Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs – International Visitor Leadership Program

As authorized by the Fulbright-Hays Act, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) seeks to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange programs.. The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) brings influential foreign leaders in government, business, tech and innovation, academia, arts and culture, , and other critical fields to the United States for short-term visits to build strategic relationships, showcase American professional leadership, and advance U.S. national security priorities.
Staff at U.S. embassies worldwide nominate participants; there is no application process. Of the 700+ USG exchange alumni who have become heads of state or government, over 500 participated in the IVLP. To implement the IVLP, ECA works with a network of non-profit organizations, including approximately 70 community-based organizations across the country. Nearly 100 percent of funding for the IVLP remains in the United States, particularly benefitting local travel and hospitality industries in cities and towns across the country.

Pursuant to the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended (Fulbright-Hays Act) the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State awards grants and cooperative agreements to educational and cultural public or private nonprofit foundations or institutions. Applications may be submitted by public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3). Organizations must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of application. Please refer to the Grants.gov or the U.S. Department of State's MyGrants (formerly SAMS Domestic) announcement for further eligibility criteria.

Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures. Successful applicants will receive a Federal Assistance Award (FAA) from the Bureau’s Grants Office. The FAA and the original proposal with subsequent modifications (if applicable) shall be the only binding authorizing document between the recipient and the U.S. Government. The FAA will be signed/validated by an authorized Grants Officer, and sent via the U.S. Department of State's MyGrants (formerly SAMS Domestic) to the recipient’s responsible officer identified in the application.