Young Pacific Leaders Small Grants Competition 2022 | PAS NEWZEALAND 2021 03

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS NEWZEALAND 2021 03

The Young Pacific Leaders Small Grants Competition 2022 is a U.S. Department of State opportunity run through the U.S. Embassy New Zealand Public Affairs Section (PAS) to fund an organization that can design and deliver a comprehensive small-grants program for emerging leaders from across the Pacific region. The central aim is to strengthen leadership capacity among young professionals and community leaders so they are better equipped to contribute to economic and civic development in their home countries and to build long-term networks that connect leaders across the Pacific. The program reflects a broader U.S. interest in supporting regional stability, security, and sustainable economic growth by investing in people who are already demonstrating leadership potential and who can collaborate across borders on shared challenges.

The competition seeks proposals from eligible institutions and organizations that can manage the full life cycle of a small grants program, not just a single event. That includes recruiting and convening a cohort, delivering structured training, administering and overseeing the distribution of small grants, and supporting participants as they develop and implement projects. The program has been convened annually since 2018, typically anchored by in-person training workshops hosted in New Zealand, and the 2022 iteration continues that model with workshops specifically expected to take place in New Zealand. The intent is that participants do not only receive funding, but also gain hands-on, practical skills and peer-to-peer learning opportunities that help them turn ideas into viable initiatives.

The target participants are emerging Pacific leaders aged 25 to 35. Programming is expected to deepen their understanding of major regional issues and build practical leadership skills tied to the four established pillars of the Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) framework: civic engagement, environment and resource management, education, and economic and social development. In addition to learning content, the cohort is expected to work collaboratively with peers on issues affecting the Pacific, reinforcing the idea that regional problems often require coordinated regional solutions and that professional networks built now can support future cooperation.

A key feature emphasized in the opportunity is experiential learning and capacity building. In other words, proposals are expected to go beyond classroom-style instruction and incorporate applied activities such as workshops, simulations, mentoring, project design sessions, and structured opportunities for participants to practice leadership, planning, and collaboration. The opportunity explicitly encourages pre- and post-programming, signaling that the Department of State is interested in sustained engagement rather than a one-off convening. This could include preparatory sessions before the in-person workshops, follow-on mentoring, alumni engagement, or support during project implementation to increase the likelihood that the small grants lead to tangible outcomes.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a mandatory opportunity category and the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. government expects an active partnership role during implementation rather than a purely hands-off grant. The funding activity is categorized under regional development, and the CFDA number listed is 19.040. The program is administered by the Department of State, U.S. Mission to New Zealand. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not higher education institutions in the nonprofit category distinctions provided). The opportunity was created on June 29, 2021, with an original closing date of August 1, 2021.

In terms of scale, the listed award ceiling is $250,000, and the opportunity anticipates up to 10 awards. Overall, the grant competition is designed to select capable implementers that can combine leadership training, regional issue expertise, and small-grants administration into a cohesive program that produces both individual skill growth and a stronger Pacific-wide network of emerging leaders.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to New Zealand in the regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Young Pacific Leaders Small Grants Competition 2022" 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 Jun 29, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 01, 2021. (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 $250,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for PAS NEWZEALAND 2021 03

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: