Diplomatic Training in Economic and Commercial Statecraft | DOS GEO 22 GR 016 070822

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS GEO 22 GR 016 070822

The "Diplomatic Training in Economic and Commercial Statecraft" grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DOS GEO 22 GR 016 070822) is a discretionary U.S. Mission to Georgia grant focused on strengthening Georgia's diplomatic capacity in economic and commercial diplomacy, with the Levan Mikeladze Diplomatic Training and Research Institute as the central beneficiary and implementing partner. The Institute is the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs main in-house training body for developing diplomatic human capital, and it has built a track record of effective cooperation with U.S. Embassy Tbilisi through training programs, outreach, analytical work, and stronger engagement with international partners. The opportunity is rooted in a practical gap: while Georgia has prioritized deeper economic and commercial ties with the United States and other Western partners, the Institute has lacked consistent curriculum development and structured training approaches specifically tailored to economic and commercial tradecraft. The grant is meant to help professionalize and systematize that training so Georgian diplomats can better support trade, investment attraction, and economic advocacy abroad.

The project has two overarching goals. First, it aims to improve the Institute's capacity to design and deliver high-quality training that helps Georgian diplomats understand international economic and commercial relations, engage effectively with host-country audiences and the private sector, and conduct credible advocacy. Second, it seeks to strengthen U.S.-Georgia relations by building shared skills, professional networks, and a deeper alignment on economic diplomacy priorities. A key feature is the intent to connect the Institute with relevant U.S. training and expertise, potentially including institutions linked to the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, so Georgian diplomats and trainers can learn from U.S. practices and tools used in real-world commercial diplomacy.

The grant emphasizes building a structured curriculum for diplomats at different career stages (junior, mid-career, and senior). Training topics are broad but clearly centered on practical economic statecraft. Core elements include strengthening basic and applied economic literacy for diplomats; guidelines and methods for commercial advocacy; investment promotion fundamentals such as national branding, image building, and investor outreach; and the design and management of trade promotion programs that help firms navigate market access. The program also highlights negotiation and influence skills that matter in economic diplomacy, including communication, networking, public speaking, and presentation skills. Another major pillar is analytical capability: participants are expected to improve their ability to conduct economic analysis, evaluate markets, write economic reporting, and produce stronger analytical writing on trade and investment issues.

A distinct part of the curriculum is dedicated to U.S. and international economic policy tools that diplomats routinely encounter. This includes training on bilateral investment treaties, intellectual property protection, and U.S. Government tools that facilitate investment and development such as DFC, EXIM, and USAID. It also includes exposure to USTR and trade policy processes, the importance of investment screening mechanisms, and the practical use of established reference products such as U.S. investment climate statements and country commercial guides. The opportunity also expects diplomats to gain a stronger understanding of major international economic institutions and frameworks, including the World Trade Organization. Finally, it calls for improved communication strategies that help diplomats work more effectively with the private sector, narrowing the common gap between government diplomacy and business realities.

Beyond in-person instruction, the grant opportunity prioritizes building online training capacity so the Institute can reach overseas-based, in-service diplomats in a consistent way. This includes developing online courses and producing short video modules that explain core concepts of economic diplomacy in an accessible format. To ensure the program lasts beyond the initial grant period, the opportunity includes a training-of-trainers component aimed at developing Georgian experts who can continue delivering the curriculum and updating it over time. In addition, proposals may incorporate exchange or study components, including a brief (up to one week) study tour for training-of-trainers graduates to relevant U.S. institutions, along with U.S. guest speakers such as career ambassadors and experienced diplomats who can provide seminars on political and economic tradecraft grounded in long-term field experience.

The expected results are both institutional and operational. Institutionally, the Diplomatic Institute is expected to develop durable curriculum resources and training materials focused on economic and commercial statecraft and related topics, creating a more coherent training pathway within Georgia's foreign service system. Operationally, Georgian diplomats should become more effective at building economic ties with foreign governments and commercial actors, and better prepared to attract and facilitate foreign investment. The broader Foreign Ministry and Georgian government should also gain a clearer, more modern understanding of what economic diplomacy training should look like and how it supports national priorities. On the relationship side, the program is designed to deepen ongoing professional ties between Georgian diplomats and U.S. diplomatic, economic, academic, and analytical communities, encouraging future cooperation and shared initiatives. The grant also aims to increase Georgian diplomats exposure to U.S. perspectives on global economic and trade issues, reinforcing Georgia's positioning in support of a liberal international economic order through closer engagement with U.S. approaches and influence.

In terms of administrative details, the opportunity is offered as a grant under the Business and Commerce activity category (CFDA 19.900) with an award ceiling of $200,000. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, and for-profit organizations (other than small businesses). The issuing agency is the U.S. Mission to Georgia, and the original closing date listed for applications was August 17, 2022.

• The U.S. Mission to Georgia in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Diplomatic Training in Economic and Commercial Statecraft" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.900.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-07-08.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-08-17. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
• 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, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses.

Apply for DOS GEO 22 GR 016 070822

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