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FY 2026 America First U.S. Speaker Program

Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs

Assistance Listings: 19.440 -- ECA U.S. Speaker Program

Last Updated: March 26, 2026
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an open competition to support the FY 2026 America First U.S. Speaker Program. Through this cooperative agreement, ECA will support approximately 580 programs, 360 in-person and 220 virtual, engaging key interlocutors from all regions of the world.

 

The U.S. Speaker Program is a nimble, rapid response public diplomacy tool that for more than 40 years has built lasting relationships between U.S. citizen experts and foreign decision-makers and other professional interlocutors that serve Administration priorities and the American people.  Programs will focus on America First priorities such as energy security, critical minerals, commercial diplomacy, freedom of expression, digital freedom, and AI. The program recruits experienced American experts from across the United States for in-person and/or virtual exchanges that advance America First priorities. Through the program, American professionals establish and sustain linkages with key foreign audiences and institutions, which directly contribute to economic opportunities for Americans.  The program works with U.S. embassies and consulates to produce impactful in-person programs ranging from three days to three weeks in length; and virtual programs, which can take place on a single date and time and/or may be part of a continuing series.  Programmatic formats include lectures, workshops, seminars, and training series.

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Eligibility

Eligible applicants

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

Please see announcement.

Grantor contact information

Description

Imani Pitman

Email

PitmanIE@state.gov

PitmanIE@state.gov

Documents

File nameDescriptionLast updated
NOFO_-_FY26_America_First_U.S._Speaker_Program.pdf
FY 2026 America First U.S. Speaker Program NOFO
Mar 26, 2026 05:02 PM UTC
performance_monitoring_plan_mode_2.3_02.03.2025-4.docx
ECA Performance Monitoring Plan [219 KB] (PMP) (DOCX)
Mar 26, 2026 05:02 PM UTC
performance_monitoring_plan_mode_2.3_02.03.2025.pdf
ECA Performance Monitoring Plan [219 KB] (PMP) (PDF)
Mar 26, 2026 05:02 PM UTC

Link to additional information

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Organizational Funding Opportunities

Closing: May 26, 2026

Application process

This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates.

Award

$--

Program Funding

1

Expected awards

$2,736,259

Award Minimum

$2,736,259

Award Maximum

Funding opportunity number:

DFOP0017995

Cost sharing or matching requirement:

No

Funding instrument type:

Cooperative agreement

Opportunity Category:

Discretionary

Opportunity Category Explanation:

--

Category of Funding Activity:

Other

Category Explanation:

Please see announcement.

History

Version:

2

Posted date:

March 26, 2026

Archive date:

June 25, 2026

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