Funder: U.S. Mission to Kyrgyzstan
Due Dates: May 31, 2025 (Period 1) | July 15, 2025 (Period 2)
Funding Amounts: $10,000–$50,000 per award; project duration 6–12 months; up to three awards anticipated.
Summary: Supports projects to expand STEM education and investment in the Kyrgyz Republic, with a focus on rural access, educator training, and U.S. partnerships.
Key Information: Only one proposal per organization; U.S. applicants must partner with Kyrgyz-registered entities; for-profit entities are not eligible.
Description
The U.S. Embassy Bishkek Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) is offering funding to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and investment in the Kyrgyz Republic. The program aims to address limited access to STEM resources, especially in rural areas, which restricts economic opportunity and contributes to brain drain and outmigration. By supporting projects that expand rural STEM education, train educators, modernize curricula, and foster U.S.-Kyrgyz partnerships, the program seeks to prepare young Kyrgyzstani citizens for STEM careers, create opportunities for U.S. business engagement, and reduce outmigration by building domestic economic opportunities.
Due Dates
- Period 1 Application Deadline: May 31, 2025 (11:59 p.m. Bishkek time)
- Period 2 Application Deadline: July 15, 2025 (11:59 p.m. Bishkek time)
- Applications must be received by the deadline; late submissions are not considered.
Funding Amount
- Award Range: $10,000 to $50,000 per project
- Project Duration: 6–12 months
- Number of Awards: Up to three, depending on award sizes and funding availability
- Funding Instrument: Grant or cooperative agreement (with possible substantial involvement from the Embassy)
- Cost Sharing: Not required
Eligibility
- Eligible Applicants:
- Kyrgyz Republic-registered:
- Not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks, civil society, NGOs)
- Public and private educational institutions
- Individuals
- U.S.-based:
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), educational institutions, and individuals, but only if partnering with a Kyrgyz Republic-registered organization
- Ineligible: For-profit entities (even if otherwise eligible)
- Other Requirements:
- Only one proposal per organization; multiple submissions from the same organization will render all ineligible.
- Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and active SAM.gov registration (not required for individuals).
- Extra consideration for leveraging American Spaces, USG program alumni, or existing USG programming in Kyrgyzstan.
Application Process
- Submission Methods:
- Email: Send all application materials to bishkekprojectproposals@state.gov (include Funding Opportunity Title and Number in the subject line)
- Grants.gov: Submit via the online portal
- Required Documents:
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424A (Budget Information)
- SF-424B (Assurances, if applicable)
- Proposal (max 6 pages) including:
- Project summary, problem statement, methods, timeline, key personnel, partners, sustainability plan, and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) plan
- Detailed budget and budget justification narrative
- Key personnel resumes (1 page each)
- Letters of support from partners (if applicable)
- Proof of non-profit status and registration
- Attachments and Templates:
Additional Information
- Project Focus Areas:
- Training educators in STEM using U.S. curricula or modules
- Fostering U.S.-Kyrgyz partnerships for sustainable STEM initiatives
- Modernizing STEM curricula to meet global standards
- Promoting economic opportunities for students and STEM innovators
- Sample Project Objectives:
- Increase professional skills of secondary educators through hands-on STEM teaching
- Launch nationwide STEM competitions for students
- Develop and pilot Kyrgyz-language STEM curricula based on U.S. models
- Organize pitching workshops for STEM innovators, culminating in pitch events with U.S. investors
- Coordinate mobile STEM roadshows to increase student engagement
- Monitoring & Evaluation: Proposals must include a draft M&E Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) with clear indicators, data collection methods, and a theory of change.
External Links
Contact Information