FY 2026 Sports Envoy Program
Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs
- 19.415 -- Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Citizen Exchanges
Archived opportunityLast Updated: May 13, 2026
Important dates
- Archived: June 25, 2026
- Closed: May 26, 2026
Award details
- Expected project funding: Not specified
- Expected awards: 1
Award min.
$2,600,000
Award max.
$2,600,000
- Funding opportunity number:DFOP0018007
- Cost sharing or matching requirement:No
- Funding instrument type:
- Cooperative agreement
- Opportunity Category:Discretionary
- Opportunity Category Explanation:Not specified
- Category of Funding Activity:
- Other
- Category Explanation:Please see full announcement.
History
- Posted date: March 26, 2026
- Archive date: June 25, 2026
- Version: 2
Summary
Jump to documentsThe 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.
Eligibility
Nonprofit
- Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)
Education
- Public and state institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
Miscellaneous
- Other
Additional information on eligibility
Documents
| File name | Description | Last updated |
|---|---|---|
| FY_2026_Sports_Envoy_Program_NOFO.pdf | FY 2026 Sports Envoy Program NOFO | Mar 26, 2026 04:47 PM UTC |
| FY_2026_Sports_Envoy_Program_POGI.pdf | FY 2026 Sports Envoy Program POGI | Mar 26, 2026 04:47 PM UTC |
| performance_monitoring_plan_mode_2.3_02.03.2025-4.docx | ECA Performance Monitoring Plan [219 KB] (PMP) (DOCX) | Mar 26, 2026 04:47 PM UTC |
| performance_monitoring_plan_mode_2.3_02.03.2025.pdf | ECA Performance Monitoring Plan [219 KB] (PMP) (PDF) | Mar 26, 2026 04:47 PM UTC |
