The Administrative and Programming Support Funding for American Corners, offered by the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan, supports the administrative management and programming of eight American Spaces located across northern Kazakhstan. This cooperative agreement aims to strengthen bilateral ties between the United States and Kazakhstan by professionalizing the delivery of American excellence programming through the network of American Corners.

Overview

The U.S. Mission in Kazakhstan maintains a network of ten American Spaces hosted primarily in local public libraries. Eight of these spaces receive support from the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) at the Embassy in Astana, while the American Spaces in Almaty and Shymkent are administered separately by PDS at the Consulate General in Almaty. Embassy Astana provides monthly stipends to American Corner coordinators at eight Corners to ensure consistent staffing and program delivery.

This funding opportunity covers administrative costs including mobile plans, outreach expenses, and monthly programming with branded promotional materials. The programme ensures American Spaces run smoothly, demonstrate U.S. technological leadership, promote U.S. higher education, and strengthen professional skills to engage the next generation of Kazakh leaders.

Funding and Benefits

• Total Program Funding: $150,000
• Award Minimum: $120,000
• Award Maximum: $150,000
• Expected Number of Awards: 1
• Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement
• Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No
• Funding Opportunity Number: DOS-KAZ-AST-PDS-26-003

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants: Other

Additional Information: Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society or non-governmental organizations based in Kazakhstan, are eligible to apply. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply under this notice of funding opportunity.

Project Goals and Objectives

Project Goal: Strengthen bilateral ties between the United States and Kazakhstan by professionalizing the delivery of American excellence programming across northern Kazakhstan, ensuring that American Spaces serve as high-impact hubs for advancing U.S. interests.

Objective 1: By September 2027, strengthen staffing retention across all American Corners by maintaining at least 70% coordinator retention across the project period, supported by monthly stipends, fringe benefits for eight coordinators, and professional development opportunities.

Objective 2: Expand awareness of and participation among new target audiences in American Spaces programming across northern Kazakhstan by conducting at least 24 targeted outreach events, resulting in at least 30% of outreach participants reporting intent to attend an American Spaces event within the next three months by live poll or QR-based micro survey.

Objective 3: By September 2027, increase understanding of U.S. culture, values, and innovation, resulting in the delivery of at least 24 programs highlighting American excellence in technology, innovation, creative expression, education, and related fields, with at least 80% of participants demonstrating increased trust in the U.S. as a partner of choice determined by pre- and post-program assessments.

Target Audience

The direct beneficiaries of this award are the coordinators of eight American Spaces in Kazakhstan – university-educated young professionals from throughout Kazakhstan, aged 20 to 35. Secondary beneficiaries include American Spaces host institution staff, volunteers, and patrons.

Deadline and Timeline

• Closing Date: July 31, 2026
• Posted Date: June 15, 2026
• Archive Date: August 30, 2026

Contact Information

Grantor Contact: KazakhstanAmericanSpaces@state.gov

Applicants may view the full opportunity and apply through Grants.gov. Supporting documents including the proposal template, budget narrative sample, applicant organization information survey, and monitoring plan templates are available for download on the opportunity listing.