by creating practical pathways for Ukrainian startups, tech leaders, creative entrepreneurs, and early-stage innovators to engage with U.S. expertise, companies, and innovation ecosystems.
How does this program relate to Americas 250th anniversary?
The Lab is positioned as part of the Freedom 250 initiative tied to the lead-up to America’s 250th anniversary.
What kinds of participants is the program meant to support?
The program is aimed at Ukrainian startups, tech leaders, creative entrepreneurs, and early-stage innovators.
Is the program meant to be a series of one-off events?
No. The program is explicitly meant to move beyond one-off events and instead build practical pathways and sustained engagement with U.S. expertise and organizations.
What outcomes is the Embassy looking for?
The program emphasizes durable outcomes, such as sustained partnerships, connections to U.S. accelerators or innovation hubs, and concrete steps toward establishing a U.S. footprint where appropriate (for example, forming U.S.-based operations or building an ongoing presence in U.S. innovation networks).
What does "applied capacity-building and market-access" mean in this context?
It means the Lab is expected to deliver hands-on training and real-world exposure focused on what Ukrainian innovators need to scale internationally, including U.S. market entry preparation, investment readiness, strategic communications and pitching, and approaches to partnerships with American companies.
What topics or skill areas are expected to be covered?
Based on the description, expected focus areas include U.S. market entry preparation, improving investment readiness, strengthening strategic communications and pitching, and learning how to approach partnerships with American companies.
What kinds of activities should proposals include?
Programming is envisioned as a structured series of thematic lectures, workshops, mentorship, networking events, and investor engagement.
Where should the program be delivered?
Delivery should leverage the Embassy’s American Spaces network and is not intended to be concentrated in a single location.
Is multi-city or multi-site programming required?
Yes. Proposals are required to include programming at two to three American Spaces.
Which American Spaces are specifically referenced?
The opportunity specifically references the America Houses in Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa and/or Windows on America.
Why does the opportunity emphasize using multiple American Spaces?
The requirement signals an interest in convening and serving innovators across multiple hubs, broadening participation, and strengthening a national network effect rather than focusing only on the capital.
What is the broader policy goal behind the program?
The larger policy goal is to expand U.S. partnerships, increase sustained engagement with American organizations, and help Ukraine align with U.S. market expectations and standards over the long term.
How does the program connect to Ukraine’s economic recovery?
The opportunity is framed as timely because Ukraine is focused on economic recovery and rebuilding competitiveness, and the program is intended to support innovators in scaling and connecting to U.S. ecosystems.
What would a competitive proposal likely include?
The description indicates that a competitive proposal would likely include: a clear participant pipeline (how startups and innovators will be recruited and selected), a coherent curriculum tied to U.S. market entry and investor readiness, credible access to U.S. mentors and companies, a plan for meaningful investor or accelerator engagement, and measurable outcomes that demonstrate durable U.S.-Ukraine economic and technological linkages beyond the end of the program.
Does the opportunity require a plan for recruiting and selecting participants?
It is not stated as a formal requirement in the summary, but it is specifically noted as an element a competitive proposal would likely present (a clear participant pipeline, including recruitment and selection).
Is investor or accelerator engagement expected?
Yes. The envisioned programming includes investor engagement, and a competitive proposal is expected to include a plan for meaningful investor or accelerator engagement.
Is access to U.S. mentors and companies important for competitiveness?
Yes. Credible access to U.S. mentors and companies is highlighted as a likely feature of a competitive proposal.
What does "establishing a U.S. footprint" mean here?
It refers to concrete steps toward creating an ongoing presence in the U.S. market or innovation ecosystem where appropriate, such as forming U.S.-based operations or building an ongoing presence in U.S. innovation networks.
Is the program required to produce measurable outcomes?
Measurable outcomes are specifically highlighted as important, particularly outcomes that demonstrate durable U.S.-Ukraine economic and technological linkages beyond the end of the program.
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