Grants for Public and State controlled institutions of higher education - International Development

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Hanoi of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for a cooperative agreement to develop and implement a Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Regional Workshop on Digital Policy and Emerging Technologies A Catalyst for Inclusive Economic Growth pending the availability of funding.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Algiers Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a cooperative agreement to build civil society capacity through microgrants. Please follow all instructions below. Program Objectives: PAS Algiers invites proposals for a program that will strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Algeria through administering a small grants competition that builds civil society capacity and highlights shared bilateral values. All programs should include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. Priority Program Areas: Academic and professional lectures, seminars and speaker programs; Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances and exhibitions; Priority Participants and Audiences: Algerian youth, particularly those from minority groups or underserved areas. Civil society organizations and individuals, influencers, and bloggers. Algerian creators, particularly those from minority groups or underserved areas and/or those who work on building civil society or climate friendly/sustainable projects.The following types of programs are NOT eligible for funding: Programs relating to partisan political activity; Charitable or development activities; Construction programs; Programs that support specific religious activities; Fund-raising campaigns; Lobbying for specific legislation or programs; Scientific research; Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; or Programs that duplicate existing programs.Authorizing legislation, type, and year of funding: Smith-Mundt FY2024 Public Diplomacy funding B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 12 to 18 months Number of awards anticipated: 1-2 Award amounts: from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $100,000 Total available funding: $100,000 Type of Funding: Fiscal year 2024 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy funding Anticipated start date: After October 1st, 2024 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement the U.S. Embassy will have substantial involvement in the activities undertaken through this program. The Embassy will closely work with the grantee to provide suggestions on the program and validate steps, key actors, places and subgrantees. The embassy can also propose the schedule and review financial management or make any decision about the program and its execution. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 18 months or less. The Department of State will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State. C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION1. Eligible Applicants The following organizations are eligible to apply: Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience. Non-profit or governmental educational institutions Governmental institutions Social enterprises: public or private. Entities specialized in the project fields. The Public Affairs Section encourages applications from U.S.A. and Algeria and any other country for projects that would have any significant bonds with the priority programs areas. For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.

The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok announces an open competition for a cooperative agreement under the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) to develop and implement the YSEALI AI FutureMakers Regional Workshop a six-day workshop in Thailand (inclusive of arrival and departure days) on exploring the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in driving social innovation. Please note that this award is subject to availability of funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Priority Region: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste. Program Objectives: YSEALI (yseali.state.gov) is the U.S. governments signature initiative to engage emerging leaders in Southeast Asia. The program aims to create a network of young Southeast Asian leaders who work across national borders to address common problems. Through a variety of programs and engagements, YSEALI seeks to build the leadership capabilities of youth in the region, strengthen ties between the United States and Southeast Asia, and develop a community of leaders addressing regional concerns. YSEALI is open to young leaders ages 18-35 who are both citizens and residents of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries (Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) or Timor-Leste. YSEALI programs focus on four themes (Economic Growth, Sustainable Development, Education, and Civic Engagement) because youth in the region identified them as priorities. YSEALI also organizes annual Regional Workshops across Southeast Asia on strategic topics. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a transformative technology with profound implications for society, government, the economy, and the environment worldwide. Within ASEAN, governmental, societal, and economic actors are actively engaged in discussing the applications of this technology and the role of regulation, for example in the ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics approved at the 4th ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting (ADGMIN) on February 2, 2024. Development of AI within Southeast Asia is complicated by the wide variation in economic development and technological capacity between member states, and 2025 is an opportune time to engage the YSEALI community in efforts to leverage AI to foster shared, sustainable, and inclusive growth throughout the Indo-Pacific Region. The YSEALI AI FutureMakers Regional Workshop will convene young people from throughout Southeast Asia to leverage the power of science, technology, and active civil society participation to address critical challenges and expand opportunities in Southeast Asia. The workshop will emphasize the importance of strengthening people-to-people connections, ensuring that technological advancements benefit not just economies, but societies at large, reinforcing the bridge between innovation and human-centric development. Through this workshop, the participants will not only address immediate challenges but will also lay the groundwork for long-term partnerships and collaborations that will drive positive change and development across the region. This workshop will bring together 60 YSEALI members from ASEAN countries and Timor Leste with a keen interest in leveraging technology to address regional and global challenges. It will offer a unique opportunity for YSEALI leaders to delve deeply into the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), with a focus on at least one of the YSEALIs core themes: economic empowerment, civic engagement, education, and environmental sustainability. Participants will engage in comprehensive discussions and hands-on activities aimed at harnessing AI for sustainable change. Within the realm of economic empowerment, the proposal should explore how AI technologies can catalyze socio-economic growth by creating new opportunities for entrepreneurship, enhancing livelihoods, and fostering inclusive economic development. Through case studies and interactive sessions, participants should gain insights into innovative AI-driven business models and strategies that promote equitable access to resources and opportunities. For civic engagement, the proposal should explore how AI can be used to bridge societal gaps and empower marginalized communities. Participants will consider successful AI projects that increase citizen access to information and political participation, while examining the risks of AI perpetuating inequalities that exist within training data and other source material and strategies to mitigate these risks. In the field of education, the proposal should create space for participants to explore how AI can improve access and quality of education, including language learning among Southeast Asias diverse populations; enhanced virtual resources; and/or teacher training in remote or rural communities, along with the ethical challenges of AI generated content and promoting critical thinking skills to detect and resist misinformation. In the context of environmental conservation, the proposal should highlight the potential of AI for monitoring and managing natural resources, protecting wildlife, and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Through interactive discussions and fieldwork at AI-driven organizations specializing in environmental conservation, participants should explore cutting-edge technologies and data-driven approaches that support sustainable environmental stewardship and biodiversity preservation. Through a combination of theoretical insights, practical case studies, hands-on activities, and collaborative discussions, the YSEALI AI FutureMakers Regional Workshop should equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools they need to harness the transformative potential of AI for building sustainable, inclusive, and equitable communities throughout Southeast Asia. The proposal should include workshop follow-on activities such as virtual collaborative work, projects funded through small seed grants, and/or ongoing mentorship. The follow-on activity should be included in the monitoring and evaluation plan. The proposal should include a pre and post workshop survey to measure the overall effectiveness of the workshop as well as any changes to the participants knowledge of the workshop topic. Workshop speakers/facilitators/mentors should be citizens of the United States, an ASEAN member country, or Timor-Leste. The workshop should also include a cultural or community service component that promotes ASEAN unity, and the United States as a partner to ASEAN. The recipient is expected to develop syllabus materials and an event program with participant and speaker biographies, as well as design banners, backdrops, and other printed materials. The recipient is expected to design a digital engagement strategy for workshop participants and social media audiences, including live video or live online engagement during the program. No new website specific to the event should be created or launched. Domain hosting and build costs will not be covered. Participants and Audiences: The recipient will coordinate with U.S. Embassy Bangkok and with the U.S. embassies in ASEAN and Timor-Leste to recruit and select the final 60 participants. Participants will be between the ages of 18-35 and a keen interest in leveraging AI technology to address and solve one of the following issues: economic empowerment, civic engagement, education, and environmental sustainability, as well as collaborating with others from diverse backgrounds and building networks for future initiatives. The recruitment process should ensure that the pool of applicants reflect different regions of the country, not just capital cities. All participants must be proficient in written and spoken English. All programs must include participants from all ten ASEAN member countries and Timor-Leste. The workshop will be conducted in English. The recipient will be responsible for arranging and using cooperative agreement funds to cover all elements related to participant and staff travel including international and domestic flights, visas, travel to and from airports, visas, accommodations, per diem, meals during the program, insurance, COVID-19 testing, etc. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: September 2024 to December 2025 Number of awards anticipated: One Award amounts: Award may range from a minimum of $150,000 to a maximum of $250,000. Total available funding: $250,000 Type of Funding: FY24 Public Diplomacy Funds Anticipated program start date: September 2024 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement The U.S. Embassy Bangkok will have substantial involvement in the development, content, and schedule of the workshop. In consultation with U.S. Embassy Bangkok, the award recipient must actively engage all relevant U.S. embassies related to the recruitment and selection process as well as communication with the participants. Working closely with U.S. Embassy Bangkok, the recipient of this cooperative agreement shall develop a robust program for the workshop; schedule the event at a mutually agreed upon location; manage the application and selection process through a secure portal; develop the agenda and content for the workshop; recruit speaker(s); manage all travel logistics for participants and speakers; and generate content for social media and other publicity. The recipient is expected to provide all design files, photos and video recorded, as well as a promotion-ready, U.S. Embassy-approved photo album and a video series of the workshop after completion. Regular, transparent communication via email, phone and video conference calls and face-to-face meetings (as appropriate) with the Grants Officer, Grants Officer Representative, and Program Officer throughout the period of performance is critical to the success of this cooperative agreement. All major elements of the program and its content require advance approval by U.S. Embassy Bangkok, including, but not limited to: Choices of dates, venue, accommodations, and menus; Final selection of participants, mentors, and speakers (from the United States, an ASEAN member country, or Timor-Leste); Titles, format, and content of workshop sessions and other program activities; Design and content of all marketing materials, publicity, and media products. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less. The workshop must be a minimum of six full days, including travel days. C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants The following organizations are eligible to apply: U.S. public and private educational institutions U.S. not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks Foreign public and private educational institutions Foreign not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks 2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing is not required. 3. Other Eligibility Requirements In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a unique entity identifier (Data Universal Numbering System/DUNS number from Dun Bradstreet), as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for information on how to obtain these registrations. Individuals are not required to have a unique entity identifier or be registered in SAM.gov. Please refer to ‘related documents’ tab for full application details. If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact: [email protected].

Executive Summary U.S. Embassy Colombo, in collaboration with the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Office of Press and Public Diplomacy, invites proposal submissions from U.S. public and private academic, cultural, and exchange-of-persons institutions, and other not-for-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501 (c) (3) (see section C. Eligibility Information) for the design and implementation of U.S. and regional workshops for the inaugural cohort of the Young South Asia Leaders Initiative (YSALI). This is an exciting opportunity to inform a new youth leadership initiative at the U.S. Department of State in a dynamic region with a significant youth population. YSALI is a new network, modeled on existing programs like the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), and others, designed to deliver on the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) by building the capacity of young leaders in South Asia. South Asias more than 420million young people will be pivotal to meeting regional and global challenges. YSALIs investment in youth from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka will help empower young leaders in the region to tackle shared challenges. Background YSALI is a new network conceived by the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Office of Press and Public Diplomacy in consultation with constituent posts, drawing on best practices from existing State Department networks for young leaders in other regions. SCA intends to build the YSALI network from existing country-specific and regional youth initiatives, offering membership to already identified young people, and moving them up the ladder of engagement with the United States by offering new opportunities and a shared platform for connection. This configuration will help build the network in a controlled growth format. The YSALI themes are: 1) driving prosperity through entrepreneurship, 2)democratic resilience and a vibrant civil society, and 3) regional climate resilience. Project Audience Participants will be undergraduate students, recent graduates, or young professionals aged 18-30 from the seven countries in South Asia (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka). Mission India will manage the YSALI membership for Bhutan. All programs will be conducted in English and all participants must be able to understand and communicate in English. As needed, the implementer will be required to provide accommodations for Deaf, hard of hearing, and/or visually impaired participants to ensure they are ability to fully participate in workshops. For each individual workshop, the recipient will coordinate with the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Embassy Colombo, and the other U.S. embassies in South Asia to recruit and select 80-100 participants from among the pool of YSALI members. For the regional climate resilience workshop, participants should have demonstrated strong community leadership skills, and the drive to make impactful change in their communities. For the civic engagement workshop, participants should have a demonstrated commitment to develop and sustain community projects, and the initiative to promote civic participation and good governance. Participants may not participate in both workshops; each will have a unique cohort of 80-100 participants. YSALI Network Goal YSALI will become a powerful network to advance the vision of a connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient Indo-Pacific by connecting and empowering promising young leaders through the region to tackle shared challenges. YSALI Network Objectives: To connect like-minded young leaders across the region, through participatory workshops and subsequent collaboration across the region via a small grants program. To sustain connections through the creation of a virtual network of emerging leaders. To deepen participants’ understanding of current issues and opportunities and equip young leaders with the confidence and skills to address regional challenges. To instill a shared sense of place and identity within the larger Indo-Pacific community. The concepts of leadership, giving back to the community, and strengthening a sense of identify and place within the broader Indo-Pacific based on shared values and shared challenges should be integrated into the program. To build leadership capacity among cohort members, and foster the spirit of community service, while increasing understanding of the United States and the South Asia region, to address common goals. FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING EXPECTED ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAM SPECIFIC GUIDANCES, PLEASE REVIEW THE FULL NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY IN THE ATTACHMENTS.

The U.S. Embassy New Zealand Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to develop and implement a Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) Model Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) to provide emerging Pacific leaders with the skills and knowledge they need to become national and international Pacific leaders, pending the availability of funding. The program will include Young Pacific Leaders from all PIF member nations, PIF observers, and select PIF dialogue partners such as the United States (Hawaii). The program will take place at least over a year-long and will consist of 1) Young Pacific Leaders shadowing or interning with a PIF leader or Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Council of Regional Organizations of the Pacific, or similar leading up to and during the PIF leaders meeting 2) Young Pacific Leaders participating in a youth Model PIF leaders meeting and 3) three youth mock parliaments in Micronesia, Polynesia, and Melanesia. Young Pacific Leaders may be placed in their home governments or in a host government. The YPL PIF program should emphasize experiential learning and capacity building in order to equip diverse participants with the tools they need for success. Priority Region: Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Islands of French Polynesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Rapa Nui, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, and U.S. partners from the American-affiliated Pacific including American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Hawaii.

The U.S. Embassy New Zealand Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to develop and implement a Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) Alumni Roadshow. The Alumni Roadshow will bring 15 select Young Pacific Leader alumni from the Pacific to the United States to participate in leadership and professional development activities under the themes of education, environment and resource management, civic engagement, social and economic development, regional security and geopolitics, cultural preservation and traditional knowledge, and health. The Alumni Roadshow will market the Young Pacific Leaders program to raise awareness of the program and garner support and buy-in for Young Pacific Leader initiatives. The U.S.-based exchange component will be 3-5 weeks in duration and consist of 1) Young Pacific Leaders representing the Partners in the Blue Pacific discussion and United Nations General Assembly in September 2024 2) Site visits and meetings with key U.S. organizations (government, private sector, and civil society) in Washington D.C., New York, and other U.S. states that could potentially partner to support the Young Pacific Leaders program and Pacific projects.

The U.S. Embassy New Zealand Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to implement the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) to promote womens social and economic empowerment, pending the availability of funds. The cohort should take place sometime between 2025-2026. Each AWE cohort should include about 30 women meeting either online or in person. AWE cohorts may take place in any, all, or the following select countries: New Zealand, Niue, the Cook Islands, Tokelau, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Federated States of Micronesia. About the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs By ensuring that women have the skills, capabilities, and resources to fully participate in the economy, AWE directly supports the U.S. National Strategy on Gender, Equity, and Equality. AWE was established in 2019 to provide women with the knowledge, networks and access to launch or scale successful businesses. Cohorts of approximately 30 women meet online and in-person to learn core business skills such as strategic planning, marketing and finance, then discuss the material with local facilitators, business leaders, and U.S. exchange alumni mentors. Through its partnership with Arizona State Universitys Thunderbird School for Global Management and the Freeport-McMoran Foundation, AWE utilizes a no-cost, online learning platform. Used by AWE since 2019, DreamBuilder teaches participants the fundamentals of starting or growing a small business from a U.S. perspective, offering modules on marketing, pricing, and bookkeeping, and includes a built-in business plan generator. It is available only in English and Spanish, though posts may conduct mentoring and facilitation in local languages. This year, implementing partners may also use a new online curriculum, in whole or in part the Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative - alongside or instead of DreamBuilder. 100 Million Learners Global Entrepreneurship and Innovation Bootcamp may be most suitable to implementing partners who are looking for a more challenging business curriculum, or who wish to provide complementary modules on key topics in entrepreneurship and innovation. 100 Million Learners is currently offered in 20 languages and will add up to 20 more in the future. Proposals to establish new AWE cohorts must use either DreamBuilder or 100 Million Learners for their curriculum.

YSEALI (yseali.state.gov) is the U.S. governments signature initiative to engage emerging leaders in Southeast Asia. The program aims to create a network of young Southeast Asian leaders who work across national borders to solve common problems. Through a variety of programs and engagements, YSEALI seeks to build the leadership capabilities of youth in the region, strengthen ties between the United States and Southeast Asia, and nurture a community of leaders who work across borders to solve shared issues. YSEALI is open to young leaders ages 18 to 35 who are both citizens and residents of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries (Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) or Timor-Leste. Responding to priorities from youth in the ASEAN region, YSEALI programs focus on four themes (i.e., Civic Engagement, Economic Empowerment and Social Entrepreneurship, Education and Environmental Issues). The 2025 YSEALI WLA: InnovateHER will advance all of the YSEALI themes and the U.S. Mission to ASEANs strategic goals: Sub-objective 3.2.1. ASEAN recognizes the contribution of women in the economic recovery of the region and strives to promote DEIA principles across its economic community pillar. Sub-objective 3.2.2. The United States creates a program to promote the role of women across ASEAN in contributing to peace and security across the region. The 2025 YSEALI WLA: InnovatHER will be designed for 50 to 60 female participants who have professional experience working in the tech industry. Possible fields include artificial intelligence technology, clean energy, cybersecurity, software development, medical technology research, and tech start-up incubators. The participants, age 20 to 35, must represent all 10 of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states and Timor-Leste. The Academy will have pre-workshop virtual activities and an in-person four-day or five-day workshop located in Southeast Asia. The purpose of the pre-workshop and workshop activities will be to: (1) create a network of Southeast Asian women making advances in technology who will design future activities and workshops for women in the YSEALI network; (2) explore how technological advancements, including artificial intelligence, could improve the daily lives of women; (3) discuss political and governmental policies that are affecting womens access to the digital economy and technological advancements; (4) develop general leadership skills, including self-awareness of personal professional strengths. FULL NOFO is on the U.S. Mission to ASEAN website here.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONThe U.S. Consulate General in Erbil of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to build capacity among visual artists and IT students and recent IT graduates in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) and Kirkuk governorate. Please follow all instructions below.Priority Region: Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR). Program Objectives: The IKR is overly dependent on petroleum export for economic purposes; helping various demographics launch online businesses will help diversify the economy, leading to greater economic stability and advancing overall climate goals. This program will train individuals from specific rural demographics on how to successfully monetize existing businesses or business ideas online. Participants and Audiences:This program envisions two separate programs: (1) one focused on IT students or recent (previous 2 years) graduates from any of the following seven universities: University of Zakho, University of Garmian, University of Halabja, University of Raparin, Soran University, Koya University, and Charmo University. This program would (a) help students conceive of a new app, (b) provide mentorship from experienced app designers to lead them through the process of app developments, and (c) mentor them as they launch their apps to be monetized online ideally through existing app marketplaces. Outcomes should include one monetized app for each participant. (2) The second program should focus on visual artists (sculptors, painters, digital artists, weavers, jewelry makers, crafters, ceramicists, etc) with an existing social media following of at least 5,000 individuals. This program would assist them with learning how to create an online sales platform or make use of existing online sales platforms through which they can monetize their work online. Outcomes should include each participant successfully using an online sales platform to monetize their work. All participants must be based in either the Iraqi Kurdistan Region or Kirkuk Governorate. Above-mentioned programs should be designed in a way that they strengthen cultural ties between the United States and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region through programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institutions in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. Such inclusion may consist of U.S.-developed materials or resources, virtual speakers, or using key examples from the United States to advance outcomes.

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur announces an open competition for a cooperative agreement to develop, organize, and oversee the 2025 Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Summit, pending the availability of funds. The four-day Summit (exclusive of arrival and departure dates) in 2025 will gather over 150 YSEALI exchange program alumni from across ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste. The award recipient is expected to design a youth-focused, high-energy, and dynamic Summit that will provide the next generation of Southeast Asian leaders the opportunity to build networks, discuss ideas, and develop solutions to contemporary challenges. The YSEALI Summit in Malaysia will be conducted in English. The content of the program should touch on each of the four pillars of YSEALI and include leadership, mentorship, and teamwork training. The Summit will enable participants to see how YSEALI members have become leaders in Southeast Asian communities through community service, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and education. The Summit should feature panels and presentations by prior YSEALI participants from each country who have become changemakers in their fields. The Summit should feature sessions giving participants the opportunity to work together to develop possible solutions to current environmental, social, political, and economic challenges in the region. Participants should learn innovative approaches to promote relations among ASEAN countries and with the United States through presentation, case studies and simulations. The Summit will also provide leadership and other soft skills training on topics such as advocacy, negotiation, and personal branding, which are core soft skills YSEALI alumni need to become successful leaders. Participants will also have a chance to join cultural activities, and other site visits that support the Summits theme. The Summit will include a mix of informational sessions, discussions and challenges, and break-out sessions on different topics and group presentations, as well as site and cultural visits.

Background: Since 2017, the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan has funded the University Partnership Program (UPP) to connect U.S. and Kazakh higher education institutions, traditionally by awarding sub-awards to U.S. partners who applied for funding with Kazakh institutions. As a result, 34 Kazakh universities have partnered with 31 U.S. universities to strengthen educational programs, teaching approaches, and institutional and research capacities, and to pursue joint projects addressing issues such as air pollution, environmental protection, and economic diversification. In addition to the projects achieved under each UPP, many partnerships have successfully resulted in sustainable, continued partnerships separate from USG funding. In most cases, Kazakh universities do not have a clear strategy to engage the private sector in education and research projects that could potentially lead to research commercialization and bring investment from sources other than the Government and student tuition fees. Kazakh universities could benefit from using a diversified-income model used by U.S. universities, which would generate profit to reinvest into university operations. Building partnerships with the private sector could also generate income through commercialization while at the same time offer practical experience for university students. This will allow Kazakh universities to raise their institutional profile, improve their facilities and equipment, be better positioned to support faculty professional development, and be able to offer more student services. Since U.S. universities have a longstanding history of working with private sector and successful financial management models, pairing them with Kazakh universities through research projects in high growth economic fields can help Kazakh universities adjust to the per capita funding system that was introduced in November 2021 and speed up the design of more competitive programs for students and address private sector workforce development needs. Supporting Kazakh universities to learn more about American university best practices in managing business accelerators and research incubators to tailor Kazakh HEIs approach to pursue greater collaboration with the private sector and integrate a system will enable students to get competitive workforce development skills. Collaborating with the private sector and diversifying financial sources can also motivate university management to become more financially transparent and accountable. Medium to long-term successes in Kazakhstan would include the implementation of international management practices, research standards, and student-oriented programs and services. Success will also be gauged on increasing the sharing of best practices among Kazakh institutions with each other. This would help Kazakh universities have well-run, efficient university management models which would be better placed to be an equal and contributing partner with U.S. universities and academic associations. This is also expected to increase the number of Kazakh students and scholars studying in the United States and to contribute to a more competitive workforce equipped with the skills to support economic diversification in Kazakhstan. This NOFO looks to support innovative project mechanisms that advance U.S.-Kazakh institutional partnerships in the form of sub-awards or activities organized directly by the implementer. This can include incubation hubs, basic research capability, or professional development centers. The program should focus on building greater institutional and research capacity in fields that support diversified economic growth through joint U.S.-Kazakh research collaboration including through commercialization opportunities in research, partnerships with private sector, and workforce development programs. Partnerships that focus on curriculum development should be directed toward developing existing curricula rather than creating new curricula. Project Audience(s): Public universities in Kazakhstan (private universities can be additional partners, but not the main partner), and U.S. universities especially research universities, community colleges, and technical institutions. Beneficiaries may include students, teaching professionals, or university managers. Competitive proposals would consider working with several institutions to foster a network. Project Goal: Strengthen institutional and research capacities of Kazakh universities in fields that support workforce development and diversified economic growth through joint U.S.-Kazakh program partnerships and research collaborations. Project Objectives: Objective 1: Equip at least five Kazakh university administrators with the knowledge and skills necessary to attract investment and collaborate with U.S. universities and research centers. Objective 2: Improve the ability of at least two Kazakh HEIs to revise existing curricula and course content that incorporate U.S. best practices, real work application, and hands on learning experiences in high growth fields to address youth unemployment and workforce development. High growth fields include but are not limited to coding, IT, STEM, agriculture, and digital media. Objective 3: Facilitate at least two joint research projects between U.S. and Kazakh universities in high growth fields that demonstrate potential for commercialization. Note: Competitive proposals will include plans for preliminary discussions between American and Kazakh universities on potential roadblocks, challenges, and specifics of the local context in Kazakhstan before starting partnership activities.

The Department of States Office of the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund (ISN/NDF) is pleased to announce an open competition for assistance awards through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). ISN/NDF invites non-profit/non-governmental organizations, international organizations, educational institutions, US federal agencies and institutions, and for-profit organizations to submit proposals for projects that will advance the mission of NDFs biological threat reduction special project. Proposals may not exceed the total availability of funds under this NOFO. ISN/NDF will only consider proposals that fully address all NDFs lines of effort, which are further described in Section II, in their entirety.

The Office of Academic Exchange Programs (ECA/A/E), Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for a cooperative agreement to assist in the administration of the FY 2025 Fulbright Student Program. The Fulbright Student Program is a major component of the worldwide Fulbright Program, which also includes the Fulbright Scholar and Fulbright Specialist Programs, as well as the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program and the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program. For over 75 years, the Fulbright Student Program has offered awards for college and university graduates to engage in degree study, to teach, and to conduct research abroad and in the United States. The hallmark of the Fulbright Student Program is the selection of all participants through open and transparent merit-based competition. Tens of thousands of U.S. and foreign students have participated in these academic exchanges since the Fulbright Program's inception in 1946. The Fulbright Student Program sends approximately 1,908 U.S. students and early career professionals abroad annually to conduct independent research, serve as teaching assistants and cultural resources in English classrooms, and pursue academic studies at overseas institutions. Reciprocally, the program brings approximately 2,150 foreign participants from approximately 160 countries to the United States for similar activities hosted primarily by U.S. colleges and universities. Responsibility for the management of the Fulbright Student Program is shared between the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC, 49 bilateral Fulbright commissions, approximately 100 U.S. embassies overseas, and private sector cooperating agencies in the United States. Overall policies and selection guidelines for the Fulbright Student Program are determined by the presidentially appointed J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB). The organization(s) awarded a cooperative agreement under this competition will be responsible for placement, monitoring, organization of enrichment activities for program participants, disbursement of funds, and records management for the FY 2025 cohort of U.S. students and foreign students as well as the program promotion and recruitment and selection of the FY 2026 cohort of U.S. and foreign students. This work will be supervised by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Please see the full announcement for additional information.

The Office of English Language Programs (ECA/A/L) of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for the FY 2024 Online Professional English Network (OPEN) Program, which offers foreign English teaching professionals and language learners the opportunity for professional development through high-quality, accessible, and openly licensed virtual resources, including online English language teacher development courses, online English language learning courses, virtual exchanges, webinars, an alumni community of practice (CoP), multiple social media channels, and other types of engaging and innovative online learning. In cooperation with ECA/A/L, the award recipient will manage the selection, development, and delivery of appropriate online TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) learning courses which will be offered to English language educators or learners on an easily accessible online learning management system (LMS). Courses, webinars, and other virtual programming may be offered globally, regionally, or to specific countries at the request of U.S. embassies. Courses and exchanges are developed by U.S. academic institutions, educational NGOs, or TESOL professional associations, while webinars and other social media programming are developed by U.S.-based TESOL professionals. All content produced for this program should be accessible according to Section 508 compliance standards, openly licensed with a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) License, and follow best practices for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). ECA/A/L anticipates an unlimited number of English language professionals, educators, and learners will benefit from the openly licensed virtual programming, webinars, massive open online courses (MOOCs), and content developed under this award. U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code, Section 26 U.S.C 501 (c) (3) may submit proposals to administer and manage the FY 2024 OPEN Program. It is ECA/A/Ls intent to award one cooperative agreement in the amount of $6,000,000, pending the availability of FY 2024 funds, to an applicant that has the ability to achieve these objectives and provide the necessary infrastructure and experience. ECA/A/L reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets and participant numbers in accordance with the needs of the program and the availability of funds. Please see the full announcement for additional information.

The Global Leaders Division in the Office of Citizen Exchanges at the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) invites proposal submissions to design, administer, and implement the FY 2024 Arctic Indigenous Exchange Program (AIEP). This new initiative will bring together approximately 50 Indigenous leaders, including business development professionals, government officials, and entrepreneurs from Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark (Greenland), and the United States (Alaska), for a multi-phase exchange program to explore areas of regional cooperation across the Arctic. The goal of this program is to strengthen people-to-people relationships, advance cooperation, and foster greater commercial and cultural ties between Arctic Indigenous populations in the United States, Canada, and Greenland across a range of priority areas. U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to provide a series of exchange projects ranging in size and scope, focused on critical topics to Arctic Indigenous communities in Greenland, Canada, and the United States (specifically Alaska), including sustainable economic development, climate and the environment, and health and well-being. It is anticipated that this cooperative agreement will support approximately three to six distinct exchange projects for approximately 50 participants, including approximately 35 foreign and 15 U.S. participants. Exchange activities may include, but are not limited to, regional workshops, summits, and alumni activities, as appropriate in any of the three participating countries.For additional details please see the full announcement.

The Office of Citizen Exchanges at the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) invites proposals for the FY 2024 Leaders Lead On-Demand program (LLOD). LLOD takes ideas generated across the U.S. Department of State and develops them into uniquely tailored, multi-segmented projects. LLOD supports U.S. foreign policy goals by enabling ECA to quickly respond to emerging foreign policy priorities. U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to provide a series of multi-segmented exchange projects ranging in size and scope, each involving current or potential government, business, and civil society leaders. It is anticipated that this cooperative agreement will support four to six distinct exchange projects for approximately 75 participants including approximately 55 foreign participants and 20 from the United States.A central component of each project will include a group of foreign participants who will ideally travel to the United States for an intensive, tailored program. Activities could offer a range of program components that may include participation in workshops, meetings, events, mentorships, or working placements in U.S. organizations or businesses. Any U.S.-based program should be complemented by at least one additional segment overseas that should include U.S. participants. Both foreign and U.S. participants should have experience or expertise in the field of the exchange project and U.S. participants should engage with the foreign participants during both the U.S. and foreign program components. The award recipient will work closely with ECA, other Department of State representatives, in-country or regionally-based partner organizations, as appropriate, to recruit, screen, and select the participants and develop program activities that best address the specific project goal(s). The final list of participants should be approved by ECA. U.S. participants will be selected in close consultation with ECA. Additional project components, such as regional gatherings of participants overseas, small grants competitions, or local trainings should be developed, as appropriate, based on the scope and goals of the specific exchange. Please see the announcement for additional information.

The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Youth Programs Division of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an FY 2024 open competition for three distinct regional Youth Ambassadors programs (previously called Youth Leadership Programs) with select countries in East Asia and Pacific (EAP), Europe and Eurasia (EUR), and the Middle East and North Africa (NEA). U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to provide participants with four-week exchanges in the United States focused on the primary themes of civic education, leadership development, respect for diversity, and community engagement and to support the implementation of service projects in their home communities. The EAP and NEA programs also will engage approximately 3-5 adult mentors in programming alongside youth participants. Competitively selected U.S. secondary students will join participants in U.S.-based activities on the NEA exchanges. Only one proposal per region will be considered by ECA from each applicant organization. In cases where more than one submission per region from an applicant appears in grants.gov, ECA will only consider the submission made closest in time to the NOFO deadline; that submission would constitute the one and only proposal ECA would review for the region from that applicant. Please see the full announcement for additional information.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Embassyin the PhilippinesPublic Affairs Section (PASPhilippines) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce thatwe are considering proposals for the operational and program development workforthe 2024 American Spaces Philippines Conference. Our funding goals, strategic themes, and processes for submitting grant proposals are all outlined in this notice. Please read carefully and follow all instructions. This notice is subject to the availability of funding. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION PAS Philippines invites individuals, non-profit organizations, and non-government organizations to submit proposals to implement the 2024 American Spaces Philippines Conference. The event is a three-day conference with representatives from American Spaces partner institutions. The intent of this program is to bring together university leaders and American Corner staff members from across the country for a strategic planning session, networking, and capacity-building activities. The Grantee will support the Embassy by fulfilling the logistical, travel, and administrative needs of the conference, as well as providing constructive inputs on the program of the conference. The budget should not be more than $40,000 in total. The successful Grantee must have demonstrable experience in conference management (minimum size of 40 participants), events planning, and high-level customer relations. Grantee must also demonstrate their ability to responsibly manage funds, coordinate logistics, and execute the program plan within the expected timeline. Examples of activities include, but are not limited to: Programming Develop 3 learning sessions that will build the skills of the participants in the areas of project designing, partnership building, and program management. Organize a small exhibit in the venue featuring the projects of the participants Organize a team-building activity for the participants Events Planning Scout and book a conference venue within Luzon, Visayas, or the City of Davao that is accessible to the airport, and major transportation hubs. Coordinate with a hotel for the reservations of all participants, including the processing of required down payments. Prepare financial reports and liquidations of project expenses, including hotel, equipment, food and beverage suppliers, and any relevant subcontractors. Coordinate and arrange a full-board meal for organizers and participants including the accommodation of those with special diets (halal, vegetarian, etc). Arrange overall logistics and ensuring the availability of high-speed wifi, computers, high-resolution web cams, and microphones to accommodate hybrid sessions Organize the plenary hall, any breakout rooms and prepare necessary workshop materials Design, and produce conference kits, and marketing materials such as pull-up banners, event shirts, tokens, tote bags etc. Travel Arrangements Coordinate and book flight itineraries with varying origin destinations. Arrange and book all airport transfer services for participants. Issue plane tickets, room reservations and airport transfer service to each participant. Arrange land transportation for participants as necessary. Organize and pay the travel allowance of the participants. PRIORITY PROGRAM AREAS The program should empower American Spaces partners to increase knowledge on the following priority program areas: Girls/Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Entrepreneurship Innovation and Artificial Intelligence Peace Education Democracy and Human Rights Climate Change and Environmental Protection Participants and Audiences: Target audiences include university presidents from American Spaces-hosting institutions, and library directors and staff. Please note that the following types of programs are NOT eligible for funding: Programs relating to partisan political activity; Charitable, humanitarian, or development activities; Construction programs; Programs that support specific religious activities; Fund-raising campaigns or programs charging a fee for participation; Lobbying for specific legislation or programs; Scientific research; Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of an organization; or Programs that duplicate existing programs; Activities that take place in the United States and its territories; Programs with alcohol, excessive meals, refreshments, or entertainment; and Individual scholarships.

The Educational Information and Resources Branch (EducationUSA Branch or ECA/A/S/A) in the Office of Global Educational Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces a NOFO for up to three cooperative agreements to administer FY 2025 EducationUSA Advising Services, pending the availability of FY 2025 funds. EducationUSA is the U.S. Department of States global network of over 430 educational advising centers in more than 175 countries and territories. EducationUSA advisers provide accurate, comprehensive, and current information about the full range of U.S. higher education opportunities, guiding prospective students to find the institution that best fits their needs. In addition, the EducationUSA network assists accredited HEIs to help institutional leaders meet their campus internationalization goals, including strategic guidance to U.S. institutions regarding relevant international higher education systems and partners to enhance their international networks and potential partnerships. The EducationUSA network, in collaboration with ECA, also provides information on the U.S. higher education system to foreign governments and institutions and encourages study abroad by Americans to expand their understanding of foreign cultures, communities, and countries.With the goal of increasing student mobility between the United States and other countries through EducationUSA advising, ECA expects this NOFO will result in up to three cooperative agreements. Applicants can submit proposals for one, two, or all three of the components below: Component A for EducationUSA Global Advising Services to support advising operations worldwide including, but not limited to, the development and maintenance of IT infrastructure, training resources and materials, global strategic communications and outreach, and the employment and management of approximately 12 Regional Educational Advising Coordinators (REACs). (Approximately $6,600,000.) Component B for EducationUSA Advising Services in Eurasia and Central Asia, to support advising in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine. (Approximately $1,500,000.) Component C for EducationUSA Advising Services in the Middle East and North Africa, to support advising in Egypt, Gaza, Lebanon, Tunisia, West Bank, and Yemen. (Approximately $650,000.) Please see the full announcement for additional information.

Internet Society Foundation Research Program Program Objectives: Promote novel methodologies to address Internet-related challenges. Support a diverse and collaborative group of researchers and institutions. Facilitate access to intersectional research for decision-making in government and industry. Eligibility: Independent researchers: Postgraduate degree (PhD, Masters) with relevant publications or work. Public research institutions: 501c3 or equivalent with aligned mission. Areas of Focus: Greening the Internet Understanding environmental impact and sustainability measures. Assessment of energy consumption, waste, and toxins. Research on climate change threats to Internet infrastructure. The Internet Economy Analysis of Internet's impact on economic landscapes. Examination of competition, production, and consumption. Insight into future Internet ecosystems and markets. A Trustworthy Internet Ensuring resilience, reliability, accountability, and security. Addressing user expectations and gaps in infrastructure. Exploring methods to enhance trustworthiness. Decolonizing the Internet Examining Internet's role in inequality and injustice. Preservation of traditional knowledge and languages. Practices for a more inclusive and just Internet. Application Process: Timeline: April 2nd - May 14th, 2024 (21:00 UTC). Submission: Through Fluxx platform. Review Process: Initial staff review, external reviewer evaluation, final determination by Program Officer. Duration: Approximately two months. Apply Now! Deadline: May 14th, 2024 (21:00 UTC)