U.S.-ASEAN Road to 50: Rising Leaders Forum

The U.S. Mission to ASEAN is soliciting proposals to plan and execute the U.S.-ASEAN Road to 50: Rising Leaders Forum, a one-day workshop in Jakarta that will bring together approximately fifty emerging leaders from across Southeast Asia who are alumni of U.S.-ASEAN programs. The forum will commemorate fifty years of U.S.-ASEAN partnership while laying the groundwork for the next half-century by fostering an independent, self-sustaining alumni network dedicated to tackling shared regional challenges and advancing mutual priorities. Attendees will engage with expert panels and strategic sessions to develop concrete, cross-border action plans centered on key U.S. objectives including the U.S.-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, ASEAN centrality, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, energy security, critical minerals, resilient supply chains, maritime security, and entrepreneurship. A coordinated social media campaign will amplify the outcomes and ensure broad visibility for the initiatives generated. The solicitation, identified as PDS-USASEAN-FY26-01, was posted on July 27, 2026, with a submission deadline of August 30, 2026. Applicants must respond to the full notice of funding opportunity, which contains additional details on eligibility, evaluation criteria, and requirements. The grantor for this opportunity is Immanuella Suganda, and inquiries should be directed to sugandai@state.gov. The event will take place in Jakarta, Indonesia, with funding originating from the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to ASEAN. The initiative is designed to catalyze long-term collaboration among regional leaders and reinforce the United States’ commitment to a strong, enduring partnership with ASEAN.