FY 2026 Sports Visitor Program
Can you apply?
This grant is for U.S. not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions managing international sports exchanges. Applicants must have at least four years of experience conducting international exchanges. Organizations must be registered in SAM.gov with a UEI.
The program targets American and international youth ages 15–23, plus adult coaches and chaperones. It is not for elite or professional athletes. Exchanges occur in the United States and internationally, with approximately 265 total participants expected (130 foreign, 135 American).
Only one proposal per organization is accepted. A single award recipient will manage the program and select qualified partners for international-based exchanges. This is a cooperative agreement funded under the Fulbright-Hays Act.
Program description
The Office of Sports Diplomacy of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) invites proposals for the Sports Visitor Program. This international exchange program uses sports to advance the Administration’s foreign policy priorities, promote American leadership, and support the U.S. sports economy. The Sports Visitor Program includes countries from all six regions of the world, as determined in consultation with the Department’s regional bureaus. The program is authorized under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (Fulbright-Hays Act), which aims to increase mutual understanding and strengthen ties between the people of the United States and other nations.
The Sports Visitor Program brings together American and international youth and adult coaches/chaperones for thematic, sports-based exchanges. The target audience for this program is American and international youth (ages 15-23) and their adult coaches/chaperones. The program is not intended for elite or professional athletes. Through both U.S.-based and international exchanges, participants develop leadership skills, build lasting bilateral relationships, and explore the positive impact of U.S. laws – such as Title IX and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – on sports and society. The program focuses on peer-to-peer engagement, cultural exchange, and helping youth become role models and community leaders.
Key program components include:
- Organizing thematic exchanges to meet program goals;
- Integrating with existing youth sports camps and/or creating customized camps to maximize interaction between American and international participants;
- Balancing on-the-field sports training with off-the-field workshops, community service, and cultural activities;
- Launching special initiatives to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and major sporting events hosted in the United States; and
- Providing comprehensive orientations, strong media and communication strategies, and ongoing alumni engagement and follow-on activities.
ECA funding will support approximately five U.S.-based exchanges and approximately seven international-based exchanges, each lasting at least two weeks. The program will also support follow-on projects so participants can share what they learned in their home communities. The award will fund approximately 265 Sports Visitor Program participants (130 foreign and 135 American as detailed in Section 3). Applicants are encouraged to exceed these numbers should their expertise lead to cost-efficiencies.
Eligible applicants include U.S. not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs) and U.S. not-for-profit public and private educational institutions with at least four years of experience conducting international exchanges. Applicants must be registered in SAM.gov with a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Only one proposal per organization will be considered.
ECA anticipates that a single award recipient will manage all organizational and administrative responsibilities of the program and select qualified partners (sub-award recipients) to implement the international-based exchanges. Applicants should explain how they will manage and oversee these sub-awards.
Please see the announcement for additional information.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Private Foundation
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- Colleges (all higher ed)
- Private University
- Public University
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Proposal
- Detailed Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational capacity documentation (four+ years exchange experience)
- Partnership agreements or letters of commitment from sub-award partners
- Proof of SAM.gov registration and UEI
- Statement of alignment with State Department regional priorities
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs
- 📧 FernerMM@state.gov
- 📞 202-890-9795
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 19.415 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$20,570,000
-
$20,450,000
-
$19,800,000
-
$18,390,884
-
$17,980,767
-
$17,915,753
-
$17,903,753
-
$17,403,806
-
$16,896,050
-
$16,320,000
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 19.415). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $139,802,885 | |
| 2025 | $86,270,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $86,270,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
U.S. not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions with at least four years of international exchange experience. Your organization must be registered in SAM.gov with a UEI.
What is the target audience for the Sports Visitor Program?
American and international youth ages 15–23, plus their adult coaches and chaperones. Elite and professional athletes are not eligible.
What does this grant fund?
Approximately five U.S.-based and seven international-based sports exchanges (each two weeks minimum). Funding covers participant costs, orientations, workshops, community service, cultural activities, and alumni follow-up projects.
Can I submit multiple proposals?
No. Only one proposal per organization will be considered for funding.
What is the funding amount and structure?
This is a cooperative agreement with a fixed award of $4,000,000. No cost-sharing is required. The recipient will manage the program and select sub-award partners for international exchanges.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your organization's track record with international youth exchanges. Highlight specific examples from your four+ years of experience.
- Clearly explain your partnership strategy. Show how you will select and oversee sub-award recipients for international-based exchanges.
- Align your proposal with foreign policy priorities. Reference alignment with the Department's regional bureaus and the six global regions.
- Include detailed budgets for approximately 265 participants across U.S. and international exchanges. Show cost efficiency if proposing higher participant numbers.
- Plan robust follow-on activities. Describe how alumni will share learning in their home communities and maintain engagement after exchanges end.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to demonstrate four years of prior international exchange experience weakens competitiveness significantly. Vague or underdeveloped partnership plans for sub-award recipients raise implementation concerns. Weak alignment with State Department foreign policy priorities and regional focus areas undermines the proposal's relevance.
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