Applications open for Ports of the Future Partnerships Program 2024

Deadline: 16-Dec-2024

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs’ Office of Security and Transnational Affairs (SCA/STA) announces an open competition for an organization to submit applications for the support for the Ports of the Future Program that will focus on modernization and sustainability of the ports sector in South Asia.

Project Goal 

• With the support of these funds, SCA seeks to enhance sustainable and resilient port infrastructure development in the Indo-Pacific region by leveraging the expertise and resources of Quad governments and regional partners, thereby improving regional connectivity, economic development, and global trade efficiency.

Objectives

• Objectives should include but are not limited to:
  • Objective 1: Organize and conduct a regional ports and transportation conference, in collaboration with Quad Partners, to launch the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership.
  • Objective 2: Identify opportunities to harness Quad Partner expertise, in collaboration with regional partners, to support sustainable and resilient port infrastructure development across the Indo-Pacific.
  • Objective 3: Support the adoption and standardization of smart technology, infrastructure modernization, and environmental planning in the transportation sector to advance cost-effective, sustainable, and climate resilient maritime trade.

Funding Information

• Funding Ceiling: $1,275,904.07

Priority Region

• Indo-Pacific Region. Potential Benefitting Countries: India, Maldives, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand.

Activities

• Activities should include, but are not limited to:
  • Activity 1.1: The Ports of the Future Program (PFP) will work closely with the governments of U.S., Australia, Japan, and India as part of the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership, to organize a regional ports and logistics conference that brings together policymakers, port officials, and industry personnel from eligible countries in the Indo-Pacific to address challenges in global transportation and logistics.
    • Anticipated Discussion Topics may include, but are not limited to:
    • Port development expansions and investment opportunities
    • Economic viability of ports and supply chain management
    • Smart ports initiatives/Information Communication Technologies (ICT) and Port Community Systems (PCS), customs digitization and signal window platforms
    • Port energy and sustainability, decarbonization and alternate fuels
    • Disaster and climate resilient port infrastructure
  • Activity 2.1: The program implementer will be responsible for producing a detailed report assessing gaps and opportunities to support sustainable and resilient port infrastructure development in the Indo-Pacific, including identifying opportunities for future collaboration among Quad governments and regional partners under the Ports of the Future Partnership (PFP).
  • Activity 3.1: With the context of activity 2.1 as a background, the Ports of the Future Program will provide cyber capacity-building and advisory services to eligible countries to support the adaptation and standardization of smart technology, infrastructure modernization, and environmental planning in the transportation sector.

Expected Outcomes 

• An enhanced level of coordination and cooperation of regional ports by leveraging existing Quad-partner public and private sector expertise to support sustainable and resilient port infrastructure development.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible Applicants:
  • U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations with or without 501(c) (3) status of the U.S. tax code;
  • foreign-based non-profit organizations/non-government organizations (NGO);
  • For-profit organizations;
  • Public and private educational institutions;
  • Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions.
• Other Eligibility Criteria
  • Applicants should demonstrate expertise and experience in the following areas:
  • U.S. policy priorities in the Indo-Pacific Region;
  • Developing and implementing ports and infrastructure related projects;
  • Managing and monitoring sub-recipients and/or direct assistance projects (if applicable);
  • Conducting risk assessments and monitoring and evaluating programs and sub-recipients in order to document and assess the short- and long-term outcomes of proposed projects.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.