FY 2026 Sports Visitor Program

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), through its Office of Sports Diplomacy, is offering a cooperative agreement for the administration and implementation of the Sports Visitor Program. This international exchange initiative uses sports as a platform to promote U.S. foreign policy priorities, advance American leadership globally, and support the domestic sports economy. The program leverages the global appeal of sports to foster mutual understanding and build relationships between American and international youth (ages 15–23) and their coaches or chaperones. It is not designed for elite or professional athletes but rather focuses on youth development, leadership, inclusion, and civic engagement. The cooperative agreement, anticipated at approximately $4,000,000, supports a 12- to 18-month program cycle and may be renewed for two additional years, contingent on performance and funding availability. The program will include five U.S.-based exchanges and seven international-based exchanges. The U.S.-based component will host 130 international and 50 American high school-aged participants, while the international-based segment will engage 85 American participants, including high school and college-aged youth. Each exchange will last a minimum of two weeks and include both on-the-field sports training and off-the-field workshops, service activities, and cultural exploration. All exchanges emphasize peer-to-peer interaction and integration with local youth sports environments. Thematic focus areas may include American innovation in sports, federal legislation like Title IX and the Americans with Disabilities Act, entrepreneurship, STEM, English as a second language, health and wellness, and youth leadership. One highlighted initiative is the “America’s Pastime” exchange focused on baseball and softball, linked to the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence and major events like the LA 2028 Olympics. This particular exchange will involve 50 non-elite youth athletes and coaches and aim to showcase American values and sports legacy through baseball and softball. Eligible applicants are U.S. nonprofit organizations, including educational institutions, with at least four years of experience conducting international exchange programs. Proposals must demonstrate the ability to recruit and select American participants, manage international sub-awards, coordinate logistics and interpretation services, and provide orientation, support, and follow-on alumni engagement. Only one application per organization is permitted, and applicants must be registered in SAM.gov with a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Applications must include the SF-424, executive summary, proposal narrative, budget documents, and a monitoring and evaluation plan aligned with ECA’s MODE Framework. Performance indicators must track outcomes such as leadership development, cross-cultural understanding, and participant engagement. Applicants are encouraged to build partnerships with private sector organizations for additional support and to incorporate branding and communications strategies aligned with ECA’s guidance. The submission deadline is May 26, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, and proposals must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov. The anticipated award date is September 15, 2026, and the cooperative agreement includes substantial involvement by the Department of State. ECA will approve participant selections and sub-awardees and may coordinate meetings with government officials. All programming must comply with federal guidelines, including requirements related to anti-discrimination laws, drone use restrictions, and, where applicable, foreign country compliance procedures. For inquiries, applicants may contact Matt Ferner at [email protected] or 202-316-3514.

Submit a clear, original program concept aligned with U.S. foreign policy; demonstrate capacity to manage exchanges and sub-awards; propose strong alumni and communication strategies; maximize cost-efficiency.