The Young Trilateral Leaders (YTL) Summit, administered by the U.S. Embassy Seoul Public Diplomacy Section, invites proposals to implement the 2027 Young Trilateral Leaders (YTL) Summit in the Republic of Korea. This initiative cultivates next-generation leaders equipped to reinforce U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral cooperation and directly supports Administration priorities for strategic alignment in the Indo-Pacific region.

Overview

Now in its fourth year, the 2027 YTL Summit will return to the Republic of Korea for the first time since its 2024 inaugural convening in Busan. The summit has evolved into an action-oriented security policy lab that convenes a highly qualified cohort of 50 emerging leaders, ages 18 to 35, from the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Japan, alongside select participants from other Indo-Pacific countries. The target date for the 2027 summit is August 2027.

The overarching goal of the 2027 YTL Summit is to cultivate a self-sustaining network of trilateral Alliance Champions possessing the technical literacy, strategic networks, and geopolitical alignment required to advance U.S. interests in their future professional capacities.

A dedicated Advanced Security and Technology Track will focus on maritime security in the age of artificial intelligence, quantum-enabled threats, critical minerals supply chains, technologically advanced shipbuilding, and emerging technology governance.

Program Objectives

• Policy Literacy: Deepen participant understanding of threats to freedom in the Indo-Pacific, specifically highlighting how emerging technologies alter the maritime landscape.
• Alliance Commitment: Measurably increase participant alignment with U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral defense, economic, and security frameworks.
• Career Vectoring: Directly transition participants into professional pipelines within government, defense industrial bases, strategic finance, and advanced technology sectors that support trilateral security and economic cooperation.

Core Program Design

The awardee will design and implement a program structure consisting of the following sequential components:

• Cohort Recruitment and Vetting: Recruit and screen 50 elite participants — 15 from the U.S., 15 from the ROK, 15 from Japan, and up to 5 from key Indo-Pacific nations. Candidates must be drawn from advanced tech sectors, the defense industry, security policy, and strategic finance. The embassy retains final authority over all selections.
• Pre-Summit Virtual Bootcamps: Plan and host three to four virtual orientation sessions before participant travel to introduce summit themes and build shared background knowledge.
• 2027 In-Person Summit in the Republic of Korea: Develop and implement a three-day summit with expert-led plenary sessions, cross-national working groups, structured simulations, mentorship, and networking activities.
• Crisis Tabletop Simulation: Design and facilitate at least one highly realistic tabletop exercise simulating a regional tech-security or gray-zone crisis requiring immediate trilateral coordination.
• Cross-National Working Groups: Organize approximately eight to ten working groups to develop concrete policy positions or recommendations on topics such as maritime security, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, critical minerals, and emerging technology governance.
• Expert and Mentor Engagement: Arrange for up to five industry leaders or international experts to speak at the summit and serve as mentors. The embassy will have final approval of all experts.
• Industrial and Security Site Visit: Organize one site visit to a location or organization of significance to the summit’s themes, subject to embassy approval.
• Alumni Mentor Integration: Integrate YTL alumni throughout the program to support orientation sessions, working groups, tabletop exercises, and follow-on engagement.
• Participant Action Plans: Participants will develop actionable project proposals addressing emerging threats to maritime security and present them in a competitive pitch session. At least three teams will be selected to implement their projects with a small grant within nine months.
• Follow-on Engagement: Propose a practical follow-on plan to sustain the YTL network after the summit, including mentorship, alumni engagement, virtual discussions, or dissemination of participant deliverables.

Funding and Benefits

Total Amount Available: $250,000

Estimated Number of Awards: 1

Award Minimum: $200,000

Award Maximum: $250,000

Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants:

• 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

Individuals are not eligible to apply. Applicants should demonstrate organizational capacity, subject-matter understanding, and relevant program management experience necessary to design and implement a high-visibility international leadership summit focused on U.S.-ROK-Japan cooperation, regional security, and emerging technology issues.

Application Process

All application materials must be submitted by email to SeoulPDGrants@state.gov

A full announcement with proposal templates is available on the U.S. Embassy Seoul website.

Funding Opportunity Number: PD-SEOUL-FY26-04

Deadline for Applications: Wednesday, August 5, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (GMT+9)

Contact Information

Grantor: U.S. Mission to South Korea

Email: seoulpdgrants@state.gov

Assistance Listing: 19.040 — Public Diplomacy Programs