Vietnam CyberSafe Hacks 2026

The Vietnam CyberSafe Hacks grant is offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, specifically under its Public Diplomacy Section. This funding opportunity is part of the U.S. government’s broader efforts to address transnational cybercrime and strengthen digital resilience in Southeast Asia. The program is framed within U.S. foreign policy priorities, particularly those aimed at combating cyber-enabled fraud, human trafficking, and financial crimes that have escalated rapidly in the region. The initiative reflects a strategic investment in youth engagement and technological capacity-building to counter these threats while promoting regional stability and cooperation. The primary purpose of this grant is to support the design and implementation of a program that equips Vietnamese youth and early-stage professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to combat cyber scams and trafficking-related activities. The program aims to engage participants aged 18 to 30 through training, mentorship, and hackathon-style innovation challenges. These activities are intended to foster awareness of cybercrime risks, enhance technical competencies in cybersecurity and emerging technologies, and generate practical solutions that address scam detection, prevention, and community awareness. The initiative emphasizes the use of American technologies, including open-source artificial intelligence tools, to develop innovative and legally compliant solutions. Funding for this opportunity is limited, with a total available amount of 35633 dollars and a single anticipated award. The project performance period is expected to last between 6 and 12 months, with an anticipated start date of November 1, 2026. Funds may be used for programmatic activities such as training, events, personnel, and operational costs necessary to achieve the program’s objectives. However, there are clear restrictions on funding usage, including prohibitions on construction, direct social services, political activities, religious programming, fundraising campaigns, and commercial ventures. Cost sharing is encouraged but not required, allowing applicants flexibility in structuring their budgets. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. For-profit entities are explicitly excluded from serving as the primary recipient, although they may participate as subcontractors. Applicants must be registered in SAM.gov and possess a Unique Entity Identifier. The program requires that one nonprofit, nongovernmental entity serve as the primary applicant, with clearly defined roles for any partners or subcontractors. The initiative encourages collaboration with universities, government agencies, and private sector actors, particularly those involved in cybersecurity and digital platforms. The application process requires submission of standard federal forms, including SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B where applicable, along with a detailed proposal of up to 10 pages. The proposal must include sections such as a summary, organizational background, problem statement, program design, timeline, personnel details, and a monitoring and evaluation plan. Applicants must also submit a detailed budget and budget justification narrative, along with supporting documents such as resumes, letters of support, and proof of nonprofit status. Applications can be submitted via email or through Grants.gov, and all materials must be provided in English. Applications are evaluated based on several criteria, including the quality and feasibility of the program idea, organizational capacity, project planning, budget justification, monitoring and evaluation strategy, and sustainability. Each criterion is weighted, with program quality and feasibility receiving the highest emphasis. The review process includes an initial eligibility screening followed by evaluation by a technical review panel. Applicants are typically notified of results within approximately 120 days after the submission deadline. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is August 2, 2026, at 11:59 PM local time in Ho Chi Minh City. Questions must be submitted by July 24, 2026, to the provided contact email. The grant is a one-time opportunity with no explicit indication of recurrence, and selected recipients must comply with post-award reporting requirements, including quarterly progress and financial reports. The program reflects a targeted effort to empower youth in Vietnam to combat cybercrime through innovation, education, and international collaboration.

Align program clearly with U.S. foreign policy priorities; demonstrate measurable outcomes; provide detailed and realistic budget; ensure strong M&E framework