2025 YSEALI Regional Workshop: CyberSafe ASEAN

The 2025 YSEALI Regional Workshop: CyberSafe ASEAN is a cooperative agreement opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to ASEAN. This grant is part of the U.S. government's public diplomacy efforts aimed at addressing pressing issues in Southeast Asia that have transnational implications for both the United States and the region. The initiative is conducted under the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), a flagship program that supports emerging leaders across ASEAN member countries and Timor-Leste. The workshop will focus on cybersecurity threats, online scams, artificial intelligence misuse, and broader categories of transnational crimes that impact societies and individuals across borders. The main goal of the CyberSafe ASEAN workshop is to raise awareness and build capacity among young leaders in ASEAN countries to prevent, identify, and respond to online scams and fraud. These types of cybercrimes not only target financial assets but also put individuals at risk of becoming victims of human trafficking and forced labor, particularly in scam operations based in compounds across Southeast Asia. According to a 2023 report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Americans lost approximately $3.5 billion due to scams originating in Southeast Asia, and this number is expected to rise. The issue has become a critical concern for both U.S. and regional authorities, with Cambodia alone estimated to have between 150,000 to 200,000 people engaged in scam operations, often under coercion. This grant opportunity is open to U.S. and foreign not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, and think tanks that can implement the regional workshop. The program seeks to foster regional cooperation, strengthen legal frameworks, and share best practices in combating cyber-enabled crimes. The workshop will provide education on cybersecurity practices and promote collaboration between countries to enhance regional resilience to online threats. Participants will include representatives from the ten ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste, with an emphasis on young adults who are most vulnerable to becoming victims or inadvertent participants in these scams. The total funding allocated for this opportunity is $200,000, with a minimum award of $100,000. Only one award is expected to be issued. No cost-sharing or matching requirement is imposed on applicants. The funding instrument type is a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial involvement by the U.S. Mission to ASEAN in the design and implementation of the workshop. The award falls under Assistance Listing 19.040, which covers Public Diplomacy Programs. Proposed activities should align with the mission’s objectives and demonstrate the ability to address the workshop's multifaceted goals. Applications for this grant are currently being accepted and must be submitted by September 5, 2025. The opportunity was posted and last updated on July 31, 2025. The archive date for this listing is October 5, 2025. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov, and full details are available in the Notice of Funding Opportunity at https://bit.ly/NOFOCyberSafeASEAN. No pre-application deadline or letter of intent is required. The designated point of contact for this opportunity is Immanuella Suganda, who can be reached at sugandai@state.gov or by phone at 08111549105 for any questions or technical issues accessing the full announcement.