Archive · 10 Sep 2026
U.S. Grant Program Excludes French Groups Over Election Interference Concerns
The United States has a grant program that gives large amounts of money to European organizations.
The organizations can work on free speech, human rights, democracy and other political issues.
Two sources say French groups will not be allowed to receive the money.
France is worried that foreign money could affect its presidential election next April-May.
Some people also worry that the grants could support groups close to President Donald Trump's political views.
One French organization said it applied for $1 million for anti-censorship and free-speech work.
It said officials told the organization that French applicants would be excluded.
The United States says the grant decisions are still being considered.
The disagreement is adding to already strained relations between the two countries.
Two sources say a U.S. State Department grant program will exclude French organizations.
The program offers $1 million to $3 million for groups addressing democracy, rights, speech and sovereignty issues in Europe.
French officials fear U.S. funding for MAGA-aligned organizations could influence the presidential election next April-May.
A French applicant said it was rejected because funded activities might conflict with proposed legislation on disinformation and foreign interference.
The State Department said the programs remain under deliberation and declined to discuss private diplomatic exchanges.
- Who
- The U.S. State Department, French officials, French grant applicants and organizations aligned with Trump administration priorities are involved.
- What
- A U.S. European grant program is reportedly excluding French organizations because of concerns about foreign interference in France's election.
- When
- The funding guidelines were published on July 13, the application deadline was in August, and the report was published September 10; France's election is expected next April-May.
- Where
- The dispute concerns a U.S. State Department program covering Europe, with France at the center; one applicant may relocate to Brussels.
- Why
- U.S. officials reportedly fear funding French groups could create election-interference concerns, conflict with proposed French legislation and damage economic ties.
U.S. Grant Program Rationale
French Election Concerns
Purpose of the funding
U.S. Grant Program Rationale
The program is described as supporting democratic resilience, rule of law, free speech, press freedom, human rights and challenges involving sovereignty, migration, censorship and lawfare.
French Election Concerns
French officials fear that funding organizations aligned with Trump administration priorities could influence political debate and the upcoming election.
Eligibility of French organizations
U.S. Grant Program Rationale
The State Department has not publicly confirmed that French groups are excluded and says the programs remain in active deliberation.
French Election Concerns
Two sources and a French applicant say French organizations were excluded because of foreign-interference concerns and possible conflicts with proposed French legislation.
Effect on bilateral relations
U.S. Grant Program Rationale
Some senior U.S. officials reportedly favor a tougher approach toward France over freedom-of-speech and technology regulation issues.
French Election Concerns
Other U.S. officials reportedly fear that such a policy could harm U.S. companies operating in France and further strain diplomatic and economic relations.
- Grant amount
- Eligible organizations could receive between $1 million and $3 million.
- Program administrator
- The U.S. State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
- Program focus
- Democratic resilience, rule of law, free speech, press freedom, human rights, sovereignty, migration, censorship and lawfare challenges.
- French election
- France faces a presidential election next April-May that could bring Marine Le Pen's National Rally to power.
- Applicant request
- An unnamed French organization sought $1 million for anti-censorship and freedom-of-speech initiatives.
- U.S. investment in France
- U.S. government data put U.S. investment in France at $107.9 billion in 2024.
- Bilateral trade
- The United States and France traded $160.9 billion in goods and services in 2024.
