The U.S. Mission to South Korea is inviting proposals for the "Promoting U.S. Space Leadership and International Cooperation" program, which aims to enhance understanding and support for U.S. national space policies while fostering collaboration between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea (ROK) on emerging space-related security challenges. This cooperative agreement will involve tabletop exercises with experts from both nations to develop actionable recommendations for future space policies, engaging a diverse group of participants including legal, technological, and policy experts. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, and governmental bodies based in the ROK, with a total funding amount of $100,000 available for a single award. Proposals must be submitted by September 2, 2025, and should include a detailed proposal, budget justification, and other required documentation, with all inquiries directed to the Seoul PD Grants Team at seoulpdgrants@state.gov.

PD-SEOUL-FY25-05.pdf

The U.S. Embassy Seoul's Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) seeks proposals for the "Promoting U.S. Space Leadership and International Cooperation" program, with a single award of $100,000. This cooperative agreement aims to strengthen understanding and support for U.S. national space policies and foster U.S.-ROK collaboration on emerging space-related security challenges. The program will involve tabletop exercises with Korean and U.S. experts to develop recommendations for future space policies. Eligible applicants are Republic of Korea (ROK) organizations, including non-profits, educational institutions, and governmental bodies. Proposals must be submitted by September 2, 2025, and include mandatory forms, a detailed proposal (max 10 pages), a budget justification, and attachments like CVs and letters of support. All applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active SAM.gov registration. The U.S. Embassy will be substantially involved in program implementation.

Visit here (U.S. Embassy Seoul Website) for a full announcement with proposal templates

Funding Opportunity Title: Promoting U.S. Space Leadership and International Cooperation Funding Opportunity Number: PD-SEOUL-FY25-05 Deadline for Applications: Tuesday, September 2, 2025, 11:59 p.m. (GMT+9) CFDA Number: 19.040 &#8211; Public Diplomacy Programs Type of Funding: FY25 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds Total Amount Available: $100,000 Open to ROK Organizations Only. This notice is subject to availability of funding. AL Number, funding type, and other award details may be subject to change prior to finalization. Executive Summary The U.S. seeks to advance its space leadership and expand international cooperation on mutually beneficial space activities. The U.S. Space Leadership and International Cooperation program aims to strengthen the understanding of, and support for, U.S. national space policies and programs, while promoting Korean use of U.S. space capabilities, systems, and services. This program will engage Korean and U.S. experts from various sectors (legal, administrative, technological, and policy) to jointly implement tabletop exercises analyzing potential future challenges and ultimately creating recommendations that would futureproof U.S. and ROK policies guiding these issues. Eligible participants include think-tank researchers; professors of political science and foreign policy; scientists and engineers; legal experts such as law professionals, lawmakers or their assistants; policymakers such as government officials or policy advisors; businesspeople; and journalists. The program aims to gather approximately 30 Korean experts from diverse sectors, along with 3-4 American interlocutors. Participants will include legal and engineering professionals, academia, government officials, business leaders, and media representatives. Together, they will conduct 1-2 day tabletop exercises focused on narrowing down feasible scenarios in the space arena and updating international space law. While the tabletop exercises will be conducted off-the-record to encourage open and candid discussions, an open session for the public and media will be held at the end to present the results and key findings. Goals and Objectives Proposals must include an American element or connection with U.S. experts, organizations, or institutions and should clearly explain the applicants&#8217; previous experience running similar programs across the Republic of Korea and the United States. The Promoting U.S. Space Leadership and International Cooperation seeks to foster bilateral dialogue and collaborative problem-solving on emerging space-related security challenges. As the commercialization and strategic importance of space continues to grow, outdated or absent international laws risk creating tensions over the use and ownership of celestial resources. This program will address such gaps through a focused U.S.-ROK initiative. The primary activity will be a tabletop exercise designed and conducted jointly by Korean and American experts drawn from a range of sectors. Prior to the exercise, the program will convene selected interlocutors to deliver presentations on key topics including responsible space behavior, geopolitical threats, legal frameworks, and technological developments. Participants will then collaborate to develop and analyze a complex challenge scenario reflective of current and future risks. Insights from the tabletop exercise will be synthesized into forward-looking recommendations to inform both countries&#8217; space-related strategies and policies. The primary objectives of this project are strengthening the understanding of, and support for, U.S. national space policies and programs, supporting advocative voices of Korean experts in the space arena, and raising public awareness through media engagement. The goal is to foster a U.S.-friendly perspective on space topics in Korea, moving beyond the outdated and inaccurate narratives of Russia-Korea cooperation in rocket engineering. Substantial Involvement: The U.S. Embassy in Seoul will maintain substantial involvement throughout the planning and implementation of the program to ensure it aligns with U.S. public diplomacy objectives. This includes, but is not limited to: Providing input on program structure and content, including identifying or recommending U.S. speakers and interlocutors; Reviewing and approving participant selection criteria, recruitment materials, and the final participant list; &#183; Ensuring alignment with broader Embassy priorities and thematic focus areas. Note: Not mandatory, but you may use the templates provided here: Proposal Template / Budget Template All application materials must be submitted by email to SeoulPDGrants@state.gov 

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