Opportunity Information: Apply for PDS PAN FY26 01
Apply for PDS PAN FY26 01
- The U.S. Mission to Panama in the regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Countering CCP Influence in Panama's Unviersities" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-08-28.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-13. (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 $150,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals.
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Opportunity Summary:
The U.S. Mission to Panama is offering a discretionary grant opportunity called "Countering CCP Influence in Panama's Universities" (Funding Opportunity Number: PDS PAN FY26 01) aimed at strengthening the visibility and credibility of U.S. partnerships across Panamanian higher education. The core idea is that universities in Panama have become a key battleground for geopolitical influence, and the Embassy views Chinese Communist Party-linked engagement as increasingly shaping campus narratives through tools like Confucius Institutes, scholarships, academic exchanges, research partnerships, and sustained relationship-building with students, faculty, and university leadership. According to the opportunity description, these activities are seen as pushing CCP talking points and fueling skepticism toward the United States at an important moment in the broader U.S.-Panama relationship.
The grant is designed to expand real, sustained U.S. presence on campus by creating consistent, hands-on opportunities for Panamanian students, researchers, professors, administrators, and academic leaders to connect directly with American institutions and people. Rather than being a one-off event series, the Embassy is looking for a year-long initiative that helps lock in durable institutional relationships and makes U.S. engagement feel accessible, modern, and clearly beneficial. The program is also framed as a practical alternative to CCP-sponsored programming by showcasing concrete advantages of working with U.S. universities, experts, businesses, and exchange alumni.
Program activities are expected to center on high-interest, high-impact engagement that aligns with U.S. public diplomacy goals and the needs of universities. The description highlights several examples: English-language programming that improves access to global research and professional opportunities; workshops on AI and emerging technologies that build skills and expose participants to U.S. standards and approaches; entrepreneurship initiatives that connect campus talent to innovation culture and potentially to U.S. companies or mentors; visiting speakers who can engage directly with university communities; research collaborations that encourage transparent and mutually beneficial academic partnerships; and public discussions that address academic freedom and research integrity, topics that are increasingly important as universities navigate outside partnerships, funding, and influence. Overall, the emphasis is on building relationships and credibility through direct engagement and shared professional interests, rather than purely messaging.
The U.S. Mission expects the initiative to integrate with existing Embassy-supported education and outreach infrastructure. The opportunity specifically notes coordination with EducationUSA, American Spaces, the Regional English Language Office, and other Embassy initiatives. In practice, this implies the project should not duplicate standard exchange advising or basic programming already underway, but instead complement those efforts by pushing deeper institutional engagement, expanding campus reach, and using public diplomacy programming to strengthen long-term U.S.-Panama academic ties. The intended outcomes include expanded American visibility across multiple Panamanian campuses, stronger and more enduring partnerships between U.S. and Panamanian academic institutions, and measurable progress toward countering CCP influence in higher education by offering credible, attractive, and values-based alternatives.
On the administrative side, the opportunity is offered as a grant under CFDA 19.040, categorized under Regional Development. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including those with or without 501(c)(3) status), and individuals. The award ceiling is $150,000, and the Embassy anticipates making around three awards. The application deadline listed is 2026-09-13, with the opportunity created on 2026-08-28, and the awarding agency is the U.S. Mission to Panama.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Countering CCP Influence in Panama's Universities."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PDS PAN FY26 01.
Who is offering this grant?
The awarding agency is the U.S. Mission to Panama.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program aims to strengthen the visibility and credibility of U.S. partnerships across Panamanian higher education by expanding a real, sustained U.S. presence on campus and building durable institutional relationships with Panamanian universities.
Why is the program focused on universities in Panama?
According to the opportunity description, universities in Panama are viewed as a key battleground for geopolitical influence. The U.S. Mission believes Chinese Communist Party-linked engagement is increasingly shaping campus narratives through activities such as Confucius Institutes, scholarships, exchanges, research partnerships, and long-term relationship-building with students, faculty, and university leadership.
What kinds of influence activities does the opportunity description associate with the CCP?
The description highlights tools such as Confucius Institutes, scholarships, academic exchanges, research partnerships, and sustained relationship-building with campus stakeholders. These activities are described as pushing CCP talking points and contributing to skepticism toward the United States.
What type of initiative is the Embassy looking for?
The Embassy is looking for a year-long initiative designed to create consistent, hands-on opportunities for Panamanian students, researchers, professors, administrators, and academic leaders to connect directly with American institutions and people. The emphasis is on sustained engagement rather than a one-off event series.
What does "sustained U.S. presence on campus" mean in this context?
Based on the description, it means ongoing, direct engagement that makes U.S. partnerships feel accessible, modern, and clearly beneficial, while also helping lock in durable institutional relationships between U.S. and Panamanian higher education stakeholders.
What are the intended outcomes of the grant?
Intended outcomes include expanded American visibility across multiple Panamanian campuses, stronger and more enduring partnerships between U.S. and Panamanian academic institutions, and measurable progress toward countering CCP influence in higher education by offering credible, attractive, values-based alternatives.
What kinds of activities are expected to be included in proposed projects?
The opportunity emphasizes high-interest, high-impact engagement aligned with U.S. public diplomacy goals and university needs. Examples named in the description include English-language programming, workshops on AI and emerging technologies, entrepreneurship initiatives, visiting speakers, research collaborations, and public discussions on academic freedom and research integrity.
Are English-language activities considered a good fit for this program?
Yes. The description specifically mentions English-language programming that improves access to global research and professional opportunities as an example of relevant programming.
Are AI and emerging technology activities considered relevant?
Yes. The opportunity highlights workshops on AI and emerging technologies to build skills and expose participants to U.S. standards and approaches.
Does the program support entrepreneurship-focused initiatives?
Yes. Entrepreneurship initiatives are listed as an example, especially those that connect campus talent to innovation culture and potentially to U.S. companies or mentors.
Can proposals include visiting speakers?
Yes. The description includes visiting speakers who can engage directly with university communities as an example of suitable activity.
Are research collaborations an expected component?
They can be. The opportunity mentions research collaborations that encourage transparent and mutually beneficial academic partnerships.
Are academic freedom and research integrity topics appropriate for programming under this grant?
Yes. The description explicitly points to public discussions addressing academic freedom and research integrity as important topics as universities navigate outside partnerships, funding, and influence.
Is the program focused mainly on messaging about the United States?
No. The description emphasizes building relationships and credibility through direct engagement and shared professional interests rather than purely messaging.
Does the Embassy expect applicants to coordinate with existing U.S. Mission education and outreach programs?
Yes. The initiative is expected to integrate with existing Embassy-supported infrastructure and coordinate with EducationUSA, American Spaces, the Regional English Language Office, and other Embassy initiatives.
Should proposals avoid duplicating existing Embassy programming?
Yes. The description suggests the project should not duplicate standard exchange advising or basic programming already underway, but should complement those efforts by expanding reach and deepening institutional engagement.
Who are the expected participants or target audiences?
The description identifies Panamanian students, researchers, professors, administrators, and academic leaders as key groups for sustained engagement with U.S. institutions and people.
What is the CFDA number for this grant?
The opportunity is offered under CFDA 19.040.
What category is this funding listed under?
It is categorized under Regional Development.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including those with or without 501(c)(3) status), and individuals.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $150,000.
How many awards does the U.S. Mission to Panama expect to make?
The U.S. Mission anticipates making around three awards.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline listed is 2026-09-13.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2026-08-28.
Does the opportunity specify that programming must span multiple campuses?
The intended outcomes mention expanded American visibility across multiple Panamanian campuses, indicating that multi-campus reach aligns with the stated goals.
Is this grant described as discretionary?
Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant opportunity.
What makes a proposal align with the Embassy's stated approach?
Based on the description, alignment includes designing a year-long, hands-on initiative that complements existing Embassy education/outreach efforts, deepens institutional relationships, and offers tangible, credible alternatives to CCP-sponsored programming through practical engagement (skills, standards, collaboration, and professional networks).
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PDS PAN FY26 01) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Equipping Journalists to Counter Anti-American Propaganda Apply for PDS PAN FY26 02 Funding Number: PDS PAN FY26 02 Agency: U.S. Mission to Panama Category: Regional Development Funding Amount: $120,000 |
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