Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Citizen Exchanges

Citizen Exchange activities include a variety of programs and modalities designed to engage U.S. and foreign professional, cultural, and youth audiences. Programs include American Film Showcase, American Music Abroad, Arts Envoy,Congress-Bundestag Yo

As authorized by the Fulbright-Hays Act, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) seeks to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange programs, including the exchange of scholars, researchers, professionals, students, and educators. ECA programs foster engagement and encourage dialogue with citizens around the world. Educational and cultural engagement is premised on the knowledge that mutual understanding, the development of future leaders, and the benefits of education programs influence societies and affect official decision-making almost everywhere in the world today. Citizen Exchange programs advance U.S. foreign policy by promoting mutual understanding between Americans and people worldwide. The programs create inclusive networks, strengthen civil society, and build a more stable and prosperous world. Citizen Exchanges programs engage participants across critical sectors: arts and culture, communication and media, economics and business, justice and democratic governance, education, science and technology, sports and health, and youth development. These programs expose foreign participants to American values-freedom, representative government, rule of law, economic choice, and individual dignity-while building international knowledge among Americans. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs delivers these programs through grants and cooperative agreements with American nonprofit organizations, including community groups, professional associations, and universities. The programs bring foreign artists, athletes, professionals, technical experts, and youth to the United States while sending American counterparts abroad. Citizen Exchanges strengthen the American economy by opening foreign markets to U.S. businesses and professionals, while benefiting both American participants and their host communities.

Pursuant to the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended (Fulbright-Hays Act) the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State awards grants and cooperative agreements to educational and cultural public or private nonprofit foundations or institutions. Applications may be submitted by public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3). Organizations must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of application. Please refer to the Grants.gov or the U.S. Department of State's MyGrants (formerly SAMS Domestic) announcement for further eligibility criteria.

Beneficiaries include recipient organizations, educational institutions, other non-government organizations (NGOs) that meet the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3), as well as sponsored participants, and the American people and the people of participating countries who interact with the international participants.

Funding is provided to eligible non-profit organizations, colleges and universities to support their work in designing and administering programs as well as coordinating program logistics. Funding to those organizations supports activities such as publicity and recruitment, screening of participant applications, communication with participants, domestic and international travel, payment of stipends and program benefits, and the provision of enrichment activities. Citizen Exchanges constitute a range of professional, youth, sports and cultural exchange programs designed to promote priority U.S. interests around the world by developing mutual understanding of key issues and promoting long-lasting ties between the United States and other countries. Programs are designed to promote good governance, civil society and civic responsibility, public health, conflict prevention and management, women's empowerment, trade, environmental awareness and responsibility, leadership, arts management, cultural diversity and heritage, sports education, and educational reform, as well as other topics through people-to-people exchanges. Please refer to the Grants.gov or the U.S. Department of State's MyGrants (formerly SAMS Domestic) announcement for further information.

As stated in the Grants.gov or the U.S. Department of State's MyGrants (formerly SAMS Domestic) announcements.

As stated in the Grants.gov or the U.S. Department of State's MyGrants (formerly SAMS Domestic) announcements.

Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures. Successful applicants will receive a Federal Assistance Award (FAA) from the Bureau's Grants Office. The FAA and the original proposal with subsequent modifications (if applicable) shall be the only binding authorizing document between the recipient and the U.S. Government. The FAA will be signed/validated by an authorized Grants Officer, and sent via the U.S. Department of State's MyGrants (formerly SAMS Domestic) to the recipient's responsible officer identified in the application.

As stated in the Grants.gov or the U.S. Department of State's MyGrants (formerly SAMS Domestic) announcements.