Legal Competency and Training Program in Southeast Asia and the Pacific
🏛 Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 28, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations strengthening legal capacity of Southeast Asian and Pacific Islands government officials in public international law. U.S. and foreign nonprofits can apply, as can educational institutions and public international organizations. Activities focus on training policymakers, negotiators, and legal experts on international law principles, the Law of the Sea, and maritime treaty law.
The recipient must be able to work directly with government officials and design training programs. Projects should strengthen proficiency in negotiation and legal practice. No cost-sharing is required.
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Program description
The overall goal of the project is to strengthen the legal capacity and proficiency of government officials, including policymakers, negotiators, legal experts and practitioners, and other relevant officials from Southeast Asian and Pacific Islands countries concerning the principles and practices of public international law, including, but not limited to, the law of the sea as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention and maritime boundary treaty law and negotiations.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Statement of Work
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational Capacity documentation
- Letters of Support from target government agencies or institutions
- Evaluation plan with measurable outcomes
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
- 📞 202-890-9795
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 19.124 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$22,000,000
-
$16,500,000
-
$13,000,000
-
$8,385,250
-
$7,352,400
-
$6,776,353
-
$5,377,405
-
$4,036,940
-
$3,500,000
-
$3,133,539
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 19.124). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2018 | $21,131,954 | |
| 2019 est. | $16,755,000 | |
| 2020 | $26,652,859 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
U.S. and foreign nonprofits, educational institutions, and public international organizations can apply. Governmental institutions are also eligible.
What is the funding amount?
Awards are fixed at $2,466,250 per project.
What activities does this grant support?
Training and capacity-building for Southeast Asian and Pacific Islands government officials in public international law, including maritime law and treaty negotiations.
Is cost-sharing required?
No, this grant does not require cost-sharing or matching funds.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is August 25, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus your proposal on measurable outcomes for government officials' legal skills and institutional capacity.
- Partner with organizations in Southeast Asia or the Pacific Islands for credibility and local expertise.
- Emphasize how training addresses real gaps in international law knowledge among policymakers.
- Design programs that include both classroom instruction and practical negotiation simulations or case studies.
- Highlight your organization's prior experience with international legal training or government partnerships.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals fail when they lack clear partnerships with target countries or don't specify which government agencies will participate. Training programs without measurable learning outcomes or sustainability plans are frequently rejected. Applicants often underestimate the need for cultural sensitivity and locally-adapted curriculum for diverse Pacific Island and Southeast Asian contexts.
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