Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0017995
Apply for DFOP0017995
- The Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2026 America First U.S. Speaker Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.440.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-03-26.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-26. (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 $2,736,259.00 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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Opportunity Summary:
The FY 2026 America First U.S. Speaker Program is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) funding opportunity (CFDA 19.440) that will support a single nationwide cooperative agreement to deliver a large volume of public diplomacy speaker engagements overseas. The award recipient will run a fast-moving program that identifies, recruits, prepares, and deploys U.S. citizen experts to engage key foreign audiences, including decision-makers and other professional interlocutors, across all world regions. The program is designed as a rapid response tool with a long track record (more than 40 years) of building durable relationships between American experts and international counterparts in ways that advance current Administration priorities and generate practical benefits for the United States.
ECA anticipates supporting roughly 580 total programs during the period of performance, with about 360 conducted in person and about 220 delivered virtually. In-person engagements are expected to range from short trips of around three days to longer programs lasting up to three weeks, while virtual engagements may occur as single events or as part of a recurring series. The programming can take multiple professional forms, including lectures, workshops, seminars, and training series, giving the implementer flexibility to tailor content and format to local needs and U.S. mission priorities.
Substantively, the program emphasizes "America First" issue areas, specifically naming energy security, critical minerals, commercial diplomacy, freedom of expression, digital freedom, and artificial intelligence. A central expectation is that speaker engagements will do more than share information; they should establish and sustain institutional linkages with foreign counterparts, strengthen networks, and contribute directly to outcomes aligned with U.S. interests, including creating or enabling economic opportunities for Americans through expanded relationships and cooperation. The implementer will be expected to maintain a strong pipeline of credible, experienced experts drawn from across the United States and to match those experts to overseas requests in a timely way.
Operationally, the program is implemented in close coordination with U.S. embassies and consulates, which typically identify local objectives and priority audiences and work with the awardee to shape high-impact engagements. Because the funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement, applicants should expect substantial involvement from ECA in guiding priorities, ensuring alignment with U.S. public diplomacy goals, and overseeing program execution. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and uses the "Other" funding activity category.
Eligible applicants include U.S.-based public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), as well as other eligible entities as described in the full announcement. The opportunity number is DFOP0017995. ECA expects to make one award, with an award ceiling of $2,736,259. The opportunity was posted on March 26, 2026, and the original application closing date is May 26, 2026. For full requirements, deliverables, and selection criteria, applicants are directed to consult the official announcement referenced in the notice.
FAQs: FY 2026 America First U.S. Speaker Program (DFOP0017995)
What is the FY 2026 America First U.S. Speaker Program?
The FY 2026 America First U.S. Speaker Program is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) funding opportunity (CFDA 19.440) to support a single nationwide program that delivers a large volume of U.S. public diplomacy speaker engagements overseas.
What is the main purpose of this program?
The program is designed as a rapid-response tool to identify, recruit, prepare, and deploy U.S. citizen experts to engage key foreign audiences worldwide. It aims to build durable relationships between American experts and international counterparts in ways that advance current Administration priorities and produce practical benefits for the United States.
How many awards does ECA expect to make?
ECA expects to make one award.
What type of award is this?
The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which means applicants should expect substantial involvement from ECA in guiding priorities, ensuring alignment with U.S. public diplomacy goals, and overseeing program execution.
Is this a competitive or discretionary opportunity?
This opportunity is categorized as discretionary.
What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The funding activity category is listed as "Other."
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is DFOP0017995.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The program is identified as CFDA 19.440.
What is the maximum funding available (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $2,736,259.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on March 26, 2026.
What is the application deadline?
The original application closing date is May 26, 2026.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include U.S.-based public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), as well as other eligible entities as described in the full announcement.
Is the implementer expected to work domestically or internationally?
The implementer will operate as a nationwide program based in the United States, delivering speaker engagements overseas across all world regions.
What will the award recipient be responsible for?
The award recipient will run a fast-moving program that identifies, recruits, prepares, and deploys U.S. citizen experts, and matches those experts to overseas requests in a timely way.
Who are the intended overseas audiences?
Engagements are intended for key foreign audiences, including decision-makers and other professional interlocutors.
How many total programs does ECA anticipate supporting during the period of performance?
ECA anticipates supporting roughly 580 total programs during the period of performance.
How many programs are expected to be in-person versus virtual?
Approximately 360 programs are expected to be conducted in person and about 220 are expected to be delivered virtually.
How long are in-person engagements expected to last?
In-person engagements are expected to range from short trips of around three days to longer programs lasting up to three weeks.
What formats can virtual engagements take?
Virtual engagements may occur as single events or as part of a recurring series.
What types of professional activities can be supported?
Programming can take multiple professional forms, including lectures, workshops, seminars, and training series. This allows the implementer to tailor content and format to local needs and U.S. mission priorities.
What topic areas does the program emphasize?
The program emphasizes "America First" issue areas, specifically naming energy security, critical minerals, commercial diplomacy, freedom of expression, digital freedom, and artificial intelligence.
Is the goal only to share information?
No. A central expectation is that engagements will go beyond information-sharing by establishing and sustaining institutional linkages with foreign counterparts, strengthening networks, and contributing directly to outcomes aligned with U.S. interests.
How is economic benefit to the United States reflected in the program expectations?
The opportunity states that speaker engagements should contribute to outcomes aligned with U.S. interests, including creating or enabling economic opportunities for Americans through expanded relationships and cooperation.
What kind of experts does the program need?
The implementer is expected to maintain a strong pipeline of credible, experienced U.S. citizen experts drawn from across the United States.
How are engagements planned and coordinated overseas?
The program is implemented in close coordination with U.S. embassies and consulates, which typically identify local objectives and priority audiences and work with the awardee to shape high-impact engagements.
How involved will ECA be in implementation?
Because this is a cooperative agreement, ECA is expected to be substantially involved in guiding priorities, ensuring alignment with U.S. public diplomacy goals, and overseeing execution.
Does the program cover all world regions?
Yes. The opportunity describes engagements taking place across all world regions.
What makes this program "rapid response"?
It is described as a rapid-response tool because it is intended to move quickly in matching overseas requests with suitable U.S. citizen experts and deploying them in a timely manner.
How long has this speaker program model existed?
The opportunity notes a long track record of more than 40 years of building relationships between American experts and international counterparts.
Where can applicants find the full requirements, deliverables, and selection criteria?
Applicants are directed to consult the official announcement referenced in the notice for full requirements, deliverables, and selection criteria.
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