Opportunity Information: Apply for ECA PE C 10 01
Apply for ECA PE C 10 01
- The Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Open Competition for the Professional Fellows Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.415 Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs Citizen Exchanges.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 11, 2009 and posted on Dec 11, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 26, 2010. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $5,200,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Please see full announcement.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Open Competition for the Professional Fellows Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), administered through the Office of Citizen Exchanges (ECA/PE/C). The program funds organizations to design and run professional exchange projects that connect the United States with eligible countries across multiple regions, specifically Africa, East Asia, Europe, the Near East, North Africa, South Central Asia, and the Western Hemisphere. At its core, the opportunity is meant to support structured, two-way professional exchanges that build practical skills, strengthen institutional ties, and deepen long-term relationships between U.S. professionals and their counterparts abroad.
The program’s goals are straightforward but ambitious. First, it aims to bring foreign professionals from eligible countries to the United States for hands-on professional development, primarily through four- to eight-week internship placements. Second, it expects a reciprocal component that benefits U.S. participants as well, either by sending U.S. professionals abroad for fellowships and/or enabling them to share specialized expertise directly with counterpart organizations in the participating countries. Third, the program is designed to advance mutual understanding and sustained partnerships among influential professional communities, so the exchange is not just a one-time training visit but a relationship-building effort with lasting connections and follow-on collaboration.
Projects funded under this competition are expected to run for one to two years and focus on current or emerging professional leaders who are positioned to create positive change in their home communities and institutions. The exchange model must be genuinely two-way, involving participants from both the United States and the selected foreign country or countries, rather than a one-direction study tour. Applicants are also expected to align their project with one of the specific themes identified in the announcement: climate change, education to employment, food security, global health, and legislative development. Country eligibility is tied to these themes, and the announcement emphasizes that proposals must stay within the authorized combinations of themes and countries described in the full Request for Grant Proposals; proposals that include a theme and country not specifically authorized will be deemed technically ineligible and will not advance in the review process.
Eligibility to apply is limited to U.S. public and nonprofit organizations, including private institutions of higher education, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and other nonprofit entities that meet the requirements of 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3). A key procedural rule is that each applicant may submit only one proposal under this competition. If an organization submits more than one, all of its submissions will be rejected as technically ineligible, which makes internal coordination and careful project selection essential before applying.
On funding details, the opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C-10-01 and CFDA 19.415 (Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Citizen Exchanges). The total estimated funding for the competition is $5.2 million, with an anticipated 15 awards, and an award ceiling of $1,000,000 per grant. Cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants need to plan for and document non-federal contributions as part of the overall budget approach. The application timeline in the notice shows it was posted December 11, 2009, with a closing date of February 26, 2010 (and an archive date of February 27, 2010). The agency also notes that it does not guarantee awards across every theme or every listed country, so selection depends on proposal quality, alignment with priorities, and available funds.
For applicants who need the full announcement but have trouble accessing it electronically, the listed point of contact is Hans Posey, Program Specialist, reachable at poseyhe@state.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Open Competition for the Professional Fellows Program?
It is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), administered through the Office of Citizen Exchanges (ECA/PE/C). It funds organizations to design and run professional exchange projects connecting U.S. professionals with counterparts from eligible countries across multiple world regions.
Which agency and office administer this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and administered through the Office of Citizen Exchanges (ECA/PE/C).
What is the core purpose of this funding opportunity?
The program supports structured, two-way professional exchanges intended to build practical skills, strengthen institutional ties, and deepen long-term relationships between U.S. professionals and professionals in eligible countries.
What regions are included for participation in this program?
The opportunity supports exchange connections with eligible countries across Africa, East Asia, Europe, the Near East, North Africa, South Central Asia, and the Western Hemisphere.
What are the main goals of the program?
The goals include: (1) bringing foreign professionals from eligible countries to the United States for hands-on professional development primarily through four- to eight-week internship placements; (2) including a reciprocal component benefiting U.S. participants by sending U.S. professionals abroad for fellowships and/or enabling them to share specialized expertise with counterpart organizations abroad; and (3) advancing mutual understanding and sustained partnerships among influential professional communities beyond a one-time visit.
Does the exchange have to be two-way?
Yes. The exchange model must be genuinely two-way, involving participants from both the United States and the selected foreign country or countries, rather than a one-direction study tour.
Who are the intended participants for projects funded under this competition?
Projects are expected to focus on current or emerging professional leaders who are positioned to create positive change in their home communities and institutions.
How long are the professional development placements in the United States expected to be?
The notice indicates foreign professionals are expected to come to the United States primarily for four- to eight-week internship placements.
How long are funded projects expected to run?
Projects funded under this competition are expected to run for one to two years.
What themes must a proposal align with?
Applicants are expected to align their project with one of the themes identified in the announcement: climate change, education to employment, food security, global health, and legislative development.
Are countries eligible for all themes?
No. Country eligibility is tied to the themes, and proposals must stay within the authorized combinations of themes and countries described in the full Request for Grant Proposals.
What happens if a proposal includes a theme and country combination that is not authorized?
The announcement states that proposals including a theme and country not specifically authorized will be deemed technically ineligible and will not advance in the review process.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligibility is limited to U.S. public and nonprofit organizations, including private institutions of higher education, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and other nonprofit entities that meet the requirements of 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3).
Can an organization submit more than one proposal?
No. Each applicant may submit only one proposal under this competition.
What happens if an organization submits multiple proposals?
If an organization submits more than one proposal, all of its submissions will be rejected as technically ineligible.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is ECA/PE/C-10-01.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 19.415 (Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Citizen Exchanges).
How much total funding is estimated for this competition?
The total estimated funding is $5.2 million.
How many awards are anticipated?
The notice anticipates 15 awards.
What is the maximum award amount per grant?
The award ceiling is $1,000,000 per grant.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required, so applicants need to plan for and document non-federal contributions as part of the budget approach.
Does the agency guarantee awards across every theme or every country?
No. The agency notes it does not guarantee awards across every theme or every listed country. Selection depends on proposal quality, alignment with priorities, and available funds.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The notice shows the opportunity was posted on December 11, 2009, with a closing date of February 26, 2010. The archive date is February 27, 2010.
Who can be contacted for help obtaining the full announcement if it cannot be accessed electronically?
The listed point of contact is Hans Posey, Program Specialist, reachable at poseyhe@state.gov.
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