2026 U.S. Speaker Program

The U.S. Mission to India, under the U.S. Department of State, is offering funding through a cooperative agreement to implement the U.S. Speaker Program. This initiative is administered by the Public Diplomacy Section at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and is part of broader public diplomacy efforts aimed at strengthening bilateral engagement between the United States and India. The program aligns with U.S. foreign policy priorities by promoting collaboration, knowledge exchange, and dialogue in areas of shared strategic importance. It is categorized under Public Diplomacy Programs and reflects ongoing efforts to foster mutual understanding and cooperation through expert-led engagement. The primary objective of the program is to advance U.S. strategic, economic, and security interests by connecting American subject matter experts with key Indian audiences. These engagements are designed to highlight U.S. leadership across critical sectors such as regional and maritime security, cybersecurity, emerging technologies, energy security, and innovation-driven economic growth. The program emphasizes both in-person and virtual formats to maximize reach and impact, with a planned structure of eight to ten in-country speaker events across India and ten virtual engagements. Funding under this opportunity supports programmatic costs associated with organizing and executing these speaker engagements. This includes logistical coordination, speaker recruitment, travel, event facilitation, and virtual platform management. As a cooperative agreement, there will be substantial involvement from the funding agency, indicating that the U.S. Mission to India will play an active role in program oversight and implementation. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which lowers the financial barrier for eligible applicants and allows for full funding of approved program activities within the defined budget range. Eligible applicants include a broad range of organizational types such as not-for-profit organizations, think tanks, civil society organizations, public and private educational institutions, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. These entities must demonstrate the capacity to manage international programming and engage effectively with professional audiences in India. The program specifically targets audiences such as professionals from think tanks and research institutions, technology and innovation leaders, business stakeholders, and individuals who influence policy and economic decision-making. The application process requires submission through official channels as outlined in the full opportunity announcement. While specific application components are not detailed in the synopsis, applicants are expected to provide a comprehensive proposal outlining program design, implementation strategy, target audiences, and expected outcomes. Evaluation will likely be based on alignment with program objectives, organizational capacity, and the ability to deliver impactful engagements that support U.S. interests. Applicants encountering technical issues are directed to contact the provided email for assistance. The opportunity was posted on June 24, 2026, with a closing date for applications on July 24, 2026. Only one award is expected to be made, with funding ranging between $230,000 and $250,000, totaling $250,000 in available program funds. The timeline suggests a relatively short application window, requiring prompt preparation and submission. There is no indication that this opportunity is recurring, and no additional cycles or future deadlines are specified. The program is expected to be implemented following award notification, though the exact performance period is not stated in the provided materials.