Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) (MODE Framework)

Last Updated: February 2025

Instructions

• The Monitoring Data for ECA (MODE) Framework provides standard indicators and corresponding survey questions to ensure consistent measures across all ECA programs.
• The Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) in this document includes ALL MODE objectives and indicators that were created to collect data from program participants.
• While ECA recommends the applicant use the format provided, this is not a requirement.
• However, any performance monitoring reference document the applicant submits should include the information in the column headers (Indicator Name, Definition, Target, Survey Question, etc.) in the table below at a minimum.

To provide a PMP that will meet the solicitation review criteria, the applicant should take the following steps:

1. Fill out the Applicant Name, FY and Program Title and Funding Opportunity # fields highlighted above
2. Carefully review the solicitation document to identify the MODE indicators that were listed
3. Review the additional (those not listed in the solicitation document) MODE Framework indicators listed in the table below to determine if they are relevant (meaning the applicant proposes that data should be collected for those indicators as part of this program)
4. Those indicators that were NOT selected in steps 2 and 3 above can be deleted from the table below (to do this, click your mouse somewhere within the row you would like to delete, right-click, select “Delete Cells”, then “Delete Entire Row”. Repeat this process until the only MODE Framework indicators that remain are those identified during steps 1 and 2)
5. Applicants may also design custom objectives and/or indicators that are specific to the proposed program and the proposed MODE Framework indicators are insufficient to cover all aspects of the program. Applicants should limit the number of these custom indicators, bearing in mind collection and reporting capacity, and prioritize additional measures identified in the solicitation.

For all indicators in the PMP that remain after steps 2-5 above, insert the target into the appropriate column. A target specifies a feasible and appropriate level of an output or outcome that is hoped for, expected, or intended.

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Resources

More resources and guidance documents on the MODE Framework and PMP are available online: https://eca.state.gov/impact/eca-monitoring-evaluation-learning-and-innovation-meli-unit/mode-framework-eca-applicants-and

PMP-specific resources include:

• MODE Framework Indicator Book: https://app.box.com/s/9gvvxzxlm6bmvzqengqu8uad40yz2doe
• MODE Performance Indicator Reference Sheets: https://app.box.com/s/r6x4elenw9pnicdtjyqv6rbyoczhp62t
• PMP Creation Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBHC1oLNZvI

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Definitions of PMP Columns

• Performance Indicator: An observable or measurable characteristic that indicates the extent to which a program objective is being achieved.
• Definition: Clarifies all terms necessary and provides details on how to calculate the data collected to measure the change expected.
• Disaggregation (“Disagg”): Lists how the data will be broken down into subgroups (such as: sex, age, state, country, etc.)
• Target: Specific, planned level of result to be achieved within an explicit timeframe
• Data Source and Required Survey Question: Specifies how the data will be obtained (such as a survey, observation, interview, etc.) and the mandatory question linked to the data source. Note that all MODE Framework survey questions are required (i.e. should be forced response); please see the Consent Language in the MODE Framework Indicator Book for an example of how to convey this to participants/survey respondents.
• When to Collect: Specifies when the indicator will be measured, for example: post-program, end of award, etc.
  • A post-program collection should occur no later than 6 weeks after the participant has completed the program
  • Award recipients are responsible for collecting indicator data on participant outputs and outcomes during the period of performance of the program itself.
  • Note: The Bureau will measure outcomes of ECA participants at one, three, five, and 10 years after the program has ended to capture the long-term impact of ECA programming unless otherwise specified in the solicitation for which you are applying. In this instance, the recipient will be responsible for coordinating with ECA on any alumni surveys to de-duplicate questions and minimize potential survey fatigue.

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Definitions of Key Terms

Each indicator in the table below includes a list of relevant terms in the indicator column. While terms vary across indicators, there are a few key terms that apply to a high number of indicators. Those terms are listed below to save space in the table:

• Participant or Exchange Visitor - A person who has directly participated in an ECA-facilitated program (either ECA-funded or BridgeUSA) and been exposed to at least 10 hours of content or otherwise meets the requirements for entry into the Alumni Contact Engagement System (ACES). Participants do not include audiences who may watch, listen to, or otherwise interact with ECA program participants.

  • Participants of American Spaces programming include any individual who attends a program conducted by an American Space, whether that program is located at an American Space or an outside location. Individuals who attend virtual (online) or blended (partially online, partially in-person) programs are also considered participants.
  • “Exchange Visitors” on ECA’s Office of Private Sector Exchange (ECA/EC) programs are considered program participants.

• Host community - A community that sponsors, supports, or provides services for exchange programs and/or their participants. Host communities and institutions do not necessarily directly participate in a program. Benefits to this group most often occur through interaction with the participants and/or alumni during or after the program. Host community members comprise two groups:

  • Host families who welcomed exchange visitors into their homes;
  • Host institutions or businesses who provided professional or academic experiences to exchange visitors.

• Virtual exchange - A sustained, multi-way interaction, that is 100% online, used to build networks and shared knowledge around policy priorities. For a program to be considered a virtual exchange, participants must engage with all content virtually. A series of virtual components can be considered an exchange if they are (1) originated as a unit with a collective start and end date and (2) are organized around a unifying theme. Examples of virtual elements include online skill-building workshops, virtual professional placements (internships), and virtual mentorships. A series of massive open online courses (MOOCs) would be considered an exchange if they are offered as a set (of say six classes) and are centered on a specific topic (for example, media literacy). Offering MOOCs as an online resource is not considered a virtual exchange program.

• Virtual element - Single, stand-alone components offered as either add-on enrichment to an in-person program or as general outreach by ECA. Examples of virtual elements include online skill-building workshops, virtual professional placements (internships), and virtual mentorships. Offering single MOOCs to the general public or virtual pre-departure orientation webinars are both considered virtual elements. Additionally, online spaces for participants to communicate (such as a program Facebook page) are considered virtual elements.

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Performance Monitoring Plan Indicators (MODE Framework Table)

Note: The following indicator entries are reproduced in order from the provided text.

Demographic Questions

• Home Country (Demographic)

  • Used to identify subgroups for Country of Origin disaggregation. (Foreign participants only)
  • Disagg.: N/A
  • Target: N/A
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • What is your home country?
    • [Drop Down: List of program countries] – See Appendix C in the Indicator Book
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

• Home State (Demographic)

  • Used to identify subgroups for Home State disaggregation. (American participants only)
  • Disagg.: N/A
  • Target: N/A
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • What is your home state?
    • [Drop Down: List of U.S. States] – See Appendix D in the Indicator Book
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

• Age (Demographic)

  • Used to identify subgroups for Age disaggregation.
  • Disagg.: N/A
  • Target: N/A
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • What is your age? Fill in the blank ________
    • [Validate answer numeric, with accepted answers ranging from 15 to 100]
    • -- OR --
    • Are you between the ages of 15 and 35?
      • Yes
      • No
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

• Sex (Demographic)

  • Used to identify subgroups for Sex disaggregation.
  • Disagg.: N/A
  • Target: N/A
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • Please select your biological sex classification:
      • Female
      • Male
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

• Race (Demographic)

  • Used to identify subgroups for Race disaggregation. (American participants only)
  • Disagg.: N/A
  • Target: N/A
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • What is your race or ethnicity? Select all that apply.
      • American Indian or Alaskan Native
      • Asian
      • Black or African American
      • Hispanic or Latino
      • Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
      • White
      • Some Other Race
      • I do not wish to respond
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

• Participant Type (Demographic)

  • Used to identify the subgroup “Reciprocal” for Participant Type disaggregation. (American participants only)
  • Award recipients will need to identify whether a participant is designated as 'Foreign', 'American', or 'Reciprocal' as part of the disaggregations. The assumption is that those who answer the "Home Country" question can be designated as a 'Foreign participant', those who answer "Home State" can be designated as an 'American participant', and those who answer the associated question with a "yes" can be designated as a 'Reciprocal participant'
  • Disagg.: N/A
  • Target: N/A
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • Did you participate in a reciprocal exchange?
    • A reciprocal participant is an American who travels to an exchange participant's home country to assist the participant with their individual project
    • • Yes
    • • No
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

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ECA Objective 1: Advance participant and beneficiary cross-cultural competence and global perspective

ECA Sub-Objective 1.1: Promote cultural exchanges and enhance understanding between participants and their host communities

• E1.1.01: Percent of participants reporting that their program experience offered opportunities to engage with other cultures

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations:
    • To calculate percentage, numerator will be number of respondents who answered “yes” while the denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
    • Home state
    • Race
    • Participant type: American, foreign, reciprocal
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • Do you agree with the following statement?
      • My program offered opportunities for making cultural connections and sharing. For example: Conversations about each others’ countries, attending cultural events, etc.
    • • Yes
    • • No
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

• E1.1.04: Percent of participants with more favorable opinions of the United States Government (core indicator)

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations:
    • To calculate percentage, numerator will be number of respondents who select “much more favorable” OR “somewhat more favorable” on the survey question. The denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
    • Home state
    • Race
    • Participant type: American, foreign, reciprocal
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • Did your views of the United States government change as a result of your program participation?
    • • Yes
    • • No
    • If YES:
      • How did your views of the United States government change? Are your views:
        • Much less favorable
        • Somewhat less favorable
        • Somewhat more favorable
        • Much more favorable
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

• E1.1.09: Percent of participants who traveled abroad for the first time because of their program (core indicator)

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Abroad – A country outside of one’s home country
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations:
    • To calculate percentage, numerator will be number of respondents who answered “no” to the first question while the denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
    • Home state
    • Race
    • Participant type: American, foreign, reciprocal
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • Before this exchange program, had you traveled outside of your home country?
    • • Yes
    • • No
    • If YES:
      • Why did you travel outside of your home country? Select all that apply.
        • Tourism
        • Visit friends/family
        • Participation in another U.S. Department of State exchange program (including U.S. Embassy-sponsored exchanges)
        • Participation in a non-U.S. Department of State exchange
        • Study
        • Work
        • Other: ______ [write-in]
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

• E1.1.10: Percent of foreign participants who traveled to the United States for the first time during their program (core indicator)

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once per reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations:
    • To determine the percent value, numerator is number of respondents who reply “no” to the first question while denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • Before this exchange program, had you traveled to the United States?
    • • Yes
    • • No
    • If YES:
      • Why did you travel to the United States? Select all that apply.
        • Tourism
        • Visit friends/family
        • Participation in another U.S. Department of State exchange program (including U.S. Embassy-sponsored exchanges)
        • Participation in a non-U.S. Department of State exchange
        • Study
        • Work
        • Other: ______ [write-in]
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

• E1.1.11: Percent of American participants indicating a change in their understanding of their host country's culture and values

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Host country - The country in which the participant traveled to for their exchange program.
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations:
    • Responses to each item should be scored in the following manner:
      • No Change – 1
      • Minimal Change – 2
      • Moderate Change – 3
      • Substantial Change – 4
    • The response scores for each item should be summed and divided by the number of items they responded to in order to give an average question score for each respondent.
    • To determine the percent value, the numerator is the number of respondents whose average question score is 2 or greater while the denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Home state
    • Race
    • Participant type: American, reciprocal
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • How much did participation in the exchange program change your understanding or knowledge of the following topics?
      • Host country political system
      • Host country economy
      • Foreign affairs of my host country
      • Domestic affairs in my host country
      • Host country values and culture
      • Daily life in my host country
      • Freedom of speech and press in my host country
      • Voluntary community service in my host country
    • [Scale: No Change, Minimal Change, Moderate Change, Substantial Change]
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

• E1.1.12: Percent of foreign participants indicating a change in understanding of third-party countries’ cultures and values

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Third-party country - A country that is not the participant/alumni’s home or host country. Generally, this refers to the home countries of fellow participants.
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations:
    • Responses to each item should be scored in the following manner:
      • No Change – 1
      • Minimal Change – 2
      • Moderate Change – 3
      • Substantial Change – 4
    • The response scores for each item should be summed and divided by the number of items they responded to in order to give an average question score for each respondent.
    • To determine the percent value, numerator is number of respondents whose average question score is 2 or greater while the denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • Thinking about the participants you met from other countries (not your home country or the U.S.), how much did participation in the program change your understanding or knowledge of the following topics related to those countries?
      • Political system
      • Economy
      • Foreign affairs
      • Domestic affairs
      • Values and culture
      • Daily life
      • Freedom of speech and press
      • Voluntary community service
    • [Scale: No Change, Minimal Change, Moderate Change, Substantial Change]
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

• E1.1.13: Percent of foreign participants who are more likely to recommend the United States as a good place to study

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations:
    • To determine the percent value, numerator is number of respondents who reply “much more likely” or “somewhat more likely” while denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • Compared to before your program participation, how likely are you now to recommend the United States as a good place to study?
    • • Much more unlikely
    • • Somewhat more unlikely
    • • Somewhat more likely
    • Much more likely
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

• E1.1.16: Percent of virtual exchange (VE) participants who report VE as their only likely way to interact with citizens from other countries in the future

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Virtual exchange - See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Virtual element - See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once per reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations:
    • To calculate percentage, numerator will be number of respondents who answered “yes” while the denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
    • This indicator counts participants involved in virtual exchange programs (see definition above) and WILL NOT count participants engaging with virtual program elements as part of a non-virtual program.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
    • Home state
    • Race
    • Participant type: American, foreign, reciprocal
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • In the future, are virtual exchanges likely to be your only way to interact with citizens from other countries?
    • • Yes
    • • No
    • • I don’t know
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

• E1.1.17: Percent of foreign participants with more favorable opinions of the American people (core indicator)

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations:
    • To determine the percent value, numerator is number of respondents who reply “much more favorable” OR “somewhat more favorable” while the denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • Did your views of the American people change as a result of your program participation?
    • • Yes
  • When to Collect: Post-Program
  • (The “• No” option appears in the provided text immediately after the YES option.)
    • • No
  • If YES:
    • How did your views of the American people change? Are your views:
      • • Much less favorable
      • • Somewhat less favorable
      • • Somewhat more favorable
      • • Much more favorable

• E1.1.18: Percent of foreign participants indicating an increase in understanding of United States culture and values (core indicator)

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations:
    • Responses to each item should be scored in the following manner:
      • No Change – 1
      • Minimal Change – 2
      • Moderate Change – 3
      • Substantial Change – 4
    • The response scores for each item should be summed and divided by the number of items they responded to in order to give a total question score for each respondent.
    • To determine the percent value, numerator is number of respondents whose total question score is 2 or greater while the denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
    • [Scale: No Change, Minimal Change, Moderate Change, Substantial Change]
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • How much did participation in the program change your understanding or knowledge of each of the following topics?
      • United States democracy
      • United States economy
      • Foreign affairs of the United States
      • Domestic affairs in the United States
      • United States values and culture
      • Daily life in the United States
      • Freedom of speech and press in the United States
      • Voluntary community service in the United States
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

• E1.1.19: Percent of foreign participants agreeing with statements in support of democratic values (core indicator)

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Democratic values - The ideas or beliefs that make a society fair, including: democratic decision-making, freedom of speech, and equality before the law.
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations:
    • Responses to each item should be scored in the following manner:
      • Strongly disagree – 1
      • Disagree – 2
      • Neither disagree nor agree – 3
      • Agree – 4
      • Strongly agree – 5
      • Don’t know/can’t ascertain – 0
    • To determine the percent value, numerator is the number of respondents whose average question score is greater than or equal to 4 on a 1-5 scale while the denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
    • Home state
    • Race
    • Participant type: American, foreign, reciprocal
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statements below?
      • Voting is important because real decisions are made in elections
      • Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of democracy
      • An independent media is important to the free flow of information
      • All citizens in a country should have equal rights and protections under the law, regardless of circumstances
      • The rule of law is fundamental to a functioning democracy
      • Individuals have the right to free speech and to voice opposition
      • Organizations have the right to free speech and to voice opposition
      • Democratic principles enhance the workplace. Supervisors should incorporate democratic principles into their management practices
    • [Scale: Strongly disagree, Disagree, Neither disagree nor agree, Agree, Strongly agree, Don’t know/can’t ascertain]
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

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ECA Objective 2: Increase the impact that participants and alumni have on their communities / countries

E2.0.01: Percent of foreign participants that volunteer in their host communities

• Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
• Volunteer - To offer one’s time or services to an organization or community effort for free. Volunteering does not include time spent working as part of a professional placement.
• Host community - See Definitions of Key Terms
• Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
• Calculations:
  • To calculate the percentage, the numerator will be the number of respondents who answered “yes” while the denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
• Disagg.:
  • Sex
  • Age
  • Country of origin
• Target: To be completed by the applicant
• Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
  • Did you volunteer your time during your exchange?
    • • Yes
    • • No
    • • My program did not offer the opportunity to volunteer
• When to Collect: Post-Program

E2.0.04: Number of hours that foreign participants spend volunteering in their host communities

• Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
• Volunteer - To offer one’s time or services to an organization or community effort for free. Volunteering does not include time spent working as part of a professional placement.
• Host community - See Definitions of Key Terms
• Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in a reporting year following their program completion.
• Calculations:
  • Participants will complete a survey question that will request the number of hours of time spent volunteering during their exchange program.
  • The total number of hours for all participants should be reported.
• Disagg.:
  • Sex
  • Age
  • Country of origin
• Target: To be completed by the applicant
• Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
  • How many hours did you spend volunteering during your exchange program? (Please note that volunteer hours do not include time spent working as part of your professional placement.)
  • Fill in the blank: __________
  • [validate as numeric]
• When to Collect: Post-Program

ECA Sub-Objective 2.2: Foster participants’ belief that civic engagement benefits communities/countries

• E2.2.01: Percent of participants who have more confidence in their ability to have an impact in their home country (core indicator)
  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Home community - The community that the program participant originates from and will return to at the conclusion of the program.
  • Home country - The country in which the program participant resides prior to their program participation.
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculation:
    • To determine the percent value, numerator is number of respondents that responded “more confident” to the statement about their ability to make a difference in the ‘community where I live’ and/or ‘country where I live’ while the denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
    • Home state
    • Race
    • Participant type: American, foreign, reciprocal
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • As a result of your program participation, how has your confidence in each of the following changed?
      • I have the ability to make a difference in the community where I live
      • I have the ability to make a difference in the country where I live
      • I have the ability to make a difference in the global community
    • [Scale: I am less confident; No change in confidence, I am more confident]
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

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ECA Objective 3: Strengthen engagement among participants, alumni, beneficiaries, and institutions

• E3.0.02: Percent of foreign participants who report increasing their network of Americans (core indicator)

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Network - An interconnected or interrelated group or system. In the context of MODE, this refers to an interconnected or interrelated group intentionally convened, sustained, or otherwise facilitated through ECA programming.
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations:
    • To determine the percent value, numerator is number of respondents who reply “yes” to the first question item while the denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • Are you still in contact with any Americans you met during your program?
      • • Yes
      • • No
    • If YES:
      • Are the contacts you maintain with Americans personal, professional, or both?
        • Personal
        • Professional
        • Both personal and professional
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

• E3.0.04: Percent of foreign participants who report increasing their network of third country nationals

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Network- An interconnected or interrelated group or system intentionally convened, sustained, or otherwise facilitated through ECA programming.
  • Third-country national - A third country stakeholder is defined as a person or institution who does not have the same nationality and is not from the country in which the exchange took place or from the country of a participant of the exchange.
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations:
    • To determine the percent value, numerator is number of respondents who reply “yes” to the first question item while the denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • Are you still in contact with any individual not from the U.S. and not from your own country that you met during your program?
      • •Yes
      • •No
    • If YES:
      • Are the contacts you maintain with these individuals personal, professional, or both?
        • •Personal
        • •Professional
        • •Both personal and professional
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

• E3.0.07: Percent of participants who identify as a Department of State program participant (core indicator)

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations:
    • To calculate percentage, numerator will be number of participants who answered “yes” in response to the survey question. The denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
    • Home state
    • Race
    • Participant type: American, foreign, reciprocal
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • Do you consider yourself a participant of a U.S. Department of State program?
      • • Yes
      • • No
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

ECA Sub-Objective 3.1: Alumni subscribe to platforms for resources and information-sharing

• E3.1.02: Percent of participants who learned about new resources

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Resource – Information that is new and potentially useful to the participant. Can include information guidance that is either personal or professional. Does not include persons. Can be information provided during any portion of the program process (pre-program, during the program, or immediately post-program – such as a Congress or concluding event).
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations:
    • To calculate percentage, numerator will be number of respondents who select at least one of the survey question response options EXCEPT “None of the above” to the first question, while the denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
    • Home state
    • Race
    • Participant type: American, foreign, reciprocal
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • Through your program experience, did you learn about any of the following Department of State-managed resources? Select all that apply.
      • Small grants applications from the U.S. Government [Carry forward selection to next question]
      • Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) applications [Carry forward selection to next question]
      • Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund applications [ask of American alumni only] [Carry forward selection to next question]
      • Project Development toolkits [Carry forward selection to next question]
      • Supplies or equipment [Carry forward selection to next question]
      • Information on workshops/events hosted by the U.S. Embassy in your home country [ask of Foreign Alumni only] [Carry forward selection to next question]
      • Embassy network of experts and leaders [ask of Foreign Alumni only] [Carry forward selection to next question]
      • American Spaces (either American Centers, American Corners, or Bi-National Centers) [ask of Foreign Alumni only] [Carry forward selection to next question]
      • Career Connections [ask of American alumni only] [Carry forward selection to next question]
      • None
    • For each category the respondent selects, ask:
      • Was this the first time you heard about this resource?
        • • Yes
        • • No
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

• E3.1.05: Percent of participants who are connected to ECA through a U.S. Department of State-managed platform

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Digital platform - A digital place, opportunity, or event for public discussion or interpersonal engagement intentionally convened, sustained, or otherwise facilitated through ECA programming.
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations:
    • To calculate percentage, numerator will be number of respondents who select “yes” to at least one of the survey question response options while the denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
    • Home state
    • Race
    • Participant type: American, foreign, reciprocal
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • Are you connected with the Department of State International Exchange Alumni Network on the following digital platforms?
      • Registered on the alumni.state.gov website (https://alumni.state.gov)
      • Follow @Exchangealumni on Twitter,
      • Connected with Alumni Affairs on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alumni-affairs-9b871b103)
    • [Scale: Yes/No/I don’t know]
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

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ECA Objective 4: Strengthen personal, professional, and technical abilities and aptitudes of participants and beneficiaries

• E4.0.01: Percent of participants reporting increases in their job skills as a result of their program participation

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations:
    • To determine the percent value, numerator is number of respondents who reply “yes” while the denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
    • Home state
    • Race
    • Participant type: American, foreign, reciprocal
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported)
  • [NOTE: This question is also included in Indicators E4.0.03 and E4.0.05. If these are to be included in a survey, this question can be asked once, with up to two follow-up questions based on an affirmative response.]
    • Did you increase your personal and/or professional skills as a result of your participation in this program?
      • • Yes
      • • No
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

• E4.0.03: Percent of participants reporting an increase in soft skills as a result of their program participation

  • Soft skills - Qualities and behaviors an individual demonstrates to interact with others effectively. Examples include communication, listening, self-awareness, awareness of others, self-initiative, cognitive competence skills, self-confidence, resourcefulness/resilience, and decision-making and problem-solving skills.
  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Counting Frequency: Each participant should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations:
    • To determine the percent value, numerator is number of respondents who select at least one answer option except for “none of the above skills” in the second question while the denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
    • Home state
    • Race
    • Participant type: American, foreign, reciprocal
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported)
  • NOTE: Question 1 is also included in Indicator 4.0.01 and 4.0.05. If at least two of those questions are to be included in a survey, question 1 can be asked once, with up to two follow-up questions based on an affirmative response.
    • Did you increase your personal and/or professional skills as a result of your participation in this program?
      • • Yes
      • • No
    • If YES:
      • Please select the personal skills you increased. Select all that apply.
        • Leadership skills
        • Communication skills
        • Listening skills
        • Self-awareness
        • Self-initiative
        • Self-confidence
        • Resourcefulness
        • Decision-making skills
        • Problem-solving skills
        • Other: ______ [write-in]
        • None of the above skills
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

• E4.0.05: Percent of participants who report an increase in technical skills as a result of their program participation

  • Technical skills - Knowledge and ability to perform specific tasks. Examples of technical skills include project management, entrepreneurship, journalism, teaching instruction, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) competence.
  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations:
    • To determine the percent value, numerator is number of respondents who select at least one answer option EXCEPT for “none of the above skills” in the second question while the denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
    • Home state
    • Race
    • Participant type: American, foreign, reciprocal
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
  • NOTE: Question 1 is also included in Indicator 4.0.01 and 4.0.03. If at least two of these questions are to be included in a survey, question 1 can be asked once, with up to two follow-up questions based on an affirmative response.
    • Did you increase your personal and/or professional skills as a result of your participation in this program?
      • • Yes
      • • No
    • If YES:
      • Please select the professional skills you increased. Select all that apply.
        • Project management skills
        • Business management skills
        • Entrepreneurship skills
        • Journalism skills
        • Teaching skills
        • Science competence
        • Technology competence
        • Engineering competence
        • Mathematics competence
        • Other: ______ [write-in]
        • None of the above skills
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

• E4.0.09: Percent of participants reporting an increase in language skills as a result of their program participation

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations:
    • To determine the percent value, numerator is number of respondents who answered yes in question 1, while the denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
    • Home state
    • Race
    • Participant type: American, foreign, reciprocal
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported)
    • 1. Did you improve your language skills in a foreign language as a result of the program?
      • • Yes
      • • No
    • If YES to question 1, ask questions 2 and 3:
    • 2. Which of the following best described your ability to speak in that foreign language before your participation in the program?
      • No ability at all
      • Able to communicate only in a very limited capacity
      • Able to satisfy basic survival needs and minimum courtesy requirements
      • Able to satisfy routine social demands and limited work requirements
      • Able to speak with sufficient grammatical accuracy and vocabulary to discuss relevant professional areas
      • Able to speak fluently and accurately in all situations
      • Proficiency equivalent to that of a native speaker
    • [Use display logic to show those choices with abilities greater than the selection in question 2.]
    • 3. Which of the following best describes your ability to speak in that foreign language after the program?
      • Able to communicate only in a very limited capacity
      • Able to satisfy basic survival needs and minimum courtesy requirements
      • Able to satisfy routine social demands and limited work requirements
      • Able to speak with sufficient grammatical accuracy and vocabulary to discuss relevant professional areas
      • Able to speak fluently and accurately in all situations
      • Proficiency equivalent to that of a native speaker
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

• E4.0.14: Percent of participants reporting new digital skills/competencies gained from virtual exchange (VE) programming

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Digital skill/competencies – Digital skills are defined as a range of abilities to use digital devices, communication applications, and networks to access and manage information, and to participate in a virtual program. Skills include: knowledge about various low and high-tech technologies (such as the internet, digital video, software programs, etc.), knowledge of how various technologies can be used to communicate with others, knowledge required by teachers for integrating technology into their classrooms, and/or creating content for various technologies.
  • Virtual Exchange - See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Virtual Elements - See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations: To determine the percent value, numerator is number of respondents who respond “yes” to the question, while the denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
    • Home state
    • Race
    • Participant type: American, foreign, reciprocal
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported)
    • As a result of your participation in the program, did you gain new digital skills/competencies?
      • • Yes
      • • No
  • When to Collect: Post-Program
  • This indicator counts participants involved in virtual exchange programs (see definition above) and WILL NOT count participants ONLY engaging with virtual program elements.

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ECA Sub-Objective 4.1: Participants engage in language, academic, professional, and cultural programs

• E4.1.01: Total number of participants (core indicator)

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Counting Frequency: Each participant should only be counted once per semi-annual reporting cycle following their program completion.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
    • Home state
    • Race
    • Participant type: American, foreign, reciprocal
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Administrative data from award recipients - not collected from the participant surveys
  • When to Collect: Annually

• E4.1.02: Total number of program cohorts (core indicator)

  • Program cohort - A group of participants hosted separately under a program umbrella and following a set course of activities and/or study. For instance:
    • IVLP is a program – each individual IVLP project conducted in a year would be considered a separate cohort.
    • PFP is a program – the two groups of participants PFP brings to the US each year are each considered separate cohorts.
    • Arts Envoy is a program- each group of artists that travels is considered a separate cohort. A band or group of musicians would be considered a cohort but each individual should be counted separately as a participant.
  • Counting Frequency: Each cohort should only be counted once per semi-annual reporting cycle following its completion.
  • Disagg.:
    • Cohort type: inbound, outbound, virtual
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Administrative data from award recipients - not collected from the participant surveys
  • When to Collect: Annually

• E4.1.03: Number of ECA-supported international scholarships provided

  • Scholarships - Monetary assistance provided by ECA for students and/or professionals to attend college or university abroad.
  • Counting Frequency: All scholarships should be counted even if more than one scholarship goes to the same individual. Scholarships should be counted once per semi-annual reporting cycle during which they were awarded.
  • Disagg.:
    • Amount: $0-5000; $5001- $10,000; $10,001+
    • Participant type: American, foreign
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Administrative data from award recipients - not collected from the participant surveys
  • When to Collect: Semi-Annually

• E4.1.04: Number of professional placements

  • Professional placement - A position placement a participant holds during their exchange program with a host institution for the purpose of professional development. These are most commonly internships, but can also include job shadowing, mentoring or a professional project as well.
  • Host institution - An institution that provides support to or benefits from the participation of program participants. Benefits to this group most often occur through interaction with the participants and/or alumni during or after the program.
  • Professional development - The act of learning and/or improving skills in order to better meet professional goals. Professional development activities can include formal coursework, attending conferences, and informal learning opportunities situated in practice; i.e. informal peer-to-peer interaction and learning, or opportunities through knowledge sharing.
  • Counting Frequency: Each placement should only be counted once the placement has been completed and only once per semi-annual reporting cycle. If a participant holds more than one placement during their exchange program, each placement should be counted.
  • Disagg.:
    • Host type: family, business/professional organization, academic institution, government agency
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Administrative data from award recipients - not collected from the participant surveys
  • When to Collect: Semi-Annually

• E4.1.05: Number of participants in programs with a media literacy component

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Media literacy component- An educational portion of a program that focuses on the ability to identify different types of media and the messages they are sending. It includes activities such as a training, a talk or seminar on media literacy or how to teach media literacy, training for journalism, connecting participants with media experts or providing resources for media literacy.
  • Counting Frequency: Each participant should only be counted once per semi-annual reporting cycle following their program completion.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
    • Home state
    • Race
    • Participant type: American, foreign, reciprocal
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Administrative data from award recipients - not collected from the participant surveys
  • When to Collect: Semi-Annually

• E4.1.06: Number of participants in programs with formal, dedicated language learning activities

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Counting Frequency: Each participant should only be counted once per semi-annual reporting cycle following their program completion
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
    • Home state
    • Race
    • Participant type: American, foreign, reciprocal
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Administrative data from award recipients - not collected from the participant surveys
  • When to Collect: Semi-Annually

• E4.1.07: Number of instruction methodology trainings

  • Training - An organized activity that is designed and implemented to build capacity and has specific learning objectives – expected knowledge, skills and/or competencies to be gained by participants. Trainings of any length with this purpose should be counted. Building trainings implemented capacity means that recipients of training gain increased knowledge, skills, and/or competencies.
  • This indicator specifically measures “instruction methodology” related trainings.
  • Instruction methodology trainings – Those trainings related to furthering skills in teaching.
  • Counting Frequency: Each training should only be counted once per semi-annual reporting cycle.
  • Disagg.: N/A
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Administrative data from award recipients - not collected from the participant surveys
  • When to Collect: Semi-Annually

• E4.1.08: Number of language teaching fellows enrolled

  • Fellowship - A program that allows students and recent graduates to work with an institution on a specific project to be completed during a set period of time. Fellowships are explicitly designed to produce academic research and/or increase professional development of the fellow.
  • Language teaching fellow - Through the English Language Fellow (EL Fellow) and Virtual Educator Programs, highly qualified U.S. educators in the field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) participate in 10-month-long fellowships at academic institutions throughout the world.
  • Counting Frequency: The number of fellows enrolled in the current reporting year should be counted. Fellows are considered enrolled if they have started their program. Fellows should only be counted once per semi-annual reporting cycle even if they participate in multiple fellowships concurrently.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Home state
    • Race
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Administrative data from award recipients - not collected from the participant surveys
  • When to Collect: Semi-Annually

• E4.1.11: Number of American reciprocal exchange participants

  • Reciprocal Exchange Participant - An American who travels to an exchange participant’s home country to assist the participant with their individual project.
  • Counting Frequency: Each participant should only be counted once per semi-annual reporting cycle following their program completion
  • Disagg.:
    • Race by the applicant
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Administrative data from award recipients - not collected from the participant surveys
  • When to Collect: Annually

• E4.1.13: Number of fellows completing language teaching fellowships

  • Fellowship - A fellowship is a program that allows students and recent graduates to work with an institution on a specific project to be completed during the fellowship period. Fellowships are explicitly designed to produce academic research and/or increase professional development of the fellow.
  • Language teaching fellow - Through the English Language Fellow (EL Fellow) and Virtual Educator Programs, highly qualified U.S. educators in the field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) participate in 10-month-long fellowships at academic institutions throughout the world.
  • Counting Frequency: The number of fellows enrolled in the current reporting year should be counted. Fellows should only be counted once per semi-annual reporting cycle even if they participate in multiple fellowships concurrently
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Home state
    • Race
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Administrative data from award recipients - not collected from the participant surveys
  • When to Collect: Semi-Annually

• E4.1.14: Number of virtual exchange (VE) programs

  • Virtual Exchange - See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Program - The overarching umbrella under which all activities take place. Or alternatively, it is the official name that is listed in ACPD’s comprehensive annual report on public diplomacy and international broadcasting
  • Disagg.: N/A
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Administrative data from award recipients - not collected from the participant surveys
  • When to Collect: Annually

• E4.1.15: Number of participants in virtual exchange (VE) programs

  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Virtual Exchange - See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Virtual elements - See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations: This indicator counts participants involved in virtual exchange programs (see definition above) and WILL NOT count participants engaging with virtual program elements. Each participant should only be counted once per semi-annual reporting cycle following their program completion
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
    • Home state
    • Race
    • Participant type: American, foreign, reciprocal
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Administrative data from award recipients - not collected from the participant surveys
  • When to Collect: Annually

• E4.1.16: Number of audience members attending cultural events

  • Audience member - A person who attends an event and is not a program participant.
  • Cultural events - Can include events such as concerts or movie screenings; these can be hosted in the United States or abroad but must be done in conjunction with an ECA program.
  • Counting Frequency: Audience members should be counted following each event.
  • Disagg.: N/A
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Administrative data from award recipients - not collected from the participant surveys
  • When to Collect: Following each event

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ECA Sub-Objective 4.2: Increase ability of participants to recognize and counter disinformation

• E4.2.01: Percent of participants that report increased ability to counter disinformation
  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Disinformation - False or misleading information that is spread deliberately to deceive. Disinformation can include authentic information or true facts that are used in the wrong context to make false connections, or it can be outright false information or propaganda.
  • Counting Frequency: Each respondent should only be counted once in the reporting year following their program completion.
  • Calculations:
    • To determine the percent value, numerator is number of respondents that replied “Increased” for at least one question item while the denominator will be the total number of question respondents. Divide the numerator by the denominator and then multiply by 100 for the percent value.
  • Disagg.:
    • Sex
    • Age
    • Country of origin
    • Home state
    • Race
    • Participant type: American, foreign, reciprocal
  • Target: To be completed by the applicant
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey (self-reported data)
    • How would you rate your ability to do each of the following now compared to before program participation? For each, please indicate if your ability increased, stayed the same, or decreased.
      • Validate information I see in the media
      • Identify accurate information
      • Think critically about information I see online
      • Evaluate everyday information I receive from multiple sources
      • Identify false information
    • [Scale: Decreased, Stayed the same, Increased]
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

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ECA Objective 8: Enhance the quality and effectiveness of ECA programs by leveraging the Bureau’s resources, policy, and stakeholder relationships

• E8.0.03: Response rate for participant surveys (core indicator)
  • Participant or Exchange Visitor – See Definitions of Key Terms
  • Counting Frequency:
    • Response rates will be calculated and reported semi-annually on surveys that closed (i.e. ceased allowing respondents to respond) in that six-month period, even if the survey opened in the previous six-month period. This may be a single survey or an aggregation, if more than one survey closed in that six-month period. Each survey invitation should be counted once, and each response (if received) should be counted once.
  • Calculations:
    • The response rate will be calculated by dividing the number of survey responses received by the number of survey invitations issued (sent by email or directly invited in some other way).
    • Note that “survey responses” will include cases in which any portion of a survey was returned (at least one piece of response data provided). It will not include cases where respondents opened the survey and opted out by selecting the option not to continue on the opening consent screen.
  • Disagg.: N/A
  • Target: 60%
  • Data Source and Required Survey Question: Survey Records
  • When to Collect: Post-Program

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U.S. Department of State — Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) — FY 2026 Sports Diplomacy On Demand Program

Funding Opportunity Number: DFOP0017999
Application Deadline: May 26, 2026

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A. Basic Information

1. Overview

• Funding Opportunity Title: FY 2026 Sports Diplomacy On Demand Program
• Funding Opportunity Number: DFOP0017999
• Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement
• Deadline for Applications: May 26, 2026 11:59pm Eastern (Washington DC time)
• Assistance Listing Number: 19.415
• Length of Performance Period: 24 to 36 months

Number of Awards / Funding

• Number of Awards Anticipated: One award
• Award Amount: Approximately $2,000,000
• Total Available Funding: $2,000,000, pending availability of funds
• Type of Funding: FY26 Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs (ECE) Funds
• Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement
• Anticipated Award Date: September 15, 2026

This notice is subject to availability of funding. Issuance of the NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the Government.

ECA reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of the program and the availability of funds.

Pending satisfactory implementation of this program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is ECA's intent to renew this award for two additional, consecutive fiscal years, before openly competing it again.

2. Executive Summary

The Office of Sports Diplomacy, in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), announces an open competition for the FY 2026 Sports Diplomacy On Demand Program. U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to manage short-term sports exchange projects designed to support key sporting and cultural priorities of the Administration.

Sports Diplomacy On Demand (SD On Demand) is a new, flexible program that will allow the Department of State to quickly respond to Administration’s foreign policy priorities in sports. SD On Demand projects are designed for rapid implementation, enabling swift responses to emerging policies, geopolitical opportunities, and pressing foreign policy needs. The SD On Demand Program will advance U.S. foreign policy through sports-focused programs that leverage the Decade of Sport in America, solidifying the FIFA World Cup 2026 legacy, building momentum toward the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, and beyond.

The recipient will implement a series of customized, short-term sports-based exchange projects for a variety of individuals that may include high-profile athletes, leaders in sports federations and ministries abroad, or non-elite athletes, coaches, and sports administrators. The program expects to support approximately 40 exchange projects for 120-140 participants, including approximately 40-50 foreign participants and 80-90 from the United States.

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B. Eligibility

1. Eligible Applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• U.S. Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
• U.S. Not-for-profit public and private educational institutions

Please see the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) for additional information.

2. Cost Sharing

There is no minimum or maximum percentage of cost sharing required for this program.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements

a. All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.gov. Please see Section E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines for more information.

b. ECA’s Grant Guidelines require that organizations demonstrate at least four years of experience in conducting international exchanges to be eligible for awards exceeding $130,000 in ECA funding. As noted in Section A. Basic Information, ECA anticipates issuing one award, for approximately $2,000,000. Therefore, organizations must demonstrate four years of experience in conducting international exchanges in your proposal to be eligible to apply under this competition.

c. All proposals must comply with the requirements stated in the NOFO and the PSI; not doing so may result in your proposal being declared technically ineligible and given no further consideration in the review process.

d. All proposals must contain a SF-424, executive summary, proposal narrative, budget (SF-424A), detailed line-item budget, and budget narrative.

e. Only one proposal will be considered by ECA from each applicant organization. In cases where more than one submission from an applicant appears in grants.gov, ECA will only consider the submission made closest in time to the NOFO deadline; that submission would constitute the one and only proposal ECA would review from that applicant.

Please note: Applicant organizations are defined by their legal name, and EIN number as stated on their completed SF-424 and additional supporting documentation outlined in the PSI document.

f. Applicants who are current recipients of awards directly from ECA should make sure the application discusses one or more award that will be open with ECA at the start of the anticipated period of performance for this NOFO. Applicants who do not have current awards directly with ECA, please review the information in the PSI, section D, with additional information that must be provided in your application for it to be eligible.

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C. Program Description

1. Authority

Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of the Act is "to enable the Government of the United States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries...; to strengthen the ties which unite us with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United States and other nations...and thus to assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States and the other countries of the world."

The funding authority for the program above is provided through legislation

2. Purpose

Sports diplomacy enhances cross-cultural understanding and opens new avenues of dialogue and collaboration between individuals and nations. Sports-based exchanges can lay the foundation of trust needed to build a more stable, secure, and prosperous world. Sports provide a platform to create opportunities for people to realize their potential to contribute fully to society. Sport is a universal language, transcending differences and is a low-cost, high-impact tool that has the power to teach important life skills such as leadership, teamwork, resilience, and communication. Sport is a diplomatic tool in hard-to-reach places and audiences. SD On Demand will use sports to advance the Administration’s foreign policy goals and America First priorities on and off the field.

SD On Demand exchanges allow for a rapid response, flexible project design that seeks to build self-sustaining global, regional, and country-based networks of sport practitioners.

In submitting a proposal to implement SD On Demand, the applicant should clearly demonstrate their understanding of, and commitment to, the following guiding principles:

a. Flexible, rapid response program design, administration, implementation, and assessment that utilizes sport-based exchanges as a tool to advance U.S. foreign policy;
b. High-quality media and communication strategy that leverages the narrative power of sports to promote exchanges;
c. Leadership, expertise, and strong networks with U.S.-based and international sport, sport for development, and exchange organizations;
d. Original and flexible program design that is balanced with consistently high-quality implementation; and
e. Cost-efficient program that maximizes participant numbers.

In addition to these guiding principles, the recipient will conduct programming that supports U.S. foreign policy priorities surrounding Freedom 250, the legacy of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, and the lead up to the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

3. Program Specific Guidelines

Throughout the FY 2026 cooperative agreement, the award recipient will implement approximately 40 SD On Demand projects (inbound and outbounds) covering a wide range of sport topics aligned with Administration foreign policy priorities.

The cooperative agreement will support approximately 40-50 non-elite athletes, coaches and sports administrators, and leaders in sports federations and ministries abroad from all six geographic regions (East Asia and the Pacific; Europe and Eurasia; Near East and North Africa; South and Central Asia; Sub-Saharan Africa; and Western Hemisphere) and approximately 80-90 American athletes and coaches.

ECA, in consultation with other Department offices and regional bureaus, will select the specific theme and sport of each exchange. Projects may include the following sports: flag football, mixed martial arts (MMA), tennis, and golf; or showcase sports that have an origin in the United States to highlight Freedom 250 (e.g., American football, baseball, modern MMA, skateboarding, softball, and volleyball). The goals and objectives for each specific SD On Demand project will be shared with the award recipient as projects are assigned.

Foreign participants will travel to the United States for approximately two to three-week sports-based exchange programs that may include activities such as professional meetings, workshops, conferences, mentorships, and sports clinics. U.S. athletes and coaches will travel overseas for one-week programs to engage with non-elite youth athletes, local coaches, and influential community leaders. U.S. athletes and coaches may also lead sports clinics, facilitate team-building activities, participate in media engagements, and meet with key contacts to advance U.S. foreign policy objectives and promote American leadership and excellence in sport.

ECA and other offices within the U.S. Department of State will develop and approve each SD On Demand project. Multiple projects may run concurrently, and the award recipient must demonstrate capacity to manage several projects in different stages at once.

• Projects are sets of sports-based exchanges focused on specific, urgent, or emerging U.S. foreign policy priorities.
• Participants: Participants are those who travel under federal award funding from their home country to the project location. Foreign participants should be chosen through a merit-based, competitive process. Participants may also be recommended by participating U.S. missions. Unless otherwise requested, participants should be emerging sport leaders and sports professionals, with experience and current employment relevant to the project. All participants should be proficient in written and spoken English, have demonstrated leadership ability, and show professional commitment to the project’s goals.
• U.S. participants: U.S. participants should be athletes, coaches, and sports professionals with expertise in the project’s theme and sport. They should have significant engagement with foreign participants during the U.S. exchange program.
• Organizational Capacity: Applicant organizations must show they can conduct international professional exchanges, support different types of exchange activities and topics, and provide leadership training for non-elites youth and rising professionals. Proposals should show the organization’s experience working in challenging environments, including in countries where the organization has not worked before, setting up tailored work placements, and adapting programs as needed. Proposals should clearly explain how the organization will staff and manage multiple SD Demand projects concurrently.
• Partner Organizations: Applicants should list programs, businesses, institutions, and individuals they would work with to implement projects and describe any past collaborations. Proposals may include a sample project theme and objective and suggest potential organizations or individuals who could serve as facilitators or interlocutors during the sample project. Proposals must show the ability to develop strong, relevant programming in the United States. Since activities may take place in countries where the organization does not have a presence, proposals should show how they will find and work with local or regional partners quickly. Proposals should include a participant recruitment plan and list foreign partner organizations that have helped recruit participants for other programs.
• Projected Timeline: The exact dates for each exchange project will be set after ECA approves the project. Proposals should include a sample timeline, calendar, and outline for a hypothetical sports project.

4. Recipient Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the recipient organization are as follows:

a. Project Design: After ECA approves a project, the award recipient will design project activities and submit a detailed outline to ECA’s Office of Sports Diplomacy. Each project will be unique and may require a different approach.
Projects should be flexible, collaborative, and may include one segment in the United States and one segment abroad, as appropriate.

b. Recruitment and Selection: The award recipient will work with State Department offices and, if needed, local partners to recruit and select qualified participants. The process should include:
a. A targeted recruitment campaign that supports a merit-based competition and meets project goals.
b. A secure online application system.
c. A transparent review process, developed with ECA, involving State Department input and final ECA approval of participants.
d. English-language interviews for semi-finalists, as appropriate.

c. Promotional Materials: The award recipient will create promotional materials for the SD On Demand program and individual projects. ECA will approve all materials.

d. Orientation: The award recipient will provide pre-departure and/or arrival orientations, either in person or virtually, for all participants. Orientations should cover:
a. Travel and lodging details, including J-1 visa rules
b. Project goals and expectations
c. Program schedule and host community information
d. Cross-cultural guidance

e. Visa Support: The award recipient will prepare and issue DS-2019 forms for J-1 visas and assist with the visa process for both foreign and U.S. participants, working with U.S. embassies and consulates as needed.

f. Logistics: The award recipient will arrange all travel, transportation, accommodations, and meals, following federal regulations and the Fly America Act.

g. Health Benefits: The award recipient will enroll all participants in ECA’s Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) and provide health ID cards.

h. Participant Monitoring: The award recipient will monitor participant safety and well-being, maintain effective communication, and resolve issues promptly. Proposals should show how staffing will support participant safety and well-being.

i. Program Closing: The award recipient will hold a closing session at the end of each project.

j. Data Collection and Reporting: The award recipient will track all projects and participants, including budgets and participant numbers by country. This data will be included in regular reports to ECA and provided upon request. The award recipient must securely maintain all personal information.

5. Goals and Objectives

SD On Demand is designed to achieve the following goals:

1. Provide targeted support for urgent or emerging U.S. foreign policy priorities when existing sports diplomacy resources are not available;
2. Showcase American excellence and leadership in sports;
3. Facilitate meaningful sports experiences between American athletes and international communities;
4. Foster dialogue with government leaders and other contacts that may be difficult to reach with traditional diplomacy; and
5. Promote investment in the U.S. sports economy.

6. Program Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

Distinct from grants or cooperative agreement monitoring and participant monitoring, performance monitoring is designed to assess progress against a program’s goals and objectives. A performance monitoring framework is vital to tracking the direction, pace, and magnitude of change that result from ECA programs.

ECA created the Monitoring Data for ECA (MODE) Framework to measure the performance of ECA programs. The MODE Framework provides standard indicators and corresponding survey questions to ensure consistent measures across all ECA programs. More resources and guidance documents on the MODE Framework are available online at: https://www.state.gov/eca-monitoring-evaluation-learning-and-innovation-meli-unit/.

The proposal must include the MODE Framework objectives and indicators listed below (note that, because not all MODE objectives and indicators are relevant for a program, the numbering below will not be sequential). In addition to the ECA-required objectives and indicators, applicants may also select additional MODE Framework indicators (see the Indicator Book on the MODE Framework website), or design custom objectives and indicators that are specific to the proposed program and this proposal.

• Demographic Questions as outlined in the Indicator Book on page v and Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) (See the MODE Resource Guide - https://app.box.com/s/qjo8icwj46tc8h1i1qtg80zl7ibwgtua – found on our website https://www.state.gov/eca-monitoring-evaluation-learning-and-innovation-meli-unit/)
• Objective 1: Advance participant and beneficiary cross-cultural competence and global perspective
  • Sub-Objective 1.1: Promote cultural exchanges and enhance understanding between participants and their host communities
    • E1.1.01: Percent of participants reporting that their program experience offered opportunities to engage with other cultures
    • E1.1.04: Percent of foreign participants with more favorable opinions of the United States Government (core indicator)
    • E1.1.09: Percent of participants who traveled abroad for the first time because of their program (core indicator)
    • E1.1.10: Percent of foreign participants who traveled to the United States for the first time during their program (core indicator)
    • E1.1.11: Percent of American participants indicating a change in their understanding of their host country's culture and values
    • E1.1.13: Percent of foreign participants who are more likely to recommend the United States as a good place to study
    • E1.1.17: Percent of foreign participants with more favorable opinions of the American people (core indicator)
    • E1.1.18: Percent of foreign participants indicating an increase in understanding of United States culture and values (core indicator)
    • E1.1.19: Percent of foreign participants agreeing with statements in support of democratic values (core indicator)
• Objective 2: Increase the impact that participants and alumni have on their communities / countries
  • E2.0.01: Percent of foreign participants that volunteer in their host communities
  • E2.0.04: Number of hours that foreign participants spend volunteering in their host communities
  • Sub-Objective 2.2: Foster participants’ belief that civic engagement benefits communities/countries
    • E2.2.01: Percent of participants who have more confidence in their ability to have an impact in their home country (core indicator)
• Objective 3: Strengthen engagement among participants, alumni, beneficiaries, and institutions
  • E3.0.02: Percent of foreign participants who report increasing their network of Americans (core indicator)
  • E3.0.07: Percent of participants who identify as a Department of State program participant (core indicator)
• Objective 4: Strengthen personal, professional, and technical abilities and aptitudes of participants and beneficiaries
  • E4.0.01: Percent of participants reporting increases in their job skills as a result of their program participation
  • E4.0.03: Percent of participants reporting an increase in soft skills as a result of their program participation
  • E4.0.05: Percent of participants who report an increase in technical skills as a result of their program participation
  • E4.0.09: Percent of participants reporting an increase in language skills as a result of their program participation
  • Sub-Objective 4.1: Participants engage in language, academic, professional, and cultural exchange programs
    • E4.1.01: Total number of participants (core indicator)
    • E4.1.02: Total number of program cohorts (core indicator)
    • E4.1.04: Number of professional placements
    • E4.1.11: Number of American reciprocal exchange participants
    • E4.1.16: Number of audience members attending cultural events
• Objective 8: Enhance the quality and effectiveness of ECA programs by leveraging the Bureau’s resources, policy, and stakeholder relationships
  • E8.0.03: Response rate for participant surveys (core indicator)

Performance Monitoring Plans (PMPs)

ECA recommends the use of a PMP to serve as the primary reference document for performance monitoring for this award. If used, the PMP is an important part of any proposal, as it outlines how the applicant plans to track progress towards the proposed program’s goals and objectives through indicators and corresponding data collection questions. A PMP document that includes all MODE Framework indicators is a part of this solicitation’s attachments. Specific instructions on how to modify the PMP to be responsive to this solicitation are included in that document; there is also a support video available for more information on how to fill out the PMP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBHC1oLNZvI. While ECA recommends the applicant use the PMP format provided, this is not a requirement. If a PMP is not included in the proposal, applicants should provide similar information to that found in the suggested PMP format, in a presentation of your choice. Successful PMPs (or similar documentation) should include the following:

• Objectives. Programmatic objectives are statements of the condition(s) that state what the program is designed to achieve. Objectives are therefore bound by the resources and timeframe of the program and must be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound (SMART). In addition to those outlined above, the applicant may propose other program objectives from the MODE Framework or other applicant-designed program-specific objectives.
• Indicators. Performance indicators are measures used to gauge progress toward programmatic objectives and sub-objectives. Indicators should be as specific as possible (following the SMART principles) and include any proposed disaggregations (meaning, breakdowns of the data by subgroups; the PMP lists the demographic questions required to obtain the information necessary to report the disaggregations). Each indicator should also include a target number to be achieved. A target is a planned level of result to be achieved within an explicit timeframe.
• If you do not use the PMP format provided, note that any performance monitoring reference document the applicant submits should include the information in the column headers (Indicator Name, Definition, Target, Survey Question, etc.) in the PMP attachment at a minimum.
• In addition to those indicators outlined in above, the applicant may propose additional custom, program-specific indicators in the PMP (ECA recommends the proposed PMPs include a minimum of one indicator for each custom programmatic objective).
• During the period of performance of the award, the ECA program office may further revise, add, or remove indicators. Therefore, the applicant’s PMP and data collection instruments should be flexible enough to incorporate those once established.

Award recipients are responsible for collecting indicator data only on participant outcomes during the period of performance of the award itself (see the PMP for guidelines as to when these data collection efforts should occur). ECA will measure outcomes of ECA participants at one, three, five, and 10 years after the exchange has ended to capture the long-term outcomes of ECA programming unless otherwise specified in the solicitation. In this instance, the recipient will be responsible for coordinating with ECA on any alumni surveys to de-duplicate questions and minimize potential survey fatigue.

Regardless of the survey platform used, all MODE Framework survey questions outlined above are required (i.e., should be forced response); please see the Consent Language in the MODE Framework Indicator Book for more information on how to convey this to participants/survey respondents.

Program Performance M&E Narrative
Proposals should include information within the program narrative section(s) that outlines how the applicant intends to measure the indicators listed above. This will be separate from the PMP and should include but not be limited to:

• An overview of resources available to the applicant that outline the team structure and responsibilities surrounding performance monitoring.
• The mechanism(s) through which surveys and other data collection tools (if applicable) will be administered, including which platform will be used, and when and how surveys will be advertised to participants – detailing strategies to ensure adequate survey response rates (https://app.box.com/s/pn6tavyg7sh064i502fzap49ox63y38a), and to reduce selection and non-response bias.
• A brief explanation of data analysis and reporting procedures.
• An overview of a proposed learning plan and feedback loops to ensure that the Grant Officer (GO)/Grant Officer Representative (GOR) are informed on performance monitoring issues at regular intervals.

Nonmandatory Use of the Qualtrics MODE Survey Builder Data Collection System

ECA has created a guided tool (the MODE Survey Builder) within the Qualtrics survey platform for ECA implementing partners to generate surveys to facilitate the seamless collection and reporting of MODE Framework data. The MODE Survey Builder offers implementing partners a guided workflow that will generate a ready-to-send MODE survey, allows the addition of custom survey questions, and offers a standard report template for a quick overview of survey results that can be submitted in MyGrants (see section below) to fulfill RPM Reporting Requirements. Use of the Qualtrics survey platform can be utilized at no cost to implementing partners. Additional information about the MODE Survey Builder can be found here: https://app.box.com/s/jjr98hmx6deorxj3lwgaxjrwdfec2r91 and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jus4fRqOTcM. You can propose use of an alternate survey tool or use the MODE Survey Builder, but if you are utilizing the MODE Survey Builder, you must indicate such in your proposal.

MyGrants RPM Reporting Requirements

MyGrants is a database solution that serves as the official system of record for all U.S. Department of State and ECA awards. The Results Performance Monitoring (RPM) module within MyGrants is an extension module that enables users to report performance monitoring data in the same system where they currently manage federal assistance actions. As part of ECA’s efforts to streamline data collection and management, the recipient(s) of this award will be required to input performance reporting data outlined in this solicitation into the MyGrants RPM. The data stored in the MyGrants RPM will provide ECA with a bureau-wide, uniform M&E reporting tool that is already linked with other elements of the awards familiar to existing awardees.

7. Allowable Costs

a. Travel. International and domestic airfare; passports; visas; transit costs; ground transportation; travel allowance to cover incidentals; required vaccinations; and COVID related costs as necessary. Please note that all air travel must be in compliance with the Fly America Act. There is no charge for J-1 visas for participants in Bureau sponsored programs.

b. Lodging and Per Diem. For U.S.-based programming, the recipient should use the published Federal per diem rates for individual U.S. cities. Domestic per diem rates may be accessed at: http://www.gsa.gov/perdiem. ECA requests that recipient budget realistic costs that reflect the local economy and do not exceed Federal per diem rates. Foreign per diem rates can be accessed at: https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=184&menu_id=78.

c. Interpreters and translation: When the recipient proposes to use interpreters, the following expenses should be included in the budget: published Federal per diem rates (both "lodging" and "M&IE") and transportation costs per interpreter. Bureau funds cannot support interpreters who accompany delegations from their home country or travel internationally. Proposals may contain costs to purchase, develop and translate materials for participants.

d. Book and Cultural Allowances: Foreign participants are entitled to a one-time cultural allowance of $150 per person, plus a book allowance of $50. Interpreters should be reimbursed up to $150 for expenses when they escort participants to cultural events. U.S. program staff, trainers or participants are not eligible to receive these benefits.

e. Consultants: Consultants may be used to provide specialized expertise, develop content, or to make presentations. Honoraria rates should not exceed $250 per day and can be prorated for less than a full day. The recipient is encouraged to cost-share rates that would exceed that figure.

f. Room Rental: The rental of meeting space should not exceed $250 per day. Any rates that exceed this amount should be cost-shared.

g. Materials: Award recipient should expect to submit a copy of all program materials to ECA, and ECA support should be acknowledged on all materials developed with its funding.

h. Equipment: The recipient may propose to use award funds to purchase and ship equipment, such as computers, printers, or sports equipment; these costs should be justified in the budget narrative. Costs for furniture are not allowed.

i. Working Meal: A maximum of one working meal may be authorized per project unless extenuating circumstances exist, in which case prior approval must be obtained from a DOS Grants Officer. Unless additional working meals are approved, the recipient agrees to reduce the participants’ per diem to cover the cost of any additional working meals. In addition, per capita costs may not exceed $45 excluding room rental. The number of invited guests shall not exceed participants by more than a factor of two-to-one.

j. Health Benefits: The Bureau offers the Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) plan for participants in this program. There is no cost to the recipient organization if it opts to use the ASPE plan. If the recipient wishes to use a different plan, they must demonstrate that such alternate plan provides comparable or more comprehensive coverage. Coverage must begin when participants depart their home countries and not conclude until they return home. If you choose not to use ASPE, your proposal must include a copy of your chosen insurance policy and must include the cost of the insurance in the budget. The insurance you propose to use must meet the requirements of 22 CFR 62.14. Details of the ASPE policy can be provided by your primary point of contact in ECA. The premium is paid by ECA and should not be included in the proposal budget.

k. Wire Transfer Fees: When necessary, the recipient may include costs to transfer funds to partner organizations or individuals overseas. The recipient is urged to research applicable taxes that may be imposed on these transfers by host governments.

l. Sub-awards and Small Grants: Sub-awards may be used and activities must be included in an itemized budget. Approximately $50,000 in small grants to support participant action plans may be budgeted with each small grant being issued for approximately $1,000 to $2,500.

m. Reasonable Accommodations: Costs associated with supporting participants needing reasonable accommodations during exchange programming, recruitment, or follow-on.

n. Staff Salaries and Benefits: Costs necessary for the effective administration of the program may include salaries for recipient employees, fringe benefits, and other direct and indirect costs per detailed instructions in the Application Package.

8. Cost Share

ECA encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs. When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its proposal and later included in an approved agreement. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s Guidance 2 CFR Parts 200 and 600, entitled the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. In the event you do not provide the minimum amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, ECA's contribution may be reduced in like proportion.

9. Freedom and Democracy Guidelines

Public Law 104-319 provides that "in carrying out programs of educational and cultural exchange in countries whose people do not fully enjoy freedom and democracy," the Bureau "shall take appropriate steps to provide opportunities for participation in such programs to human rights and democracy leaders of such countries." Public Law 106 - 113 requires that the governments of the countries described above do not have inappropriate influence in the selection process. Proposals should reflect advancement of these goals in their program contents, to the full extent deemed feasible.

10. Virtual Exchange Component

When changing political, health, environmental, or other similar circumstances require a suspension or halt of in-person activities and where ECA determines that a virtual alternative is appropriate and viable, award recipients should demonstrate the ability and capacity to transition from in-person to virtual exchanges. Proposals should demonstrate the organization’s capacity to provide innovative options for virtual activities to substitute for in-person engagement for program participants. Organizations should consider how they will implement virtual exchange activities, given the potential limits to internet access from participants in some locations and while continuing to advance foreign policy objectives and achieve lasting benefits for U.S. citizens and international participants.

In addition to planning for virtual exchange activities if in-person programming is prohibited, ECA welcomes innovative ideas on how organizations can leverage virtual programming technologies during or in addition to in-person programming. ECA encourages organizations submitting proposals in response to this solicitation to suggest one or more virtual exchange components to complement the in-person exchange. The virtual exchange components could come before, during and/or after the physical exchange. The objective for the virtual exchange components is to augment the impact of the in-person exchange described in this solicitation. ECA encourages organizations to propose virtual exchange ideas that take advantage of ECA’s existing web and social networking platforms. Virtual exchange components would be coordinated with and approved by the ECA program office and U.S. missions abroad on a project-by-project basis.

11. Communications Guidance for ECA Recipients

All ECA Recipients must adhere to the requirements in ECA’s Communications Guidance on the creation of program branding and attribution, websites, social media, and press.

12. Celebration of America’s Semiquincentennial

ECA is excited to play a key role in making the Semiquincentennial – commonly known as “Freedom 250” – a truly global celebration. As the period of performance for this award is scheduled to cover part or all of calendar year (CY) 2026, the applicant may wish to consider ways the program can celebrate Freedom 250. Any Freedom 250 focused activities or plans will be subject to ECA approval and direction, and changes may be requested by ECA. Use of any ECA-provided Freedom 250 brand elements will be subject to advance ECA approval and require adherence to Department of State and ECA guidelines for such branding.

13. Substantial Involvement

In a cooperative agreement, the Department is substantially involved in program activities above and beyond routine monitoring, as follows:

a. ECA and other offices within the U.S. Department of State will develop and approve each SD On Demand project for the recipient to implement.
b. If necessary, ECA will support the recipient in working with United States national sports federations to implement exchanges related to Freedom 250, FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.
c. Review and approve SD On Demand project proposals, recruitment materials, program timelines, and agendas.
d. Approve the final selection of all foreign and U.S. participants to ensure participants are positioned to advance project goals.
e. Approve decisions related to special circumstances or problems throughout the program, including assisting with participant emergencies as appropriate and ensuring program continuity.
f. Liaise with applicable regional bureaus, U.S. embassies and consulates, and other State Department offices as appropriate to ensure program activities support U.S. strategic interests.
g. Assess the program through regular communication, meetings, and debriefing sessions; and liaise with ECA’s MELI Unit and the award recipient to ensure measurable outcomes and continuous improvement in advancing U.S. foreign policy priorities.
h. Provide oversight ensuring award closeout process completion.

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D. Application Contents and Format

Please read the complete announcement before sending inquiries or submitting proposals.

Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation Package, including the PSI, which contains guidelines for proposal preparation.

1. Budget Format

Applicants must submit a budget (SF-424A), detailed line-item budget, and a budget narrative. See the PSI section III for more information on the budget requirements.

Budget requests may not exceed $2,000,000. Applicants may provide separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, location, or activity to provide clarification.

2. Content of Application

Please see the PSI for information about the application and formatting guidelines.

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E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

1. Address to Request Application Package

The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Grants.gov website at https://www.grants.gov or from the ECA website at https://www.state.gov/eca-grant-opportunities/.

2. Department of State Contacts

For questions about this announcement, contact: Nalinee Cain, U.S. Department of State, Office of Sports Diplomacy, ECA/PE/C/SU, (771) 204-2492, CainNL@state.gov.

All correspondence with ECA concerning this solicitation should reference the title and funding opportunity number listed at the top of this solicitation. Please read the complete announcement before sending inquiries or submitting proposals.

Once the deadline has passed, ECA staff may not discuss this competition with applicants until the proposal review process has been completed.

The terms and conditions published in this solicitation are binding and may not be modified by any ECA representative. Explanatory information provided by ECA that contradicts published language will not be binding.

3. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

Required Registrations

All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM.gov. A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards. An applicant must maintain an active registration while it has a proposal under review by the Department and must continue to keep the registration active for the entire duration of the period of performance of any Federal award that results from this NOFO.

The 2 CFR 200 requires subrecipients to obtain a UEI. Please note the UEI for subrecipients is not required at the time of application but will be required before an award is processed and/or directed to a subrecipient.

Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible.

Organizations based in the United States or that pay employees within the United States will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a UEI prior to registering in SAM.gov.

All federal award recipients must maintain a current registration in the SAM database. Recipients must maintain accurate and up-to-date information in www.SAM.gov until all program and financial activity and reporting are completed on any issued award. Recipients must review and update the information at least annually after the initial registration and more frequently if required information changes or another award is granted. There is no cost associated with registering or updating SAM.gov accounts.

For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to: https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration

Exemptions

An exemption from the UEI and sam.gov registration requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis. See 2 CFR 25.110 for a full list of exemptions.

Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or SAM.gov requirements must email the point of contact listed in the NOFO at least two weeks prior to the deadline in the NOFO providing justification of their request. Approval for a SAM.gov exemption must come from the warranted Grants Officer before the application can be deemed eligible for review.

4. Required Registration with MyGrants

All ECA award recipient organizations and recipient contacts and signatories must be registered with the U.S. Department of State’s MyGrants system by accessing https://mygrants.servicenowservices.com and clicking the “create an account” link. MyGrants is the U.S. Department of State’s grants management system and is supported by the Department’s Integrated Logistics Management System (ILMS). Recipient organizations and recipient contacts and signatories that have previously used MyGrants as a U.S. Department of State award recipient do not need to register again. If the organization is not able to access the system, please contact the ILMS Help Desk for help in gaining access.

Support for Recipient Organizations and recipient contacts and signatories is available 24 hours, 7 days a week (except federal holidays), and can be reached at 1-888-313-ILMS (4567) or through the ILMS Self Service Portal at https://afsitsm.servicenowservices.com/ilms/.

5. Submission Instructions

Method of Submission

Applications may only be submitted electronically through Grants.gov (https://www.grants.gov). Complete solicitation packages are available at Grants.gov in the “Search Grants” portion of the system.

Grants.gov Registration, Application Submission, and Receipt Procedures

Eligible organizations should follow the instructions available in the ‘Get Started’ portion of the site (https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants.

How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

Applicants should read instructions carefully and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process. Reviewing and assembling the required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last-minute searches for required information.

The registration process can take up to four weeks to complete. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required application submission deadlines. Applicants should check with appropriate staff within their organizations immediately after reviewing this NOFO to confirm or determine their registration status with Grants.gov.

Organization applicants can find complete instructions here: https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration

How to Submit an Application to ECA via Grants.gov

For access to complete instruction on how to apply for Notice of Funding Opportunities on Grants.gov, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants

Grants.gov Support and Submission Issues

Direct all questions regarding Grants.gov registration and submission issues to:

• Grants.gov Customer Support
  • Contact Center Phone: 800 -518-4726
  • Business Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; closed on federal holidays.
  • Email: support@grants.gov

6. Submission Dates and Times

Application Deadline Date

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 (Eastern Standard Time).

Applicants have until 11:59 p.m., Washington, DC time of the closing date to ensure that their entire application has been uploaded to the Grants.gov site. There are no exceptions to the above deadline. Applications uploaded to the site after the application deadline date and time will be automatically rejected by the Grants.gov system and will be found technically ineligible.

Therefore, we strongly recommend that you begin the submission process through Grants.gov well in advance of the application deadline.

Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by Grants.gov. An electronic date/time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by Grants.gov. The applicant Grants.gov Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of their application. Applicant AORs will also receive the official date/time stamp and Grants.gov Tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission.

When ECA successfully retrieves the application from Grants.gov, Grants.gov will provide an electronic acknowledgement of receipt of the application to the email address of the applicant with the AOR role. Again, proof of timely submission shall be the official date and time that Grants.gov receives your application. Please also be mindful of any Grants.gov generated error messages that may appear during the application process as they may result in some documents not transmitting correctly.

Applicants using slow internet should be aware that transmission can take some time before Grants.gov receives your application. Grants.gov will provide either an error or a successfully received transmission in the form of an email sent to the applicant with the AOR role. The Grants.gov Support Center reports that some applicants end the transmission because they think that nothing is occurring during the transmission process. Please be patient and give the system time to process the application.

The Grants.gov website includes extensive information on all phases/aspects of the Grants.gov process, including an extensive section on frequently asked questions, located under the “Applicant FAQs” section of the website. ECA strongly recommends that all potential applicants review thoroughly the Grants.gov website, well in advance of submitting a proposal through the Grants.gov system. ECA will not notify you upon receipt of electronic applications.

PLEASE NOTE: ECA bears no responsibility for applicant timeliness of submission or data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes for proposals submitted via Grants.gov. Prior to submitting applications through Grants.gov, please ensure you meet all Grants.gov system and software requirements, including Adobe software compatibility. You can verify if your version of the Adobe software is compatible with Grants.gov, by visiting https://grants.gov/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility

It is the responsibility of all applicants submitting proposals via the Grants.gov web portal (https://www.grants.gov) to ensure that proposals have been received by Grants.gov in their entirety, and ECA bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.

7. Funding Restrictions for this Announcement

a. Funding Restrictions for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)

None of the funds awarded resulting from this Notice of Funding Opportunity may be made available for subawards, direct financial support, or otherwise used to provide any payment or transfer to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

b. Prohibition on Funding Activities that Encourage Mass-Migration Caravans towards the United States Southwest Border.

None of the funds awarded under this grant may be made available to encourage, mobilize, publicize, or manage mass-migration caravans towards the United States southwest border. Funds may not be made available for legal counseling on the United States asylum process; and/or for referrals to legal or representation in the United States.

Funds may only be used for cash cards for use in the country in which they are provided or to facilitate assisted voluntary returns and other purposes that do not encourage, mobilize, publicize, or manage mass migration caravans towards the United States southwest border. The provision of humanitarian assistance is permitted.

c. Certification Regarding Compliance with Applicable Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws

If the place of performance or delivery of any award made under this NOFO will be within the United States, applicants are advised that they will be required to certify the following at the time of award:

i. Its compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws is material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code and;
ii. It does not operate any programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws. A program promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion means a program whose purpose is to promote preferences based on race, color religion, sex, or national origins, such as in training or hiring.

d. Certification Regarding Compliance with 20 U.S.C. 1011f and Any Other Applicable Foreign Funding Disclosure Requirements for Institutions of Higher Education (IHE).

Applicants are advised that IHEs must certify the following at the time of award, and that this certification requirement must be included in any subaward agreements to IHEs:

• Its compliance in all respects with section 1011f of title 20, United States Code, and any other applicable foreign funding disclosure requirements is material for purposes of section 3729 of title 31, United States Code, and for receipt of appropriate Federal grant funds.

e. Certification of Trafficking in Persons Compliance and Compliance Plan

Applicants are advised that they will be required to certify the following at the time of award for awards where the estimated value of services to be performed outside the United States exceeds $500,000:

• To the best of the recipient’s knowledge, neither the recipient, nor any subrecipient, contractor, or subcontractor of the recipient or any agent of the recipient or of such a subrecipient, contractor, or subcontractor, is engaged in any of the activities described in 2 CFR 175(a);
• The recipient has implemented a Trafficking in Persons compliance plan to prevent activities described in 2 CFR 175(a) and is compliant with it; and compliance plan must be consistent with the requirements of 2 CFR 175(b)(4) and (5).
• That the recipient has procedures to prevent activities described in 2 CFR 175(a) and to monitor, detect, and terminate any subrecipient, contractor, subcontractor, or employee of the recipient engaging in them.

Recipients do not need to submit a copy of the plan. However, they must provide it to the Grants Officer upon request, and as appropriate, must post the useful and relevant contents of the plan or related materials on their website and at the workplace. Recipients must re-certify on an annual basis for the entire award period of performance.

f. Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Manufactured or Assembled by American Security Drone Act-Covered Foreign Entities

(a) Definitions.

• American Security Drone Act-covered foreign entity means an entity included on a list developed and maintained by the Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC) and published in the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov
• FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system means an unmanned aircraft system manufactured or assembled by an American Security Drone Act-covered foreign entity.
• Unmanned aircraft means an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft .
• Unmanned aircraft system means an unmanned aircraft and associated elements (including communication links and the components that control the unmanned aircraft) that are required for the operator to operate safely and efficiently in the national airspace system.

(b) Prohibition.

Recipients of funding under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (including subawards and subcontracts issued by the recipient) will be prohibited from:

1. delivering any FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system, which includes unmanned aircraft (i.e., drones) and associated elements;
2. Operating a FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system in the performance of the award; and
3. Using Federal funds for the purchase or operation of a FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system .

(c) Exemptions, exceptions, and waivers.

The prohibitions described above will not apply if the agency determines that an exemption, exception, or waiver applies and the award indicates that such a determination has been made. [See sections 1823 through 1825 and 1832 of Public Law 118-31 (41 U.S.C. 3901 note prec.) for statutory requirements pertaining to exemptions, exceptions, and waivers.].

8. Other Submission Requirements

a. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.

b. All proposals must contain a SF-424, executive summary, proposal narrative, budget (SF-424A), detailed line-item budget, and budget narrative.

c. Key Personnel
ECA recommends that the applicant identify intended key personnel positions via an asterisk (*) or other marking in the proposal budget, budget narrative, or a separate appendix. If not provided in the application, recipients must submit the names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program to the Grants Officer and GOR within 30 days of an award being issued. Applicants should also identify what proportion of their time will be used in support of the program. Additional information regarding key personnel requirements can be found in the State Department’s Standard Terms and Conditions.

d. Intergovernmental Review of Applications
Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.

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F. Application Review Information

1. Review Process

ECA will check that all proposals meet the technical requirements in this solicitation. Proposals that do not meet the guidelines, including those under the eligibility section above or in the PSI, will be ineligible for further review.

All eligible proposals will be reviewed by the program office before being reviewed by an ECA grant panel. Applications may also be reviewed by Public Diplomacy sections overseas, State Department regional bureaus, or other State Department offices, as appropriate. All reviewers, including the ECA grant panels, will review any eligible proposals based on the criteria below.

Proposals recommended by an ECA grant panel will be reviewed for compliance with Federal and Bureau regulations and assessed for risk. Final funding decisions are made by the ECA’s Assistant Secretary. Only an ECA Grant Officer has the final authority to issue assistance awards.

2. Review Criteria

An ECA grants panel will competitively evaluate all technically eligible applications according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank ordered, and all carry equal weight in the proposal review.

a. Quality of Program Plan and Ability to Achieve Objectives: Proposals should be original and clearly show how the applicant will meet the objectives outlined in this solicitation. Proposals should include a hypothetical project example and a detailed work plan that demonstrates the institution’s ability to implement sports-based exchanges effectively. The work plan must align with the program guidelines provided in the solicitation and show how the institution will achieve the program’s goals. Objectives should be realistic, achievable, and adaptable.

b. Institutional Capacity and Institution’s Record/Ability: Proposals should include the necessary personnel and institutional resources to achieve the program results. Proposals should highlight the institution’s record of successfully managing sports-based exchange programs and maintaining responsible fiscal practices. ECA will evaluate prior recipients’ past performance, including the timely submission of required reports, and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.

c. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for continued follow-on activity after the ECA supported program ends, ensuring that programs are not isolated events.

d. Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E): Proposals should have a fully developed M&E plan that includes goals, objectives, and indicators. The plan should be feasible and aligned with the M&E section of this solicitation. Proposals should include a realistic learning plan that outlines how your organization plans to review, understand, and incorporate M&E data into programmatic decisions and practices. All submitted M&E plans will be reviewed to ensure the applicant has provided at least the required information outlined in the M&E section of this solicitation and demonstrated the applicant’s capacity to carry out the M&E plan.

e. Cost Effectiveness and Cost Sharing: Indirect costs, such as salaries, honoraria, and subcontracting services, should be reasonable while ensuring adequate support for program activities. Applicants are strongly encouraged to share costs for indirect or direct expenses and explore innovative ways to reduce costs. Cost sharing and in-kind contributions from the applicant, in-country partners, or other sources should be included in the budget or budget notes.

3. Indirect Costs

If two or more applications receive equivalent scores based on the evaluation criteria outlined in this NOFO, preference will be given to the applicant with the lower indirect cost rate, as consistent with Executive Order 14332, Section 4(b)(iii). This preference will only be applied as a tie-breaking mechanism and does not supersede the primary evaluation criteria.

4. Risk Review

Under the merit review as required by 2 CFR 200.206, prior to making a Federal Award, the Department will review and consider the following risk factors:

• Financial stability
• Management systems and standards
• History of performance
• Audit reports and findings
• Ability to effectively implement requirements

5. Responsibility/Qualification Information in SAM.gov.

The Federal awarding agency, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the U.S. government designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM.gov (see 41 U.S.C. 2313) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313)

An applicant can review and comment on any information in the responsibility/qualification records available at SAM.gov.

Before making decisions in the risk review required by 2 CFR 200.206, the Department will consider any comments by the applicant, along with information available in the responsibility/qualification records in SAM.gov.

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G. Award Notices

Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by Congress, allocated and committed through internal ECA procedures. The award or cooperative agreement will be signed by an authorized Grants Officer in ECA’s Grants Division and transmitted to the recipient’s responsible officer (as identified in the application) for review and countersignature. The recipient may only start incurring project expenses beginning on the start date shown on the fully signed award document.

Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the U.S. government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received. If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding.

Unsuccessful applicants:
Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of the application review from the ECA program office coordinating this competition following the completion of the review process.

Payment Method:
Payments under this award will be made through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Payment Management System (PMS).

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H. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

1. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply.

In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department of State will review and consider proposals for funding, as applicable to specific programs, pursuant to this NOFO in accordance with the following:

• Guidance for Grants and Agreements in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR), as updated in the Federal Register’s 89 FR 30046 on April 22, 2024, particularly on:
  • Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an impartial process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR part 200.205),
  • Promoting the freedom of speech and religious liberty in alignment with Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty (E.O. 13798) and Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities (E.O. 13864) (§§ 200.300, 200.303, 200.339, and 200.341),
  • Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR part 200.322), and
  • Terminating agreements pursuant to the U.S. Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, including, to the greatest extent authorized by law, if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR part 200.340). For the avoidance of doubt, the Department has sole discretion over the determination that an award no longer effectuates program goals or agency priorities, and this provision permits awards to be terminated at the Department’s convenience, including when it determines that the award no longer advances the national interest.
• 2 CFR 25 - UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT
• 2 CFR 170 - REPORTING SUBAWARD AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION INFORMATION
• 2 CFR 175 - AWARD TERM FOR TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
• 2 CFR 182 - GOVERNMENTWIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE)
• 2 CFR 183 - NEVER CONTRACT WITH THE ENEMY
• 2 CFR 600 – DEPARTMENT OF STATE REQUIREMENTS
• U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS
• Recipients must comply with all applicable Executive Orders
  • A searchable list can be found in the Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/

2. Reporting

Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports. The award document will specify what reports are required and how often these reports must be submitted. All reports must be submitted in a timely manner.

For planning purposes, applicants can expect to provide ECA with an electronic copy of the following required reports:

a. Performance Progress Reports (PPRs) shall be required at a minimum annually and no more frequently than quarterly. Annual, quarterly, or semi-annual reports shall be due 30 days after the reporting period. All reports and supporting documentation must be uploaded by the recipient as a Post Award Activity under the corresponding record for this award in MyGrants.

b. The Federal Financial Reports (FFR SF-425/SF-425a) must be submitted through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Payment Management System (PMS). The electronic version of the FFR can be accessed at: https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/post-award-reporting-forms. Once a financial report has been approved by the Department, the recipient must upload the approved report to MyGrants, in the same manner specified for the programmatic reports. Failure to comply with these reporting requirements may jeopardize the recipient's eligibility for future awards.

c. Required MODE data (see Program Performance Monitoring and Evaluation section) shall be required at a minimum annually and no more frequently than quarterly. MODE data reporting shall be due 30 days after the reporting period. The frequency of these reports will be determined by MELI and the Program Officer. Either a standard report template (if using the MODE Survey Builder) or aggregate data and the raw data file (if Recipient uses their own survey platform) must be uploaded by the Recipient as an RPM Performance Report under the corresponding record for this award in MyGrants.

d. A final program and financial report no more than 120 days after the period of performance of the award ends or termination of the award.

e. A two-to-three-page project assessment report is required for all projects that include award recipient staff assessment travel and must be forwarded no later than 10 business days after the project’s conclusion. The report should outline the highlights of each segment, giving examples of successes and shortcomings of the project and any improvements that could be included in future projects. The report should be emailed to the appropriate ECA Sports Diplomacy Project Officer. While written reports are typically not required for projects that do not include award recipient staff assessment travel, written reports may be submitted when warranted by events during the project, either at the initiative of the award recipient or at the request of ECA/PE/C/SU.

f. Final Project Cost Reports for all projects must be provided to the ECA Sports Diplomacy Project Officer as soon as possible, but no later than 60 calendar days after project completion. Examples of project costs include domestic air travel, ground transportation, lodging, meals and incidentals, and honoraria.

g. Program Data Requirements: Award recipients will be required to maintain specific data on program participants and activities in an electronically accessible database format that can be shared with ECA as required. At a minimum, the data must include the following:

• Name, address, contact information and biographic sketch of all persons who travel internationally on funds provided by the agreement or who benefit from the award funding but do not travel.
• Itineraries of international and domestic travel, providing dates of travel and cities in which any exchange experiences take place. Final schedules for in-country and U.S. activities must be received by the ECA Program Officer at least three workdays prior to the official opening of the activity.

Applicants should be aware of the post award reporting requirements reflected in 2 CFR 200 Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters.

3. Branding and Marking

The Department of State, its programs, and U.S. Government funding and assistance should be easily identifiable to the Department's global audiences.

Recipients of federal assistance awards must follow the branding guidance published at Guidance for Contracts and Grants - U.S. Department of State Brand System. Branding policy exceptions are outlined in the U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual 10 FAM 416, Policy Exceptions.

For more information, visit: https://brand.america.gov/

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I. Other Information

Adherence To All Regulations Governing the J Visa

ECA places critically important emphasis on the security and proper administration of the Exchange Visitor (J visa) Programs and adherence by award recipients and sponsors to all regulations governing the J visa. Therefore, proposals should demonstrate the applicant's capacity to meet all requirements governing the administration of the Exchange Visitor Programs as set forth in 22 CFR 62, including the oversight of Responsible Officers and Alternate Responsible Officers, screening and selection of program participants, provision of pre-arrival information and orientation to participants, monitoring of participants, proper maintenance and security of forms, record-keeping, reporting and other requirements.

The award recipient will be responsible for issuing DS-2019 forms to participants in this program.

A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at http://j1visa.state.gov or from:

Office of Private Sector Exchange Designation
U.S. Department of State
SA-5, Floor C2, Room C2L13
2200 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20522