FY 2025 U.S. Exchange Alumni Network and Capacity Building Program

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) has issued an amended Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the FY 2025 U.S. Exchange Alumni Network and Capacity Building Program. This initiative aims to strengthen connections between the Department and U.S. citizen alumni of government-sponsored international exchange programs. Through a cooperative agreement, ECA seeks to support professional development, regional community-building, and alumni-led small grant projects that reinforce U.S. foreign policy and public diplomacy goals. The Office of Alumni Affairs (ECA/P/A) is overseeing this program. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofit organizations and educational institutions, particularly those with at least four years of experience in conducting international exchange programs, as this experience is required to be eligible for the full anticipated award amount of $1,300,000. The program performance period is expected to be 18 months, beginning no later than September 30, 2025, with activities commencing around January 1, 2026, and concluding by March 31, 2027. The application submission deadline is June 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, and proposals must be submitted via Grants.gov. Programmatic elements include three core components. First, a series of approximately 3–4 in-person regional seminars and at least four virtual webinars will support alumni career development, networking, and skills training. One large seminar must be held in Washington, DC. Second, a small grants competition will offer up to $10,000 per project, with at least $400,000 of the total budget directed toward alumni-led initiatives. Third, a regional fellowship program will support at least nine U.S. alumni serving as regional ambassadors, with $80,000 allocated to stipends, event hosting, and a multi-day professional development trip to Washington, DC. Proposals must include an SF-424, executive summary, proposal narrative, SF-424A, detailed budget, and budget narrative. Key personnel should be identified with their qualifications, and organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and active registration in SAM.gov. Additional compliance includes certification with federal anti-discrimination laws and, for institutions of higher education, compliance with foreign funding disclosure laws. Proposals should present a strong engagement strategy, partnerships, and a robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan. Applications will be reviewed based on criteria such as clarity of the program idea, institutional capacity, cost-effectiveness, M&E plan, and potential for sustained alumni engagement. Final award decisions rest with the ECA Assistant Secretary, and the successful applicant will receive a cooperative agreement, with ECA maintaining substantial involvement in implementation, including seminar theme approvals and final selection of fellows and grantees. Questions regarding the NOFO should be directed to Payge Jennings at jenningsp@state.gov or 202-718-9407.

Begin SAM.gov and Grants.gov registration early Include detailed M&E and follow-on engagement plans Budget strategically for seminars, small grants, and fellowships