U.S.-ASEAN Road to 50: Rising Leaders Forum

The U.S.-ASEAN Road to 50: Rising Leaders Forum is a federal funding opportunity issued by the U.S. Mission to ASEAN, part of the U.S. Department of State. This initiative is funded under the Smith-Mundt Act and is administered through the Public Diplomacy Section. It aims to commemorate the 50th anniversary of U.S.-ASEAN relations by fostering collaboration among emerging leaders across Southeast Asia. The program is designed to strengthen the U.S.-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and build a self-sustaining alumni network capable of addressing regional challenges and advancing shared priorities. The purpose of the grant is to support an organization in developing, organizing, and implementing a one-day forum in Jakarta, Indonesia. This forum will convene approximately 50 rising leaders drawn exclusively from U.S. exchange alumni programs such as YSEALI, Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN, and IVLP. Participants will engage in structured activities including panel discussions, strategy sessions, networking opportunities, and collaborative exercises. The program emphasizes actionable outcomes, requiring participants to develop joint action plans aligned with strategic priorities such as digital economy, energy security, maritime cooperation, and entrepreneurship. Funding for this opportunity is provided through a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial involvement from the U.S. Mission to ASEAN in program oversight and implementation. The anticipated award amount ranges from 65000 to 85000 dollars, with total available funding capped at 85000 dollars. The performance period is expected to last up to 12 months, beginning in October 2026 and concluding by October 2027. While cost sharing is encouraged, it is not required. Funds may be used for program design, participant recruitment, travel logistics, event management, communications, and monitoring and evaluation activities, though certain activities such as construction, direct social services, and political or religious programming are explicitly prohibited. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, individuals, and public international organizations or governmental institutions. However, for-profit entities are not eligible to serve as the primary recipient. Applicants must meet administrative requirements such as obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier and maintaining active registration in SAM.gov, unless exempt. Only one proposal per organization is permitted, and failure to comply with submission requirements will result in disqualification. The application process requires submission of standard federal forms including SF-424 and related budget and assurance documents, along with a detailed proposal not exceeding ten pages. The proposal must include a program summary, organizational background, problem statement, methodology, timeline, personnel details, partnerships, and a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan. Additional required materials include a detailed budget, budget justification narrative, resumes of key personnel, and proof of non-profit status. Applications must be submitted via email to the designated program inbox by August 30, 2026 at 1159 PM Jakarta time. Applications will be evaluated based on criteria such as program quality, organizational capacity, project planning, budget justification, monitoring and evaluation approach, and sustainability. The review process includes a technical eligibility screening followed by a panel evaluation, with notification typically provided within 120 days of the deadline. The U.S. Mission to ASEAN retains discretion over final award decisions and may impose additional conditions or request further documentation during the review process. The timeline for this opportunity is fixed, with a firm application deadline and no rolling submissions. The program is not explicitly stated as recurring. The anticipated start date for awarded projects is October 2026. Questions regarding the application process may be directed to the official program email provided by the U.S. Mission to ASEAN. This opportunity represents a strategic investment in regional leadership development and cross-border collaboration aligned with long-term U.S. foreign policy objectives.

Ensure strong alignment with U.S. ASEAN strategic priorities; provide detailed and feasible implementation plan; include robust monitoring and evaluation framework