Artificial Intelligence for American Competitiveness and Economic Security (AI-ACES) in South Asia
Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs · Department of State
At a glance
Artificial Intelligence for American Competitiveness and Economic Security (AI-ACES) in South Asia is a closed federal cooperative agreement opportunity from the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (Department of State). The application deadline was August 2, 2026. Individual awards are listed as $2M – $5M, with about 1 award expected and $2M in total estimated funding. Applicant types listed as eligible include for-profit organizations (not small businesses). Cost sharing is not required. It is funded under Assistance Listing 19.108 (Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs).
Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.
Key facts
- Posted
- Jul 17, 2026
- Close date
- Aug 2, 2026
- Award floor
- $2,000,000
- Award ceiling
- $5,000,000
- Est. total funding
- $2,000,000
- Expected awards
- 1
- Cost sharing
- Not required
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Opportunity category
- Discretionary
Who can apply
- For-profit organizations (not small businesses)
Additional information on eligibility (from the notice)
U.S. based non profit or non governmental organizations with or without 501(c) 3 status of the U.S. tax code; foreign based non profit organizations or non-government organizations; For profit organizations; Public and private educational institutions; Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions
Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.
What it funds
Official synopsis as published by the agency, formatted for readability.
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.
Assistance Listing
What is an ALN?Reported obligations under ALN 19.108
Historical data · not a predictionAgency contact (as published)
Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs
703-516-1684
Quick answers
Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?
The official notice lists these applicant types as eligible: For-profit organizations (not small businesses). Additional restrictions may apply; review the full notice.
How much funding is available through this opportunity?
Per the notice, individual awards are listed as $2m – $5m, total estimated program funding is $2,000,000 and the agency expects to make about 1 awards.
How do I apply for this opportunity?
Applications are submitted through the official source, not through GrantsJunction. Open the official notice on Grants.gov (opportunity DFOP0018586), and review the full announcement and application package. Organizations applying through Grants.gov generally need an active SAM.gov registration and a Grants.gov account, which can take several weeks to set up.