The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has announced a funding opportunity for the FY 2025 International Sports Programming Initiative (ISPI), aimed at promoting sports diplomacy. The initiative supports nonprofit organizations that can propose exchange programs enhancing coaching and administrative skills while fostering cultural ties in alignment with U.S. foreign policy goals, particularly in light of the upcoming America250 celebrations and global sporting events.
Eligible applicants include U.S. nonprofit organizations and educational institutions with at least four years of experience in conducting international exchanges. The cooperative agreement, which has an estimated total amount of $1,400,000, will support up to 14 exchanges for around 140 professionals engaged in youth development and sports from various regions.
The proposal must detail methodologies for monitoring and evaluating program success and demonstrate a commitment to innovative virtual exchange components if in-person activities are hindered. Applications must be submitted electronically by August 11, 2025, adhering to strict eligibility and formatting guidelines outlined in the notice. The funding is intended to strengthen international diplomatic relationships through sports, enhancing cultural understanding and developing leadership capacities in participating countries.
The Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) outlines standards for data collection and evaluation for ECA programs, emphasizing consistency in measuring program effectiveness. Applicants, such as Example Organization, are instructed to detail their performance indicators, including definitions, targets, and methodologies for data collection. The document specifies that while the provided format is recommended, applicants may create custom indicators reflecting their specific program needs, ensuring significant objectives are met.
Key sections include demographic data collection, participant engagement metrics related to cultural exchanges, and various indicators measuring personal and professional development resulting from program participation. The PMP also mandates timelines for data collection, such as post-program assessments, and includes methods for evaluating long-term impact on participants.
The PMP serves as a guide for applicants to develop comprehensive and measurable monitoring frameworks that align with federal goals, fostering accountability and effectiveness in educational and cultural exchange initiatives, ultimately enhancing global understanding and civic engagement. This provides a structured approach to performance evaluation, essential for federal grants and RFPs in the context of international exchange programs.
The Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) outlines standards for data collection and evaluation for ECA programs, emphasizing consistency in measuring program effectiveness. Applicants, such as Example Organization, are instructed to detail their performance indicators, including definitions, targets, and methodologies for data collection. The document specifies that while the provided format is recommended, applicants may create custom indicators reflecting their specific program needs, ensuring significant objectives are met.
Key sections include demographic data collection, participant engagement metrics related to cultural exchanges, and various indicators measuring personal and professional development resulting from program participation. The PMP also mandates timelines for data collection, such as post-program assessments, and includes methods for evaluating long-term impact on participants.
The PMP serves as a guide for applicants to develop comprehensive and measurable monitoring frameworks that align with federal goals, fostering accountability and effectiveness in educational and cultural exchange initiatives, ultimately enhancing global understanding and civic engagement. This provides a structured approach to performance evaluation, essential for federal grants and RFPs in the context of international exchange programs.
The FY 2025 International Sports Programming Initiative (ISPI), issued by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, invites proposals for international sports exchange programs. The proposal must align with the solicitation's guidelines and outline a comprehensive strategy for program implementation, participant oversight, and compliance with applicable regulations. Recipients are responsible for participant management, including enrollment in health insurance, recruitment, logistics, and ensuring programming quality. Proposals should clearly describe program activities, evaluation methods, and budget details. Key submission components include an executive summary, a detailed narrative addressing program vision, partner roles, and a budget, alongside forms like the SF-424. Award recipients must adhere to J visa regulations, ensuring proper administration and participant safety. The deadline for submission is strictly enforced, with contact details for further inquiries provided.