U.S-Korea Talent Exchange Through Study Abroad

The U.S. Department of State, through the U.S. Embassy Seoul’s Public Diplomacy Section, has announced the U.S.-Korea Talent Exchange Through Study Abroad grant opportunity (PD-SEOUL-FY25-03). This initiative is funded with FY25 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds and provides a single cooperative agreement award totaling $120,000, with a project performance period of 12 to 15 months. Applications are due by Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (GMT+9), and the anticipated project start date is October 2025. The program is designed to identify and develop high-achieving Korean students whose interests align with U.S. economic, technological, and security priorities by fostering educational and cultural linkages between U.S. institutions and the Republic of Korea. The program’s core objectives include recruiting exceptional Korean high school educators, guidance counselors, and international program administrators who regularly work with students pursuing overseas studies. These participants will undergo a three-day workshop at the American Diplomacy House in Seoul, led by EducationUSA advisors, to gain expertise in U.S. university admissions processes, financial aid navigation, and building competitive applications. Following the workshop, participants will engage in a ten-day U.S. study tour visiting diverse higher education institutions in both urban and rural settings, experiencing cultural activities, and participating in home hospitality. Upon return, participants will deliver outreach presentations with EducationUSA at venues such as the American Diplomacy House, American Corners, and at networking events across Korea. The cooperative agreement structure ensures substantial involvement from the U.S. Embassy Seoul, including input on program design, approval of participant selection criteria, coordination with EducationUSA, and participation in monitoring and outreach activities. Applicants must budget for all associated program costs, including travel, lodging, airfare, per diem, insurance, interpretation, transportation, venue rental, speaker fees, materials, and networking event coordination. Proposals should demonstrate previous experience in managing similar programs in both Korea and the United States and must include an American element or connection with U.S. experts or institutions. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations (such as think tanks and NGOs), public and private educational institutions, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. Cost sharing is not required but may be proposed as a sign of organizational commitment. All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier and an active registration in SAM.gov before award issuance, with specific instructions provided for both U.S.-based and non-U.S.-based applicants. Individuals are not eligible to apply. The application package must be submitted in English and in U.S. dollars and include mandatory forms (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B where applicable), a proposal narrative (maximum 10 pages) addressing goals, objectives, activities, schedule, personnel, partnerships, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainability, as well as a budget justification narrative, resumes of key personnel, letters of support, NICRA documentation if applicable, and official permission letters if required. All submissions must be emailed to SeoulPDGrants@state.gov by the stated deadline. Applications will be evaluated based on the quality and feasibility of the program idea, organizational capacity, program planning, budget justification, monitoring and evaluation plan, and sustainability. The review process includes a risk assessment considering financial stability, management standards, performance history, audit results, and ability to meet requirements. Award notices will be issued by the Grants Officer, and payment requests will follow the SF-270 process. Recipients must adhere to federal reporting requirements, budget guidelines, and compliance standards, including restrictions on the use of funds for certain purposes, such as alcoholic beverages and support for UNRWA.