U.S. Mission to India: Indo-Pacific Scholar Connect

Deadline: 18-May-21

The U.S. Mission to India is seeking applications for its Indo-Pacific Scholar Connect project that provides a group of young scholars focused on the study of the Indo-Pacific region with a deeper understanding of the U.S. and Indian perspectives on a free and open Indo-Pacific and promote collaborative research and institutional partnerships.

A group of 60 scholars of international relations will have a deeper understanding of the U.S. and Indian visions for a free and open Indo-Pacific; become part of an active network of scholars focused on the study of the region; engage in collaborative research; and promote institutional partnerships that promote the shared values and goals.

Project Components

The Indo-Pacific Strategic Scholar Connect Campaign will have four major components.

A virtual programming and knowledge sharing phase;
An in-person residency;
An exchange phase;
A partnership promotion phase.

Project Objectives

Within five months after the project start date: Connect 40 Indian and 20 regional scholars focused on the study of the Indo-Pacific region through a series of virtual speaker engagements and focused group meetings organized over a period of five months providing them opportunities to share studies, research findings, and local knowledge about the Indo-Pacific.
Within six months after the project start date: Generate/identify at least 15 collaborative research, mentoring, and partnership ideas/opportunities and create cultural bonding among these 60 scholars by bringing them together with U.S. and Indian experts for a five-day in-person residency program.
Within 11 months after the project start date: A select group of Indian and regional (five each, 10 total) participants will gain a more in-depth understanding of U.S. foreign policy objectives and strategies in the Indo-Pacific region through their participation in an exchange opportunity that would allow them to examine the complex U.S. foreign policy decision-making process and acquire firsthand knowledge of key institutions and public and private agencies involved in foreign policy making in the United States.
Within 12 months after the project start date: Monitor and report on the joint research, mentoring, and partnership plans ideated at the residency though direct messaging and focused group meetings before and after the project.
Within 12 months after the project start date: Develop the participants’ virtual networking platform as a knowledge repository that would attract more scholars to the network and offer them opportunities to publish studies focused on the Indo-Pacific.

Funding Information

Estimated Total Project Funding: USD 150,000
Estimated Award Ceiling (Maximum): USD150,000
Estimated Award Floor (Minimum): USD100,000
Length of Project Period: 12 months

Project Audiences

Scholars researching and teaching subjects/areas related to the Indo-Pacific region in the age group of 25-45 years from across India.
Scholars researching and teaching subjects/areas related to the Indo-Pacific region in the age group of 25-45 years from across the Indo-Pacific region, primarily from ASEAN countries.

Eligibility Criteria

The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Civil society/non-governmental organizations
- Think tanks
- Public and private educational institutions
- Individuals
- Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions
Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.
Cost sharing or matching is not required for this funding opportunity.
Pre-award costs are not an allowable expense for this funding opportunity.
This award does not allow:
- Projects relating to partisan political activity;
- Charitable or development activities;
- Construction projects;
- Projects that support specific religious activities;
- Fund-raising campaigns;
- Lobbying for specific legislation or programs
- Scientific research or surveys;
- Commercial projects;
- Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization;
- Projects that duplicate existing projects;
- Illegal activities.