Public Diplomacy Small Grants Competition

1. Project Background, Goals, and Objectives

PD small grants’ projects must clearly advance America First foreign policy principles by demonstrating how the proposed activities make the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous, while celebrating Freedom250 and American excellence.

Priority will be given to projects that deliver tangible, measurable benefits to U.S. interests; elevate U.S. leadership and credibility; promote reciprocal and mutually beneficial engagement with Burma, and focus on one of the priority areas outlined below.

COMMERCIAL ADVANCEMENT – Projects that advance U.S.–Burma economic ties and U.S. prosperity by strengthening entrepreneurs and businesses that align with U.S. commercial and strategic interests. Proposals should promote robust commercial diplomacy and workforce competitiveness, including through the use of innovation, digital tools, and AI‑enabled technologies, and create concrete opportunities for U.S.–linked trade, investment, and integration into U.S.-relevant supply chains.

DIGITAL FREEDOM, ONLINE SAFETY, AND ANTI‑SCAM AWARENESS – Projects that strengthen digital literacy and help protect users from online harms that threaten U.S. and Burmese interests. Proposals should focus on exposing and countering fraudulent online schemes and scam centers; building skills to recognize, avoid, and report online fraud, identity theft, and financial scams; and promoting responsible, secure use of digital platforms and tools, including in cross‑border and U.S.‑linked online activity.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING – Programs that advance America First priorities by providing Business English and English for Entrepreneurship essential to U.S.–linked trade, investment, and regional stability. Proposals should build high‑level English skills needed to work with American companies, navigate U.S. standards and contracts, participate in regional supply chains, and engage in lawful, rules‑based economic activity. Activities may include targeted English training for professionals, entrepreneurs, and future business leaders that uses U.S. materials, terminology, and case studies and clearly supports U.S. economic and strategic interests in the Indo‑Pacific.

REGIONAL STABILITY AND AMERICAN EXCELLENCE – Projects that explain and highlight the U.S. role in maintaining a free, open, and secure Indo‑Pacific, and that underscore American excellence in security cooperation, governance, innovation, and economic leadership. Proposals should deepen understanding of how U.S. policies, alliances, and economic engagement contribute to regional stability and why this benefits the United States. Activities may include programs that feature U.S. experts or content on Indo‑Pacific strategy, maritime and economic security, or resilient supply chains, and that clearly communicate U.S. strengths, values, and strategic objectives to Burma‑based audiences.

EDUCATION – Programs that advance America First priorities and American excellence by equipping Burma’s students and young adults with skill‑based and vocational training that strengthens U.S.–relevant economic competitiveness. Proposals should promote accurate understanding of U.S. education, institutions, and culture; and build durable linkages with American academic, vocational, and cultural institutions. Activities may include training for students, faculty, or artists that uses U.S. curricula, standards, or expertise and clearly supports U.S. interests, policies, and reputation in Burma, consistent with applicable travel restrictions and visa policies.

Project Audiences: Primary beneficiaries of PD small grants may include, but are not limited to:

• Emerging leaders across Burma seeking to expand professional collaboration and leadership impact;

• Youth and early-career professionals developing workforce, digital, entrepreneurial, or technical skills aligned with economic growth sectors;

• Educators, entrepreneurs, civil society professionals, or public and private sector practitioners engaged in innovation, applied education, or digital security initiatives.

Target audiences may vary depending on project design but should clearly identify geographic reach, professional background, and demographic characteristics relevant to project objectives.

Project Goals: Funded projects should advance one or more of the following goals:

• Strengthen U.S. Burma economic engagement by building the capacity of Burmese entrepreneurs, professionals, and students to participate in U.S.-linked commerce, trade, and supply chains.

• Protect U.S. interests in the digital space by equipping audiences with the skills to identify, avoid, and report online fraud, scams, and digital threats.

• Advance English language proficiency in professional and entrepreneurial contexts to enable meaningful participation in U.S.-linked economic activity and rules-based regional commerce.

• Elevate understanding of U.S leadership and strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific by communicating American strengths, values, and policy priorities to Burma-based audiences.

• Promote American excellence and educational opportunity by connecting Burmese participants with U.S. curricula, institutions, expertise, and cultural content.

Project Objectives: All projects funded under this competition must support at least one of the following objectives:

• Strengthen U.S.-Burma economic ties by building the capacity of Burmese entrepreneurs, business professionals, or students to engage with U.S.-linked trade, investment, supply chains, or commercial opportunities.

• Advance digital literacy and online safety by equipping Burmese audiences with the skills to recognize, avoid, and report online fraud, scams, and digital threats that target U.S. interests.

• Improve English language proficiency in professional or entrepreneurial contexts to enable meaningful participation in U.S.-linked economic activity, rules-based commerce, and regional supply chains.

• Promote American excellence and educational opportunity by connecting Burmese students, faculty, or young adults with U.S. curricula, expertise, or cultural content.

• Deepen understanding of U.S. leadership, values, and strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific by communicating American strengths, policies, and contributions to regional stability to Burmese audiences.

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