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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Voices for the Future (PAS JAKARTA FY26 06)

1) What is the Voices for the Future funding opportunity?

Voices for the Future is a U.S. Mission to Indonesia funding opportunity that supports a nationwide high school debate network and a national debate championship. It is designed to engage Indonesian students ages 15 to 17 as emerging leaders by strengthening debate, critical thinking, and applied English skills, while building youth networks and increasing understanding of democratic values and U.S.-Indonesia cooperation.

2) Who is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Mission to Indonesia.

3) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is PAS JAKARTA FY26 06.

4) What is the CFDA number and activity category?

The opportunity is under CFDA 19.040 and is in the education activity category.

5) What type of award is this: grant or cooperative agreement?

This award is structured as a cooperative agreement, not a standard grant. The U.S. Embassy anticipates substantial involvement throughout implementation, including reviewing or approving key deliverables and maintaining active oversight.

6) How much funding is available?

The award ceiling is $150,000.

7) How many awards are expected?

The opportunity states that one award is expected.

8) When is the application deadline?

The listed application deadline is 2026-07-31.

9) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs), public and private educational institutions, public international organizations, and governmental institutions.

10) Are for-profit organizations allowed to apply?

No. For-profit entities are explicitly not eligible to apply.

11) Who are the intended participants of the program?

The primary participants are Indonesian high school students with strong academic records and good English proficiency, along with the teachers and debate coaches who will guide them.

12) What age group does the program focus on?

The program is designed to engage Indonesians ages 15 to 17.

13) What problem or context is this program trying to address?

The program is framed as a response to an information environment increasingly shaped by information warfare across traditional and digital media. It notes that despite solid government-to-government relations, public favorability toward the United States has not risen in recent years, while other countries have expanded influence through soft power. The program argues that building youth skills in critical thinking, English, and debate can help students recognize manipulation and propaganda and participate more effectively in civic life.

14) What are the main goals of Voices for the Future?

At a high level, the program aims to demonstrate U.S. commitment to Indonesia's next generation, strengthen civic literacy through structured debate training and competition, improve applied English-language skills in a practical setting, build durable cross-regional youth networks, and deepen people-to-people ties by exposing participants to American traditions and values.

15) Where will program activities take place?

The project focuses on four main locations: Jakarta, Samarinda, Makassar, and Padang.

16) What are the four specific objectives described in the opportunity?

The opportunity describes four objectives:

• Establish debate teams in at least 20 schools by recruiting partner high schools across Padang, Samarinda, and Makassar, plus additional Jakarta schools through an open call, with consistent curriculum and assessment and dedicated coaches/faculty advisors.
• Strengthen long-term capacity of teachers and coaches through a Training of Trainers (ToT) model and a peer network to sustain programming beyond the grant.
• Increase student engagement on topics tied to democratic participation and the digital information environment (including free speech, digital freedom, misinformation, and artificial intelligence), with encouragement to share learning more broadly.
• Hold a national debate championship in Jakarta, paired with public awareness efforts to highlight student achievement and U.S. investment in youth leadership.

17) How many schools are expected to participate?

The program intends to establish Voices for the Future debate teams in at least 20 schools.

18) How will Jakarta schools be selected?

Additional Jakarta schools are expected to participate through an open call, alongside recruited partner high schools in Padang, Samarinda, and Makassar.

19) What is expected from each participating school?

Each participating school is expected to have a dedicated coach or faculty advisor and to use a consistent debate curriculum and assessment approach.

20) Is there any mention of U.S.-based mentorship for debate activities?

Yes. Schools may potentially connect with mentorship from a U.S. Embassy Regional English Language Fellow.

21) What major trainings or workshops are included?

The program includes three debate bootcamps and Training of Trainers workshops in Padang, Samarinda, and Makassar. These workshops are delivered by traveling U.S. experts.

22) How many teachers and coaches are expected to be trained?

The workshops are expected to train at least 24 teachers and coaches.

23) What topics and skills will the trainings cover?

Training content includes debate formats and rules, argument building and rebuttal, and content areas such as AI governance, digital rights, and free speech.

24) What resources will coaches receive?

Coaches are expected to receive structured toolkits, including lesson plans, research guides, practice drills, and assessment rubrics.

25) Are there student-facing activities at the bootcamps?

Yes. Each bootcamp includes a demonstration debate with students.

26) Will students receive information about studying in the United States?

Yes. EducationUSA information sessions are included so students learn about legal pathways to study in the United States. EducationUSA is expected to run study-pathway sessions at each bootcamp site.

27) How many students are expected to be reached through EducationUSA sessions during bootcamps?

The EducationUSA sessions at the three bootcamp sites are expected to reach at least 120 students across Padang, Samarinda, and Makassar.

28) What is the national championship and where will it be held?

The program culminates in a national debate championship in Jakarta. The event is paired with public awareness efforts to highlight student achievement and showcase U.S. investment in youth leadership.

29) How do teams qualify to participate in the national championship?

The championship is designed with two participation tracks: top-qualifying teams from the three bootcamp cities (Padang, Samarinda, and Makassar) and Jakarta-based teams that register through the open call.

30) Who will judge the national championship rounds?

Judging is expected to include U.S. experts, Indonesian academic and civil society figures, and U.S. Embassy representatives.

31) What happens at the end of the national championship?

The event concludes with awards and formal recognition, followed by a mentorship session connecting debate skills to democratic citizenship.

32) Are high-performing students connected to further U.S. education advising?

Yes. High-performing students from both championship participation tracks are expected to be connected to EducationUSA advising and U.S. educational opportunities.

33) What visibility or media outreach is expected from the program?

The opportunity includes an expectation for visibility and outreach, including a media strategy that generates at least 10 placements across social media, press, and other digital channels.

34) What deliverables or planning materials must the implementing organization produce?

The implementing organization is responsible for producing practical guidance such as an operations manual and outreach materials to recruit students and teachers. The organization will also coordinate program design elements such as debate topics, coaching curricula, and training materials in coordination with the U.S. Embassy.

35) What role will the U.S. Embassy play during implementation?

Because this is a cooperative agreement, the Embassy anticipates substantial involvement. Through its Public Affairs Section and a designated Grants Officer's Representative, the Embassy will provide oversight and strategic guidance, review or approve key deliverables (including program design, selection criteria, curriculum, training materials, and championship logistics), and be involved in monitoring and evaluation through site visits and reporting.

36) Does the Embassy control budget and payment decisions?

Yes. The opportunity states the Embassy retains financial authority through the Grants Officer for payments, budget modifications, and closeout, and it will review or approve significant budget or scope changes.

37) Will the Embassy help engage Indonesian stakeholders?

Yes. The Embassy is expected to help engage host-country stakeholders such as relevant ministries and educational institutions.

38) How does the program relate to existing youth engagement pathways?

The opportunity presents the program as complementary to existing youth engagement pipelines, including interest generated by YSEALI.

39) What themes are emphasized for debate topics and civic learning?

The program emphasizes modern democratic participation and the digital information environment, especially free speech, digital freedom, misinformation, and artificial intelligence.

40) What is the intended long-term outcome for teachers and debate coaches?

The program aims to strengthen long-term educator capacity through a Training of Trainers approach and a peer network that can share resources and sustain debate programming beyond the grant period.