Jefferson Center Mandalay (JCM) Small Grants Competition

1.  Project Background, Goals and Objectives

Jefferson Center Mandalay Small Grants’ projects must clearly advance America First foreign policy principles by demonstrating how the proposed activities make the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous, while celebrating Freedom250 and American excellence. 

Priority will be given to projects that deliver tangible, measurable benefits to U.S. interests; elevate U.S. leadership and credibility; promote reciprocal and mutually beneficial engagement with Burma and focus on one of the priority areas outlined below.  

AMERICA FIRST: MAKING AMERICA SAFER – Programs that directly advance the security and resilience of the United States by promoting American democratic governance and interests in Burma. This includes initiatives that reinforce the rule of law, counter trafficking, digital freedom, anti-scam awareness and corruption that threaten U.S. interests, uphold American-defined human rights, and empower civil society to create an environment that aligns with U.S. peace and security priorities in the region.

 AMERICA FIRST: MAKING AMERICA STRONGER – Programs that advance America First priorities by equipping Burma’s students and young adults with skill‑based and vocational training that strengthens U.S.–relevant economic competitiveness. Proposals should promote accurate understanding of U.S. education, institutions, and culture; prepare potential qualified candidates for lawful study and exchange opportunities related to the United States; and build durable linkages with American academic, vocational, and cultural institutions. These may also include activities that strengthen the United States’ global leadership by promoting American values, and civic engagement rooted in U.S. principles. These programs should deepen U.S. influence in Burma, reinforce American cultural and educational standards, and build enduring partnerships that serve American diplomatic and strategic interests.

AMERICA FIRST: MAKING AMERICA MORE PROSPEROUS – Projects that advance U.S.–Burma economic ties and U.S. prosperity by strengthening entrepreneurs and businesses that align with U.S. commercial and strategic interests. Activities that expand economic opportunities for the United States by fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development that benefit American businesses and industries. Priority will be given to programs that promote U.S.-led STEM education, vocational training aligned with American economic priorities, or trade capacity building that directly supports U.S. economic growth and reduces reliance on adversarial actors.

AMERICA FIRST: AMERICAN EXCELLENCE – Projects that showcase the superiority of American leadership, innovation, arts, and community service. These initiatives should highlight U.S. achievements and role models, inspire admiration for American values, and promote collaboration that advances U.S. interests in technology, entrepreneurship, education, and the arts, ensuring America’s continued prominence on the global stage. Activities may include programs that feature U.S. experts or content on Indo‑Pacific strategy, maritime and economic security, or resilient supply chains, and that clearly communicate U.S. strengths, values, and strategic objectives to Burma‑based audiences.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING – Programs that advance America First priorities by providing Business English and English for Entrepreneurship essential to U.S.–linked trade, investment, and regional stability. Proposals should build high‑level English skills needed to work with American companies, navigate U.S. standards and contracts, participate in regional supply chains, and engage in lawful, rules‑based economic activity. Activities may include targeted English training for professionals, entrepreneurs, and future business leaders that uses U.S. materials, terminology, and case studies and clearly supports U.S. economic and strategic interests in the Indo‑Pacific.

Project Audiences:

·      Youth and Young Adults: Including students, recent graduates, and emerging professionals in both urban centers and rural regions of Burma, with a focus on those from underserved or marginalized communities in Mandalay.

·      Civil Society Organizations: Local NGOs, advocacy groups, and community-based organizations in Mandalay, engaged in promoting democratic governance, human rights, anti-corruption, and rule of law reforms.

·      Commercial Advancement: Individuals and entities involved in innovation, trade, and workforce development that align with U.S.-Burma economic ties and regional supply chains.

·      Educational and Cultural Institutions: Schools, vocational training centers, universities, and cultural organizations that facilitate bilateral exchanges and promote American cultural and educational standards.

Project Goals:

·      Advance democratic governance and the rule of law in Burma by empowering civil society organizations to promote human rights, anti-corruption, and digital freedoms aligned with U.S. peace and security priorities.

·      Enhance the skills and employability of Burmese youth and young adults through vocational training and English language programs that prepare them for lawful educational exchanges and economic participation linked to the United States.

·      Strengthen U.S.-Burma economic ties by supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, and workforce development programs that foster trade capacity building and reduce reliance on adversarial actors.

·      Promote American cultural excellence and leadership by facilitating educational, artistic, and community service initiatives that highlight U.S. values and strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific region.

·      Support sustainable, measurable outcomes by encouraging projects that incorporate robust monitoring, evaluation, and reporting mechanisms to demonstrate progress toward U.S. foreign policy goals.

Project Objectives:

·      Objective 1: Promote American Democratic Governance

Enhance the institutional and operational capacity of at least 10 civil society organizations over a 12-month period to effectively advocate for rule of law, anti-trafficking measures, digital freedoms, and anti-corruption reforms. Success will be measured by the adoption and implementation of key organizational policies (e.g., financial management, transparency protocols), increased advocacy activities, and demonstrable influence on public policy aligned with U.S. peace and security priorities.

·      Objective 2: Empower Youth through Vocational and English Language Training

Provide vocational skills development and high-level English language instruction to a minimum of 1,500 youth and young adults, improving their readiness for lawful educational exchanges, workforce participation, and engagement with U.S.-linked economic opportunities. Progress will be assessed via standardized skill assessments, participant retention rates, and post-training employment or education placement data.

·      Objective 3: Commercial Advancement and Economic Competitiveness

Support at least 200 entrepreneurs and small businesses through training, mentorship, and capacity-building activities that promote innovation, STEM education, and trade capacity building. Programs should align with American economic priorities by enhancing workforce skills, facilitating access to U.S. markets, and reducing reliance on adversarial actors. Indicators of success include business growth metrics, increased participation in regional supply chains, and measurable expansion of U.S.-Burma commercial ties.

·      Objective 4: Showcase American Excellence and Values

Develop and implement cultural, educational, and leadership programs that highlight American innovation, arts, community service, and strategic expertise in areas such as Indo-Pacific security, maritime resilience, and economic policy. These initiatives should engage local audiences, promote admiration for American values, and strengthen bilateral cultural ties. Success will be measured by audience reach, participant feedback, and enhanced understanding of U.S. strategic objectives.

Note: Please see detail information by clicking Related Document tab.