FY 2027 International Visitor Leadership Program’s National Program Agencies
🏛 Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs (DOS-ECA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for U.S. nonprofits and organizations managing international professional exchange programs. Applicants must have expertise in foreign policy and proven experience running international exchange initiatives. Organizations must demonstrate capacity to design and deliver customized short-term leadership visits for international participants across government, business, academia, and other sectors. The program operates nationally and internationally, welcoming participants from all countries.
Recipients serve as National Program Agencies (NPAs) coordinating logistics, programming, and administrative functions for the IVLP. Awards support staff and operational costs only, not participant travel or programming expenses. This is a cooperative agreement model requiring close partnership with the State Department.
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Program description
The United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ Office of International Visitors (ECA/PE/V) announces an open competition for approximately five cooperative agreements to support the staff expenses and overhead costs of the FY 2027 International Visitor Leadership Program’s (IVLP) National Program Agencies (NPAs). Launched in 1940, the IVLP is the Department of State’s foundational professional exchange program. The IVLP advances America First national security priorities and builds long-term relationships between Americans and international leaders in government, business, academia, and other fields. Recipients design and implement customized short-term visits to the United States for current and emerging leaders from around the world. These visits support U.S. foreign policy goals and reflect the participants’ professional interests. Eligible recipients will have expertise in foreign policy, experience in professional exchange programming, and the ability to provide tailored projects for participants from all countries.
Please see the Notice of Funding Opportunity for additional information.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Notice of Funding Opportunity (check for specific forms)
- Project Narrative/Program Plan
- Organizational Budget and Budget Narrative
- Proof of 501(c)(3) status or equivalent
- Evidence of prior exchange program experience
- Letters of support or commitment from partner organizations
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs
- 📧 BarryEG@state.gov
- 📞 202-890-9795
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 19.402 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$48,664,219
-
$45,428,610
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$23,623,874
-
$22,251,593
-
$18,125,554
-
$14,957,281
-
$13,719,608
-
$13,661,820
-
$12,541,996
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$11,668,600
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 19.402). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $60,717,266 | |
| 2025 | $55,670,857 | |
| 2026 est. | $55,670,857 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this funding?
U.S.-based organizations with expertise in foreign policy and professional exchange programming. You must have demonstrated experience managing international visitor programs at scale.
What does this grant fund?
Staff salaries, administrative costs, and overhead for managing the IVLP at the national level. Direct participant costs are not covered under this award.
What is the funding range?
Awards typically range from $1.2 million to $8.9 million annually. About five cooperative agreements are anticipated.
What makes applications competitive?
Strong track records in international exchange, deep foreign policy knowledge, and capacity to serve diverse participant populations. Clear implementation plans strengthen proposals.
When is the deadline?
The fixed deadline is August 24, 2026. Check the Notice of Funding Opportunity for any final submission details.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Highlight your organization's prior experience managing similar State Department or international exchange programs. Specific examples strengthen credibility.
- Clearly explain your team's expertise in foreign policy and ability to tailor programs for diverse international leaders across sectors.
- Show you have infrastructure and staffing capacity to handle nationwide coordination and reporting to the State Department.
- Document your relationships with government agencies, educational institutions, and private sector partners that support the IVLP mission.
- Address how your organization will ensure inclusive access for participants from all countries and backgrounds.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting without clear evidence of prior exchange program management experience. Underestimating the administrative and coordination demands of a national-level cooperative agreement. Failing to articulate specific foreign policy expertise or demonstrate relationships with international leaders.
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