Opportunity Information: Apply for PD SEOUL FY21 01
The U.S. Department of State, through the U.S. Mission to South Korea (U.S. Embassy Seoul), announced a discretionary funding opportunity called "Request for Statement of Interest for Fiscal Years 2021 and 2022" (Funding Opportunity Number: PD SEOUL FY21 01). The program is designed to support public diplomacy activities that strengthen ties between the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK). Rather than requiring applicants to submit a full proposal up front, the Embassy uses a two-step process that begins with a short Statement of Interest (SOI). This approach lets organizations and individuals share promising ideas for early feedback and screening before investing time in a full application.
Funding is available up to a total of $200,000 per fiscal year. Individual awards can range from a minimum (award floor) of $1,000 to a maximum (award ceiling) of $100,000. The Embassy anticipates making roughly 5 to 10 awards per fiscal year, depending on the number of strong applications and the availability of funds. Awards may be issued as a cooperative agreement, a grant, or another appropriate instrument type under this opportunity.
The timing is structured around two funding years, with rolling acceptance during the overall window. To be considered for FY 2021 funding (with the goal of obligating funds by September 30, 2021), applicants needed to submit by June 30, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. GMT+9. Submissions received after that date and up to June 30, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. GMT+9 were to be considered for FY 2022 funding. The announcement notes that actual awards depend on the availability of funding.
The competition focuses on three program areas. The first area is innovative programs that advance the U.S.-ROK Alliance, with a clear priority for proposals implemented outside of Seoul. The Embassy is looking for concepts that broaden engagement beyond the capital and reach regional communities. Target audiences in this area include key influencers such as regional media, civil society leaders, and local or regional government members, as well as broader regional and local media consumers reached through traditional and social media. This area also welcomes work involving youth leaders ages 18 to 25, youth interested in studying in the United States, and alumni networks, including alumni of U.S. Government exchange programs and alumni of U.S. universities and other higher education institutions.
The second area supports exchanges between the United States and Korea, with a preference for programs that send Koreans to the United States. Recognizing COVID-19 constraints at the time, the Embassy indicated it would consider virtual exchange formats in addition to in-person exchanges. The intended participants for exchange programming are emerging leaders across sectors, suggesting a broad interest in cultivating future decision-makers and professionals who can deepen bilateral cooperation through direct experience and sustained networks.
The third area targets programs that connect U.S. and Korean youth leaders around issues of mutual concern. Examples named in the notice include climate change, combating infectious disease and public health challenges, business and trade, and promoting human rights, rule of law, and the rules-based international order. The primary audiences here are younger participants: Korean high school students ages 16 to 18 and young adults ages 18 to 29 who are enrolled at Korean universities or recently graduated. The notice also mentions potential members of affinity groups, pointing to an interest in building communities of shared identity or interest that can maintain engagement beyond a single event or short-term program.
Eligibility is relatively broad. Applicants may include U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), individuals, and other eligible applicants as described in the full eligibility clarification for the opportunity. The funding is listed under CFDA 19.040, which is commonly associated with public diplomacy and related State Department programming.
A key feature of this opportunity is the two-stage application process. First, applicants submit a concise SOI of about 1 to 2 pages that clearly explains the idea, intended objectives, and what the program is trying to accomplish. The Embassy explicitly states that the SOI is not a full proposal; it is meant to be a concept-level submission that is easy to review. After an initial merit review of eligible SOIs, selected applicants are invited to submit a full proposal that expands on the concept, likely including fuller program design, implementation plans, and budgeting. Full proposals then undergo a second merit review, after which the Embassy makes final funding decisions.Apply for PD SEOUL FY21 01
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to South Korea in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Request for Statement of Interest for Fiscal Years 2021 and 2022" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 20, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 30, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Individuals, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, through the U.S. Mission to South Korea (U.S. Embassy Seoul), titled "Request for Statement of Interest for Fiscal Years 2021 and 2022" (Funding Opportunity Number: PD SEOUL FY21 01). It supports public diplomacy activities that strengthen ties between the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK).
2) Who is offering the funding?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State via the U.S. Mission to South Korea (U.S. Embassy Seoul).
3) What is the main purpose of the program?
The program is designed to support public diplomacy initiatives that strengthen U.S.-ROK ties, including efforts that broaden engagement, build networks, and connect communities and leaders in both countries.
4) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PD SEOUL FY21 01.
5) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The funding is listed under CFDA 19.040, which is commonly associated with public diplomacy and related State Department programming.
6) How much funding is available?
Funding is available up to a total of $200,000 per fiscal year.
7) What is the minimum and maximum award size?
The award floor is $1,000 and the award ceiling is $100,000 per individual award.
8) How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?
The Embassy anticipates making roughly 5 to 10 awards per fiscal year, depending on the number of strong applications and the availability of funds.
9) What types of award instruments may be used?
Awards may be issued as a cooperative agreement, a grant, or another appropriate instrument type under this opportunity.
10) Is funding guaranteed if an idea is strong?
No. The announcement notes that actual awards depend on the availability of funding.
11) What are the program areas supported by this opportunity?
The competition focuses on three program areas: (1) innovative programs that advance the U.S.-ROK Alliance, (2) exchanges between the United States and Korea (with a preference for sending Koreans to the U.S.), and (3) programs that connect U.S. and Korean youth leaders around issues of mutual concern.
12) What is Program Area 1 focused on?
Program Area 1 supports innovative programs that advance the U.S.-ROK Alliance, with a clear priority for proposals implemented outside of Seoul to broaden engagement beyond the capital and reach regional communities.
13) Does Program Area 1 prioritize activities outside Seoul?
Yes. Proposals implemented outside of Seoul are explicitly prioritized to increase engagement with regional communities.
14) Who are the target audiences for Program Area 1?
Target audiences include key influencers such as regional media, civil society leaders, and local or regional government members, as well as broader regional and local media consumers reached through traditional and social media. This area also welcomes work involving youth leaders ages 18 to 25, youth interested in studying in the United States, and alumni networks (including U.S. Government exchange alumni and alumni of U.S. universities and other higher education institutions).
15) What is Program Area 2 focused on?
Program Area 2 supports exchanges between the United States and Korea, with a preference for programs that send Koreans to the United States.
16) Are virtual exchange programs allowed?
Yes. The Embassy indicated it would consider virtual exchange formats in addition to in-person exchanges, acknowledging COVID-19 constraints at the time.
17) Who is the intended audience for exchange programming (Program Area 2)?
The intended participants are emerging leaders across sectors, reflecting an interest in building networks among future decision-makers and professionals.
18) What is Program Area 3 focused on?
Program Area 3 targets programs that connect U.S. and Korean youth leaders around issues of mutual concern.
19) What issues are highlighted for youth leader programming (Program Area 3)?
Examples named include climate change, combating infectious disease and public health challenges, business and trade, and promoting human rights, rule of law, and the rules-based international order.
20) Who are the primary audiences for Program Area 3?
The primary audiences are Korean high school students ages 16 to 18 and young adults ages 18 to 29 who are enrolled at Korean universities or recently graduated. The notice also mentions potential members of affinity groups.
21) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as relatively broad and includes U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), individuals, and other eligible applicants as described in the full eligibility clarification for the opportunity.
22) Are institutions of higher education included under the 501(c)(3) eligibility statement?
The opportunity specifies U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status other than institutions of higher education, indicating that institutions of higher education are excluded from that particular eligibility category as written.
23) Is this a one-step or multi-step application process?
It is a two-step process designed to reduce the burden of preparing a full proposal upfront.
24) What is the first step in the application process?
The first step is submitting a short Statement of Interest (SOI). This is a concept-level submission intended for early feedback and screening.
25) How long should the Statement of Interest (SOI) be?
The SOI is described as concise, about 1 to 2 pages.
26) What should the SOI include?
The SOI should clearly explain the idea, intended objectives, and what the program is trying to accomplish. It is meant to be easy to review and is not a full proposal.
27) Is the SOI the same as a full proposal?
No. The Embassy explicitly states that the SOI is not a full proposal; it is a concept-level submission.
28) What happens after an SOI is submitted?
Eligible SOIs undergo an initial merit review. Selected applicants are then invited to submit a full proposal.
29) What happens in the second step?
Invited applicants submit a full proposal that expands on the concept. Full proposals undergo a second merit review, and the Embassy then makes final funding decisions.
30) Does submitting an SOI mean an applicant will automatically be invited to submit a full proposal?
No. Only selected applicants, after the initial merit review of eligible SOIs, are invited to submit a full proposal.
31) When were SOIs due for FY 2021 consideration?
To be considered for FY 2021 funding (with the goal of obligating funds by September 30, 2021), applicants needed to submit by June 30, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. GMT+9.
32) When were SOIs due for FY 2022 consideration?
Submissions received after June 30, 2021 and up to June 30, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. GMT+9 were to be considered for FY 2022 funding.
33) Is the opportunity rolling or tied to a single deadline?
The timing is structured around two funding years with rolling acceptance during the overall window, with submissions routed to FY 2021 or FY 2022 consideration based on when they were received.
34) What does "goal of obligating funds by September 30, 2021" mean in this context?
The announcement states that FY 2021 consideration was tied to the goal of obligating (committing) funds by September 30, 2021.
35) Are the program priorities limited to a single city or region?
No. While the program is connected to the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, one of the stated priorities (Program Area 1) is to implement proposals outside of Seoul to reach regional communities.
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