Grants for Students (Under $50K)

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) is seeking proposals from current master and doctoral students enrolled at colleges or universities within the US in the field of wildland fire and related physical, biological, and social sciences to apply for a Fire Leaders And Managers, Emerging Scientists (FLAMES) award.  The purpose of a FLAMES award is to enhance student exposure to the management and policy relevance of their research, to provide opportunities for experiential learning and exposure to fire management practices, and to foster peer-learning, mentorship and career development. Successful applicants will be expected to meet the following program requirements during the project period: 1.     Complete a research project that supplements the student’s current thesis or dissertation research plan. 2.     Gain practical experience and exposure to wildland fire practitioners, through participation in prescribed fire, wildfire, or other activity related to fire management (management activities relevant to the student’s area of expertise). 3.     Attend regularly scheduled JFSP-organized virtual meetings designed to build a student cohort, share information, and introduce students to training and engagement opportunities. 4.     Participate in at least one in-person event to exchange science with practitioners (i.e., workshop, training, field tour) and develop at least one management-relevant product (e.g., webinar, factsheet) that describes the management relevance of their research. Proposals must describe a new, unfunded wildland fire research project that extends ongoing or planned research that is the subject of a thesis or dissertation that has been approved by the graduate student’s advisor or advisory committee. Research projects must be directly related to the mission and goals of JFSP to be considered. Applicants are encouraged to search the JFSP website ( www.firescience.gov ) to learn more about the scope of JFSP funded research. In addition, proposals must directly address management- or policy-related questions related to one or more of the following topic areas : ·      Fuels management and prescribed fire ·      Changing fire environment ·      Emissions and air quality ·      Fire effects and post-fire recovery ·      Human dimensions of fire management Proposals on topics not listed above will not be reviewed. Please consult the JFSP database for the specific requirements on each individual task statement, https://www.firescience.gov/ All proposals must be submitted by September 17, 2026, 5:00 pm MT , using the electronic submission process provided by the JFSP website (https://www.firescience.gov).  Proposals cannot be submitted through Grants.gov. No exceptions are allowed to this closing date or time.

The U.S. Embassy Muscat seeks an implementing partner to administer the U.S.-Omani Youth Council, a structured leadership and bilateral-engagement program for 10-15 university students from diverse academic disciplines and regions of Oman. The program will strengthen participants' understanding of the longstanding U.S.-Omani relationship and expose them to cooperation in diplomacy, trade, space, technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and other shared priorities. It supports the United States’ Embassy's Freedom250 campaign and Oman Vision 2040 and by promoting youth leadership, civic participation, human capital development, innovation, and sustained people-to-people ties. The recipient will conduct university outreach; manage an open application and interview process; select a cohort in coordination with the Embassy; organize seven monthly sessions and experiential visits from November 2026 through May 2027; arrange participant travel and program logistics; administer a competitive mini-grants component of up to three participant-led projects, not exceeding $1,500 each; deliver a capstone event; establish an alumni-engagement structure; and monitor and report program results. The Embassy will work closely with the recipient on participant selection, speakers, official visits, program content, public communications, and mini-grant approvals. Eligible applicants should demonstrate experience in youth engagement, university outreach, multi-location program delivery in Oman, financial management, and coordination with government, academic, private-sector, and civil-society partners.

A.   ELIGIBILITY 1.  Eligible Applicants The following organizations are eligible to apply: ●       Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations ●        Public and private educational institutions ●        Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions For-profit entities, even those that may fall into the categories listed above, are not eligible to apply for this NOFO. Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal. For more information on the difference between sub-contract and sub-recipient, please refer to 2 CFR 200.331 . 2.  Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing or matching is encouraged, but not required for this funding opportunity.  3.  Other Eligibility Requirements All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.gov. Please see Section E.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov. Optional: Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding under this funding opportunity. 4.    This opportunity will not support: ●       Projects relating to partisan political activity; ●       Charitable or development activities; including direct social services such as medical, psychological, and/or humanitarian support ●       Construction projects; ●       Projects that support specific religious activities; ●       Fund-raising campaigns; ●       Lobbying for specific legislation or programs ●       Scientific research or surveys; ●       Commercial projects; ●       Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; ●       Projects that duplicate existing projects; ●       Illegal activities B.   PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 1.  Project Background, Goals, and Objectives Algeria presents a significant opportunity for U.S. technological engagement at a pivotal moment. With nearly two-thirds of its population under age 30, the country's shift to English-medium instruction and ambitious University 4.0 initiative create unprecedented openings for American collaboration in the technology sector. As Algeria modernizes its digital infrastructure and educational systems, there is strong interest in partnering with leading technology providers to ensure access to cutting-edge tools and internationally recognized standards. Algeria's next generation of technology leaders—students, educators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders—currently have limited access to training in U.S. artificial intelligence tools, international standards, and best practices in AI governance. Providing access to American AI methodologies and best practices will help ensure that Algerian professionals have diverse options and can make informed choices about the technological ecosystems that best serve their needs and reflect democratic values of transparency, user-centered design, and ethical AI development. This Freedom250 initiative addresses these opportunities by leveraging the five American Spaces across Algeria to deliver practical, hands-on AI training to at least 150 strategic participants who will serve as multipliers within their communities. The program advances U.S. priorities in technological excellence and international partnerships by introducing American AI methodologies in Algeria's technology landscape. Through a modular curriculum spanning AI fundamentals, evaluation frameworks, hands-on labs, and localized application development, participants progress from conceptual understanding to practical proficiency, becoming advocates who can independently apply American frameworks in their professional contexts. This initiative builds directly on Mission Algeria's proven track record in technology and education programming. A 2026 program featuring a Freedom250 AI Envoy engaged Algeria's Ministry of Youth, establishing productive government relationships and demonstrating official interest in U.S. AI collaboration. Additionally, the Mission's 2025 collaboration with the Ministries of Higher Education and Vocational Training—including the country's largest English teaching conference—revealed that 70% of participating teachers expressed greater interest in learning about American AI tools, validating significant demand for practical AI training. The Public Diplomacy Section seeks to implement a transformative program that strengthens U.S.-Algeria partnership in artificial intelligence and emerging technology. At least 150 participants across five cities will complete the program with measurable gains, producing tangible artifacts like prompt libraries and localized AI applications. A cohort of trained local facilitators will later independently deliver the curriculum, enabling the American Spaces to continue programming beyond initial funding and exponentially expand reach. The alumni will serve as advocates for American AI frameworks, with educators integrating U.S. tools into teaching, entrepreneurs building ventures on American platforms, and community leaders promoting informed discourse about ethical technology development using learned frameworks. The ideal implementing partner will demonstrate sustainability-first design through clear training-of-trainers strategies, capacity to deliver quality programming across all five cities, rigorous monitoring and evaluation frameworks, emphasis on practical application over theory, concrete alumni engagement plans, and flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances including virtual delivery. This program represents an important opportunity to strengthen bilateral cooperation. The successful implementer will share the Mission's vision of promoting American technological excellence and ensuring democratic values shape the digital future of the region. Project Audience(s): The primary beneficiaries of this program are the minimum of 150 participants across five Algerian cities who will receive direct training in U.S.-aligned AI tools, standards, and governance frameworks. The program targets university students (ages 18-30) pursuing degrees in technology, engineering, business, and education—a particularly strategic demographic given that nearly two-thirds of Algeria's population is under 30. These young professionals represent the future workforce and are eager to acquire cutting-edge skills that enhance their employability in the global technology marketplace. Educators including teachers, professors, and instructional designers serve as critical multipliers who can integrate American AI tools into their curricula, potentially reaching hundreds of additional students over their careers. They are positioned to normalize U.S. technological frameworks within Algeria's educational system and shape how the next generation understands and applies AI technologies. The program also targets entrepreneurs and small business owners developing technology-based ventures or seeking to integrate AI solutions into existing businesses. This audience is motivated by practical applications that improve efficiency and create competitive advantages. Finally, community leaders and civil society representatives working in non-governmental organizations and youth programs influence public discourse about technology adoption and are positioned to promote ethical AI development and democratic governance frameworks that align with American values. These audiences share key characteristics: they have capacity to train others and are at career stages where exposure to American frameworks can shape long-term professional trajectories. Project Goal:   The goal is to establish the United States as Algeria's preferred partner for artificial intelligence development by embedding American AI tools, standards, and governance frameworks within Algeria's emerging technology ecosystem. This long-term goal envisions a generation of Algerian technology leaders who routinely adopt U.S.-aligned AI methodologies, promote democratic values of transparency and ethical technology development, and serve as multipliers who expand American technological influence throughout Algerian institutions and communities. This goal directly aligns with U.S. foreign policy priorities of advancing American technological leadership globally, promoting democratic governance in digital spaces, and strengthening bilateral partnerships with a strategic partner in North Africa. Project Objectives: ·         Objective 1: Train a minimum of 150 participants across five American Spaces (Algiers, Bechar, Constantine, Oran, and Ouargla) in U.S.-aligned AI tools, standards, and governance frameworks, with at least 80% of participants completing all hands-on labs and collaborative projects by the end of the 12-month program period. ·         Objective 2: Achieve measurable knowledge gains among participants, with pre- and post-program assessments demonstrating at least 30% improvement in understanding of U.S.-aligned AI standards, ethical frameworks, and practical application methodologies ·         Objective 3: Establish a cohort of at least 10 trained local facilitators who can independently deliver the AI curriculum at American Spaces, ensuring program sustainability and enabling continued delivery beyond the initial funding period. ·         Objective 4: Generate tangible outputs demonstrating practical AI proficiency, with participants producing artifacts such as prompt libraries, automated report templates, and localized AI applications that address real challenges in education, health, agriculture, or community service. ·         Objective 5: Create a sustainable community of practice connecting program alumni, facilitators, and American Spaces, with at least 60% of participants remaining engaged through online platforms and contributing to knowledge-sharing activities six months after program completion. 2.  Substantial Involvement N/A READ FULL ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE ATTACHMENTS

In accordance with the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974, the Superintendent of the National Fire Academy (NFA) delivers training in cooperation with the State fire service training agencies. This cooperation includes the State Fire Training Systems Grant (SFTSG) program providing grants to pay for: the direct delivery of government-funded coursed in the states; the distribution and sharing of Student Manuals, Instructor Guides, and other course materials; and funding to the states to help supplement and tailor their training delivery needs using NFA courses and programs.

U.S. Mission Vietnam's Public Diplomacy Section seeks proposals to implement workforce development and innovation programs through American Spaces. This program builds a pipeline of skilled, English-capable Vietnamese youth who support U.S. trade, investment, and innovation partnerships while expanding economic opportunity in Vietnam. The project targets university students, educators, and early-career professionals (ages 18–40) in Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, Ho Chi Minh City and An Giang. Activities strengthen English proficiency and technology skills in artificial intelligence, coding, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship. This program showcases American excellence in science, technology, and innovation -demonstrating how U.S. technological leadership and educational institutions create opportunity and drive progress. By connecting participants to U.S. networks, the program expands opportunities for American businesses, strengthens commercial ties, and reinforce U.S. strategic cooperation in Vietnam. Success includes stronger public-private partnerships, expanded participation in U.S. exchanges, improved English proficiency, and greater recognition of U.S. technological leadership among Vietnamese audiences.