Description
Total Amount Available: $200,000 / Fiscal Year Award Ceiling: $100,000 Award Floor: $1,000 Expected Number of Awards: 5ea – 10ea / Fiscal Year Deadline for Applications: This SOI covers two application submittal periods, and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. For Fiscal Year 2021: June 30, 2021, 11:59 p.m. GMT+9, in order to be funded by September 30, 2021 Proposals received after June 30, 2021, 11:59 p.m. GMT+9 and before June 30, 2022 11:59 p.m. GMT+9 will be considered for FY 2022 funding. This notice is subject to availability of funding. The U.S. Embassy Seoul of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations or individuals to submit a statement of interest (SOI) to carry out – 1) Innovative programs to advance the U.S.-ROK Alliance with priority going to proposals outside of Seoul; 2) Exchanges between the U.S. and Korea, with a preference for programs sending Koreans to the United States; and 3) Programs connecting U.S. and Korean youth leaders on issues of mutual concern. The submission of the SOI is the first step in a two-step process. Applicants must first submit a concise 1-2 pages statement of interest designed to clearly communicate the program idea and objectives. This is not a full proposal. The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants to submit program ideas for evaluation prior to requiring the development of a full proposal application. Upon a merit review of eligible SOIs, selected applicants will be invited to expand on their program idea(s) by submitting a full proposal application. Full proposals will go through a second merit review before a final funding decision are made. Program Area 1) “Innovative programs” to advance the U.S.-ROK Alliance with priority going to proposals outside of Seoul. Participants and Audiences: - Key influencers, including but limited to regional media, civil society leaders, and members of regional governments; - Regional/local media consumers (all demographics), reached through traditional and social media platforms; - Youth leaders (ages 18-25) and youth interested in studying in the U.S.; - Alumni of U.S. Government exchange programs; and/or - Alumni of U.S. universities and other higher education institutions (HEIs) Program Area 2) “Exchanges” between the United States and Korea, with a preference for programs sending Koreans to the United States. Given the COVID-19 pandemic situations, we will consider funding virtual programs, as well as in person exchanges. Participants and Audiences: - Emerging leaders across sectors Program Area 3) Programs connecting U.S. and Korean youth leaders on issues of mutual concern, including but not limited to climate change, combating infectious disease/public health, business and trade, and promoting human rights / rule of law / the rules-based international order, etc. Participants and Audiences: - Youth (age 16-18) enrolled in Korean high schools. - Young adults (age 18-29) enrolled at Korean universities or recently graduated. - Potential members of affinity groups.