FY 2026 Sports Envoy Program

The Sports Envoy Program is a flagship international exchange initiative funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), specifically through its Office of Sports Diplomacy. The program reflects the aims of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (Fulbright-Hays Act), which promotes mutual understanding between the United States and other nations. Through sports, this initiative advances foreign policy goals and U.S. strategic interests by fostering cross-cultural engagement, building global relationships, and showcasing American leadership and excellence. It utilizes the universal appeal of sport to reach audiences around the world, including groups and regions often underserved by traditional diplomacy. This funding opportunity invites proposals to manage and implement the Sports Envoy Program for a performance period of 18 months, beginning around September 15, 2026. Approximately $2.6 million in federal funds will support one award recipient responsible for organizing around 35 international exchanges involving 70 Sports Envoy participants, as well as up to eight alumni grants. The Sports Envoys, typically current or former professional athletes and coaches, participate in 7–10 day programs that include leading youth clinics, community outreach, media engagements, and diplomatic engagements in host countries. The program supports public diplomacy objectives through people-to-people connections and fosters leadership and mutual understanding globally. Proposals must demonstrate cost-effective program design, robust administrative capacity, experience with sports diplomacy, and strong data and technology systems for participant tracking, communications, and reporting. Additional responsibilities include alumni engagement (including a potential D.C.-based summit), storytelling initiatives such as video interviews and podcasts, and maintaining a public-facing program website. The implementing organization must also be able to provide logistical services, including travel arrangements, and must be equipped to accommodate changing itineraries and global travel needs. Allowable costs under the award include travel expenses, honoraria for envoys ($250 per program day), lodging and per diem aligned with federal rates, branded materials, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), staff salaries, and technology systems. The program also supports alumni follow-on grants up to $25,000 each, for a total of approximately $200,000. Cost sharing is not required but is encouraged. Performance monitoring is a key requirement, with the recipient responsible for tracking and reporting against ECA’s MODE Framework indicators. Data must be submitted through the MyGrants system, and survey response rates and learning loops are emphasized. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to U.S.-based not-for-profit organizations, think tanks, civil society organizations, and public and private educational institutions. Applicants must demonstrate at least four years of experience conducting international exchanges, possess a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and be registered in SAM.gov. Only one proposal per applicant is allowed. The submission deadline is May 26, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, and applications must be submitted through Grants.gov. Required components include a SF-424, executive summary, detailed budget, proposal narrative, and budget narrative. Proposals will be evaluated based on program design, organizational capacity, cost-effectiveness, alumni engagement plans, communication strategy, and monitoring and evaluation systems. Final funding decisions are made by the Assistant Secretary of ECA, with awards issued only upon availability of appropriated funds. The department expects to renew this award for up to two additional years based on performance and funding availability before it is re-competed.

Focus on cost-effectiveness, strong M&E plan using ECA MODE indicators, and technology capacity for real-time participant tracking and reporting.