Opportunity Listing - MENA Freedom 250 NFL Flag Football Launch and Championship

MENA Freedom 250 NFL Flag Football Launch and Championship

Agency: U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia

Assistance Listings: 19.040 -- Public Diplomacy Programs

Last Updated: August 31, 2026

Description

Under the U.S. Department of State–NFL Sports Diplomacy Partnership, the U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia announces an open competition to implement the "MENA Freedom 250" NFL Flag Football Launch and Championship, culminating in a March 2027 regional championship event in Riyadh. This 12-month program will establish a foundational development pipeline for MENA flag football athletes inspired by the sport's upcoming debut at the LA28 Summer Games, support participating countries in organizing national outreach events and youth programs, and leverage iconic American cultural exports to advance U.S. influence, economic interests, and sport-governance leadership.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Miscellaneous

Other

Additional information

• Not-for-profit organizations, including sports diplomacy implementers, cultural exchange organizations, and civil society/NGOs with demonstrated experience in international sports programming • Public and private educational institutions with athletics or exchange programming capacity • Public international organizations and governmental institutions with relevant sports programming experience • For-profit entities are not eligible to apply as prime recipients but may be engaged as in-kind partners under the Recipient's award.

Grantor contact information

Description

Public Diplomacy Section U.S. Embassy, Riyadh Phone 00966118354000

Email

For inquiries

RiyadhGrants@state.gov

Documents

File name	Description	Last updated
MENA_Flag_Football_FY26_-_Notice_of_Funding_Oppurtunity_DOS-SAU-2606-PD.pdf	Full Notice of Funding Opportunity	Aug 31, 2026 01:12 PM UTC

Link to additional information

Closing: September 14, 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

$150,000

Program Funding

Expected awards

$100,000

Award Minimum

$150,000

Award Maximum

Funding opportunity number:

DOS-SAU-2606-PD

Cost sharing or matching requirement:

Funding instrument type:

Cooperative agreement

Opportunity Category:

Discretionary

Opportunity Category Explanation:

Category of Funding Activity:

Other

Category Explanation:

Public Diplomacy

History

Version:

Posted date:

August 31, 2026

Archive date:

October 14, 2026