Post Kuala Lumpur FY2026 Annual Program Statement

The U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur seeks proposals for public diplomacy initiatives that advance American leadership, prosperity, and security interests in Malaysia through grants, fixed amount awards, or cooperative agreements. The Department of State's Public Diplomacy Section prioritizes five strategic focus areas: advancing U.S. technological leadership in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies; promoting American excellence through sports diplomacy; engaging Malaysian alumni of U.S. government exchange programs; promoting American English language education and U.S. higher education pathways; and countering malign influence while promoting free speech. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, educational institutions, governmental entities, international organizations, and individuals, all of whom must maintain a Unique Entity Identifier and active SAM.gov registration. Proposals will be evaluated on a 100-point scale across six criteria: alignment with U.S. interests (25 points), program quality and feasibility (20 points), organizational capacity (15 points), program planning ability (15 points), budget reasonableness (10 points), and monitoring and evaluation capability (10 points), with an additional five points for sustainability. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with a final deadline of July 31, 2026, with monthly review cycles providing decisions within 30-45 days of submission.

The funding opportunity offers up to $500,000 in total available funding distributed across 15-25 anticipated awards ranging from $10,000 to $150,000 per grant. Projects will have a performance period of 12 to 24 months, with applications requiring comprehensive proposals not to exceed 15 pages, federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B as applicable), and detailed budget justifications. Recipients must comply with federal requirements including quarterly progress and financial reporting, trafficking in persons certifications, anti-discrimination laws, and Department of State branding guidelines. All program activities will be conducted in Malaysia, with successful applicants required to demonstrate clear alignment with U.S. national interests, measurable outcomes, and sustainable impact beyond the grant period.