FY 2027 IVLP - NOFO Solicitation Amended.pdf

U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Amendment to the FY 2027 International Visitor Leadership

Program’s National Program Agencies Funding Opportunity Number: DFOP0018829

Application Deadline: August 24, 2026

A. Basic Information B. Eligibility C. Program Description D. Application Contents and Format E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines F. Application Review Information G. Award Notices H. Post-Award Requirements and Administration I. Other Information

A. Basic Information

1. Overview.

Funding Opportunity Title FY 2027 International Visitor Leadership

Program’s National Program Agencies Funding Opportunity Number

DFOP0018829

Announcement Type Amendment to the New Cooperative Agreement

Deadline for Applications August 24, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern (Washington DC time)

Assistance Listing Number 19.402

Length of Performance Period

12 months

Number of Awards Anticipated

Approximately 5 awards (dependent on final award amounts)

Award Amounts Awards may range from approximately a minimum of $1,155,000 to a maximum of $8,875,000

Total Available Funding $16,215,000, pending availability of funds

Type of Funding FY 2027 Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs (ECE) Funds

Funding Instrument Type Cooperative Agreement

Anticipated Award Date January 1, 2027

This notice is subject to availability of funding. Issuance of the NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the Government.

ECA reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of the program and the availability of funds.

Pending satisfactory implementation of this program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is ECA's intent to exercise two additional renewals for this award, before openly competing it again.

2. Executive Summary.

The United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ Office of International Visitors (ECA/PE/V) announces an open competition for approximately five cooperative agreements to support the staff expenses and overhead costs of the FY 2027 International Visitor Leadership Program’s (IVLP) National Program Agencies (NPAs). Launched in 1940, the IVLP is the Department of State’s foundational professional exchange program.

The IVLP advances America First national security priorities and builds long-term relationships between Americans and international leaders in government, business, academia, and other fields. Recipients design and implement customized short-term visits to the United States for current and emerging leaders from around the world. These visits support U.S. foreign policy goals and reflect the participants’ professional interests. Eligible recipients will have expertise in foreign policy, experience in professional exchange programming, and the ability to provide tailored projects for participants from all countries.

This NOFO has been amended to include an appendix that outlines IVLP project types and participant numbers as referenced in section C.3. and C.7. The text in section C.4.h regarding Interpreters and International Visitor Liaisons has also been updated to read “ECA/PE/V efforts”.

B. Eligibility

1. Eligible Applicants.

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• U.S. Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations

• U.S. Not-for-profit public and private educational institutions

Please see the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) for additional information.

2. Cost Sharing.

There is no minimum or maximum percentage of cost sharing required for this program.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements.

a. All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.gov. Please see Section E.

Submission Requirements and Deadlines for more information.

b. ECA’s Grant Guidelines require that organizations demonstrate at least four years of experience in conducting international exchanges to be eligible for awards exceeding $130,000 in ECA funding. As noted in Section A. Basic Information, ECA anticipates issuing awards ranging from $1,155,000 to $8,875,000. Therefore, organizations must demonstrate four years of experience in conducting international exchanges in your proposal to be eligible to apply under this competition.

c. All proposals must comply with the requirements stated in the NOFO and the PSI; not doing so may result in your proposal being declared technically ineligible and given no further consideration in the review process.

d. All proposals must contain a SF-424, executive summary, proposal narrative, budget (SF 424A), detailed line-item budget, and budget narrative.

e. Only one proposal will be considered by ECA from each applicant organization. In cases where more than one submission from an applicant appears in grants.gov, ECA will only consider the submission made closest in time to the NOFO deadline; that submission would constitute the one and only proposal ECA would review from that applicant.

Please note: Applicant organizations are defined by their legal name, and EIN number as stated on their completed SF-424 and additional supporting documentation outlined in the PSI document.

f. All award recipients must have a Washington, DC area presence with a physical office and staff members located within the Washington, DC area.

Applicants who do not currently have a Washington, DC metropolitan area presence must include a detailed plan in their proposal for establishing such a presence by January 1, 2027. The costs related to establishing such a presence must be borne by the award recipient and no such costs may be included in the budget submission in this proposal.

g. Applicants who are current recipients of awards directly from ECA should make sure the application discusses one or more award that will be open with ECA at the start of the anticipated period of performance for this NOFO.

Applicants who do not have current awards directly with ECA, please review the information in the PSI, section D, with additional information that must be provided in your application for it to be eligible.

C. Program Description

3. Authority.

Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of the Act is "to enable the Government of the United States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries...; to strengthen the ties which unite us with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United States and other nations...and thus to assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States and the other countries of the world."

The funding authority for the program above is provided through legislation.

2. Purpose.

As the U.S. Department of State’s foundational professional exchange program, the IVLP advances U.S. foreign policy goals through professional exchanges that highlight American excellence. Through carefully designed projects, the IVLP provides current and emerging foreign leaders with firsthand knowledge of U.S.

society, history, and culture. In turn, the IVLP strengthens American communities by providing valuable opportunities to engage directly with foreign leaders and to foster lasting relationships. IVLP participants are leaders in government, politics, media, education, science, non-government organizations, the arts, and other disciplines. They are nominated by officers at U.S. embassies overseas, approved by ECA/PE/V staff in Washington, DC, and generally have little or no prior exposure to the United States. Since the IVLP’s inception in 1940, more than 230,000 foreign leaders have participated in the program.

3. Program Specific Guidelines.

All award recipients will develop professionally substantive and highly customized projects that offer participants a well-balanced, well-paced, and comprehensive experience in the United States.

A project is defined as a short-term (2-21 days) visit for emerging leaders to the United States on varied themes based on U.S. foreign policy goals. International participants are nominated and selected by U.S. Missions and approved by ECA/PE/V. Participant numbers vary based on the type of project; for more information on project types, reference the chart in the Appendix. Projects may take place in person, virtually, or in a hybrid format as determined by ECA/PE/V.

ECA/PE/V expects to implement IVLP projects for up to approximately 4,500 participants each year, pending funds availability.

Each project focuses on a substantive theme. Some typical IVLP project themes are: agriculture; border security; economic and business development; international crime; cybersecurity; science and technology; space diplomacy; U.S. foreign policy;

and U.S. government. Themes may change based on changes in U.S. foreign policy priorities during the award’s period of performance. The goals and objectives for each specific IVLP project will be shared with the award recipients as they are assigned.

Award recipients will work closely with the responsible ECA/PE/V Project Officer throughout the development, implementation, and evaluation of each assigned IVLP project.

Projects must contain applicable meetings with subject matter experts which focus on foreign policy goals and project objectives. Meetings, site visits, and other activities should promote dialogue between participants and their U.S. professional counterparts. Projects should feature a variety of viewpoints on the thematic topic.

Most projects will begin in Washington, DC, with a program opening designed to provide an overview of the issue and a central examination of federal policies regarding the issue. Well-paced itineraries for each project usually include visits to three to five additional communities across the United States.

Projects should provide opportunities for participants to experience American society and culture and to meet a wide variety of Americans in different environments. The projects should include occasions to share a meal or similar experience (home hospitality) in the homes of Americans and to address student, civic and professional groups in relaxed and informal settings.

Participants should have appropriate opportunities for site visits and hands-on experiences that are relevant to project themes. The award recipient may propose professional “shadowing” experiences with U.S. professional colleagues for some projects (a typical shadowing experience means spending a half- or full workday with a professional counterpart).

Projects should also allow time for participants to reflect on their experiences and share observations with project colleagues.

4. Responsibilities.

The responsibilities of the recipient organization are as follows:

a. Planning, organizing, and administering projects that can include travel, observation, consultation, discussion, and/or practical experience for participants from countries throughout the world. Participants are selected by the Department of State and projects are assigned to award recipients by

ECA/PE/V.

b. Developing the full range of projects (including IVLP, IVLP On Demand, and Global Government-to-Government Partnership (G3P), and all project sizes). Project themes and foreign policy objectives will be pre-determined by the Department of State prior to assignment of the project to the award recipient, and all award recipients are expected to have the capacity to develop projects on all themes.

c. Designing customized projects, typically two to 21-days in length, and ensuring that each project itinerary highlights the geography and people of the United States. Balance should be reflected not only in the itinerary but also in the range of opinions and perspectives to which participants are exposed; the professional backgrounds of interlocutors; and other factors which may be of relevance to the particular subject or participant(s) for whom programming is being arranged. Group projects also should allow sufficient time for participants to interact informally and develop connections within the group setting.

d. Planning and implementing the Washington, DC metropolitan area portion of all projects, including appropriate and relevant appointments, site visits, and social/cultural experiences. The Washington, DC program should include a short project orientation with an overview of the project theme and related issues, a central examination of federal policies regarding the theme, and a federalism briefing, when required by the ECA/PE/V Project Officer. Award recipients are responsible for securing all appointments for the Washington, DC portion of the project unless otherwise specified; however, appointments at many federal agencies require U.S. Department of State interaction to ensure appropriate support.

e. Developing itineraries which include visits to three to five communities in different U.S. regions, including a combination of urban and rural areas. All award recipients must utilize the affiliate community-based members (CBMs) of Global Ties U.S. when designing and implementing itineraries. If no Global Ties U.S. CBM is designated to program in a community deemed vital for the success of the project, the award recipient may work with other local organizations in the community to arrange appropriate programming.

f. Conferring with local CBM organizations to discuss project themes, the availability of project dates, appropriate local resources, and all project logistics. The recipient is responsible for coordinating the participants’ overall project activities within and among the local community organizations and for monitoring the quality of programming throughout the project. The recipient is also responsible for coordinating local hotels, transportation arrangements, and other logistics with local organizations.

g. Working closely with an ECA/PE/V Project Officer for each project. The

ECA/PE/V Project Officer exercises final authority to approve the project design, pace, itinerary, and budget expenditures within the parameters of current guidelines.

h. Coordinating with Interpreters and International Visitor Liaisons (I/Ls) to enhance the participants’ experiences. The ECA/PE/V Project Officer arranges for the services of I/Ls, on a contractual basis, for most IVLP projects. The recipient is required to brief assigned contractors on project goals and design and to work with them to ensure successful implementation of the project. If an I/L is not available through the ECA/PE/V efforts, it is the responsibility of the award recipient to procure I/Ls following their internal procurement procedures.

i. For each project, preparing project proposals and estimated budgets.

Proposals shall be submitted to ECA/PE/V for approval by the established due dates. Proposals should present the goals, objectives, and program plans for the project and must include thematic focuses for each proposed city.

Budget information should include transportation, meals and incidentals, and other project-specific costs. Upon receiving the approval from ECA/PE/V, the award recipient may incur expenses up to the amount authorized in the project assignment for that specific project.

j. Creating and distributing copies of the program books, local organization program schedules, reports or comments, letters, press coverage, social media content, and other materials to the ECA/PE/V Project Officer. Potential or scheduled local press coverage must be shared with the ECA/PE/V Project Officer as far in advance as possible.

k. Organizing domestic travel plans, securing tickets for domestic travel, arranging ground transportation, and making hotel arrangements for IVLP participants and I/Ls. Arranging all air and train travel through the Department of State’s Travel Management Center and ensuring proper billing as outlined by ECA/PE/V. Funds will be obligated in ECA and paid directly by the U.S. Department of State for participant and I/L air and train travel in direct support of projects under the cooperative agreement. In most cases, the U.S. Department of State will arrange international transportation for participants assigned to the award recipient. In limited situations the award recipient may be asked to purchase international tickets for participants.

l. Arranging a maximum of one working meal per group project. A second working meal may be authorized in extenuating circumstances, in which case prior written approval must be obtained in writing from ECA/PE/V.

m. Providing ASPE (Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges) accident and sickness coverage materials and identification letters to each covered participant. Participants will be automatically enrolled in ASPE and information will be available through a web portal. Recipients will handle emergency situations (medical or other) that may arise during a project in collaboration with the ECA/PE/V team, and when necessary, assist with claim resolution.

n. Ensuring that all staff members use the IVLP database to its fullest capacity to facilitate communication among all partners involved with IVLP and streamline IVLP data collection. The award recipients should generate program books and other program materials from the provided database.

o. Preparing program books and other supporting documents (e.g., participant bios and welcome packet information) for participants in each project according to timelines provided by ECA/PE/V.

p. Facilitating the program opening session with the ECA/PE/V Project Officer to discuss the programmatic, logistical, and administrative aspects of each project and to orient participants to the United States and the program.

q. Closely monitoring the progress of the project as it unfolds through frequent consultation with the ECA/PE/V Project Officer, I/Ls traveling with participants, and the Global Ties U.S. CBMs. Adjusting the project as necessary to meet requested changes and to ensure the project is meeting its stated goals and objectives.

r. Obtaining written approval from ECA/PE/V for any out-of-town travel required for any project. Project evaluations are planned and implemented in conjunction with ECA/PE/V. Per diem calculations for award recipient staff travel are to be based on current GSA guidelines.

s. Determining any reasonable accommodation requirements in close consultation with the ECA/PE/V Project Officer and procuring appropriate services for participants while balancing the needs of the U.S government with the needs of the participant.

t. Using vendors properly procured on behalf of the IVLP (e.g. hotels, ground transportation, etc.) through the recipient’s internal procurement procedures.

Applicants must have the ability to implement a direct billing payment system with hotels in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and across the United States for all IVLP projects.

u. Implementing a social media strategy to increase the multiplier effect of projects and to enhance the overall goals of the program. The recipient is required to follow current ECA/PE/V social media guidance and coordinate with ECA/PE/V on social media engagement.

v. Encouraging continued engagement between IVLP alumni and American counterparts, both individual and institutional linkages, that may have been formed during the project. All formal alumni programming will be directed by ECA/PE/V.

w. Managing funds and disbursing per diem payments to IVLP participants and

I/Ls according to federal regulations. Maintaining accounting control over the funds provided by this award with proper documentation, including invoices, receipts, etc. that adequately substantiate all payments charged to this award. All transactions related to this award must be identifiable as part of this award in the recipient's accounting system. Lack of such documentation could result in disallowed charges under this award.

x. Carrying out all administrative, logistical, and reporting responsibilities, as established by the assistance award, and following all relevant federal guidelines and circulars. Complying with all applicable tax treaties and federal, state, and local laws on tax withholding and reporting for all foreign participants funded under this award.

y. Actively monitoring internal information systems to ensure a secure exchange of data. Recipients should maintain plans to minimize exposure to computer viruses, use software protection and updates, and have contingency plans should its computer system become infected with a harmful computer virus. The inability to process information in accordance with federal requirements could result in a requirement to return funds that have not been accounted for properly.

6. Program Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E).

Distinct from grants or cooperative agreement monitoring and participant monitoring, performance monitoring is designed to assess progress against a program’s goals and objectives. A performance monitoring framework is vital to tracking the direction, pace, and magnitude of change that result from ECA programs.

ECA created the Monitoring Data for ECA (MODE) Framework to measure the performance of ECA programs. The MODE Framework provides standard indicators and corresponding survey questions to ensure consistent measures across all ECA programs. Because the IVLP is managed by a number of different implementers, a determination has been made that the primary responsibility for collecting MODE indicator data on International Visitor participant outcomes will lie with ECA/PE/V.

For this proposal and the resulting award, ECA will implement the Post-project Survey tool. The Post-project Survey enables IVLP participants to provide feedback about their exchange experience. Participants automatically receive project-specific surveys, which includes questions from ECA’s Monitoring Data for ECA (MODE) Framework (https://eca.state.gov/impact/eca-monitoring-evaluation-learning-and-innovation-meli-unit/mode-framework-eca-applicants-and.). The survey questions are currently available in more than five languages. Information in the surveys helps ECA/PE/V continually review and improve the IVLP to ensure maximum impact.

Participants receive a survey three days before the conclusion of the project.

Participants on virtual projects also receive a survey. They may access the survey on a mobile device or computer using a custom link. Participants receive automatic email notifications and reminders to complete the survey.

The applicant is responsible for ensuring that participant contact information is accurate and correctly inputted in the IVRC or designated IVLP project management platform. While ECA/PE/V has primary responsibility for ensuring that participants are aware of the Post-project Survey, applicants should plan to support the process by ensuring that participants are aware of the Post-project Survey and encouraging their response to it.

https://eca.state.gov/impact/eca-monitoring-evaluation-learning-and-innovation-meli-unit/mode-framework-eca-applicants-and https://eca.state.gov/impact/eca-monitoring-evaluation-learning-and-innovation-meli-unit/mode-framework-eca-applicants-and

Program Performance M&E Narrative The applicant should include information within the program narrative section(s) of the proposal that outlines how the applicant intends to support the successful use of the Post-project Survey on all IVLP projects. This may include:

• An overview of resources available to the applicant that outlines the team structure and responsibilities surrounding performance monitoring.

• Details of when and how surveys will be advertised to participants – detailing strategies to ensure adequate survey response rates (https://eca.state.gov/files/bureau/eca_eval_division_survey_response_rates.p df)

• An overview of a proposed learning plan and feedback loops to ensure that the GO/GOR are informed on performance monitoring issues at regular intervals.

7. Allowable Costs.

As with other exchange programs, the Bureau is committed to containment of costs consistent with overall program objectives and sound management. The total costs funded by the Bureau must be reasonable and appropriate. Expenditures funded by this agreement may include, but are not limited to, the categories below.

a. Staff Salaries and Benefits;

b. Office and Program Supplies;

c. Telephone and Communications;

d. Staff Travel and Per Diem (only for activities authorized by ECA/PE/V)

e. Automatic Data Processing Equipment Maintenance and IT Costs;

f. Indirect Costs;

g. Reasonable Accommodations.

The recipient should include in their proposal a minimum number of projects that they are proposing to administer with the budget proposed, based on staff capacity. In addition, the proposal should include an approximate number of total participants these projects could include (participant numbers can be estimated by planning for a variety of project types; please see the Appendix).

The recipient is ultimately responsible for programming the agreed upon number of projects outlined in the final cooperative agreement, unless ECA/PE/V is unable to assign that quantity. This number of projects should be considered a floor and not a ceiling.

Applicants should view membership in Global Ties U.S. as a recommendation and not a mandate. Any membership dues paid to Global Ties U.S. should be considered a cost share by the organization and not part of the award. The budget proposal may include plans for recipient staff members to attend the Global Ties U.S. national meeting in Washington, DC, and for a percentage of staff to attend any scheduled trainings or other regionally based Global Ties U.S.

events (e.g., Learning Labs) throughout the year.

In addition, all transportation costs related to administration of the program (e.g., traveling to ECA for meetings, travel expenses to attend local program openings, or travel related to development of resources) can be included in this request and should be adequately described in the budget submission. All expenses related to any allowable project travel (e.g., a project opening or evaluation outside of Washington, DC) should not be included in this proposed budget.

Recipients must include in their budgets all fees related to providing per diem to all IVLP participants. All recipients should develop vendor relationships to allow efficient distribution of M&IE, preferably by debit card.

Recipients have two types of printing costs associated with IVLP administration:

general administrative printing and project-specific printing (e.g., program books). All printing related to general administration of the program should be adequately described in the budget proposal. However, if printing costs can be directly identified for a specific project, once assigned, they should not be included in this budget.

8. Cost Share.

There is no cost sharing required for your budget submission. However, ECA encourages applicants to demonstrate a strong commitment of private sector resources to the program. Voluntary cost sharing may be provided as cash or in-kind contributions and may include direct or indirect costs. The valuation of cash and in-kind contributions must comply with 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 600, which provide that all cost sharing must be verifiable, allowable, reasonable, and allocable.

When cost sharing is proposed, applicants must provide the amount in their proposal, which will be incorporated into any agreement. The budget and budget narrative must clearly detail the source and form of the cost sharing and whether it is secured at the time of the application.

In accordance with federal regulations, recipients must maintain written records supporting all cost-shared claimed as cost sharing and federally funded expensed, consistent with federal audit requirements. The recipient must also report the amount of cost sharing they have contributed to a project on the SF-425 financial status report. Failure to provide the agreed-upon cost share may result in the Grant Officer’s applying a proportional reduction of ECA’s Federal award contribution or holding the recipient accountable for the amount specified in the approved budget.

Private sector contributions that do not meet the standards in 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 600 should be identified and detailed exclusively in the budget narratives. These contributions must not appear as cost sharing in the budget summary or detailed budget.

9. Freedom and Democracy Guidelines.

Public Law 104-319 provides that "in carrying out programs of educational and cultural exchange in countries whose people do not fully enjoy freedom and democracy," the Bureau "shall take appropriate steps to provide opportunities for participation in such programs to human rights and democracy leaders of such countries." Public Law 106 - 113 requires that the governments of the countries described above do not have inappropriate influence in the selection process.

Proposals should reflect advancement of these goals in their program contents, to the full extent deemed feasible.

10. Virtual Exchange Component.

When changing political, health, environmental, or other similar circumstances require a suspension or halt of in-person activities and where ECA determines that a virtual alternative is appropriate and viable, award recipients should demonstrate the ability and capacity to transition from in-person to virtual exchanges. Proposals should demonstrate the organization’s capacity to provide innovative options for virtual activities to substitute for in-person engagement for program participants.

Organizations should consider how they will implement virtual exchange activities, given the potential limits to internet access from participants in some locations and while continuing to advance foreign policy objectives and achieve lasting benefits for U.S. citizens and international participants.

In addition to planning for virtual exchange activities if in-person programming is prohibited, ECA welcomes innovative ideas on how organizations can leverage virtual programming technologies during or in addition to in-person programming.

ECA encourages organizations submitting proposals in response to this solicitation to suggest one or more virtual exchange components to complement the in-person exchange. The virtual exchange components could come before, during and/or after the physical exchange. The objective for the virtual exchange components is to augment the impact of the in-person exchange described in this solicitation. ECA encourages organizations to propose virtual exchange ideas that take advantage of ECA’s existing web and social networking platforms. Virtual exchange components would be coordinated with and approved by the ECA program office and U.S.

missions abroad on a project-by-project basis.

11. Communications Guidance for ECA Recipients.

All ECA Recipients must adhere to the requirements in ECA’s Communications Guidance on the creation of program branding and attribution, websites, social media, and press.

12. Substantial Involvement.

In a cooperative agreement, the Department is substantially involved in program activities above and beyond routine monitoring, as follows:

a. Approving all project-related expenditures.

b. Coordinating collection, review, and dissemination of biographical and professional information for participants assigned to the recipient through the IVLP Resource Center (IVRC) or designated IVLP project management platform.

c. Coordinating all communication with overseas missions and participants prior to the program opening session.

d. Maintaining official points of contact at federal agencies (“gatekeepers”) for recipients to use to coordinate program meetings.

e. Maintaining the IVLP Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to adhere to federal regulation, bureau policies, and the needs of the office.

D. Application Contents and Format

Please read the complete announcement before sending inquiries or submitting proposals.

Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation Package, including the PSI, which contains guidelines for proposal preparation.

1. Budget Format.

Applicants must submit a budget (SF-424A), detailed line-item budget, and a budget narrative. See the PSI section III for more information on the budget requirements.

https://www.state.gov/eca-grant-opportunities/ https://www.state.gov/eca-grant-opportunities/

2. Content of Application.

Please see the PSI for information about the application and formatting guidelines.

3. Staffing/Resumes/Personnel.

Applicants must include complete and current resumes of all individuals who will be working full-time on the IVLP. If individuals are not full-time employees, indicate the percentage of their time spent on the IVLP. A staffing list should include job titles, salary level, and years of service with the organization. No resume should exceed two pages.

Please identify the individuals you have included in your staffing list that your organization designates as key personnel. Key personnel are those individuals who have direct responsibility for the cooperative agreement and whose absence directly effects the continuation of services under the cooperative agreement. During the course of your cooperative agreement, you will be required to obtain prior approval for any changes, prolonged absences, or significant adjustments for any individuals on this key personnel list.

4. Requirements for Past Performance References.

The Department of State will also use past performance as an indicator of an applicant’s ability to successfully perform the work under the Institutional Capacity review criterion in Section F.2. A separate attachment of the proposal must contain any letters of endorsement and between three and five references who may be called upon to discuss recently completed or ongoing work performed for professional exchange programs (which may include the IVLP). The references must contain the information outlined below. The U.S. Department of State may contact representatives from the organizations cited to obtain information on the applicant’s past performance. The Department of State also may obtain past performance information from sources other than those identified by the applicant.

• Name of the reference organization

• Project name

• Project description

• Performance period of the contract, cooperative agreement, or grant

• Amount of the contract, cooperative agreement, or grant

• Technical contact person and telephone number for referenced organization

• Administrative contact person and telephone number for referenced organization.

E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

4. Address to Request Application Package.

The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Grants.gov website at https://www.grants.gov or from the ECA website at https://www.state.gov/eca-grant-opportunities/.

5. Department of State Contacts For questions about this announcement, contact: Elizabeth Barry, U.S. Department of State, Office of International Visitors, ECA/PE/V, BarryEG@state.gov.

All correspondence with ECA concerning this solicitation should reference the title and funding opportunity number listed at the top of this solicitation. Please read the complete announcement before sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the deadline has passed, ECA staff may not discuss this competition with applicants until the proposal review process has been completed.

The terms and conditions published in this solicitation are binding and may not be modified by any ECA representative. Explanatory information provided by ECA that contradicts published language will not be binding.

6. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management

(SAM.gov).

Required Registrations All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM.gov. A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards. An applicant must maintain an active registration while it has a proposal under review by the Department and must continue to keep the registration active for the entire duration of the period of performance of any Federal award that results from this

NOFO.

The 2 CFR 200 requires subrecipients to obtain a UEI. Please note the UEI for subrecipients is not required at the time of application but will be required before an award is processed and/or directed to a subrecipient.

Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible.

https://www.grants.gov/

Organizations based in the United States or that pay employees within the United States will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a UEI prior to registering in SAM.gov.

All federal award recipients must maintain a current registration in the SAM database. Recipients must maintain accurate and up-to-date information in www.SAM.gov until all program and financial activity and reporting are completed on any issued award. Recipients must review and update the information at least annually after the initial registration and more frequently if required information changes or another award is granted. There is no cost associated with registering or updating SAM.gov accounts.

For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to:

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration

Exemptions An exemption from the UEI and sam.gov registration requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis. See 2 CFR 25.110 for a full list of exemptions.

Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or SAM.gov requirements must email the point of contact listed in the NOFO at least two weeks prior to the deadline in the NOFO providing justification of their request. Approval for a SAM.gov exemption must come from the warranted Grants Officer before the application can be deemed eligible for review.

7. Required Registration with MyGrants.

All ECA award recipient organizations and recipient contacts and signatories must be registered with the U.S. Department of State’s MyGrants system by accessing https://mygrants.servicenowservices.com and clicking the “create an account” link.

MyGrants is the U.S. Department of State’s grants management system and is supported by the Department’s Integrated Logistics Management System (ILMS).

Recipient organizations and recipient contacts and signatories that have previously used MyGrants as a U.S. Department of State award recipient do not need to register again. If the organization is not able to access the system, please contact the ILMS Help Desk for help in gaining access.

Support for Recipient Organizations and recipient contacts and signatories is available 24 hours, 7 days a week (except federal holidays), and can be reached at http://www.sam.gov/ https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110 https://mygrants.servicenowservices.com/

1-888-313-ILMS (4567) or through the ILMS Self Service Portal at https://afsitsm.servicenowservices.com/ilms/.

8. Submission Instructions.

Method of Submission Applications may only be submitted electronically through Grants.gov (https://www.grants.gov). Complete solicitation packages are available at Grants.gov in the “Search Grants” portion of the system.

Grants.gov Registration, Application Submission, and Receipt Procedures Eligible organizations should follow the instructions available in the ‘Get Started’ portion of the site (https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants).

How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov Applicants should read instructions carefully and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process. Reviewing and assembling the required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last-minute searches for required information.

The registration process can take up to four weeks to complete. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required application submission deadlines. Applicants should check with appropriate staff within their organizations immediately after reviewing this NOFO to confirm or determine their registration status with Grants.gov.

Organization applicants can find complete instructions here:

https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration

How to Submit an Application to ECA via Grants.gov For access to complete instruction on how to apply for Notice of Funding Opportunities on Grants.gov, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants

Grants.gov Support and Submission Issues Direct all questions regarding Grants.gov registration and submission issues to:

Grants.gov Customer Support Contact Center Phone: 800 -518-4726 Business Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; closed on federal holidays.

https://afsitsm.servicenowservices.com/ilms/ https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration

Email: support@grants.gov

9. Submission Dates and Times.

Application Deadline Date.

Friday, July 31st, 2026. Eastern Time zone

Applicants have until 11:59 p.m., Washington, DC time of the closing date to ensure that their entire application has been uploaded to the Grants.gov site. There are no exceptions to the above deadline. Applications uploaded to the site after the application deadline date and time will be automatically rejected by the Grants.gov system and will be found technically ineligible.

Therefore, we strongly recommend that you begin the submission process through Grants.gov well in advance of the application deadline.

Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by Grants.gov. An electronic date/time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by Grants.gov. The applicant Grants.gov Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of their application. Applicant AORs will also receive the official date/time stamp and Grants.gov Tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission.

When ECA successfully retrieves the application from Grants.gov, Grants.gov will provide an electronic acknowledgement of receipt of the application to the email address of the applicant with the AOR role. Again, proof of timely submission shall be the official date and time that Grants.gov receives your application. Please also be mindful of any Grants.gov generated error messages that may appear during the application process as they may result in some documents not transmitting correctly.

Applicants using slow internet should be aware that transmission can take some time before Grants.gov receives your application. Grants.gov will provide either an error or a successfully received transmission in the form of an email sent to the applicant with the AOR role. The Grants.gov Support Center reports that some applicants end the transmission because they think that nothing is occurring during the transmission process. Please be patient and give the system time to process the application.

mailto:support@grants.gov

The Grants.gov website includes extensive information on all phases/aspects of the Grants.gov process, including an extensive section on frequently asked questions, located under the “Applicant FAQs” section of the website. ECA strongly recommends that all potential applicants review thoroughly the Grants.gov website, well in advance of submitting a proposal through the Grants.gov system. ECA will not notify you upon receipt of electronic applications.

PLEASE NOTE: ECA bears no responsibility for applicant timeliness of submission or data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes for proposals submitted via Grants.gov. Prior to submitting applications through Grants.gov, please ensure you meet all Grants.gov system and software requirements, including Adobe software compatibility. You can verify if your version of the Adobe software is compatible with Grants.gov, by visiting https://grants.gov/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility

It is the responsibility of all applicants submitting proposals via the Grants.gov web portal (https://www.grants.gov) to ensure that proposals have been received by Grants.gov in their entirety, and ECA bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.

10. Funding Restrictions for this Announcement.

a. Funding Restrictions for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency

(UNRWA)

None of the funds awarded resulting from this Notice of Funding Opportunity may be made available for subawards, direct financial support, or otherwise used to provide any payment or transfer to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

b. Prohibition on Funding Activities that Encourage Mass-Migration

Caravans towards the United States Southwest Border.

None of the funds awarded under this grant may be made available to encourage, mobilize, publicize, or manage mass-migration caravans towards the United States southwest border. Funds may not be made available for legal counseling on the United States asylum process; and/or for referrals to legal or representation in the United States.

Funds may only be used for cash cards for use in the country in which they are provided or to facilitate assisted voluntary returns and other purposes that do not encourage, mobilize, publicize, or manage mass migration caravans towards the United States southwest border. The provision of humanitarian assistance is permitted.

c. Iran Programming

A critical component of current U.S. government Iran policy is the support for indigenous Iranian voices. The State Department has made the awarding of grants for this purpose a key component of its Iran policy. As a condition of licensing these activities, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has requested the Department of State to follow certain procedures to effectuate the goals of Sections 481(b), 531(a), 571, 582, and 635(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (as amended); 18 U.S.C. §§ 23 9A and 2339B;

Executive Order 13224; and Homeland Security Presidential Directive 6.

These licensing conditions mandate that the Department conduct a vetting of potential Iran grantees and sub-grantees for counter-terrorism purposes. To conduct this vetting the Department will collect information from grantees and sub-grantees regarding the identity and background of their key employees and Boards of Directors.

Note: To assure that planning for the inclusion of Iran complies with requirements, please contact Elisabeth Gomez at GomezEM2@state.gov for additional information.

d. Palestinian Authority, West Bank, and Gaza Programming.

All awards made under this competition must be executed according to all relevant U.S. laws and policies regarding assistance to the Palestinian Authority, and to the West Bank and Gaza. Organizations must consult with relevant Public Affairs Offices before entering into any formal arrangements or agreements with Palestinian organizations or institutions.

Note: To assure that planning for the inclusion of the Palestinian Authority complies with requirements, please Elisabeth Gomez at GomezEM2@state.gov for additional information.

e. Certification Regarding Compliance with Applicable Federal Anti- Discrimination Laws

If the place of performance or delivery of any award made under this NOFO will be within the United States, applicants are advised that they will be required to certify the following at the time of award:

mailto:GomezEM2@state.gov mailto:GomezEM2@state.gov

i. Its compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws is material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code and;

ii. It does not operate any programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws. A program promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion means a program whose purpose is to promote preferences based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origins, such as in training or hiring.

f. Certification Regarding Compliance with 20 U.S.C. 1011f and Any Other

Applicable Foreign Funding Disclosure Requirements for Institutions of Higher Education (IHE).

Applicants are advised that IHEs must certify the following at the time of award, and that this certification requirement must be included in any subaward agreements to IHEs:

• Its compliance in all respects with section 1011f of title 20, United States

Code, and any other applicable foreign funding disclosure requirements is material for purposes of section 3729 of title 31, United States Code, and for receipt of appropriate Federal grant funds.

g. Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Manufactured or Assembled by American Security Drone Act-Covered Foreign Entities

(a) Definitions.

American Security Drone Act-covered foreign entity means an entity included on a list developed and maintained by the Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC) and published in the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.SAM.gov/

FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system means an unmanned aircraft system manufactured or assembled by an American Security Drone Act-covered foreign entity.

Unmanned aircraft means an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.

Unmanned aircraft system means an unmanned aircraft and associated elements (including communication links and the components that control the…