Opportunity Information: Apply for PDS DOS GEO FY26 004
The EducationUSA AI/STEM and Sports Diplomacy Grant is a discretionary U.S. government grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: PDS DOS GEO FY26 004) offered by the U.S. Mission to Georgia under CFDA 19.023. It is designed to advance an America First policy goal by boosting U.S. competitiveness and strengthening U.S. higher education recruitment pipelines in Georgia, while also building longer-term people-to-people and institutional connections between Georgian students and U.S. colleges and universities. The opportunity supports two complementary program tracks that are meant to expand awareness of U.S. educational options and help channel high-potential Georgian participants into U.S. academic pathways.
The first track, the EducationUSA AI/STEM and Innovation Hubs, focuses on engaging students and early-career innovators across five Georgian cities: Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Akhaltsikhe, and Telavi. The target audience includes high school and university students, young entrepreneurs, computer programmers, startup founders, and emerging technology leaders. Programming is envisioned as a coordinated series of AI- and STEM-focused advising workshops, innovation talks, and university outreach activities delivered by advisers. A key implementation feature is that activities are to be hosted at local American Spaces, using these venues to draw new audiences, deepen community engagement, and reinforce the U.S. message of accessible, high-quality education and innovation-oriented opportunities.
The second track, the EducationUSA Sports Pathways Initiative, is built around sports diplomacy and recruitment through athletics. Its purpose is to connect Georgias strongest athletic talent with U.S. higher education opportunities by providing specialized advising on sports scholarships and athletic programs at U.S. schools, colleges, and universities. The program is expected to conduct targeted outreach to sports schools and athletic academies in the same five cities (Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Akhaltsikhe, and Telavi) and to concentrate on sports where Georgia has globally competitive athletes, including soccer, basketball, rugby, martial arts/MMA, judo, wrestling, and tennis. In practical terms, this initiative centers on helping athletes understand U.S. admissions and eligibility processes, scholarship pathways, and how to identify and pursue appropriate collegiate athletic programs.
Funding-wise, the notice indicates an award ceiling of $50,000 and anticipates two awards. The description also notes that both proposals under the opportunity have already been approved for a combined total of $50,000, contingent on the availability of funds, which suggests the funding is planned but still dependent on final allocation. The application deadline listed is August 10, 2026, and the opportunity was created on July 9, 2026. The instrument type is a grant, and the activity area is education, science and technology, and other research and development-related programming.
Eligible applicants include EducationUSA advising centers operating in Georgia, non-profit and non-governmental organizations, and organizations that do not already have an EducationUSA affiliation. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply as prime recipients, even if they otherwise resemble eligible categories. Applicants are allowed to use subcontractors, but only one non-profit, non-governmental organization can serve as the prime awardee. If subcontracting is proposed, the division of responsibilities must be spelled out clearly in the application, and applicants are directed to federal guidance (2 CFR 200.331) for distinctions between a subcontractor relationship and a subrecipient arrangement.Apply for PDS DOS GEO FY26 004
- The U.S. Mission to Georgia in the education, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "EducationUSA AI/STEM and Sports Diplomacy Grant" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.023.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-09.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-10. (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 $50,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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EducationUSA AI/STEM and Sports Diplomacy Grant (PDS DOS GEO FY26 004) - FAQs
1) What is the EducationUSA AI/STEM and Sports Diplomacy Grant?
This is a discretionary U.S. government grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Mission to Georgia under CFDA 19.023. It supports programming that expands awareness of U.S. educational options in Georgia and helps channel high-potential Georgian participants into U.S. higher-education pathways, while building longer-term people-to-people and institutional connections with U.S. colleges and universities.
2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PDS DOS GEO FY26 004.
3) What policy or strategic goal does this opportunity aim to advance?
The opportunity is described as advancing an America First policy goal by boosting U.S. competitiveness and strengthening U.S. higher education recruitment pipelines in Georgia, alongside longer-term relationship-building between Georgian students and U.S. institutions.
4) What are the main program tracks supported by this opportunity?
The opportunity supports two complementary tracks:
- EducationUSA AI/STEM and Innovation Hubs
- EducationUSA Sports Pathways Initiative
5) What is the EducationUSA AI/STEM and Innovation Hubs track designed to do?
This track focuses on engaging students and early-career innovators through AI- and STEM-focused advising workshops, innovation talks, and university outreach activities delivered by advisers. It is intended to expand awareness of U.S. educational options and innovation-oriented opportunities.
6) Who is the target audience for the AI/STEM and Innovation Hubs track?
The target audience includes high school and university students, young entrepreneurs, computer programmers, startup founders, and emerging technology leaders in Georgia.
7) Where are AI/STEM and Innovation Hubs activities expected to take place?
Activities are envisioned across five Georgian cities: Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Akhaltsikhe, and Telavi.
8) Are specific venues required for the AI/STEM track?
Yes. A key implementation feature is that activities are to be hosted at local American Spaces. The opportunity describes using these venues to draw new audiences, deepen community engagement, and reinforce U.S. messaging about accessible, high-quality education and innovation opportunities.
9) What is the EducationUSA Sports Pathways Initiative track designed to do?
This track uses sports diplomacy and athletic recruitment as a pathway into U.S. higher education. It is intended to connect Georgia's strongest athletic talent with U.S. colleges and universities by providing specialized advising on sports scholarships and U.S. athletic programs.
10) What types of activities are central to the Sports Pathways Initiative?
The initiative centers on helping athletes understand U.S. admissions and eligibility processes, scholarship pathways, and how to identify and pursue appropriate collegiate athletic programs.
11) Which cities are included in the Sports Pathways outreach?
The Sports Pathways Initiative is expected to conduct targeted outreach in the same five cities: Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Akhaltsikhe, and Telavi.
12) What organizations are expected to be engaged for sports outreach?
The opportunity specifically mentions targeted outreach to sports schools and athletic academies in the five cities.
13) Which sports are emphasized in the Sports Pathways Initiative?
The opportunity indicates a focus on sports where Georgia has globally competitive athletes, including soccer, basketball, rugby, martial arts/MMA, judo, wrestling, and tennis.
14) What is the total funding available under this opportunity?
The notice indicates an award ceiling of $50,000.
15) How many awards does the funder anticipate making?
The opportunity anticipates two awards.
16) Is the funding guaranteed?
The description states that both proposals under the opportunity have already been approved for a combined total of $50,000, contingent on the availability of funds. This suggests funding is planned but still dependent on final allocation.
17) What is the application deadline?
The listed application deadline is August 10, 2026.
18) When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on July 9, 2026.
19) What is the instrument type for this award?
The instrument type is a grant.
20) What activity areas does this grant support?
The activity area is described as education, science and technology, and other research and development-related programming.
21) Who is eligible to apply as a prime applicant?
Eligible applicants include:
- EducationUSA advising centers operating in Georgia
- Non-profit and non-governmental organizations
- Organizations that do not already have an EducationUSA affiliation
22) Are for-profit entities eligible to apply?
No. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply as prime recipients, even if they otherwise resemble eligible categories.
23) Can an organization without an EducationUSA affiliation apply?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes organizations that do not already have an EducationUSA affiliation among eligible applicants.
24) Can applicants use subcontractors?
Yes. Applicants are allowed to use subcontractors.
25) Are there limits on who can serve as the prime awardee?
Yes. The opportunity states that only one non-profit, non-governmental organization can serve as the prime awardee.
26) If subcontracting is included, what must the application explain?
If subcontracting is proposed, the division of responsibilities must be spelled out clearly in the application.
27) What federal guidance is referenced for distinguishing subcontractors vs. subrecipients?
Applicants are directed to 2 CFR 200.331 for distinctions between a subcontractor relationship and a subrecipient arrangement.
28) What geographic focus does this opportunity have?
The programming described is focused on Georgia, with activities and outreach across Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Akhaltsikhe, and Telavi.
29) What longer-term outcomes does the opportunity aim to support?
Beyond near-term advising and outreach, the opportunity emphasizes building longer-term people-to-people and institutional connections between Georgian students and U.S. colleges and universities.
30) What role do advisers play in the AI/STEM track?
The AI/STEM and Innovation Hubs programming is envisioned as a coordinated series of workshops, talks, and outreach activities delivered by advisers.
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