Advancing Sports Diplomacy Through Adaptive Sports

The Advancing Sports Diplomacy Through Adaptive Sports grant is administered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy Kyiv Public Diplomacy Section. This funding opportunity is designed to strengthen diplomatic ties between the United States and Ukraine while addressing a critical humanitarian and societal need: the rehabilitation and reintegration of wounded Ukrainian veterans. The program builds on broader U.S. strategic initiatives such as the Decade of Sports and leverages American expertise in adaptive sports to promote recovery, resilience, and long-term stability in Ukraine. The primary purpose of this grant is to expand Ukraine’s capacity to deliver adaptive sports programming that supports physical and mental rehabilitation for veterans. By introducing American models, methodologies, and institutional partnerships, the program aims to create sustainable systems that extend beyond the life of the grant. Activities may include athletic training clinics, English-language instruction tied to sports, and adaptive sports competitions. These efforts are intended not only to improve individual outcomes for veterans but also to strengthen institutional frameworks and foster collaboration between U.S. and Ukrainian organizations. Funding for this opportunity ranges from 30000 to 150000 dollars per award, with a total program funding pool of 150000 dollars. Projects must be completed within an 18-month performance period. The funding is provided through a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. Embassy Kyiv will maintain substantial involvement in program design, oversight, and implementation. While cost sharing is encouraged, it is not required, providing flexibility for applicants with varying resource levels. However, strict funding restrictions apply, including prohibitions on construction, direct social services such as medical care, political activities, and commercial ventures. Eligibility is limited to U.S. or Ukrainian nonprofit organizations, including civil society and nongovernmental organizations, with demonstrated experience operating in Ukraine. Applicants must have a legally registered presence capable of overseeing program implementation and must be registered in SAM.gov with a valid Unique Entity Identifier. Only one proposal per organization is permitted, and while subcontracting is allowed, the primary recipient must remain a nonprofit entity. The program specifically excludes for-profit organizations from eligibility. The application process requires submission of standard federal forms such as the SF-424 and SF-424A, along with a detailed proposal of up to 15 pages. Applicants must include organizational background, a problem statement, program design, timeline, staffing plan, partnerships, sustainability strategy, and a monitoring and evaluation framework. A detailed line-item budget and justification narrative are also required, along with supporting documents such as resumes, letters of support, and proof of nonprofit status. All submissions must be in English and submitted via email by the stated deadline. Applications will be evaluated based on several criteria, including the quality and feasibility of the program idea, organizational capacity, project planning, budget justification, monitoring and evaluation strategy, and sustainability. The review process includes technical eligibility screening followed by a panel evaluation. Applicants can expect notification of results within approximately 120 days after the deadline. The Embassy retains discretion over final award decisions and may impose additional reporting or compliance requirements depending on risk assessments. The application deadline is August 31, 2026, and selected projects are expected to begin around October 1, 2026. The program is not explicitly recurring, and funding is contingent on availability. Throughout the project period, recipients will be required to submit regular financial and programmatic reports, typically on a quarterly basis, with final reports due within 120 days after project completion. The program emphasizes long-term impact, sustainability, and alignment with U.S. foreign policy objectives, making it both a development initiative and a diplomatic instrument.

Ensure strong alignment with U.S. foreign policy objectives; demonstrate measurable outcomes; provide detailed budget justification; highlight organizational capacity and prior experience