FY 2026 America First U.S. Speaker Program
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- DFOP0017995
- Agency
-
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Department of State
- Applications due
- Award size
- $2,736,259
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
-
- 19.440 ECA U.S. Speaker Program
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Other
- Eligible applicants
-
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Points of contact
-
- Imani Pitman pitmanif@state.gov
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is seeking a cooperative agreement recipient to administer and manage approximately 580 speaker exchange programs (360 in-person and 220 virtual) connecting American experts with international professional audiences. Eligible applicants include public and private higher education institutions, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and not-for-profit organizations with a minimum of four years of experience conducting international exchanges and demonstrated capability to manage travel arrangements, visa processing, and financial disbursements with less than 24-hour turnaround for urgent requests. Key responsibilities include booking Fly America Act-compliant airline tickets, arranging approximately 155 visas and passports annually, disbursing speaker honoraria and per diem payments, administering performance monitoring surveys, and submitting monthly project reports and final cost reports within 14 days of project completion. The programs will focus on America First priorities including energy security, critical minerals, commercial diplomacy, freedom of expression, digital freedom, and artificial intelligence. Applicants must submit proposals by May 26, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time through Grants.gov, including an SF-424 form, executive summary, detailed proposal narrative, SF-424A budget form, line-item budget, and budget narrative.
The anticipated single cooperative agreement award is valued at $2,736,259 for an initial 12-month performance period beginning August 3, 2026, with ECA's intent to renew the award for two additional consecutive fiscal years pending satisfactory implementation. In-person programs will range from three days to three weeks in length, while virtual programs may occur on single dates or as continuing series delivered through digital platforms. All programs will operate globally across all regions of the world through U.S. embassies and consulates, with applicants required to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and maintain active registration in SAM.gov. No minimum or maximum cost-sharing requirement is specified, and the budget may not exceed the stated award amount.
Synopsis
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
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.
Please see the announcement for additional information.
Update #1 ·
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. Please see the announcement for additional information.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| performance_monitoring_plan_mode_2.3_02.03.2025.pdf | ||
| performance_monitoring_plan_mode_2.3_02.03.2025-4.docx | DOCX document | |
| NOFO - FY26 America First U.S. Speaker Program.pdf |
On GovTribe
Work this opportunity
- Track it in your pipeline
- Find teaming partners
- Similar grant opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this opportunity