Creating Opportunities through Market Development in Sports and Digital Skills | DOS KAZ AST PDS 25 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS KAZ AST PDS 25 002

The U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan (Public Diplomacy Section) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity called "Creating Opportunities through Market Development in Sports and Digital Skills" (Funding Opportunity Number: DOS KAZ AST PDS 25 002). The program is designed to fund projects that strengthen ties between Kazakhstan and the United States while building practical skills and partnerships that can last beyond the grant period. A core requirement is that every proposed project must include a clear U.S. element, such as involvement of U.S. experts or institutions, use of U.S. educational or informational resources, use of U.S.-based tools or software, or activities that directly promote stronger commercial connections and mutual understanding between Americans and Kazakhs. The opportunity places a particular emphasis on reaching audiences outside Kazakhstan's largest cities, so proposals that engage regional communities and participants are especially aligned with the program intent.

Applicants are expected to choose one of two main program goals and build their proposal around it. The first goal focuses on sports diplomacy as a way to deepen Kazakh-American ties. The underlying idea is that sports can create natural, people-to-people connections while also serving as a platform for leadership development, community engagement, and professional exchange. This goal is framed in the context of upcoming major international sporting events hosted by the United States, including the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, which the Mission views as timely opportunities to highlight American sports values and expertise. Target audiences under the sports goal include youth ages 18-25, sports professionals and amateur sports communities, female athletes and coaches, local and national sports managers, government bodies, and educational institutions. Priority outcomes include helping young people better understand American values like teamwork and community-based sports through programs modeled on U.S. approaches; creating at least one institutional partnership between a Kazakh sports organization or university program and a U.S. counterpart to support sustained collaboration; and improving sports management capacity by sharing U.S. best practices with at least three Kazakh organizations or athletic clubs, with topics such as community outreach, youth league management, and personnel and budget management.

The second goal centers on equipping young and emerging professionals with in-demand technical skills, particularly in digital technology, artificial intelligence, and communications, which are expected to be among the fastest-growing skill areas in the near future. This track builds on prior U.S.-supported STEM efforts in Kazakhstan and aims to expand practical collaboration that benefits both countries economically, including by preparing Kazakh participants to work in high-growth sectors, collaborate with U.S. businesses, and support shared commercial interests. Projects under this goal are expected to draw meaningfully on U.S. expertise and resources, for example by engaging American mentors, applying U.S. best practices, or using U.S. products such as software. The program highlights a wide range of sectors where digital and AI skills can be applied, including commerce, energy, mining, agriculture, tourism, creative industries, cultural preservation, and publishing. Intended participants include emerging and mid-career professionals in growing industries, tech entrepreneurs, researchers and government officials involved in policy, and youth ages 18-25. Priority outcomes include improving employability by connecting U.S. workforce development experts and business leaders with Kazakh counterparts to increase understanding of U.S. business culture and build positive perceptions of U.S. technology and expertise, as well as strengthening entrepreneurial and technical skills through mentorship and exchanges with U.S. mentors and startup incubators, with an expectation that these efforts result in at least two formal U.S.-Kazakhstan business partnerships.

Funding details indicate an award ceiling of $40,000 per grant, with an expectation of about four awards. The closing date listed for submissions is 2025-07-17. Eligible applicants are broad and include U.S.- and Kazakhstan-based non-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs), public and private educational institutions, individuals, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. Across both goals, the strongest proposals are those that are clearly structured around measurable outcomes, demonstrate credible U.S.-Kazakhstan collaboration, and are designed to continue generating partnerships, skills development, or institutional cooperation after the funded activities end.

• The U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Creating Opportunities through Market Development in Sports and Digital Skills" 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 2025-06-10.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-07-17. (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 $40,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for DOS KAZ AST PDS 25 002

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