Artificial Intelligence for American Competitiveness and Economic Security (AI-ACES) in South Asia
🏛 Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 17, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for U.S. and foreign organizations deploying American AI technology in South Asian strategic economic sectors. Eligible applicants include U.S. nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), foreign nonprofits, for-profit organizations, educational institutions, and public international organizations. Projects must support infrastructure, utilities, or private sector development in South and Central Asian countries. U.S. government agencies are not eligible.
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Program description
The program within SCA will aim to deploy American AI technology securely in U.S. partners’ strategic economic sectors and infrastructure. The specific strategic economic sector(s) and organizations (including government, public institutions like utilities, and private companies) targeted in each country for support would be developed in consultation with State Department and host country governments and based on the geopolitical and economic factors of each country.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Project narrative
- Budget and budget narrative
- Organizational capacity statement
- Letters of support from host country partners
- Evidence of State Department coordination
- Applicant organizational information
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs
- 📞 703-516-1684
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 19.108 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$7,105,375
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$6,209,535
-
$2,961,849
-
$2,959,500
-
$2,468,749
-
$1,950,000
-
$1,727,375
-
$1,539,465
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$1,481,467
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$1,404,796
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
U.S. nonprofits (regardless of 501(c)(3) status), foreign nonprofits, for-profit companies, educational institutions, and public international organizations. U.S. government agencies cannot apply.
What geographic area does this grant cover?
Projects must focus on South and Central Asia. Work with host country governments and State Department to identify specific sectors and organizations.
What types of activities are supported?
Deployment of American AI technology in strategic economic sectors, infrastructure, and utilities. Activities must align with U.S. geopolitical and economic interests in the region.
What is the funding range?
Individual awards typically range from $2,000,000 to $5,000,000. This is a cooperative agreement instrument requiring partner collaboration.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing or matching funds are required for this grant.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Secure early engagement with State Department and host country governments before drafting your proposal. This coordination is essential for project approval.
- Focus your AI deployment plan on sectors identified as strategically important. Align with both U.S. and partner country economic priorities.
- Demonstrate your organization's capacity to manage international partnerships and complex technology deployment in developing regions.
- Build relationships with private companies or government entities in target countries. Letters of support from these partners strengthen competitiveness.
- Address security, data protection, and technology transfer concerns explicitly. Emphasize safeguards for sensitive systems and information.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when proposers skip early coordination with State Department contacts. Vague descriptions of how AI technology addresses specific sector challenges reduce competitiveness. Weak partnerships with in-country government or private sector actors signal inability to execute.
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