U.S. Mission to Canada Alumni Summit

The U.S. Mission to Canada Alumni Summit funding opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, specifically its Public Diplomacy Section. This opportunity is funded through FY26 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy funds and is designed to advance U.S. foreign policy priorities by strengthening bilateral ties between the United States and Canada. The program reflects a broader strategic effort to leverage alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs as long-term partners in diplomacy, collaboration, and mutual understanding. The Embassy anticipates awarding a single cooperative agreement to an eligible organization to implement this initiative. The purpose of the program is to convene Canadian alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs for a structured, two-day summit in Ottawa, Ontario. The summit is intended to foster ongoing engagement, collaboration, and networking among alumni, many of whom are influential professionals and emerging leaders across sectors. By bringing together these individuals, the program seeks to reinforce relationships formed during exchange programs and encourage alumni to contribute to shared U.S.-Canada priorities such as economic prosperity, security cooperation, and mutual understanding. The program explicitly aims to build a cohesive and active alumni network that can drive collaborative initiatives beyond the event itself. Funding for this opportunity is capped at a maximum of 75,000 USD, with total program funding also set at 75,000 USD. The award will be issued as a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. Mission to Canada will maintain substantial involvement throughout the project lifecycle. The recipient organization will be responsible for operational execution, including participant outreach, logistics, financial administration, agenda development, event management, and post-event reporting. However, the Embassy retains approval authority over key decisions such as venue selection, agenda content, and participant and speaker selection. The performance period for the project must not exceed 12 months, and the anticipated project start date falls between March and September 2027. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is limited to non-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society organizations, as well as public and private educational institutions. For-profit entities are explicitly excluded from applying as prime recipients, although they may participate as subcontractors. Applicants must be properly registered with a Unique Entity Identifier and maintain an active registration in SAM.gov. Only one proposal per organization is permitted. Cost sharing or matching is not required for this opportunity, which lowers the financial barrier to entry for eligible applicants. The application process requires submission of a complete proposal package that includes standard federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B), a detailed narrative proposal of up to six pages, and a comprehensive budget with justification. The proposal must clearly outline the project’s objectives, methods, timeline, personnel, and evaluation plan. Additional required components include resumes for key personnel, letters of support from partners, and proof of organizational registration. Applications must be submitted via email to the designated Embassy address by the deadline, and all materials must be in English and denominated in U.S. dollars. Applications will be evaluated based on a structured review process that includes criteria such as program quality and feasibility, organizational capacity, project planning, budget justification, and monitoring and evaluation strategy. Each of these criteria is weighted, with program quality and organizational capacity receiving the highest emphasis. Applicants are expected to demonstrate alignment with U.S. foreign policy priorities and provide clear, measurable objectives. The review process includes technical screening, panel evaluation, and risk assessment, with final award decisions made by a Grants Officer. The application deadline is July 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time, and applicants can expect to receive notification of results within approximately 120 days after the deadline. The program is not described as recurring, and no future cycles are guaranteed. Selected recipients will enter into a formal cooperative agreement and must comply with federal reporting, financial management, and regulatory requirements throughout the project period. The Embassy provides a contact email for inquiries related to the application process, ensuring applicants have access to support during submission.

Align proposal closely with U.S. foreign policy priorities; provide clear measurable objectives; ensure strong monitoring and evaluation plan; demonstrate organizational capacity