FY 2026 International Visitor Leadership Programs National Program Agencies

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), through its Office of International Visitors (ECA/PE/V), has announced an open competition for up to four cooperative agreements to support the National Program Agencies (NPAs) under the FY 2026 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). This program, rooted in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, aims to foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other nations through professional exchanges. The IVLP brings current and emerging leaders from various sectors such as government, media, education, and civil society to the U.S. for short-term visits designed to strengthen U.S. foreign policy goals and promote international collaboration. The NPAs play a central role in designing and executing these tailored exchanges for foreign leaders nominated by U.S. embassies worldwide. Each project lasts from 2 to 21 days and typically begins in Washington, DC, followed by travel to three to five additional U.S. communities. These projects reflect specific themes aligned with U.S. foreign policy, including but not limited to cybersecurity, agriculture, international crime, economic development, and science diplomacy. The visits emphasize direct engagement with American professionals and communities and often include cultural experiences, home hospitality, and opportunities for participants to address civic and educational groups. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofit organizations and public or private educational institutions with at least four years of experience managing international exchange programs. Applicants must also either maintain or establish a physical office presence in the Washington, DC area by January 1, 2026. Each applicant may submit only one proposal. All applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 PM ET on September 8, 2025. Required application components include forms SF-424 and SF-424A, an executive summary, a proposal narrative, a detailed line-item budget, a budget narrative, and letters of endorsement or past performance references. Funding for the program will range between $613,448 and $1,155,332 per awardee, with a total funding pool of $7,361,376. Funding is provided through the FY26, FY27, and FY28 Educational and Cultural Exchange (ECE) Programs, with one base year and two optional non-competitive continuation (NCC) years. Award recipients are expected to design, manage, and implement IVLP projects across multiple formats (in-person, hybrid, virtual), and handle all logistical, operational, and programmatic tasks, including domestic travel coordination, briefing interpreters, and managing databases. Cost-sharing is encouraged but not required, and allowable costs include staff salaries, travel, office supplies, and IT equipment. Applicants must also support performance monitoring efforts using the Department’s Exchanges IMPACT tool and assist in tracking program outcomes. A detailed monitoring and evaluation (M&E) narrative must be included, outlining how the organization will support survey distribution and data collection. Reporting requirements for awardees include quarterly or semi-annual progress and financial reports, project cost reports, and participant engagement data. Applications will be reviewed based on criteria including program planning, institutional capacity, cost-effectiveness, M&E plans, and demonstrated domestic impact. For questions, applicants may contact Patricia Johnson, Office of International Visitors, at (202) 632-3288 or JohnsonPA2@state.gov. All applicants must register on SAM.gov and MyGrants. Submission is only accepted through Grants.gov. The anticipated award date is January 1, 2026. This funding opportunity is governed by numerous federal regulations, including requirements around freedom of speech, diversity compliance, and specific restrictions on programming involving Iran, Gaza, and the Palestinian Authority.

Applicants should emphasize institutional capacity, cost-effectiveness, and M&E strategy. Describe DC office plan if one does not exist.