Vietnam CyberSafe Hacks 2026 | FY26 PDS HCMC 01

Vietnam CyberSafe Hacks 2026 Grant - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is Vietnam CyberSafe Hacks 2026?

Vietnam CyberSafe Hacks 2026 is a discretionary U.S. government grant opportunity announced by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. It supports a program in Vietnam intended to reduce vulnerability to cyber scams and trafficking by equipping and deploying Vietnamese students and early-stage professionals with awareness and practical, legally compliant cybersecurity and technology skills.

2) Which U.S. government office is offering this grant?

The opportunity is announced by the U.S. Department of State through the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, under the U.S. Mission to Vietnam.

3) What problem is this grant trying to address?

The program is framed as a practical response to the sharp rise of transnational cyber-enabled crime in Southeast Asia. The opportunity highlights industrial-scale scam operations and cyber fraud run by sophisticated criminal syndicates tied to human trafficking, often operating in hard-to-reach border areas in the Mekong region and increasingly specializing in cyber-enabled and cryptocurrency investment fraud.

4) Why is Vietnam a focus of this opportunity?

Vietnam is described as a high-priority environment because the country is undergoing rapid digital transformation while cybercriminal groups exploit new digital behaviors and platforms. The opportunity also points to major economic harm in Vietnam from cyber scams measured in the billions of dollars.

5) Does the opportunity address human trafficking, or only cybercrime?

It addresses both. The opportunity highlights a serious human trafficking dimension, reporting that thousands of Vietnamese, especially young adults, have reportedly been trafficked to neighboring countries and forced to work in scam compounds.

6) What recruitment vulnerability does the opportunity highlight?

The opportunity identifies recruitment through social media as a key vulnerability. Traffickers are described as targeting young jobseekers with technical skills, including students, and funneling them into fraudulent operations.

7) Who are the intended participants for the program that would be funded?

The program is designed to equip and deploy Vietnamese students and early-stage professionals ages 18 to 30.

8) What are the program goals for these participants?

Participants are expected to study how cyber scams and trafficking networks operate and then build capabilities in emerging American technologies and cybersecurity practices. The grant emphasizes producing practical, innovative solutions that are secure and legally compliant, with an emphasis on real-world usefulness rather than purely theoretical research.

9) What approach does the program emphasize?

The intended approach combines awareness-raising with skills development. The overall intent is to reduce vulnerability to cyber scams and trafficking and to strengthen regional prosperity and security while reducing the reach and effectiveness of criminal ecosystems.

10) Is the program focused on research or on practical solutions?

The description emphasizes real-world usefulness and practical, innovative solutions, not purely theoretical research. Solutions are expected to be secure and legally compliant.

11) What type of funding instrument is this?

This opportunity uses a Grant as the funding instrument type.

12) What is the activity category for this grant?

It is listed under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category.

13) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.441.

14) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is FY26 PDS HCMC 01.

15) When is the application deadline?

The application deadline is August 2, 2026.

16) How many awards are expected to be made?

The program anticipates making one award.

17) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $35,633.

18) Who is eligible to apply as the prime applicant?

Eligibility is limited to specific organization types: not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations), not-for-profit public or private educational institutions, and public international organizations or governmental institutions.

19) Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?

No. For-profit entities are explicitly excluded, even if they otherwise resemble eligible categories.

20) Can multiple organizations apply together as co-primes?

The rules stress that only one non-profit, non-governmental entity may serve as the prime recipient. The opportunity allows sub-contracting arrangements, but it does not describe multiple prime recipients.

21) Are sub-contractors allowed under this grant?

Yes. The grant allows sub-contracting arrangements.

22) If sub-contractors are used, what must the proposal include?

If sub-contractors are used, the proposal must clearly define what each party will do.

23) Where does the opportunity point applicants for rules about sub-contractors vs. sub-recipients?

Applicants are directed to the federal guidance in 2 CFR 200.331 for distinctions between sub-contractors and sub-recipients.

24) What kinds of scam activity does the opportunity specifically mention?

It references industrial-scale scam operations, cyber fraud, and schemes increasingly specializing in cyber-enabled and cryptocurrency investment fraud.

25) Does the opportunity describe impacts outside Vietnam?

Yes. It notes global impacts and states that losses to Americans were reported at over $10 billion in 2024.

26) Who are the victims of the fraudulent operations described?

The opportunity notes that victims include foreign targets, including Americans.

27) What larger policy outcome does the grant aim to support?

The broader policy intent is to strengthen regional prosperity and security while reducing the reach and effectiveness of transnational cyber-enabled criminal ecosystems tied to scams and trafficking.