FY 2027 International Visitor Leadership Programs National Program Agencies

The U.S. Department of State, through its Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is offering funding under the International Visitor Leadership Program National Program Agencies opportunity. This program represents one of the Department’s longest standing and most prominent professional exchange initiatives, originally established in 1940 to advance mutual understanding between the United States and other nations. The program is designed to support U.S. foreign policy objectives by facilitating professional exchanges that connect emerging and established international leaders with their American counterparts across a range of sectors including government, business, academia, and civil society. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide support for organizations that will serve as National Program Agencies responsible for designing and implementing customized exchange projects. These projects typically consist of short term visits to the United States lasting between two and twenty one days and are tailored to align with specific foreign policy themes and participant professional interests. The selected recipients will be responsible for developing and managing a wide variety of programming formats including in person, virtual, and hybrid exchanges. Projects emphasize exposure to American society, governance, and institutions while fostering dialogue and long term professional relationships. Funding under this opportunity is substantial, with total program funding exceeding sixteen million dollars and individual awards ranging from just over one million dollars to nearly nine million dollars. Funds are intended primarily to cover staff salaries, administrative overhead, and operational support required to implement exchange programs at scale. Allowable costs include personnel, communications, office supplies, information technology, and limited travel and per diem expenses. While cost sharing is not required, applicants are encouraged to demonstrate private sector support and resource contributions to strengthen their proposals. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to U.S. based nonprofit organizations, including think tanks and nongovernmental organizations, as well as public and private educational institutions. Applicants must demonstrate at least four years of experience in conducting international exchange programs due to the scale of anticipated funding. Additional eligibility requirements include maintaining or establishing a physical presence in the Washington DC area and complying with federal registration systems such as SAM.gov and MyGrants. Only one application per organization is permitted, and proposals must include detailed program narratives, budgets, and supporting documentation. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes several required components such as the SF 424 form, a comprehensive proposal narrative, a detailed line item budget, and supporting materials including staffing plans and past performance references. Applications are evaluated based on program planning, institutional capacity, domestic impact, monitoring and evaluation strategies, and cost effectiveness. The Department of State plays a substantial role in oversight and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle, reflecting the cooperative agreement structure. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is August 24, 2026, with awards anticipated to begin on January 1, 2027. The period of performance is twelve months, with the possibility of renewal for up to two additional cycles depending on funding availability and program performance. Applicants may contact the program office via the provided State Department email for clarification during the application period. This opportunity is expected to recur annually or periodically as part of ongoing federal exchange programming initiatives.

Ensure strong demonstration of institutional capacity and prior exchange experience; align proposal with foreign policy goals; provide detailed and realistic budget justification; emphasize monitoring and evaluation framework