Opportunity Information: Apply for PD DHAKA NOFO FY2026 02
The U.S. Mission to Bangladesh (Embassy Dhaka), under CFDA 19.040, is offering a discretionary cooperative agreement to select one organization to manage and operate the Edward M. Kennedy (EMK) Center for Public Service in Dhaka. The EMK Center is part of the global American Spaces network and is positioned as a flagship public diplomacy platform that advances U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives in Bangladesh. The core focus is on sustained engagement with young Bangladeshi professionals and U.S. exchange alumni through high-impact programming that highlights American leadership and excellence in trade, commerce, technology, and education, while also promoting U.S. culture and society through well-designed campaigns, workshops, and curated public events.
A major theme of the opportunity is using the EMK Center as a strategic hub to shape the information environment and strengthen people-to-people ties. The Center is expected to help counter adversarial narratives, amplify credible U.S.-aligned messaging, and deepen relationships with U.S. government exchange program alumni. It also plays a workforce and education role by expanding access to English language learning and professional skills development. A central required service is EducationUSA advising, which supports Bangladeshi students seeking U.S. higher education opportunities and is framed in the notice as contributing meaningfully to the U.S. economy through international student enrollment and related economic activity.
The selected recipient will run day-to-day operations in close partnership with the Embassy Public Diplomacy Section, reflecting the cooperative agreement structure where the Embassy will remain actively involved in strategic direction and coordination. Operational responsibilities include supervising professional local staff who deliver comprehensive EducationUSA services, as well as designing and implementing program offerings in areas such as STEM and creative/technical fields like videography and photography. The operator is also responsible for keeping the Center functional and up to date by maintaining technology and equipment, and for executing a flexible monthly program calendar. Programming is expected to sustain strong participation both in-person and virtually, not only for EMK Center events but also for broader American Spaces Bangladesh network programming and other Embassy-sponsored activities that may be hosted or supported through the Center.
Another notable aspect is the EMK Center’s role as a whole-of-mission platform supporting U.S. commercial objectives. The notice emphasizes that the Foreign Commercial Service, the Embassy Economic Section, and Foreign Agricultural Services use the Center to collaborate on joint programming, business engagement, and showcasing American brands. In practice, this means the operator should be prepared to facilitate events and initiatives that connect Bangladeshi audiences with U.S. companies, innovations, and commercial priorities, alongside the Center’s cultural and educational mission.
Eligibility is limited to non-profit, non-governmental prime applicants. The opportunity is open to not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks, civil society organizations/NGOs, and trusts), private educational institutions, and public international organizations. For-profit entities are explicitly not eligible to apply as the prime recipient, even if they otherwise resemble eligible categories. Subcontracting is allowed, but only one non-profit, non-governmental entity can serve as the prime award recipient, and proposals must clearly define the responsibilities of any subcontracted entities. Individuals are not eligible. The notice also points applicants to the federal guidance at 2 CFR 200.331 for understanding the distinction between a subrecipient relationship and a contractor/subcontractor relationship.
The award is capped at $550,000 (award ceiling), with one expected award. The funding opportunity number is PD DHAKA NOFO FY2026 02, the posting date is April 29, 2026, and the application deadline listed is June 30, 2026.Apply for PD DHAKA NOFO FY2026 02
- The U.S. Mission to Bangladesh in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Operation and Management of the Edward M. Kennedy Center" 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 2026-04-29.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-30. (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 $550,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is a U.S. government discretionary cooperative agreement opportunity from the U.S. Mission to Bangladesh (Embassy Dhaka), under CFDA 19.040, to select one organization to manage and operate the Edward M. Kennedy (EMK) Center for Public Service in Dhaka.
2) What is the EMK Center for Public Service?
The EMK Center is part of the global American Spaces network and is described as a flagship public diplomacy platform in Bangladesh. The Center supports sustained engagement with young Bangladeshi professionals and U.S. exchange alumni through high-impact programming, and it promotes U.S. culture and society through campaigns, workshops, and curated public events.
3) How many awards will be made?
The notice indicates one expected award, selecting one organization to operate the EMK Center.
4) What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $550,000.
5) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is PD DHAKA NOFO FY2026 02.
6) When was the opportunity posted and what is the deadline?
The posting date is April 29, 2026, and the application deadline is June 30, 2026.
7) What type of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
This opportunity is a cooperative agreement. The notice describes an active partnership structure where the Embassy Public Diplomacy Section will remain involved in strategic direction and coordination while the recipient runs day-to-day operations.
8) Who is eligible to apply as the prime recipient?
Eligibility is limited to non-profit, non-governmental prime applicants. The opportunity is open to not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks, civil society organizations/NGOs, and trusts), private educational institutions, and public international organizations.
9) Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
No. For-profit entities are explicitly not eligible to apply as the prime recipient.
10) Are individuals eligible to apply?
No. Individuals are not eligible.
11) Can an applicant use subcontractors or partners?
Yes. Subcontracting is allowed, but only one non-profit, non-governmental entity can serve as the prime award recipient. Proposals must clearly define the responsibilities of any subcontracted entities.
12) How does the notice distinguish between subrecipients and contractors/subcontractors?
The notice points applicants to federal guidance at 2 CFR 200.331 to understand the distinction between a subrecipient relationship and a contractor/subcontractor relationship.
13) What is the core purpose of the EMK Center programming under this award?
The core focus is sustained engagement with young Bangladeshi professionals and U.S. exchange alumni through high-impact programming that highlights American leadership and excellence in trade, commerce, technology, and education, while also promoting U.S. culture and society.
14) What audiences are prioritized?
The notice emphasizes sustained engagement with young Bangladeshi professionals and U.S. government exchange program alumni, including through deeper relationships with alumni communities.
15) What role does the EMK Center play in the information environment?
The opportunity frames the EMK Center as a strategic hub to shape the information environment, strengthen people-to-people ties, help counter adversarial narratives, and amplify credible U.S.-aligned messaging.
16) Is EducationUSA advising required as part of operating the Center?
Yes. A central required service is EducationUSA advising, delivered by professional local staff supervised by the operator.
17) What is EducationUSA advising expected to support?
EducationUSA advising supports Bangladeshi students seeking U.S. higher education opportunities. The notice also frames this service as contributing meaningfully to the U.S. economy through international student enrollment and related economic activity.
18) What are the day-to-day operational expectations for the selected recipient?
The selected organization will run day-to-day operations in close partnership with the Embassy Public Diplomacy Section. Responsibilities include supervising professional local staff who provide EducationUSA services, maintaining the Center's technology and equipment, keeping the Center functional and up to date, and executing a flexible monthly program calendar.
19) What types of programs are mentioned as examples?
The notice references program offerings in areas such as STEM and creative/technical fields like videography and photography, along with broader campaigns, workshops, and curated public events.
20) Are virtual programs expected, or only in-person events?
Programming is expected to sustain strong participation both in-person and virtually.
21) Does the EMK Center support programming beyond its own events?
Yes. The Center is expected to support broader American Spaces Bangladesh network programming and other Embassy-sponsored activities that may be hosted or supported through the Center.
22) What is meant by the EMK Center as a "whole-of-mission platform"?
The notice describes the Center as supporting U.S. commercial objectives across Embassy elements. Specifically, it notes that the Foreign Commercial Service, the Embassy Economic Section, and Foreign Agricultural Services use the Center for joint programming, business engagement, and showcasing American brands.
23) What does the commercial objective mean for the operator in practice?
The operator should be prepared to facilitate events and initiatives that connect Bangladeshi audiences with U.S. companies, innovations, and commercial priorities, alongside the Center's cultural and educational mission.
24) What relationship will the recipient have with Embassy Dhaka?
The cooperative agreement structure indicates close partnership with the Embassy Public Diplomacy Section, with the Embassy actively involved in strategic direction and coordination while the recipient manages daily operations.
25) Where is the Center located?
The EMK Center for Public Service is located in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
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