U.S. India Sports Technology Dialogues and Innovation Program

The U.S. Mission to India, under the U.S. Department of State, is offering a cooperative agreement opportunity titled U.S. India Sports Technology Dialogues and Innovation Program. This initiative is part of the broader Public Diplomacy Programs framework and aligns with U.S. foreign policy priorities to strengthen bilateral relations and expand commercial engagement between the United States and India. The program is specifically designed to support the “Mission 500” objective, which seeks to double bilateral trade between the two countries to $500 billion by 2030. Through this funding opportunity, the Department of State aims to position U.S. innovation and expertise in sports technology as a catalyst for international collaboration and economic growth. The core purpose of this program is to establish a structured and sustainable commercial pipeline connecting U.S. sports technology innovators with Indian stakeholders. Activities are expected to include national-level dialogues, applied demonstrations, and targeted engagement initiatives conducted across multiple Indian cities such as New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Guwahati, Aizwal, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. These engagements will bring together Indian sports authorities, professional leagues, sports medicine institutions, and innovation ecosystems with U.S. companies, researchers, and subject matter experts. The initiative emphasizes showcasing American leadership in areas such as sports performance technology, data analytics, and sports medicine. Funding for this opportunity is provided as a cooperative agreement, indicating that the U.S. Mission to India will have substantial involvement in program implementation. The total program funding is $150,000, with a single award expected and both the award ceiling and floor set at $150,000. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement associated with this opportunity. Funds are intended to support programmatic activities that align with the objectives of sports diplomacy, international collaboration, and commercialization of U.S. innovation. Applicants are expected to design comprehensive programming that leverages major global sporting events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games, as platforms for engagement and visibility. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive, allowing a wide range of applicant types. Eligible entities include not-for-profit organizations such as think tanks and NGOs, public and private educational institutions, for-profit organizations (where permitted by funding appropriations), individuals, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. This wide eligibility scope reflects the interdisciplinary and cross-sector nature of the program, which requires collaboration among academia, industry, civil society, and government stakeholders. The application process is managed through Grants.gov, where applicants must submit their proposals by the stated deadline. While specific application components are not detailed in the summary, applicants can expect to complete standard federal grant forms such as the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance, along with program narratives and supporting documentation as required by the full announcement. The submission process requires careful adherence to federal grant application standards and timely completion of all required forms and attachments. The application window opened on May 20, 2026, and closes on June 20, 2026. There are no pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers indicated in the available information. The opportunity does not specify recurrence, suggesting it may be a one-time funding initiative tied to current strategic priorities. Applicants are encouraged to contact the U.S. Mission to India directly via email for any technical issues accessing the full announcement or submitting their applications. Award decisions and project timelines are not explicitly stated but will likely follow standard federal grant review and notification processes.

Align proposal with U.S. foreign policy goals and emphasize innovation, bilateral collaboration, and commercial scalability in sports technology.