Engaging North Indian Youth Leaders | ND NOFO 18 103

Opportunity Information: Apply for ND NOFO 18 103

The grant opportunity titled "Engaging North Indian Youth Leaders" (Funding Opportunity Number: ND NOFO 18 103) was offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to India, specifically the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy's North India Office (PAS NI). It was a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement, meaning the selected recipient would not only receive funding but would also be expected to coordinate closely with the U.S. government during planning and implementation. The opportunity was posted on December 22, 2017, with an original application deadline of February 16, 2018, and it anticipated making a single award.

At its core, the program aimed to identify, convene, and build relationships with roughly twenty high-potential youth leaders from North India. The target participants were to include individuals connected to student and/or youth wings of multiple political parties, as well as young leaders from civil society organizations and the private sector. The geographic focus was clearly defined: Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Chandigarh. The intention was to bring together a politically and professionally diverse cohort that reflects different viewpoints and sectors, while still centering the program on emerging leaders who may shape public life and policy conversations in the coming years.

The funded project was designed around a two-day, in-person workshop to be held in New Delhi. The content was expected to include structured discussions and sessions led by both U.S. and Indian scholars, focusing on contemporary global political and economic trends. In practice, that framing suggests a workshop agenda built around current international issues, the evolving global economy, democratic governance and institutions, policy leadership, and the practical skills and perspectives youth leaders need to navigate complex civic and political environments. Beyond knowledge-sharing, the workshop was also intended to serve a diplomatic and network-building function by creating space for sustained engagement with participants who are supportive of stronger connections with the United States.

A major goal of the initiative was to expand the Mission's ongoing efforts to develop a durable network of young thought leaders across North India. Rather than treating the workshop as a one-off event, the description emphasizes relationship cultivation, which typically implies follow-on engagement such as maintaining alumni contact lists, creating channels for continued dialogue, and identifying participants for future programs. The workshop format in New Delhi also indicates a centralized convening point that allows cross-state relationship-building among participants who might not otherwise meet or collaborate.

In terms of funding and scale, the award ceiling was listed at $65,000 with one expected award, placing it in the category of a small, focused public diplomacy and education program rather than a large multi-year initiative. The funding activity category was Education, and the CFDA number associated with the opportunity was 19.040, which aligns with public diplomacy and educational exchange programming.

Eligibility to apply was limited to three types of organizations: public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and U.S.-based nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). This eligibility structure suggests the U.S. Mission was looking for credible organizations with demonstrated capacity to plan educational convenings, recruit and vet participants, manage travel and logistics, and implement programming in close coordination with embassy staff under a cooperative agreement model.

Overall, the opportunity was a targeted, embassy-led youth leadership engagement program intended to convene promising young leaders from key North Indian states for a high-level workshop in New Delhi, expose them to expert-led discussion on global political and economic issues, and strengthen a long-term network aligned with deeper U.S.-India connections.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to India in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Engaging North Indian Youth Leaders" 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 Dec 22, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 16, 2018. (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 $65,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 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, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for ND NOFO 18 103

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