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FY 2026 Sports Envoy Program

ID: DFOP0018007 • Type: Posted
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Description

The Office of Sports Diplomacy of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) invites proposals for the Sports Envoy Program. This international exchange program uses sports to advance the Administration's foreign policy priorities and promote American leadership and excellence. The Sports Envoy Program includes countries from all six regions of the world, as determined in consultation with the Department's regional bureaus. The program is authorized under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (Fulbright-Hays Act), which aims to increase mutual understanding and strengthen ties between the people of the United States and other nations.

The Sports Envoy Program sends current and former American professional athletes and coaches overseas on weeklong programs to promote cross-cultural understanding, engage key communities that are often difficult to reach through traditional approaches, and showcase American excellence and leadership through sport. Sports Envoys lead youth clinics and team building activities, conduct community outreach and media engagements, foster dialogue with government leaders, and meet with other U.S. embassy contacts to advance U.S. foreign policy and America First priorities.

ECA funding will support approximately 35 international exchanges for approximately 70 Envoy participants, approximately eight alumni grants, and a technology system created by the applicant. Each Sports Envoy program typically lasts 4-7 days excluding travel, and 7-10 days including travel. Alumni grants will enable participants to deepen the impact of sports diplomacy in the U.S. and/or internationally. Applicants are encouraged to exceed 35 exchanges, 70 Envoy participants, and eight alumni grants should their expertise lead to cost-efficiencies.

Applicants must be registered in SAM.gov with a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Only one proposal per organization will be considered.

ECA anticipates that a single award recipient will manage all organizational and administrative responsibilities of the program.

Please see announcement for additional details.

Background
The FY 2026 Sports Envoy Program is an initiative by the Office of Sports Diplomacy of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). This international exchange program aims to utilize sports to further U.S. foreign policy priorities and promote American leadership and excellence globally. The program is authorized under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (Fulbright-Hays Act), which seeks to enhance mutual understanding and strengthen ties between the United States and other nations.

Grant Details
The Sports Envoy Program will support approximately 35 international exchanges involving about 70 Envoy participants, alongside approximately eight alumni grants. Each exchange typically lasts 4-7 days excluding travel, or 7-10 days including travel. The program will engage current and former American professional athletes and coaches who will lead youth clinics, conduct community outreach, media engagements, foster dialogue with government leaders, and collaborate with U.S. embassy contacts to advance U.S. foreign policy goals. The applicant organization will be responsible for managing all logistical arrangements, Envoy preparation, follow-up activities, alumni engagement initiatives, technology system management for data tracking, and storytelling efforts to highlight program impact.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include U.S. Not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations) and U.S. Not-for-profit public and private educational institutions. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov and demonstrate at least four years of experience in conducting international exchanges to be eligible for awards exceeding $130,000.

Period of Performance
The period of performance for this grant is anticipated to last 18 months.

Grant Value
The total value of the grant is approximately $2,600,000, with potential individual awards up to $25,000 for alumni grants.

Place of Performance
The program will involve countries from all six regions of the world as determined in consultation with the Department’s regional bureaus.
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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)
19.415 - Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Citizen Exchanges
Grant Category
Discretionary
Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement
False
Source
Grants.gov
On 3/26/26 the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs posted grant opportunity DFOP0018007 for FY 2026 Sports Envoy Program. The grant will be issued under grant program 19.415 Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Citizen Exchanges. It is expected that one grant will be made worth between $2.6 million and $2.6 million.

Timing

Posted Date
March 26, 2026, 12:00 a.m. EDT
Closing Date
May 26, 2026, 12:00 a.m. EDT Past Due
Last Updated
March 26, 2026, 12:44 p.m. EDT
Version
2
Archive Date
June 25, 2026

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
Additional Info
Please see announcement.

Award Sizing

Ceiling
$2,600,000
Floor
$2,600,000
Estimated Program Funding
Not Provided
Estimated Number of Grants
1

Contacts

Contact
Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Contact Email
chenem@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 DFOP0018007

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