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Research and Grant Development Services

Program Details

DFOP0017999: FY 2026 Sports Diplomacy On Demand Program

Sponsor: Dept of State-ECA
Internal Deadline: 05/14/2026
Institutional Submission Limit: 1
Program Website

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. 3 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


Only one proposal will be considered by ECA from each applicant organization.

Submission Process

Limited submissions MUST be coordinated with the Office of the Vice President for Research.

If interested in applying for this opportunity, please combine the following items into a single PDF and email to resdev@mailbox.sc.edu by 5pm on the INTERNAL DEADLINE above:

  • Cover page with grant program name & number (if applicable) to which you are applying, your project title, PI (name, department/unit, & email), and list of co-PIs/key collaborators (name & department/unit)
  • a two-page project abstract addressing key components/criteria for this specific grant program
  • a 2-3 page CV/biosketch for the PI (SCiENcv preferred)

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