Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The U.S. Embassy Seoul Public Diplomacy Section has opened applications for the PD-SEOUL-FY26-02: U.S.-ROK Strategic Partnership Initiatives program to strengthen cooperation between the United States and the Republic of Korea through strategic public diplomacy activities. The program supports innovative projects in areas such as technology, cybersecurity, maritime cooperation, supply chain resilience, innovation, and strategic communications, with grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000.
About the U.S.-ROK Strategic Partnership Initiatives Program
The U.S. Embassy Seoul Public Diplomacy Section has launched the PD-SEOUL-FY26-02: U.S.-ROK Strategic Partnership Initiatives program to support projects that strengthen the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK). The initiative focuses on practical bilateral cooperation and public diplomacy efforts that generate measurable outcomes and deepen engagement between U.S. and Korean institutions.
The program aims to support projects that address shared strategic priorities while increasing collaboration across sectors and strengthening long-term partnerships.
Focus Areas and Priority Themes
The program supports projects aligned with U.S.-ROK strategic interests and public diplomacy priorities.
Priority areas include:
- Economic and technology cooperation
- Innovation and emerging technologies
- Cybersecurity awareness and cooperation
- Critical minerals and supply chain resilience
- Shipbuilding and maritime collaboration
- Freedom of expression initiatives
- Strategic communications and public engagement
- Identification and countering of anti-American propaganda campaigns from state and non-state actors
- Institutional partnership development
- Expansion of bilateral cooperation across priority sectors
- Freedom 250 initiatives linked to the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence
Projects should demonstrate clear links to U.S. foreign policy priorities or bilateral strategic frameworks.
Program Objectives
The initiative seeks to:
- Strengthen U.S.-ROK bilateral relations
- Expand collaboration between institutions and organizations
- Increase engagement with Korean audiences
- Support high-impact public diplomacy activities
- Promote innovation and strategic cooperation
- Build long-term partnerships across sectors
- Develop sustainable networks of implementing organizations
Examples of Eligible Project Activities
Potential project activities may include:
- Technology partnership programs
- Cybersecurity education initiatives
- Maritime and shipbuilding cooperation projects
- Strategic communication campaigns
- Innovation ecosystem development activities
- Supply chain resilience initiatives
- Public engagement programs
- Policy discussions and workshops
- Research collaborations
- Capacity-building activities
- Institutional exchange programs
Funding Information
Funding details include:
- Award size: $25,000–$100,000
- Total estimated funding pool: $250,000
- Project duration: Up to 12 months
- Expected project start: During calendar year 2026
Funding mechanisms may include:
- Grants
- Fixed Amount Awards
- Cooperative Agreements
The final funding structure may depend on the project design and the level of involvement from the U.S. Embassy or the U.S. Department of State.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Nonprofit organizations
- Think tanks
- Civil society organizations
- Educational institutions
- Government institutions
- Public international organizations
Organizations based in the Republic of Korea may receive priority consideration.
Organizations located outside Korea may also apply but must demonstrate:
- Strong local partnerships
- Existing staff presence in Korea
- Prior implementation experience in Korea
- Capacity to effectively deliver project activities within the Korean context
Project Requirements
Applicants should ensure that proposed projects:
- Align with U.S.-ROK strategic priorities
- Deliver measurable and practical outcomes
- Demonstrate sustainable impact
- Include strong stakeholder engagement
- Show implementation capacity
- Include clear monitoring and evaluation approaches
For projects linked to Freedom 250:
- Activities must conclude by December 31, 2026
How to Apply
Applicants can follow these steps:
Step 1: Review Program Priorities
Review the funding priorities and identify how the proposed project supports U.S.-ROK strategic objectives.
Step 2: Design a Strong Project
Prepare a project that includes:
- Objectives
- Activities
- Timeline
- Expected outcomes
- Target audience
- Monitoring indicators
- Budget
Step 3: Establish Local Partnerships
Organizations outside Korea should build strong partnerships with local institutions and demonstrate implementation capability.
Step 4: Obtain Required Registrations
Applicants must:
- Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
- Maintain an active SAM.gov registration
Step 5: Submit the Application
Complete and submit all required documents according to application guidelines.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Submitting projects unrelated to U.S.-ROK strategic priorities
- Providing vague outcomes without measurable indicators
- Weak implementation plans
- Insufficient local partnership arrangements
- Missing required registrations
- Poorly justified budgets
- Lack of sustainability planning
Why This Program Matters
Public diplomacy programs play a critical role in strengthening international partnerships beyond government-to-government engagement.
This initiative matters because it:
- Builds stronger institutional networks
- Promotes cooperation in strategic sectors
- Enhances innovation partnerships
- Strengthens cybersecurity collaboration
- Improves public engagement
- Supports long-term bilateral relationships
- Encourages collaborative problem-solving on shared challenges
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who can apply for the U.S.-ROK Strategic Partnership Initiatives Program?
Eligible applicants include nonprofits, think tanks, educational institutions, civil society organizations, government institutions, and public international organizations.
2. How much funding is available?
Individual awards range from $25,000 to $100,000, with a total funding pool of approximately $250,000.
3. How long can projects run?
Projects may run for a maximum of 12 months.
4. Can organizations outside Korea apply?
Yes. Organizations outside Korea may apply if they demonstrate strong implementation capacity in Korea through local partnerships, staff presence, or previous experience.
5. What sectors are prioritized?
Priority sectors include technology, innovation, cybersecurity, maritime cooperation, supply chain resilience, strategic communications, and public diplomacy.
6. Is local partnership important?
Yes. Local implementation capacity is strongly encouraged and may improve competitiveness.
7. What registrations are required before applying?
Applicants must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and maintain an active SAM.gov registration.
Conclusion
The U.S.-ROK Strategic Partnership Initiatives Program provides an opportunity for organizations to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Korea through innovative and practical public diplomacy projects. By supporting initiatives in strategic sectors such as technology, cybersecurity, innovation, and communications, the program aims to deepen long-term partnerships and create measurable bilateral impact.
For more information, visit U.S. Embassy & Consulate in the Republic of Korea.