Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS KAZ ALM PDS 26 001
The U.S. Department of State, through the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan (Consulate General in Almaty), is offering a discretionary grant opportunity to run a combined, two-track education and alumni engagement initiative in South Kazakhstan for the 2026-2028 cycle. The award will be made as a cooperative agreement, which means the Embassy/Consulate Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) expects to stay actively involved during implementation. That involvement can include things like helping select participants, reviewing planned publications or public-facing materials, and providing ongoing program guidance rather than simply issuing funds and stepping back.
The program is designed to reach two distinct groups tied to the English Access Scholarship Program (Access). The first group is up to 300 Access alumni ages 16-30, drawn from cohorts spanning 2016-2026 and located across Shymkent, Kyzylorda, Taraz, Turkistan, and Almaty. For these alumni, the project envisions roughly a 12-month engagement track focused on keeping graduates connected and active through sustained programming that strengthens English skills, builds knowledge of U.S. history and culture (including themes linked to "Freedom 250"), and expands professional networks across multiple cities. The second group is 32 new Access students ages 13-15 from the Shymkent or Taraz areas, forming the 2026-2028 cohort. For these new students, the project centers on a longer, intensive English-language component (up to 20 months) aimed at measurable gains in English proficiency, deeper familiarity with U.S. culture and values, and clearer pathways into future U.S. government-sponsored exchange and scholarship opportunities.
In terms of timing, proposed projects are expected to be completed within 20 months or less, even though the overall initiative is described as part of the 2026-2028 cycle. Funding is contingent on availability, and PDS explicitly reserves the right to award less than or more than the amount described if it is considered in the U.S. government’s best interest, subject to funds being available and grants officer approval. The notice lists an award ceiling of $50,000. The funding activity category is education, and the assistance listing/CFDA number provided is 19.040.
Eligibility is limited to organizations rather than individuals. Applicants may include Kazakhstan-based not-for-profit organizations such as think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations, as well as U.S. government-sponsored program alumni associations in Kazakhstan. To be eligible, organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM.gov. A strict submission rule applies: only one proposal may be submitted per organization, and if an organization submits more than one, all of its submissions will be deemed ineligible under this opportunity.
Overall, the grant is intended to support U.S. public diplomacy and foreign policy goals in a strategically important part of Central Asia by building a pipeline of English-capable, U.S.-engaged young leaders while also strengthening long-term people-to-people ties through a robust Access alumni network that can serve as community connectors and potential future exchange participants. The opportunity is identified as "Access Alumni Outreach and Engagement and English Access Scholarship Program," funding opportunity number "DOS KAZ ALM PDS 26 001," with an application closing date of August 21, 2026.Apply for DOS KAZ ALM PDS 26 001
- The U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Access Alumni Outreach and Engagement and English Access Scholarship Program" 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 2026-07-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-21. (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 $50,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: 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, Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this grant opportunity called?
The opportunity is titled "Access Alumni Outreach and Engagement and English Access Scholarship Program."
Who is offering this grant?
The grant is offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan, Consulate General in Almaty, via the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is DOS KAZ ALM PDS 26 001.
What type of award will be made?
The award will be made as a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement means the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) expects to remain actively involved during implementation. The notice describes potential involvement such as helping select participants, reviewing planned publications or other public-facing materials, and providing ongoing program guidance rather than simply issuing funding without further engagement.
What is the main focus of the program?
The program is a combined, two-track education and alumni engagement initiative in South Kazakhstan for the 2026-2028 cycle. It is designed to engage English Access Scholarship Program (Access) alumni and also support a new Access student cohort with intensive English-language programming.
How many groups (tracks) does the program target?
The program targets two groups (two tracks): (1) Access alumni and (2) new Access students in the 2026-2028 cohort.
Who are the target participants for the alumni track?
The alumni track is intended for up to 300 Access alumni ages 16-30, drawn from cohorts spanning 2016-2026.
Where are the alumni participants expected to be located?
Alumni participants are described as being located across Shymkent, Kyzylorda, Taraz, Turkistan, and Almaty.
How long is the alumni engagement track expected to run?
The alumni engagement track is envisioned as roughly a 12-month engagement track.
What kinds of activities are expected for the alumni engagement track?
The alumni track is described as sustained programming to keep graduates connected and active, strengthen English skills, build knowledge of U.S. history and culture (including themes linked to "Freedom 250"), and expand professional networks across multiple cities.
Who are the target participants for the new student track?
The new student track is intended for 32 new Access students ages 13-15, forming the 2026-2028 cohort.
Where must the new Access students come from?
The 32 new students are described as coming from the Shymkent or Taraz areas.
How long is the new student English-language component expected to last?
The new student track includes a longer, intensive English-language component lasting up to 20 months.
What outcomes are expected for the new student track?
The project aims for measurable gains in English proficiency, deeper familiarity with U.S. culture and values, and clearer pathways into future U.S. government-sponsored exchange and scholarship opportunities.
What is the maximum project duration allowed under this opportunity?
Proposed projects are expected to be completed within 20 months or less.
If the initiative is described as part of the 2026-2028 cycle, why is the project limited to 20 months?
The notice describes the initiative as part of the 2026-2028 cycle while also stating that proposed projects are expected to be completed within 20 months or less. Applicants should plan their implementation timeline to fit within that 20-month completion expectation.
What is the award ceiling (maximum funding amount) listed in the notice?
The notice lists an award ceiling of $50,000.
Is the funding amount guaranteed?
No. Funding is contingent on availability.
Can the U.S. Mission award less than or more than the listed amount?
Yes. PDS reserves the right to award less than or more than the amount described if it is considered in the U.S. government’s best interest, subject to funds being available and grants officer approval.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is education.
What assistance listing (CFDA) number is associated with this opportunity?
The assistance listing/CFDA number provided is 19.040.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to organizations (not individuals). The notice indicates applicants may include Kazakhstan-based not-for-profit organizations such as think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations, as well as U.S. government-sponsored program alumni associations in Kazakhstan.
Are individuals allowed to apply?
No. The opportunity is limited to organizations rather than individuals.
What registrations or identifiers are required for eligibility?
Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM.gov.
How many proposals can an organization submit?
Only one proposal may be submitted per organization.
What happens if an organization submits more than one proposal?
If an organization submits more than one proposal, all of its submissions will be deemed ineligible under this opportunity.
What geographic area is the initiative focused on?
The initiative is focused on South Kazakhstan, with described participant locations including Shymkent, Kyzylorda, Taraz, Turkistan, and Almaty, and new student recruitment from Shymkent or Taraz.
What is the overall purpose of the grant from a policy perspective?
The notice describes the grant as supporting U.S. public diplomacy and foreign policy goals by building a pipeline of English-capable, U.S.-engaged young leaders and strengthening long-term people-to-people ties through a robust Access alumni network that can serve as community connectors and potential future exchange participants.
What is the application deadline?
The application closing date is August 21, 2026.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education
Next opportunity: Advancing Oil and Natural Gas Production and Delivery
Previous opportunity: Center for Foundational Academic Research and Strategic Innovation for the Defense Enterprise (C-FARSIDE)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for DOS KAZ ALM PDS 26 001
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DOS KAZ ALM PDS 26 001", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.