Artificial Intelligence for American Competitiveness and Economic Security (AI-ACES) in South Asia
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- DFOP0018586
- Agency
-
Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs
Department of State
- Applications due
- Award size
- $2,000,000 to $5,000,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Other
- Eligible applicants
-
- For Profit Organizations
- Points of contact
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of State Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs is soliciting applications for a single cooperative agreement to deploy American AI technology in South Asian strategic economic sectors and infrastructure, with an application deadline of August 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST. Eligible applicants are U.S. nonprofit and for-profit organizations, U.S. institutions of higher education, foreign-based nonprofits, public international organizations, and foreign public entities.
The award ranges from $2,000,000 to $5,000,000 with approximately $5,000,000 total available funding. Proposals must target three or more of seven priority countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The performance period runs up to 36 months with an anticipated start date of September 30, 2026.
Core program objectives include identifying and deploying U.S. AI technology with enhanced data governance and cybersecurity standards across at least three South Asian countries, and creating a robust policy environment while reducing AI system exploitation risks. Strategic targeting will be developed in consultation with the State Department and host country governments based on geopolitical and economic factors.
Applications are evaluated on a 100-point scale across six criteria: quality and feasibility of program idea (30 points), organizational capacity and previous grants record (20 points), program planning and objective achievement (15 points), budget (10 points), monitoring and evaluation plan (15 points), and sustainability (10 points). Indirect costs may be claimed either through a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement or up to 15% of Modified Total Direct Costs. Applicants must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier and maintain active SAM.gov registration. Awards exceeding $500,000 require trafficking in persons certifications. The CFDA number is 19.108.
Synopsis
The program within SCA will aim to deploy American AI technology securely in U.S. partners' strategic economic sectors and infrastructure. The specific strategic economic sector(s) and organizations (including government, public institutions like utilities, and private companies) targeted in each country for support would be developed in consultation with State Department and host country governments and based on the geopolitical and economic factors of each country.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Sample Timeline.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| Budget Template FY26 with MTDC Calculation_Final (4).xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| AI_ Notice of Funding Opportunity DFOP0018586 update 7.17.26.docx | DOCX document |
Posting history
| Listing | Posted | Applications due |
|---|---|---|
| Opportunity | ||
| Opportunity |
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