Opportunity Information: Apply for SCAKAB 19 AW 008 SCA 04012019
The Afghan Young Leaders Exchange Program (AYLEP) is a U.S. Department of State funding opportunity administered through the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. It is set up as an open, competitive grant/cooperative agreement for an organization to design and run a recurring exchange program in the United States for young Afghans. The central purpose is to strengthen leadership, advocacy, and professional capacity among emerging Afghan leaders so they can return home better prepared to contribute to positive change in Afghanistan.
At its core, AYLEP aims to develop the next generation of Afghan leaders by exposing them to U.S. expertise and real-world examples in key areas such as governance, civil society, economic growth, and security. The program is meant to go beyond classroom-style training by combining leadership development with direct engagement in U.S. civic, political, social, and economic systems. A major emphasis is placed on connecting participants with practitioners and institutions, including subject matter experts, innovators, activists, civic organizations, and government entities, so that participants can see how leadership and public problem-solving function in practice and then adapt relevant lessons to Afghan contexts.
The exchange structure described in the announcement is fairly specific. Each year, the implementing organization would host one U.S.-based exchange for a cohort of about 50 young Afghans. Each exchange should be approximately three weeks long and organized around a theme determined by PAS. The program design is expected to include substantial interaction not only between participants and external speakers or host organizations, but also among the participants themselves, encouraging peer learning, collaboration, and network-building across regions and professional interests. Proposals are expected to lay out how the exchange series will be implemented annually and how each cycle contributes to longer-term leadership development rather than being a one-off visit.
A key expectation in the proposal is a clear explanation of how the program will translate into real capacity gains once participants return to Afghanistan. The announcement highlights outcomes such as improving Afghan governance, professionalizing and building capacity within the education sector, promoting social change, and supporting economic growth. In practical terms, applicants would typically need to demonstrate how program content, mentoring, professional connections, and any follow-on activities or alumni engagement would help participants apply what they learned through initiatives, institutional reforms, community projects, or leadership roles at home.
From the funding and administrative details provided, this opportunity is a discretionary award from the Department of State (Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs), listed under CFDA 19.501. The funding instrument may be a grant or a cooperative agreement, meaning the government may anticipate active involvement in shaping or overseeing certain elements during implementation. The opportunity number is SCAKAB 19 AW 008 SCA 04012019, it was created April 1, 2019, and originally closed May 30, 2019. The award ceiling is up to $3,000,000, with an expectation of one award, indicating the Department intended to fund a single lead implementer to run the full program model described. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with further clarification referenced in the full eligibility section of the notice, which generally signals that nontraditional entities may be able to apply depending on the specific eligibility language in the full announcement.
Overall, AYLEP is designed as a high-impact leadership exchange that blends thematic training, professional exposure, and civic engagement in the United States, with the explicit goal of building a pipeline of young Afghan leaders who return with stronger skills, expanded networks, and practical models they can use to advance governance, education, social development, and economic opportunity in Afghanistan.Apply for SCAKAB 19 AW 008 SCA 04012019
- The Department of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Afghan Young Leaders Exchange Program (AYLEP)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.501.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 01, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 30, 2019. (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 $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Next opportunity: FY2019 Youth Ambassadors Program
Previous opportunity: Innovations in Nutrition Programs and Services
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for SCAKAB 19 AW 008 SCA 04012019
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (SCAKAB 19 AW 008 SCA 04012019) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| FY 2019 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program Placement Components Apply for SFOP0005704 Funding Number: SFOP0005704 Agency: Department of State, Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $9,300,581 |
| Promoting Innovative Entrepreneurship (PIE) Apply for SFOP0005685 Funding Number: SFOP0005685 Agency: Department of State, Assistance Coordination Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Solicitation of Proposals for Economic Development Feasibility Study Funding from the Native American Business Development Institute Apply for BIA NABDI 2019 0001 Funding Number: BIA NABDI 2019 0001 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DRL Media Literacy in the Baltics Apply for SFOP0005695 Funding Number: SFOP0005695 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| NCPE Interns at Arlington National Cemetery Apply for P19AS00083 Funding Number: P19AS00083 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| 2019 TIP Office Notification of Funding Opportunity - Statement of Interest Apply for SFOP0005674 Funding Number: SFOP0005674 Agency: Department of State, Office to Monitor-Combat Trafficking in Persons Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| Combating Wildlife Trafficking in Sub-Saharan Africa Apply for SFOP0005708 Funding Number: SFOP0005708 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $875,000 |
| Strengthening Implementation of Anticorruption Standards Globally Apply for SFOP0005710 Funding Number: SFOP0005710 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Democracy Commission Spring Round Apply for STATE BISHKEK PAS 19 0001 Funding Number: STATE BISHKEK PAS 19 0001 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kyrgyzstan Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| DRL Labor Programs to Combat Slavery in West Africa Apply for SFOP0005711 Funding Number: SFOP0005711 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| FY2019 Youth Ambassadors Program Apply for SFOP0005713 Funding Number: SFOP0005713 Agency: Department of State, Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $3,400,000 |
| 19.PMWRA.Mali.PSSM.NOFO Apply for SFOP0005718 Funding Number: SFOP0005718 Agency: Department of State, PM Weapons Removal and Abatement Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| 19.PMWRA.SouthSudan.HMA.NOFO Apply for SFOP0005721 Funding Number: SFOP0005721 Agency: Department of State, PM Weapons Removal and Abatement Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Pipestone National Monument Cultural Demonstrator Program Apply for NPS NOIP19AC00053 Funding Number: NPS NOIP19AC00053 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Interns to Monitor Water Quality - INDU Apply for NPS NOIP19AC00093 Funding Number: NPS NOIP19AC00093 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $65,000 |
| Cultural Preservation of Historic Sites and Monuments (Built Heritage) Apply for SCAKAB 19 AW 009 SCA 04042019 Funding Number: SCAKAB 19 AW 009 SCA 04042019 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Democracy Commission Small Grants Apply for SRB10019FO0003 Funding Number: SRB10019FO0003 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Serbia Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $24,000 |
| Community Engagement Office – Catalysts for Peace Apply for SCAISB 19 AW 014 04052019 Funding Number: SCAISB 19 AW 014 04052019 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Dakar PAS Annual Program Statement Apply for PAS DKR NOFO FY19 01 Funding Number: PAS DKR NOFO FY19 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Senegal Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Professional Development Network for Substance Use Disorder Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Service Providers and Workforce Apply for SFOP0005706 Funding Number: SFOP0005706 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,200,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "SCAKAB 19 AW 008 SCA 04012019", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.