Young Pacific Leaders Conference 2018/2019 | PAS NEWZEALAND 2018 02

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS NEWZEALAND 2018 02

The Young Pacific Leaders Conference 2018/2019 grant opportunity is a U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to New Zealand) funding competition for an organization to plan and run a high-impact regional leadership conference for emerging Pacific leaders. The overall purpose is to strengthen leadership capacity among young professionals across the Pacific, deepen their understanding of shared regional challenges, and build durable networks that support long-term cooperation. The program is framed around the idea that the United States is a Pacific nation with a continuing commitment to regional security and inclusive economic growth, and that bringing future leaders together now helps create practical partnerships for solving cross-border challenges later.

At the center of the grant is the expectation that the selected grantee will design and implement a 3 to 4 day conference to be held sometime between February 2019 and April 2019. The conference location can be either in the United States or somewhere in the Pacific region, and the proposal is expected to justify the site choice based on practical needs such as travel accessibility and the ability to highlight U.S. connections with Pacific Island nations. The program should be strongly hands-on, prioritizing experiential learning and capacity building rather than purely lecture-style sessions. The conference content must align with the four established Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) pillars: civic leadership, environment and resource management, education, and economic and social development.

The intended participants are emerging leaders aged 25 to 35 who already show measurable community, institutional, or business impact and who have at least two years of professional experience. Delegates must be proficient in English and be citizens of one of the participating countries. The opportunity emphasizes inclusive representation across the region, including Pacific Islands youth and diaspora communities living in Australia and New Zealand, as well as Maori, Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The program should include at least one or two delegates from each of the following: Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Organizers may also incorporate alumni from prior YPL conferences, and the U.S. Embassy can provide alumni contact information. A strong proposal is expected to lay out a clear, fair delegate identification and selection process, carried out in coordination with U.S. embassies across the Pacific.

The conference is expected to blend leadership training with real engagement across sectors. Proposals must include meaningful interaction with U.S. government representatives and also with non-government partners such as NGOs, businesses, and think tanks working on Pacific-focused issues within the four thematic areas. In addition to structured sessions, the program should incorporate experiential components that immerse delegates in relevant parts of the host community, giving participants concrete exposure to how policy, development, education initiatives, environmental management, or civic efforts work in practice. Proposals are encouraged to include opening and closing events with prominent speakers and a broader mix of local community participants, helping expand the delegates' networks beyond the cohort itself.

A major objective is building relationships that last beyond the event. The grant opportunity specifically asks applicants to explain how the program will create both formal and informal networking opportunities and how participants will be supported after the conference to continue collaborating, strengthening alumni ties, and advancing ideas generated during the convening. In practice, this means applicants should think beyond the 3 to 4 day agenda and describe follow-on structures such as alumni coordination, project support, mentoring, online communities, or collaboration pathways that keep momentum going.

Operationally, the grantee is expected to handle the full logistics of conference delivery, including travel and lodging management for participants, speakers, and staff, as well as venue coordination. Proposals must show how grant funds will cover key costs such as the venue, transportation, visas, travel insurance, lodging, and meals or per diem for eligible individuals. Any travel paid with grant funds must be economy class and compliant with Fly America requirements. The program must also include a communications plan to publicize both the application opportunity and the conference itself, using appropriate traditional and social media channels in partnership with U.S. embassies in the region.

Applicants are also required to include an evaluation approach tied to the program goals, including pre- and post-event surveys of participants. This signals that the Department of State is looking for measurable outcomes, such as changes in participant knowledge, leadership confidence, networks, and intentions or plans to collaborate after the event. Proposals should also highlight the applicant organization's relevant track record, particularly experience with U.S.-Pacific relations, youth leadership development, and complex event organization, along with regional partnerships or broader Asia-Pacific or international expertise.

In terms of funding details, this is a discretionary grant opportunity (CFDA 19.040) issued under the funding opportunity number PAS NEWZEALAND 2018 02. The posted award ceiling is $250,000, with an expectation of up to 10 awards. Eligible applicants include nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) and other eligible entities as described in the opportunity's eligibility section, with the competition managed by the Department of State, U.S. Mission to New Zealand. The opportunity was created on August 15, 2018, with an original application deadline of September 14, 2018.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to New Zealand in the regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Young Pacific Leaders Conference 2018/2019" 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 Aug 15, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 14, 2018. (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 $250,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for PAS NEWZEALAND 2018 02

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