Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0017393
The FY 2025 International Sports Programming Initiative (ISPI) is a U.S. Department of State exchange funding opportunity run by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), specifically the Office of Citizen Exchanges, Sports Diplomacy Division (ECA/PE/C/SD). The program will be awarded as a cooperative agreement, meaning the recipient should expect substantial involvement and coordination with the U.S. government during program design and implementation, rather than operating entirely independently. The overall purpose is to use sports diplomacy as a tool to advance U.S. foreign policy objectives while building practical capacity among international participants who work in coaching, sports administration, and youth development.
At its core, ISPI funds the management of sports exchange projects that strengthen coaching and administrative skills, connect international participants with U.S. sports organizations, and help youth development professionals create or improve sports-based initiatives once they return home. The emphasis is not only on sports training for its own sake, but on structured exchanges that translate into durable institutional relationships and locally led programming in participants home countries. A key expectation is that the implementing organization can design and run exchanges that are both technically credible in the sports space and effective as people-to-people diplomacy programs, including professional development, networking, and follow-on activities that can produce lasting impact.
A defining feature of the FY 2025 ISPI competition is that U.S. embassies and consulates will continue to play a central role in shaping each exchange by selecting the specific theme and sport. That detail matters because it signals that the awardee must be able to execute a flexible, responsive model that can accommodate different sports, participant profiles, and thematic priorities across countries and regions. The chosen themes and sports are intended to directly support U.S. foreign policy goals, so proposals need to demonstrate an ability to align programming to diplomatic priorities and to collaborate smoothly with overseas posts throughout recruitment, selection, scheduling, and delivery.
All exchanges under this FY 2025 initiative are also expected to promote major U.S.-linked milestones and global sports moments, specifically America250, the FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. In practice, this means programming may incorporate public diplomacy elements, cultural components, and messaging that connect exchange activities to these events and anniversaries, while still maintaining substantive professional development value for participants. Applicants should interpret this as a requirement to integrate these touchpoints thoughtfully into program content, partnerships, and visibility plans.
Eligibility is open to U.S. organizations that fit the categories listed in the notice, including public and state controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (including nonprofits other than universities). The opportunity is listed as discretionary funding under CFDA number 19.415, with the funding opportunity number DFOP0017393. The agency anticipates making one award, with an award ceiling of $1,400,000, so the competition is structured around selecting a single implementer to run the overall ISPI effort for FY 2025 rather than distributing multiple smaller grants.
The application logistics include a strict limitation of one proposal per applicant organization. If an organization submits more than one application in Grants.gov, ECA will only review the submission closest to the deadline and treat it as the sole proposal. The original closing date listed for this competition is August 11, 2025, and the opportunity was created on July 9, 2025. Applicants are directed to consult the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the complete requirements, review criteria, compliance expectations, and any detailed program design instructions that are not fully captured in the summary description.Apply for DFOP0017393
- The Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2025 International Sports Programming Initiative" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.415.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2025-07-09.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-08-11. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,400,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.
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