Sports Envoy Program invites proposals for FY 2026
Summary
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is seeking proposals for the FY 2026 Sports Envoy Program, an international exchange initiative using sports to advance U.S. foreign policy. The program aims to fund approximately 35 international exchanges and support alumni grants.
What changed
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the FY 2026 Sports Envoy Program. This program, authorized under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, utilizes sports diplomacy to promote U.S. foreign policy priorities and foster cross-cultural understanding through international exchanges led by American athletes and coaches.
Eligible entities, including nonprofits and educational institutions, are invited to submit proposals for managing organizational and administrative responsibilities. ECA anticipates funding approximately 35 international exchanges and supporting alumni grants. Applicants must be registered in SAM.gov with a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and only one proposal per organization will be considered. Further details regarding specific program requirements and submission guidelines are available in the full announcement and accompanying documents.
What to do next
- Review the FY 2026 Sports Envoy Program NOFO for detailed requirements.
- Ensure organization is registered in SAM.gov with a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
- Prepare and submit a single proposal per organization by the specified deadline (not provided in excerpt).
Source document (simplified)
FY 2026 Sports Envoy 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 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.
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
Erika Mueller Chen
Documents
Download all
| File name | Description | Last updated |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FY2026SportsEnvoyProgram_NOFO.pdf | FY 2026 Sports Envoy Program NOFO | Mar 26, 2026 04:47 PM UTC |
| FY2026SportsEnvoyProgram_POGI.pdf | FY 2026 Sports Envoy Program POGI | Mar 26, 2026 04:47 PM UTC |
| performancemonitoringplanmode2.3_02.03.2025-4.docx | ECA Performance Monitoring Plan 219 KB (DOCX) | Mar 26, 2026 04:47 PM UTC |
| performancemonitoringplanmode2.3_02.03.2025.pdf | ECA Performance Monitoring Plan 219 KB (PDF) | Mar 26, 2026 04:47 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
$2,600,000
Award Minimum
$2,600,000
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
DFOP0018007
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 full announcement.
History
Version:
2
Posted date:
March 26, 2026
Archive date:
June 25, 2026
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