U.S. Talent Program for the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada
🏛 U.S. Mission to Canada
Can you apply?
This grant is for U.S.-based organizations ready to connect American experts with Canadian audiences. Eligible applicants should have capacity to recruit and manage U.S. citizen talent in strategic areas like economics, defense, border security, AI, and freedom of speech. Organizations must be able to coordinate both in-person programs (2 days to 1 week) and virtual events. Preference goes to organizations with existing networks of subject matter experts, artists, cultural professionals, athletes, and coaches.
Program description
The U.S. Department of State’s Embassy Ottawa announces an open competition to implement a program to connect U.S. citizen talent, including subject matter experts, artists and cultural professionals, and current and former American athletes and coaches, with Canadian audiences and institutions on topics of strategic importance to the United States. Recipients should be prepared to identify and recruit U.S. citizen experts in the following strategic areas, in addition to arts, cultural, and sports experts that showcase American excellence:
· U.S. prosperity and economic security (e.g. supply chains; digital policy; trade; transboundary water issues, etc.).
· Defense (e.g. defense spending, procurement; NORAD modernization; Arctic domain awareness and deterrence, etc.).
· Border security (e.g. combatting illegal trafficking, smuggling, migration, etc.).
· Freedom of speech (e.g. exposing censorship, promoting transparency etc.).
· Artificial Intelligence (e.g. promoting American AI exports, building enabling infrastructure, countering foreign influence in emerging technologies, etc.).
Programs will be conducted in-person and/or through virtual platforms. The proposal should outline how the grantee would address both options. In-person programs will generally range from two days to one week in length. Virtual programs will usually take place on a single specified date and time and may be part of a continuing series. U.S. talent will address topics identified by the U.S. Mission to Canada that will advance Administration and U.S. Mission to Canada strategic goals.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Program Description
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational capacity documentation
- List of identified or potential U.S. talent/experts
Program contact
- 👤 Jennifer Acuff Grantor
- 📧 ottawa-pa@state.gov
- 📞 703-314-6820
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 19.040 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$4,682,072
-
$3,371,312
-
$2,650,000
-
$2,446,525
-
$2,050,500
-
$1,861,451
-
$1,700,000
-
$1,565,795
-
$1,500,000
-
$1,480,000
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
U.S.-based organizations with the ability to identify and recruit American experts, artists, and cultural professionals. You must have capacity to manage in-person and virtual programming.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is July 31, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling.
What kinds of programs does the grant support?
Programs featuring U.S. talent on economics, defense, border security, AI, and freedom of speech. You can run in-person events (2 days to 1 week) or single-date virtual programs.
How competitive is this grant?
This is a targeted international engagement program. Strong applications clearly demonstrate existing networks of relevant experts and proven event management experience.
What is the funding range?
Awards typically range from $100,000 to $200,000. No cost-sharing is required.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build relationships with U.S. experts now. Start recruiting subject matter experts, artists, and athletes before you apply.
- Show your track record. Demonstrate prior success managing similar educational or cultural exchange events.
- Detail both formats. Include concrete plans for both in-person and virtual programming in your proposal.
- Align with strategic priorities. Clearly map your proposed topics to U.S. State Department goals listed in the RFP.
- Plan logistics carefully. Address venue selection, virtual platform details, and participant recruitment timelines in your budget narrative.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to demonstrate existing relationships with qualified U.S. experts and talent. Submitting vague program designs without clear logistics for in-person and virtual delivery. Ignoring State Department strategic priorities and proposing topics misaligned with U.S. diplomatic goals in Canada.
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