Capacity Building in Southeast Asia to Reduce Mercury Emissions from the Coal Combustion Sector | SFOP0005927

Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0005927

Capacity Building in Southeast Asia to Reduce Mercury Emissions from the Coal Combustion Sector (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0005927) is a U.S. Department of State grant opportunity issued through the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. It is a discretionary funding opportunity, meaning awards are made competitively based on the strength of proposals and their alignment with the program goals, rather than through a formula or entitlement process. The assistance instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates that the funding agency expects to have substantial involvement during the project period, such as collaborating on technical direction, reviewing deliverables, coordinating with partners, or helping shape implementation as the work progresses.

The core purpose of the opportunity is straightforward: reduce mercury emissions from the coal combustion sector in Southeast Asia by strengthening capacity. In practical terms, capacity-building programs like this usually focus on improving the ability of government agencies, utilities, regulators, and other stakeholders to measure mercury emissions, understand where and how mercury is released during coal burning, and apply effective approaches to control and reduce those emissions. The emphasis is not just on equipment or one-time studies, but on building durable skills, systems, and institutional know-how that can continue to drive reductions after the award ends.

The program sits in the environmental funding activity category (CFDA 19.017), reflecting an international environmental and scientific focus. While the public synopsis is brief, the coal combustion sector is widely recognized as a significant source of mercury emissions globally. Mercury is a persistent toxic pollutant that can travel long distances in the atmosphere, deposit into waterways, and accumulate in food webs, particularly in fish. For Southeast Asia, where coal-fired power remains important in several countries, efforts that improve monitoring, management practices, and pollution control decision-making can have meaningful public health and environmental benefits.

Funding is capped at an award ceiling of $485,000, with the agency expecting to make one award. That budget level suggests a targeted regional initiative rather than a large infrastructure program. Projects at this scale commonly support technical workshops and trainings, development of guidance materials, stakeholder consultations, baseline assessments, demonstration of best practices, and the creation or strengthening of frameworks for monitoring and reporting. Because this is a cooperative agreement, the project would likely be implemented in close coordination with the Department of State and potentially with in-country or regional partners to ensure the work aligns with broader international environmental priorities and local needs.

Eligibility is listed as "Others," with clarification referenced in an additional eligibility section in the full announcement. In government grant listings, "Others" can include a range of entities depending on the detailed notice, such as non-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, and other qualified organizations that can demonstrate relevant technical expertise and regional experience. Applicants would generally be expected to show capacity to operate internationally, manage federal funds responsibly, and deliver technical results in partnership with stakeholders in Southeast Asia.

Key administrative dates provided in the listing show the opportunity was created on May 29, 2019, with an original application closing date of July 15, 2019. Those dates indicate the submission window for applications under that specific announcement. Overall, the opportunity is designed as a focused, competitive, cooperative agreement to help countries in Southeast Asia strengthen their ability to reduce mercury emissions from coal combustion through practical, sustainable capacity-building activities.

• The Department of State, Bureau of Oceans - Int. Environmental - Scientific in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Capacity Building in Southeast Asia to Reduce Mercury Emissions from the Coal Combustion Sector" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.017.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 29, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 15, 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 $485,000.00 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).

Apply for SFOP0005927

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