Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0017971
Apply for DFOP0017971
- The Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2026 American Music Mentorship Program" 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 2026-03-26.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-29. (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 $700,000.00 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.
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Opportunity Summary:
The FY 2026 American Music Mentorship Program (AMMP) is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) cooperative agreement designed to build stronger global connections in the music business by pairing international, mid-career music industry professionals with experienced U.S. mentors. Unlike programs that center primarily on artists and performers, AMMP targets the behind-the-scenes ecosystem that makes music markets function, including professionals involved in management, production, distribution, publishing, marketing, and promotion. The core idea is to strengthen music industry infrastructure abroad while creating clearer pathways for American music to reach new audiences and commercial partners internationally.
The FY 2026 theme, "Made in America Influence and Innovation of the American Music Industry," highlights both the creative and commercial sides of the U.S. music sector. The program is structured to help participants better understand how American music businesses operate and how cross-border partnerships are built in practice. It emphasizes practical training and professional development that can lead to real industry outcomes such as licensing deals, co-productions, distribution arrangements, and other forms of collaboration that expand global market access for American music and reinforce the U.S. creative economy as a platform for innovation and cultural influence.
Programmatically, AMMP brings together mentees from three to five countries for a two-week residency in the United States. During this residency, participants engage directly with a range of U.S. music industry actors, including small companies, independent labels, and larger firms. Activities are expected to include workshops, professional forums, collaborative sessions, and site visits that expose mentees to business practices, technical workflows, and market strategies used in the United States. After the residency, the exchange continues through monthly virtual mentorship sessions over roughly 10 to 12 months, extending the learning beyond a one-time visit and supporting sustained relationship-building and collaboration between U.S. mentors and international mentees.
A notable feature of this opportunity is the outbound component: approximately 10 U.S. mentors and instructors will travel overseas for about one week to engage with local music industries in participating countries. This element is intended to deepen two-way exchange, broaden professional networks, and share best practices in real-world settings, while also giving U.S. industry leaders firsthand insight into market conditions and opportunities abroad. Together, the inbound and outbound components are meant to create durable professional ties and encourage ongoing partnerships that continue after the formal program ends.
AMMP is implemented as a public-private partnership. ECA provides strategic oversight and ensures the program aligns with U.S. foreign policy and cultural diplomacy objectives, while a leading private sector U.S. music industry organization contributes industry expertise and plays a central role in recruiting and selecting U.S. mentors from its membership. That private sector partner is also expected to help connect participants with creative, business, and technical leaders across the industry, ensuring the mentorship experience reflects current realities of the music marketplace.
The FY 2026 award recipient will serve as the implementing partner responsible for end-to-end delivery of the program in close coordination with both ECA and the private sector partner. This includes managing detailed logistics, scheduling and timelines, participant and partner coordination, residency planning, virtual programming, outbound travel activities, and program promotion. The implementing partner is also expected to maintain clear communication with stakeholders and provide regular updates, reflecting the cooperative agreement structure where the federal agency typically remains actively engaged throughout implementation rather than simply issuing a grant with minimal involvement.
Key administrative details: the opportunity is discretionary and will be awarded as a cooperative agreement under Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0017971 (CFDA 19.415). Eligible applicants include 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 specified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The agency anticipates making one award, with an award ceiling of $700,000. The application deadline is May 29, 2026, and the opportunity was created on March 26, 2026. For full requirements, selection criteria, and detailed implementation expectations, applicants are directed to the NOFO and official announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - FY 2026 American Music Mentorship Program (AMMP)
What is the FY 2026 American Music Mentorship Program (AMMP)?
The FY 2026 American Music Mentorship Program (AMMP) is a U.S. Department of State program administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) as a cooperative agreement. It is designed to build stronger global connections in the music business by pairing international, mid-career music industry professionals with experienced U.S. mentors, with the goal of strengthening music industry infrastructure abroad and expanding pathways for American music in international markets.
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).
Is this opportunity a grant or a cooperative agreement?
It is a cooperative agreement. This structure typically means the federal agency (ECA) is expected to remain actively engaged during implementation rather than simply issuing funds with minimal involvement.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) and CFDA number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DFOP0017971, and the CFDA number is 19.415.
What is the main purpose of AMMP?
The program aims to strengthen global music industry connections by mentoring international, mid-career professionals in the behind-the-scenes music ecosystem (such as management, production, distribution, publishing, marketing, and promotion). It also seeks to create clearer pathways for American music to reach new audiences and commercial partners internationally.
How is AMMP different from music exchange programs that focus on artists?
AMMP focuses on the music industry ecosystem rather than centering primarily on artists and performers. It targets professionals who make music markets function, including roles in management, production, distribution, publishing, marketing, and promotion.
What is the FY 2026 program theme?
The FY 2026 theme is "Made in America Influence and Innovation of the American Music Industry."
What does the FY 2026 theme emphasize?
The theme highlights both the creative and commercial sides of the U.S. music sector and emphasizes practical understanding of how American music businesses operate and how cross-border partnerships are built.
Who are the program participants (mentees)?
The participants are international, mid-career music industry professionals selected from three to five countries.
What kinds of music industry roles does the program target?
The program targets behind-the-scenes professionals involved in areas such as management, production, distribution, publishing, marketing, and promotion.
What is the U.S. residency component?
AMMP includes a two-week residency in the United States for international mentees. During the residency, mentees engage with U.S. music industry actors through activities such as workshops, professional forums, collaborative sessions, and site visits.
How many countries are expected to be represented?
Mentees are expected to come from three to five countries.
What kinds of organizations will participants engage with in the United States?
Participants are expected to engage with a range of U.S. music industry actors, including small companies, independent labels, and larger firms.
What activities are expected during the U.S. residency?
Expected activities include workshops, professional forums, collaborative sessions, and site visits that expose mentees to U.S. business practices, technical workflows, and market strategies.
What happens after the U.S. residency ends?
After the residency, the program continues through monthly virtual mentorship sessions over roughly 10 to 12 months to support sustained learning, relationship-building, and collaboration.
How long does the virtual mentorship portion last?
The virtual mentorship portion is expected to run monthly for approximately 10 to 12 months.
Is there an outbound (international travel) component for U.S. mentors?
Yes. Approximately 10 U.S. mentors and instructors will travel overseas for about one week to engage with local music industries in participating countries.
What is the purpose of the outbound component?
The outbound component is intended to deepen two-way exchange, broaden professional networks, share best practices in real-world settings, and give U.S. industry leaders firsthand insight into market conditions and opportunities abroad.
What kinds of outcomes does AMMP aim to support?
The program emphasizes practical professional development intended to lead to real industry outcomes such as licensing deals, co-productions, distribution arrangements, and other collaborations that expand global market access for American music.
How does AMMP support the U.S. creative economy?
AMMP is designed to reinforce the U.S. creative economy by expanding global market access for American music and positioning the U.S. music sector as a platform for innovation and cultural influence.
How is the program structured as a public-private partnership?
ECA provides strategic oversight to ensure alignment with U.S. foreign policy and cultural diplomacy objectives. A leading private sector U.S. music industry organization contributes industry expertise and plays a central role in recruiting and selecting U.S. mentors from its membership, while also helping connect participants to leaders across the music marketplace.
What role does the private sector U.S. music industry organization play?
The private sector partner is expected to provide industry expertise, help recruit and select U.S. mentors from its membership, and connect participants with creative, business, and technical leaders across the industry so the mentorship experience reflects current market realities.
Who is responsible for implementing and managing the program?
The FY 2026 award recipient will serve as the implementing partner responsible for end-to-end delivery of the program in close coordination with ECA and the private sector partner.
What responsibilities are included in end-to-end program delivery?
Responsibilities include managing logistics, scheduling and timelines, participant and partner coordination, U.S. residency planning, virtual programming, outbound travel activities, and program promotion, along with maintaining clear communication and providing regular updates to stakeholders.
How many awards does the agency expect to make?
The agency anticipates making one award.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $700,000.
Is this a discretionary funding opportunity?
Yes, the opportunity is described as discretionary.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include 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 specified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is May 29, 2026.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on March 26, 2026.
Where can applicants find the full requirements and selection criteria?
Applicants are directed to the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and the official announcement for full requirements, selection criteria, and detailed implementation expectations.
What should applicants pay attention to given the cooperative agreement structure?
Because it is a cooperative agreement, applicants should be prepared to coordinate closely with ECA and provide regular updates and communication throughout implementation, reflecting an arrangement where the agency remains actively engaged.
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