Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0017868
Apply for DFOP0017868
- The Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2026 American Film Showcase" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.415.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-03-03.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-01. (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 $1,540,000.00 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The FY 2026 American Film Showcase (AFS) is a U.S. Department of State public diplomacy and international exchange initiative funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Through one cooperative agreement, ECA plans to support a program that uses film and related creative fields as a tool of cultural engagement and as a practical driver of commercial diplomacy. The core idea is to spotlight U.S. leadership in film, television, gaming, and media arts in ways that strengthen international relationships, promote U.S. values and creativity, and also create real business pathways for American creative industries abroad. By putting American storytellers and industry expertise in front of global audiences and professional networks, the program aims to expand overseas markets for U.S. content and services, encourage foreign investment, and reinforce the perception of the United States as a leading hub for innovation and storytelling.
AFS is designed to be flexible and responsive, with U.S. embassies serving as key on-the-ground partners. Embassies help identify local opportunities, propose programming concepts, and nominate participants, allowing activities to be tailored to the needs and priorities in different countries and regions. Programming can include lectures, masterclasses, professional residencies, screenings, and hands-on workshops led by top U.S. industry professionals. This structure is meant to create sustained connections between U.S. and international entertainment communities, supporting professional collaboration while advancing foreign policy objectives through people-to-people engagement and shared creative work.
A major feature of the FY 2026 award is an expansion component called Made in America Creative Capital. This addition is intended to deepen the commercial diplomacy side of the program by building structured opportunities for U.S. creators to develop international business relationships and long-term revenue channels. Planned activities under this expansion may include business residencies, co-production labs, an intellectual property and licensing exchange, creative showcases, export-readiness training labs, global creative business accelerators, international fellowships, investment forums, and workshops focused on market access and distribution. Collectively, these activities are designed to equip an estimated 40 to 50 U.S. creators with the tools, contacts, and market knowledge needed to compete internationally, secure partnerships, and participate more effectively in global production and distribution ecosystems.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary opportunity (CFDA/Assistance Listing 19.415) offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. government expects substantial involvement in program direction and execution rather than simply providing funds with minimal oversight. ECA anticipates making one award, with an award ceiling of approximately $1,540,000. The opportunity is open to a range of eligible applicants, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), as well as other eligible entities as defined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. The funding opportunity number is DFOP0017868, the posting date is March 3, 2026, and the application deadline is June 1, 2026.
Overall, the FY 2026 American Film Showcase is positioned as a combined cultural and commercial strategy: it uses the appeal and influence of American screen and media arts to support U.S. diplomatic goals while also helping American creators and creative businesses build durable international connections. The Made in America Creative Capital expansion is meant to turn that influence into practical market outcomes, encouraging investment, job creation, innovation, and longer-term economic benefits tied directly to U.S. creative exports and partnerships.
FY 2026 American Film Showcase (AFS) Grant Opportunity: FAQs
What is the FY 2026 American Film Showcase (AFS)?
The FY 2026 American Film Showcase (AFS) is a U.S. Department of State public diplomacy and international exchange initiative funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). It uses film and related creative fields as a tool for cultural engagement and as a driver of commercial diplomacy.
Who is funding and administering this opportunity?
The opportunity is funded by the U.S. Department of State through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), and it is offered as a discretionary grant opportunity.
What is the main purpose of AFS?
The program aims to spotlight U.S. leadership in film, television, gaming, and media arts to strengthen international relationships, promote U.S. values and creativity, and create business pathways for American creative industries abroad.
How does AFS connect cultural diplomacy with commercial outcomes?
AFS pairs people-to-people cultural engagement (through storytelling and creative exchange) with practical industry-facing activities intended to expand overseas markets for U.S. content and services, encourage foreign investment, and support long-term international partnerships for U.S. creators and businesses.
What kinds of activities can AFS programming include?
Programming can include lectures, masterclasses, professional residencies, screenings, and hands-on workshops led by top U.S. industry professionals.
How are U.S. embassies involved in the program?
U.S. embassies serve as key on-the-ground partners. They help identify local opportunities, propose programming concepts, and nominate participants so activities can be tailored to the needs and priorities of different countries and regions.
What is the "Made in America Creative Capital" expansion component?
Made in America Creative Capital is an expansion component of the FY 2026 award intended to deepen the commercial diplomacy side of the program by creating structured opportunities for U.S. creators to build international business relationships and long-term revenue channels.
What activities may be supported under Made in America Creative Capital?
Planned activities may include business residencies, co-production labs, an intellectual property and licensing exchange, creative showcases, export-readiness training labs, global creative business accelerators, international fellowships, investment forums, and workshops focused on market access and distribution.
Who is the Made in America Creative Capital expansion intended to support?
The expansion is designed to equip an estimated 40 to 50 U.S. creators with tools, contacts, and market knowledge to compete internationally, secure partnerships, and participate in global production and distribution ecosystems.
What types of creative fields does AFS emphasize?
AFS emphasizes film and related creative fields, specifically highlighting U.S. leadership in film, television, gaming, and media arts.
What outcomes is the program trying to achieve internationally?
The program aims to strengthen international relationships, promote U.S. values and creativity, reinforce the perception of the United States as a hub for innovation and storytelling, and build sustained connections between U.S. and international entertainment communities.
What outcomes is the program trying to achieve economically for U.S. creators and industry?
The program is intended to expand overseas markets for U.S. content and services, encourage foreign investment, and support practical market outcomes such as investment, job creation, innovation, and longer-term economic benefits tied to U.S. creative exports and partnerships.
What type of award is this?
This opportunity will be offered as a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
In a cooperative agreement, the U.S. government expects substantial involvement in program direction and execution, rather than providing funds with minimal oversight.
How many awards does ECA expect to make?
ECA anticipates making one award.
What is the estimated funding amount and award ceiling?
The award ceiling is approximately $1,540,000.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number is 19.415.
Who is eligible to apply?
The opportunity is open to eligible applicants including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), as well as other eligible entities as defined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is DFOP0017868.
When was this opportunity posted?
The posting date is March 3, 2026.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is June 1, 2026.
How is program content expected to be delivered across countries and regions?
The program is designed to be flexible and responsive, with embassy input helping tailor activities to local needs and priorities in different countries and regions.
What is the overall strategy behind the FY 2026 AFS?
The FY 2026 AFS is positioned as a combined cultural and commercial strategy: it uses the appeal and influence of American screen and media arts to support U.S. diplomatic goals while helping American creators and creative businesses build durable international connections and market pathways.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other
Next opportunity: Community Reentry Settings Initiative
Previous opportunity: FY 2026 Leaders Lead On-Demand
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for DFOP0017868
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DFOP0017868) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Community Reentry Settings Initiative Apply for 26CS06 Funding Number: 26CS06 Agency: National Institute of Corrections Category: Other Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| FY 2026 John McCain Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on the Rule of Law and Public Service Apply for DFOP0017914 Funding Number: DFOP0017914 Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| FY 2027 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program Apply for DFOP0017910 Funding Number: DFOP0017910 Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other Funding Amount: $10,250,000 |
| Mission Nigeria’s Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Apply for PDS AEIF FY26 01 Funding Number: PDS AEIF FY26 01 Agency: U.S. Mission to Nigeria Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| FY 2026 Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars Apply for DFOP0017918 Funding Number: DFOP0017918 Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| New Jail Planning Initiative Apply for 26JD06 Funding Number: 26JD06 Agency: National Institute of Corrections Category: Other Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Structured Decision-Making Framework Implementation Project Apply for 26CS04 Funding Number: 26CS04 Agency: National Institute of Corrections Category: Other Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Sustaining Implementation of Organizational Resources to Support Behavior Change Apply for 26CS05 Funding Number: 26CS05 Agency: National Institute of Corrections Category: Other Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Freedom 250: Kazakhstan Youth Leadership Camp Apply for DOS KAZ AST PDS 26 001 Funding Number: DOS KAZ AST PDS 26 001 Agency: U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan Category: Other Funding Amount: $80,000 |
| FY 2026 U.S. Leadership in Education, Advanced Manufacturing, and Digital Skills (U.S. LEADS) Program Apply for DFOP0017930 Funding Number: DFOP0017930 Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| FY 2026 Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellows Program Apply for DFOP0017934 Funding Number: DFOP0017934 Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other Funding Amount: $4,300,000 |
| Managing Restrictive Housing Populations Training Apply for 26JD04 Funding Number: 26JD04 Agency: National Institute of Corrections Category: Other Funding Amount: $186,000 |
| Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Apply for DOS PDS FY26 01 Funding Number: DOS PDS FY26 01 Agency: U.S. Mission to Uganda Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| OIA Technical Assistance Program 2026 Apply for OIA TAP 2026 Funding Number: OIA TAP 2026 Agency: Department of the Interior Category: Other Funding Amount: $22,500,000 |
| OIA Maintenance Assistance Program 2026 Apply for OIA MAP 2026 Funding Number: OIA MAP 2026 Agency: Department of the Interior Category: Other Funding Amount: $4,375,000 |
| OIA Brown Treesnake Program 2026 Apply for OIA BTS 2026 Funding Number: OIA BTS 2026 Agency: Department of the Interior Category: Other Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs for Disabled Veterans and Disabled Members of the Armed Forces Apply for VA SPORTS 26 Funding Number: VA SPORTS 26 Agency: National Veterans Sports Programs Category: Other Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| FY 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity for Small Shipyard Grants Apply for DTMASSG26 Funding Number: DTMASSG26 Agency: Maritime Administration Category: Other Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Cotonou AEIF FY2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity Apply for OFOP0002524 Funding Number: OFOP0002524 Agency: U.S. Mission to Benin Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) Apply for PDS KIGALI FY26 001 Funding Number: PDS KIGALI FY26 001 Agency: U.S. Mission to Rwanda Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DFOP0017868", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.