Workforce Integration in Conflict Areas

The Workforce Integration in Conflict Areas grant opportunity, offered by the U.S. Department of State’s Embassy in Islamabad through the Public Diplomacy Section, is designed to support economic development and stability in Pakistan's conflict-affected regions. Specifically, this program focuses on Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, areas characterized by a high concentration of critical mineral resources, weak public education systems, and elevated rates of poverty and terrorist recruitment. The grant aims to bridge the employment gap by creating a sustainable and locally embedded vocational training program that directly aligns with the needs of U.S. companies operating in the region. By strengthening local capacities and creating new economic pathways, the initiative supports both regional development and broader U.S. strategic interests in Pakistan. The program’s core objective is to provide at least 800 young graduates—split evenly between public school graduates in Balochistan and madrassah graduates in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—with market-aligned vocational skills that enhance employability. These training efforts are to be delivered in partnership with local vocational-technical institutions and universities, with a strong emphasis on U.S. industry-relevant skills, particularly in the mining and minerals sector. Additionally, the program integrates English language instruction to improve communication skills and workplace readiness. A labor market mapping exercise will precede course design to ensure alignment with actual employment needs and to guide subsequent activities. Successful proposals must include mechanisms to place at least 100 course graduates in internships or jobs. To ensure long-term impact, applicants are expected to advocate for the scaling of successful training models with key Pakistani institutions, such as the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission and relevant provincial departments. A strong sustainability plan, including formal partnerships with U.S. companies and local industry stakeholders, is a critical component of the application. The project performance period is between 15 to 18 months, and cooperative agreement awards may reach up to $300,000, contingent upon availability of FY26 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds. Eligibility is limited to not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions, both U.S. and non-U.S.-based. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply. Applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active SAM.gov registration at the time of application. Subcontracts may be used, but the prime recipient must be a non-profit, non-governmental organization. Matching funds are encouraged but not required. Proposals must be submitted in English, and all budgetary figures should be in U.S. dollars. Application components include several federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A), a project narrative (not exceeding 10 pages), a monitoring and evaluation plan, a budget justification, and required attachments such as resumes and proof of registration. The submission deadline is May 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Applications can be submitted via Grants.gov or by email to [email protected], and applicants must include the opportunity number SCAISB-26-CA-002-02242026 in the subject line if submitting via email. Applicants will be notified within approximately 120 days following the deadline. The anticipated award start date is September 30, 2026. Evaluation criteria include the quality and feasibility of the program idea, the organizational capacity and track record, planning and ability to achieve objectives, budget clarity, monitoring and evaluation strength, and project sustainability. All projects must adhere to Department of State guidelines, including compliance with anti-discrimination laws and restrictions on construction, direct social services, and lobbying activities.

Use the provided M&E template; align with mining labor needs; sustainability and partnership plans improve scoring.