Overview

The U.S.-ROK Strategic Partnership Initiatives, issued by the U.S. Embassy Seoul Public Diplomacy Section under funding opportunity number PD-SEOUL-FY26-02, invites proposals for programs that advance shared priorities identified in the U.S.-ROK Joint Fact Sheet and other bilateral or U.S. policy frameworks. Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity, the embassy seeks innovative, high-impact initiatives implemented in the Republic of Korea that strengthen the U.S.-ROK Alliance, expand practical cooperation, and support strategic engagement with key Korean audiences.

The goal of this program is to generate direct and measurable impacts that strengthen the U.S.-ROK Alliance by advancing shared strategic priorities through practical, locally implemented initiatives.

Funding and Benefits

Total Amount Available: $800,000

Expected Number of Awards: 15

Award Minimum: $25,000

Award Maximum: $100,000

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No

Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement, grant, or fixed amount award

This notice is subject to availability of funding. Awards may be issued as grants, fixed amount awards, or cooperative agreements as appropriate. If issued as a cooperative agreement, the U.S. Embassy Seoul may have substantial involvement in the program, including reviewing and approving key project activities, timelines, and major deliverables; facilitating connections with relevant stakeholders; monitoring program implementation and performance; reviewing and approving branding and public communications; and coordinating on significant modifications to program scope or implementation plans.

Eligibility

Priority may be given to organizations based in the Republic of Korea. Applicants headquartered outside the ROK should demonstrate meaningful local implementation capacity, including ROK-based staff, partnerships, or proven experience operating in the Korean context.

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society or non-governmental organizations
• Public and private educational institutions
• Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions

Additional eligible applicant categories include private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (both with and without 501(c)(3) status), and other miscellaneous entities as designated.

Program Objectives and Expected Activities

Program objectives include expanding engagement with Korean audiences on shared U.S.-ROK priorities through practical, results-oriented programming; strengthening partnerships among U.S. and Korean institutions, organizations, and emerging leaders in priority areas; identifying and broadening the pool of qualified local implementing partners for future public diplomacy programming; and supporting high-quality projects that advance priorities identified in relevant bilateral and other U.S. foreign policy frameworks.

Competitive proposals may address areas such as economic and technology cooperation, innovation, cybersecurity, critical minerals and supply chain resilience, shipbuilding and maritime cooperation, freedom of expression, and countering anti-American propaganda campaigns from foreign state and non-state actors, or other priority areas aligned with U.S. foreign policy frameworks. For calendar year 2026 only, proposals connected to the 250th anniversary of United States independence (Freedom 250) may also be considered. Any Freedom 250-supported activities must conclude no later than December 31, 2026.

Applicants may propose activities such as:

• Workshops, training programs, or seminars that include follow-on engagement or practical outputs that advance the U.S.-ROK Alliance
• Speaker programs, expert dialogues, or roundtables that promote U.S. commercial interests including English language development or other relevant initiatives
• Youth, student, or emerging leader programs that build future networks ready to advance U.S.-ROK cooperation or U.S.-ROK-Japan cooperation
• Initiatives that identify, expose or counter coordinated anti-American propaganda campaigns from foreign state and non-state actors that threaten American interests and national security
• Projects promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development including in shipbuilding, commercial space industry, energy, or emerging technology sectors
• Exchanges (virtual or in-person) building capacity and cooperation in preventing online scams, protecting children from online sexual exploitation and abuse, stopping the flow of illegal drugs, or other transnational criminal activity
• Freedom 250-related educational, cultural, or public engagement programming implemented in 2026 only to showcase American excellence

Applicants should clearly define expected outputs and outcomes and include a plan for monitoring and evaluation. Proposals should identify performance indicators, targets and baseline data where appropriate, and data collection methods such as attendance records, participant feedback, surveys, interviews, or digital analytics.

Application Process

All application materials must be submitted by email to SeoulPDGrants@state.gov. Applicants may visit the U.S. Embassy Seoul website for a full announcement with proposal templates.

Link to Additional Information: https://kr.usembassy.gov/pd-seoul-fy26-02-u-s-rok-strategic-partnership-initiatives/

Deadline and Timeline

Deadline for Applications: Monday, July 6, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (GMT+9)

Posted Date: May 14, 2026

Archive Date: July 7, 2026

Contact Information

Grants Team: Seoul PD Grants Team

Email: seoulpdgrants@state.gov