PUAN Grants

The Pakistan–U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) Grants Program is jointly administered by the U.S. Mission to Pakistan and the Pakistan–U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN), in collaboration with the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP).

The PUAN Grants Program supports alumni-led initiatives that apply knowledge, skills, and perspectives gained through U.S. Government–funded exchange programs to generate meaningful, sustainable impact in Pakistan. Through competitive grant funding, the program seeks to strengthen mutual understanding, advance U.S.–Pakistan cooperation, and position alumni as leaders, innovators, and connectors within their communities and professional sectors.

Projects supported under the PUAN Grants Program are expected to demonstrate clear alignment with the pre-defined 2026 PUAN grant themes.

All proposals must be submitted through the online application system.

GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

The PUAN Grants Program is offering only Special Theme grant category during the 2027 annual funding cycle:

Special Themes

Special Themes Grants support alumni-led projects aligned with the pre-defined 2027 PUAN Grant Themes identified by the U.S. Mission to Pakistan. Projects must clearly demonstrate alignment with one selected theme and articulate measurable outcomes, strategic relevance, and potential for broader impact.

Maximum grant amount: PKR 1,500,000
Eligible applicants: PUAN alumni
Target beneficiaries: Communities, institutions, professional sectors, or broader audiences (beyond alumni-only activities)

The call for applications will open on December 1, 2027

PUAN Grants 2027 Theme: Strengthening Economic Partnerships Between Pakistan and the United States

About this theme
PUAN will fund alumni-led projects that build practical connections between Pakistani businesses, students, and professionals and their American counterparts. Projects should help people understand how clear, fair, and transparent business practices make it easier for Pakistani and American companies to work together. The goal is real connections, not just awareness.

Why it matters
Stronger business ties benefit both countries. Pakistani businesses gain access to U.S. markets, technology, and expertise, and American companies find reliable local partners. Projects under this theme help build those connections.

Focus areas
Projects should support at least one of these:

Minerals and energy partnerships: Projects that connect Pakistani professionals, students, and businesses with U.S. companies, technology, and expertise in minerals and energy, and build understanding of how U.S. partnership supports responsible, long-term development.
Fair and predictable business conditions: Projects that bring business owners and experts together to discuss clear, transparent practices, drawing on U.S. business standards and the experience of U.S. companies and exchange alumni, so that Pakistani and American firms can work together with confidence.
Trade with the United States: Projects that help Pakistani businesses learn about and connect with U.S. products, technology, and suppliers, especially in agriculture, energy, and technology, and understand what it takes to trade with the U.S. market.

Examples of projects we would welcome

Learning and training

Workshops or bootcamps for small businesses and entrepreneurs on trade basics, U.S. product and quality standards, and how to work with U.S. companies
Sessions for students and young professionals on entrepreneurship and international business
Training for journalists on reporting accurately on economic and trade issues, or alumni-journalist collaborations

Dialogue and connections

Roundtables, panels, or public forums that bring together business owners, experts, officials, and community members to discuss business, trade, and investment
Business matchmaking events, in person or online, that introduce Pakistani buyers and businesses to U.S. suppliers and companies
Sector sessions on energy and minerals, technology and IT services, or agricultural technology
Mentorship programs that pair experienced alumni business leaders with young entrepreneurs

Public awareness

Community outreach that explains trade and economic topics in simple, local-language terms
Short, easy-to-share materials such as infographics, explainer posts, or brief articles

Every project must include a U.S. connection
Each project must include at least one concrete U.S. element: a U.S. company or business association, a U.S. product, technology, or standard, a U.S. expert or exchange alumnus, or a pathway to the U.S. market. Applications without one will not advance.

What every application should include

Which focus area(s) the project supports
Who you will reach (for example, small business owners, students, or journalists) and about how many
Your U.S. connection and how it will work in practice
Two or three clear results you can count, such as businesses trained, connections or partnerships made, U.S. companies engaged, or participants reporting new knowledge
A realistic plan that can be completed within the grant period

Not funded under this theme
Podcasts, documentaries, and other long-form audio or video productions.

IMPORTANT COMPLIANCE NOTE

PUAN Grants activities under the given theme—that, in whole or in part, adopt or apply preferences based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin will not be considered for funding, in accordance with the applicable Presidential Executive Order: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/ending-radical-and-wasteful-government-dei-programs-and-preferencing/

Application Process

01

PUAN operates an annual competitive grants cycle. Interested alumni must review the grant themes, eligibility criteria, and deadlines published on the PUAN website and official PUAN social media channels, Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network | Facebook.

02

Once applications close, proposals are reviewed to ensure a fair, transparent, and merit-based selection process. The review and decision process typically takes up to two months from the application deadline.

03

Successful applicants will be notified following final approval. The maximum project duration—including implementation and submission of all required reports—is five months from the date of approval.

04

Grant funds are disbursed in two installments: 70% upon signing of the Grant Award Document (GAD) and submission of the Project Inception Report. 30% upon successful completion of the project and approval of final reports.

Eligibility

To be eligible for PUAN Grants, applicants must:

Be an alumnus/alumna of the U.S. Government-funded exchange program
Be registered on the PUAN Alumni Portal (https://alumni.puan.pk/)
Be 18 years of age or older at the time of application

How to Apply:

The applications for PUAN Grants Program should be submitted through the online portal: alumni.puan.pk

A complete application package must include:

Eligibility:

The eligibility for PUAN Grants Program should include: