Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0018586
The Artificial Intelligence for American Competitiveness and Economic Security (AI-ACES) in South Asia grant is a U.S. Department of State initiative run by the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) that focuses on advancing the secure deployment of American AI technology in partner countries across South Asia. The core idea is to help place U.S.-origin AI tools, systems, and approaches into strategic economic sectors and critical infrastructure in ways that strengthen U.S. partner competitiveness and economic security while also reinforcing trusted technology ecosystems. Rather than prescribing a single sector for every country, the opportunity is designed to be tailored: the priority sectors and the specific organizations to be supported in each country will be selected through consultation with the State Department and relevant host-country governments, with decisions shaped by each country’s geopolitical and economic context.
This is a discretionary funding opportunity and will be awarded as a cooperative agreement, which typically means the U.S. government expects substantial involvement during implementation (for example, in shaping activities, coordinating with U.S. embassies and host governments, and ensuring alignment with foreign policy and security considerations). The program’s emphasis on “securely” deploying American AI technology signals that responsible implementation, risk management, and protection of sensitive systems and data are likely to be central themes, especially when working in areas tied to national infrastructure or strategic industries. Because the targeted counterparts may include government entities, public institutions such as utilities, and private companies, a successful project concept will likely need a practical plan for cross-sector engagement and clear methods for selecting, onboarding, and supporting partners in-country.
The award parameters indicate a single, large award is expected. The ceiling is $5,000,000, and the opportunity anticipates 1 award, suggesting a flagship implementer will be chosen to run a regionally oriented program or a multi-country effort with country-specific workstreams. The funding opportunity number is DFOP0018586, and the CFDA number is 19.108. The opportunity was created on 2026-07-17, and the original application closing date is 2026-08-02, which implies a relatively tight submission window.
Eligibility is broad and includes U.S.-based nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), foreign-based nonprofits and NGOs, for-profit organizations, public and private educational institutions, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. The source listing also flags eligibility under “for-profit organizations other than small businesses,” reinforcing that private-sector implementers can apply. In practice, given the nature of AI deployment into strategic sectors, applicants may be expected to demonstrate credible technical capacity, strong governance and compliance structures, and the ability to coordinate with both government stakeholders and operational partners such as utilities, infrastructure operators, or major industry actors.
In summary, AI-ACES in South Asia is a high-value, single-award cooperative agreement intended to accelerate secure adoption of American AI technologies in strategically important parts of partner economies and infrastructure. The exact sectors and in-country beneficiary organizations are not fixed upfront and will be determined through U.S. government and host-government consultation based on country-specific strategic considerations, making adaptability, stakeholder coordination, and secure deployment planning central to any competitive proposal.Apply for DFOP0018586
- The Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Artificial Intelligence for American Competitiveness and Economic Security (AI-ACES) in South Asia" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.108.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-17.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-02. (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 $5,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: For-profit organizations other than small businesses.
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AI-ACES in South Asia (DFOP0018586) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AI-ACES in South Asia grant?
The Artificial Intelligence for American Competitiveness and Economic Security (AI-ACES) in South Asia grant is a U.S. Department of State initiative focused on advancing the secure deployment of American AI technology in partner countries across South Asia. The program is intended to help place U.S.-origin AI tools, systems, and approaches into strategic economic sectors and critical infrastructure in ways that strengthen partner competitiveness and economic security while reinforcing trusted technology ecosystems.
Which U.S. government office is running this opportunity?
The initiative is run by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA).
What is the main goal of the program?
The core goal is to accelerate secure adoption and deployment of American AI technologies in partner countries, particularly in strategically important sectors and critical infrastructure, while supporting competitiveness, economic security, and trusted technology ecosystems aligned with U.S. foreign policy and security considerations.
Is the program limited to one specific sector (like health, energy, or finance)?
No. The opportunity does not prescribe a single sector for every country. Priority sectors and the specific organizations to be supported in each country will be selected through consultation with the U.S. Department of State and relevant host-country governments, taking into account each country’s geopolitical and economic context.
How will the priority sectors and in-country partners be chosen?
Sectors and specific organizations will be determined through consultation with the State Department and relevant host-country governments. Decisions are expected to be shaped by country-specific geopolitical and economic considerations, rather than a fixed list of sectors in the announcement.
What does it mean that this is a "discretionary" funding opportunity?
It means the funding is awarded at the discretion of the U.S. government rather than by formula. Applicants submit proposals, and the government selects the award recipient based on its priorities and evaluation of proposals.
What type of award is expected under this opportunity?
The opportunity is expected to be awarded as a cooperative agreement.
What is a cooperative agreement, and how is it different from a standard grant?
A cooperative agreement typically involves substantial U.S. government involvement during implementation. Based on the information provided, that involvement may include shaping activities, coordinating with U.S. embassies and host governments, and ensuring alignment with foreign policy and security considerations.
How many awards are anticipated?
The opportunity anticipates a single award (1 award), indicating one flagship implementer will likely be selected.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The funding ceiling is $5,000,000.
Is this expected to be a regional program or a single-country project?
The structure (a single, large award) suggests a regionally oriented program or a multi-country effort with country-specific workstreams across South Asia.
What does "securely deploying" American AI technology imply for project design?
The emphasis on secure deployment suggests responsible implementation, risk management, and protection of sensitive systems and data are likely to be central themes, particularly when activities involve national infrastructure or strategic industries.
What kinds of counterpart organizations might be involved in partner countries?
Targeted counterparts may include government entities, public institutions (such as utilities), and private companies. Proposals will likely need a practical plan for cross-sector engagement and clear methods for selecting, onboarding, and supporting partners in-country.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes: U.S.-based nonprofits and NGOs (with or without 501(c)(3) status), foreign-based nonprofits and NGOs, for-profit organizations, public and private educational institutions, public international organizations, and governmental institutions.
Are for-profit companies eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligibility information explicitly includes for-profit organizations, and it also flags eligibility under "for-profit organizations other than small businesses," reinforcing that private-sector implementers can apply.
Do applicants need to be based in the United States?
No. Both U.S.-based and foreign-based nonprofits/NGOs are included as eligible applicants. Other eligible categories (such as for-profits, educational institutions, public international organizations, and governmental institutions) are also not described as U.S.-only in the information provided.
What capabilities may be important for a competitive proposal?
Given the focus on deploying AI into strategic sectors and critical infrastructure, applicants may be expected to show credible technical capacity, strong governance and compliance structures, and the ability to coordinate with government stakeholders and operational partners (such as utilities, infrastructure operators, or major industry actors).
How much time is available to submit an application?
The opportunity was created on 2026-07-17 and has an original application closing date of 2026-08-02, which indicates a relatively tight submission window.
What is the funding opportunity number for this program?
The funding opportunity number is DFOP0018586.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 19.108.
Will the U.S. government be involved during implementation?
Yes. Because this is planned as a cooperative agreement, substantial U.S. government involvement is expected during implementation, including coordination with U.S. embassies and host governments and alignment with foreign policy and security considerations.
Are the specific beneficiary organizations already identified?
No. The specific organizations to be supported in each country are not fixed upfront and will be selected through consultation with the State Department and host-country governments.
What geographic area does the program focus on?
The program focuses on partner countries across South Asia.
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