Countering CCP Influence in Panama's Unviersities
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- PDS-PAN-FY26-01
- Agency
-
US Embassy Panama City
US Consulates and Embassies, Department of State
- Applications due
- Award size
- $25,000 to $150,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
-
- 19.040 Public Diplomacy Programs
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Regional Development
- Eligible applicants
-
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- Individuals
- Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Embassy Panama City is soliciting applications for a year-long initiative countering Chinese Communist Party influence in Panama's universities, with an application due date of September 13, 2026. Eligible applicants include public and private higher education institutions, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, non-501(c)(3) nonprofits, and individuals. The program targets institutional engagement across Panama's university campuses through English-language programming, AI and emerging technology workshops, entrepreneurship initiatives, visiting speakers, research collaborations, and public discussions on academic freedom and research integrity. The Embassy seeks to establish enduring U.S.-Panama academic partnerships and expand American visibility as a counter to CCP-sponsored Confucius Institutes, academic exchanges, research partnerships, and scholarships currently operating in Panamanian higher education. Activities will coordinate with EducationUSA, American Spaces, the Regional English Language Office, and existing Embassy initiatives to complement exchange and advising programs through institutional and public diplomacy focus. Place of performance is Panama, specifically Panamanian universities and academic institutions. The funding operates under the Department of State's Public Diplomacy Programs (CFDA 19.040). Specific award ceiling, award floor, number of expected awards, cost-share requirements, and evaluation criteria are not detailed in the source material.
Synopsis
Panama's universities have become an increasingly important arena for strategic competition. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has expanded its influence through Confucius Institutes, academic exchanges, research partnerships, scholarships, and sustained engagement with students, faculty, and university leadership. These influence operations foster distrust of the United States and promote CCP narratives at a critical time in the U.S.-Panama relationship.
Embassy Panama seeks to expand the U.S. presence on university campuses by creating sustained opportunities for students, faculty, administrators, and researchers to engage directly with American institutions, experts, companies, and exchange alumni. Through English-language programming, AI and emerging technology workshops, entrepreneurship initiatives, visiting speakers, research collaborations, and public discussions on academic freedom and research integrity, the program will demonstrate the advantages of partnering with the United States while providing a credible alternative to CCP-sponsored programming.
Working alongside EducationUSA, American Spaces, the Regional English Language Office, and existing Embassy initiatives, the project will complement existing exchange and advising programs by focusing on institutional engagement and public diplomacy. The Embassy seeks a year-long initiative that establishes enduring U.S.-Panama academic partnerships, expands American visibility across Panamanian campuses, and directly advances U.S. efforts to counter CCP influence in higher education.
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