FY 2026 Sports Diplomacy On Demand Program Grant Competition
Summary
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) has announced the FY 2026 Sports Diplomacy On Demand Program, an open competition for U.S. public and private non-profit organizations. The program aims to support short-term sports exchange projects that advance U.S. foreign policy priorities. Approximately $2,000,000 is expected to be awarded for around 40 projects.
What changed
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is launching the FY 2026 Sports Diplomacy On Demand Program through an open competition. This new, flexible program allows for rapid responses to foreign policy priorities using sports-focused exchanges, aligning with initiatives like the Decade of Sport in America and upcoming major sporting events. Eligible U.S. public and private non-profit organizations (501(c)(3)) can apply to manage short-term projects involving athletes, sports leaders, and administrators.
Eligible organizations must submit proposals via Grants.gov by May 26, 2026. The program anticipates awarding approximately $2,000,000 for 40 exchange projects, involving 120-140 participants. Applicants should review the full announcement and performance monitoring plan for detailed requirements. This initiative seeks to leverage sports diplomacy to achieve key foreign policy objectives.
What to do next
- Review the FY26_SD_On_Demand_NOFO.pdf for detailed program requirements and eligibility criteria.
- Submit grant proposals through Grants.gov by the closing date of May 26, 2026.
- Consult the ECA Performance Monitoring Plan for reporting expectations.
Source document (simplified)
FY 2026 Sports Diplomacy On Demand Program
Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Assistance Listings: 19.415 -- Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Citizen Exchanges
Last Updated: March 26, 2026 View version history on Grants.gov
Description
The Office of Sports Diplomacy, in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), announces an open competition for the FY 2026 Sports Diplomacy On Demand Program. U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to manage short-term sports exchange projects designed to support key sporting and cultural priorities of the Administration.
Sports Diplomacy On Demand (SD On Demand) is a new, flexible program that will allow the Department of State to quickly respond to Administration’s foreign policy priorities in sports. SD On Demand projects are designed for rapid implementation, enabling swift responses to emerging policies, geopolitical opportunities, and pressing foreign policy needs. The SD On Demand Program will advance U.S. foreign policy through sports-focused programs that leverage the Decade of Sport in America, solidifying the FIFA World Cup 2026 legacy, building momentum toward the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, and beyond.
...
The recipient will implement a series of customized, short-term sports-based exchange projects for a variety of individuals that may include high-profile athletes, leaders in sports federations and ministries abroad, or non-elite athletes, coaches, and sports administrators. The program expects to support approximately 40 exchange projects for 120-140 participants, including approximately 40-50 foreign participants and 80-90 from the United States.
Please see the announcement for additional information.
Show full description
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
Nalinee Cain
Documents
Download all
| File name | Description | Last updated |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FY26SDOnDemandNOFO.pdf | FY 2026 Sports Diplomacy On Demand Program NOFO | Mar 26, 2026 04:53 PM UTC |
| performancemonitoringplanmode2.3_02.03.2025-4.docx | ECA Performance Monitoring Plan 219 KB (DOCX) | Mar 26, 2026 04:53 PM UTC |
| performancemonitoringplanmode2.3_02.03.2025.pdf | ECA Performance Monitoring Plan 219 KB (PDF) | Mar 26, 2026 04:54 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. View on Grants.gov
Award
$--
Program Funding
1
Expected awards
$2,000,000
Award Minimum
$2,000,000
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
DFOP0017999
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
Related changes
Source
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get Trade & Sanctions alerts
Weekly digest. AI-summarized, no noise.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when Grants.gov Open Opportunities publishes new changes.