Workforce Integration in Conflict Areas

The U.S. Department of State's Embassy Islamabad is soliciting cooperative agreement proposals to build sustainable employment pathways for graduates in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces of Pakistan. The program requires applicants to assess graduate skill gaps and employer needs, develop and deliver employment training with local vocational-technical institutions, facilitate job placement into internships and positions, and advocate with provincial and national governments for course replication and scaling. Key requirements include serving at least 800 madrassah graduates and 400 public school graduates with training aligned to U.S. industry needs, particularly in the mining and minerals sector. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, think tanks, civil society organizations, and educational institutions (both U.S. and foreign-based), and all applicants must be registered in SAM.gov with a valid UEI. Evaluation criteria emphasize program quality and feasibility (25 points), organizational capacity and previous grant performance (25 points), project planning and achievement of objectives (20 points), budget (10 points), monitoring and evaluation (10 points), and sustainability (10 points). The application deadline is May 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, with results expected within 120 days of submission.

One award of up to $300,000 is anticipated under this opportunity, funded through FY26 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds with a project performance period of 15 to 18 months and an anticipated start date of September 30, 2026. The program addresses the critical need to develop workforce skills in two economically disadvantaged Pakistani provinces experiencing high poverty, weak public school systems, and significant madrassah concentration. Performance activities will occur in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with successful applicants required to submit quarterly program and financial reports, comply with federal regulations including trafficking in persons certification, and adhere to State Department branding guidelines throughout the award period.