U.S.-ROK Alliance on Shipbuilding and Maritime Cooperation

The U.S.-ROK Alliance on Shipbuilding and Maritime Cooperation grant is administered by the U.S. Embassy Seoul, Public Diplomacy Section, under the U.S. Department of State. This program, funded through FY25 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds, carries a total available funding of $100,000, with one award anticipated. It aims to reinforce the bilateral partnership between the United States and the Republic of Korea by addressing shared challenges in the shipbuilding and maritime sectors. The cooperative agreement model ensures substantial involvement by the U.S. Embassy throughout planning and implementation, aligning with U.S. public diplomacy objectives. The program's objectives are to revitalize networks within the maritime and shipbuilding industries in both countries by convening research working groups, composed of experts from academia, government, private sector, and think tanks. These groups will focus on critical issues such as supply chain vulnerabilities, regulatory harmonization, market demand dynamics, bilateral investment opportunities, and technical advancements. Core activities include monthly meetings, lectures, seminars, research and analysis, and the hosting of an international conference in Korea, as well as a U.S.-ROK workshop in the United States. The initiative will culminate in the production of written reports with actionable recommendations to inform both U.S. and Korean policies. Eligibility for this opportunity is restricted to organizations based in the Republic of Korea, including not-for-profit organizations, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, public and private educational institutions, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. Individuals are not eligible. All applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier and valid SAM.gov registration. While cost sharing or matching funds are not required, applicants may offer them voluntarily to demonstrate commitment and capacity. Proposals must include a clear American element or connection through U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions, and detail the applicant’s prior experience conducting similar programs in both countries. Applications must be submitted in English, with budgets in U.S. dollars, following the required format. Mandatory documents include SF-424 forms, a proposal of no more than 10 pages covering objectives, activities, methods, timeline, personnel, partners, monitoring and evaluation plans, and sustainability plans, along with a budget justification narrative. Attachments should include CVs or resumes of key personnel, letters of support from partners, and, if applicable, NICRA documentation and official permission letters. Applications must be submitted by email to SeoulPDGrants@state.gov no later than Tuesday, September 2, 2025, 11:59 p.m. (GMT+9). The anticipated project start date is October 2025, with a performance period of up to 12 months. Proposals will be evaluated based on quality and feasibility, organizational capacity, clarity of goals and objectives, budget reasonableness, monitoring and evaluation plan, and sustainability. The review process will include risk assessment in areas such as financial stability, management systems, past performance, and audit results. The award agreement will be issued by the Grants Officer, and costs may only be incurred after the agreement is signed. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in September 2025. Award recipients must comply with all applicable federal regulations, including reporting requirements for financial and programmatic progress, and must align activities with U.S. public diplomacy priorities.