FY 2025 America250 U.S. Speaker Program

The FY 2025 America250 U.S. Speaker Program is a cooperative agreement opportunity issued by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). With a total funding pool of $2,236,259, this initiative seeks to enhance U.S. public diplomacy efforts globally by recruiting and deploying American experts to engage with foreign audiences through in-person and virtual exchanges. The program is structured to align with America250—the United States’ Semiquincentennial—by promoting key American values, innovation, and democratic principles through strategic international outreach. This program is designed to support approximately 530 programs over a 12-month period, including 310 in-person and 220 virtual events. The U.S. Speaker Program leverages its long-standing tradition—over 40 years—of connecting American professionals with overseas stakeholders, including government leaders, academics, civil society, and entrepreneurs. These engagements aim to foster mutual understanding, economic opportunity, open media environments, and collaboration on global challenges. Speakers conduct lectures, workshops, and seminars ranging from three days to three weeks, while virtual programs may be stand-alone or part of an ongoing series. Eligible applicants include U.S. not-for-profit organizations, public and private educational institutions, and civil society organizations. To qualify for the full award amount, organizations must demonstrate at least four years of experience managing international exchange programs. Those with less experience are limited to $130,000 in funding. Applicants must also have the capacity to provide end-to-end logistical and administrative support, including international travel, visa processing, passport arrangements, financial disbursements, and 24-hour turnaround capabilities for speaker arrangements. Only one proposal per organization may be submitted. All proposals must include a completed SF-424, executive summary, narrative, SF-424A budget form, detailed line-item budget, and budget narrative. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov. The application period opened upon release of the NOFO and will close on August 26, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Awards will be announced around September 15, 2025. The program may be renewed for up to two additional years based on satisfactory performance and funding availability. Evaluation criteria include program planning, institutional capacity, cost-effectiveness, monitoring and evaluation plans, and demonstrated ability to achieve program goals. Applicants must also comply with federal anti-discrimination laws and maintain current registrations in SAM.gov and MyGrants. ECA maintains substantial involvement in the implementation of the program, including direct recruitment of speakers, oversight of budgets, and development of logistical templates. For questions regarding this opportunity, applicants may contact Imani Pitman at the U.S. Department of State via phone at 202-632-9245 or email at PitmanIE@state.gov. Proposals will be reviewed by ECA panels and relevant State Department entities, and all recipients must comply with reporting requirements, including submission of financial and performance data via MyGrants and the MODE survey platform. This NOFO represents a significant investment in advancing U.S. foreign policy objectives through public diplomacy as part of the broader America250 initiative.

Include a complete M&E plan aligned with MODE, follow ECA templates, and demonstrate administrative capacity.