Public Diplomacy Commercial Partnerships and Entrepreneurship Program

The U.S. Embassy Bishkek Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) under the U.S. Department of State has announced the Public Diplomacy Commercial Partnerships and Entrepreneurship Program. This grant opportunity aims to enhance economic ties between the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic through the promotion of local economic growth and employment. The program seeks to create new market opportunities for U.S. businesses and investors, increase the Kyrgyz workforce’s compatibility with American commercial practices, and develop entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills to curb outmigration. Additionally, it emphasizes increasing consumer awareness of U.S. products and reinforcing intellectual property (IP) protections. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations registered in the Kyrgyz Republic, such as think tanks and educational institutions, as well as U.S.-based non-profits and educational institutions that partner with Kyrgyz-registered organizations. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply. Applicants must hold a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and be registered in SAM.gov. Only one proposal may be submitted per organization. Priority consideration is given to programs that incorporate U.S. government program alumni, utilize American Spaces, or build on existing U.S. government programming in the Kyrgyz Republic. The grant supports projects completed within 6 to 12 months with anticipated start dates between September and October 2025. Projects may be awarded as grants or cooperative agreements, the latter involving significant U.S. embassy involvement in aspects such as training content, participant selection, and promotional material approval. Funding amounts range from $25,000 to $75,000, and up to three awards may be distributed depending on the size and scope of the proposed initiatives. Applications must include several components: SF-424 forms, a detailed proposal (max six pages), a line-item budget with justification, resumes or job descriptions of key personnel, letters of support, and relevant organizational documentation. The proposal should align with one or two of six outlined objectives, such as improving entrepreneurial capacity, promoting IP protections, or enhancing local employability. Monitoring and evaluation plans, sustainability strategies, and the inclusion of U.S. resources or expertise are key evaluation criteria. The deadlines for submission are May 31, 2025, and July 15, 2025. Applications can be submitted via email to bishkekprojectproposals@state.gov or through Grants.gov. All submissions must be in English and in U.S. dollars. Applications will be reviewed for completeness and technical compliance, then evaluated by a panel based on program quality, organizational capacity, planning, budget detail, sustainability, and use of American partnerships. Notification of award decisions is typically made within 120 days of the submission deadline.