GrantsUnited States

U.S.-ASEAN Road to 50: Rising Leaders Forum

Posted July 29, 2026

Application Cycle Concluded

The listed deadline for this opening was August 30, 2026. Application criteria, required documents, and preparation guidelines below remain active for upcoming academic cycles. Explore active live openings below.

Coverage / FundingFinancial Support Available

Degree LevelOpen to Qualified Applicants

Location / ModeUnited States

DeadlineAug 30, 2026

About this opportunity

The U.S. Mission to ASEAN is accepting applications to organize and run the U.S.-ASEAN Road to 50: Rising Leaders Forum, a one-day workshop in Jakarta that will bring together roughly 50 alumni from USASEAN exchange programs across Southeast Asia. The winning applicant gets between $60,000 and $85,000 to plan, host, and oversee the entire event. This is a grant for an organization or individual, not a scholarship for students. The forum marks 50 years of U.S.-ASEAN partnership and looks ahead to the next half-century. The core goal is to build an independent, self-sustaining alumni network that can collaborate on regional challenges. Participants will design joint action plans tied to U.S. priorities, including the U.S.-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, ASEAN centrality, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, energy security, critical minerals, resilient supply chains, maritime security, and entrepreneurship. The event will feature expert panels, strategy sessions, and a joint social media campaign to turn policy goals into practical, cross-border initiatives. The U.S. Mission to ASEAN is the diplomatic arm of the United States government focused on the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Based in Jakarta, the mission works on everything from trade and security to public health and education. Its Public Diplomacy Section runs exchange programs, cultural events, and policy dialogues that connect American and Southeast Asian leaders. This forum is part of that broader effort to deepen ties between the U.S. and the region. Jakarta is a dense, sprawling city of over 10 million people, and it serves as the headquarters for ASEAN itself. The working language for the forum will be English, which is widely used in professional and government settings across Southeast Asia. The city has a tropical climate, with high humidity and frequent rain showers year-round. For international participants, Indonesia offers visa-on-arrival for many nationalities, though organizers should factor in travel logistics for alumni coming from different countries in the region.

Benefits

Award ceiling of $85,000
Award floor of $60,000
Single award for one applicant

Eligibility

Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society or non-governmental organizations
Public and private educational institutions
Individuals
Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions

How to Apply

Read the full Notice of Funding Opportunity on the U.S. Mission to ASEAN website to understand all requirements and instructions.
Prepare your application according to the instructions in the NOFO, including your proposed budget and event plan.
Click the Apply button below to submit your application.

Ready to start your application?

Submit your materials before the official deadline.

Apply Now

Oppora Editorial Application Tip

Verify all official guidelines and eligibility criteria directly with the host institution before submitting. Prepare your transcript evaluation, referee letters, and motivational statement early to avoid deadline bottleneck delays.

⚡

Oppora Editorial Analysis

Official Application Strategy & Recommended Tools

Competitiveness Rating:Moderate

Selection Committee Priorities

•Academic/Professional Alignment: Ensure your statement explicitly ties your past work in United States to Department of State's strategic goals.
•Leadership Evidence: Selection panels heavily weigh demonstrated initiative, community impact, or research output.
•Financial & Language Prerequisites: Confirm if Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificates can substitute for formal standardized language test fees.

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