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FY 2026 Ngawang Choephel Fellows Program

ID: DFOP0017864 • Type: Posted
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Description

The Global Leaders Division in the Office of Citizen Exchanges at the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is seeking proposal submissions for one to two cooperative agreements to design, implement, and oversee the FY 2026 Ngawang Choephel Fellows Program. Launched in 1997, the Ngawang Choephel Fellows Program is a two-way economic exchange program designed to enhance leadership and professional skills and build lasting partnerships between emerging entrepreneurs from Tibetan communities in China, India, Nepal and Bhutan, and the United States. The defining element of the program is a minimum four-week U.S.-based exchange which will provide Fellows with opportunities to discuss and share best practices for initiating and supporting business and/or community initiatives. The award recipient will be responsible for planning and administering all components of the Ngawang Choephel Fellows Program. The non-U.S. Fellow component will feature a series of virtual engagement opportunities leading up to a minimum four-week U.S.-based exchange for up to 25 participants. This component will consist of professional and leadership development activities which may include, but shall not be limited to: trainings, workshops, site visits, job shadowing, team building exercises, panel discussions, case studies, resource-sharing, and networking events. The U.S. Fellows component will enable up to 10 U.S. professionals, who engaged with the non-U.S. Fellows during the course of their program, to travel to India, Nepal or Bhutan for approximately two weeks to assist the non-U.S. Fellows' follow-on plans and conduct alumni engagement activities. Please see the Notice of Funding Opportunity for additional information.
Background
The FY 2026 Ngawang Choephel Fellows Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). This program, launched in 1997, aims to enhance leadership and professional skills while fostering partnerships between emerging entrepreneurs from Tibetan communities in China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and the United States. The program includes a minimum four-week U.S.-based exchange for participants to share best practices for business and community initiatives.

Grant Details
The award recipient will be responsible for planning and administering all components of the Ngawang Choephel Fellows Program. Key tasks include:

1. Developing a comprehensive program for non-U.S. fellows that includes a program launch, virtual components, pre-departure orientation (PDO), arrival orientation, and substantive U.S.-based programming.

2. Designing a program for U.S. fellows that builds on the non-U.S. fellows’ experiences with activities such as site visits and workshops.

3. Integrating content that promotes American economic leadership and counters Chinese economic coercion.

4. Facilitating networking events and mentorship programs between Tibetan entrepreneurs and U.S. business leaders.

5. Developing an alumni network platform for ongoing collaboration.

6. Implementing a recruitment strategy for non-U.S. fellows with clear selection criteria.

7. Ensuring health, safety, and well-being of all fellows during the program.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include U.S. not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs) and public/private educational institutions with at least four years of experience in conducting international exchanges to apply for awards exceeding $130,000 in ECA funding. All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov.

Period of Performance
The period of performance is anticipated to be between 18 to 24 months.

Grant Value
The total available funding is approximately $750,000, with one award potentially valued at $750,000 or two awards up to $325,000 each.

Place of Performance
The program will take place in the United States as well as in India, Nepal, or Bhutan for follow-on activities.
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Overview

Agency
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) [DOS]
Category of Funding
Other (see text field entitled "Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity" for clarification)
Funding Instruments
Cooperative Agreement
Grant Program (CFDA)
19.012 - Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Special Professional and Cultural Programs
Grant Category
Discretionary
Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement
False
Source
Grants.gov
On 3/3/26 the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs posted grant opportunity DFOP0017864 for FY 2026 Ngawang Choephel Fellows Program. The grant will be issued under grant program 19.012 Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Special Professional and Cultural Programs. It is expected that 2 total grants will be made worth between $325,000 and $750,000.

Timing

Posted Date
March 3, 2026, 12:00 a.m. EST
Closing Date
May 1, 2026, 12:00 a.m. EDT Due in 47 Days
Last Updated
March 3, 2026, 11:58 a.m. EST
Version
2
Archive Date
May 31, 2026

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants
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
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Additional Info
Please see full announcement.

Award Sizing

Ceiling
$750,000
Floor
$325,000
Estimated Program Funding
Not Provided
Estimated Number of Grants
2

Contacts

Contact
Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Contact Email
woodst@state.gov
Contact Phone
(202) 890-9795
Additional Information
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Organizational Funding Opportunities
Additional Information Site
https://www.state.gov/eca-grant-opportunities/

Documents

Posted documents for DFOP0017864

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