Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0008470
The FY2022 Youth Ambassadors Program is a U.S. Department of State exchange grant run through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), specifically the Office of Citizen Exchanges, Youth Programs Division. The opportunity funds one organization to administer a large, multi-country youth exchange initiative that brings together young people and adult mentors for intensive civic-focused programming. The core idea is to use structured international exchanges and follow-on activities to strengthen youth leadership, community engagement, and mutual understanding across the Western Hemisphere.
Under this competition, an eligible U.S. organization would be responsible for recruiting and selecting both youth and adult participants, then delivering three-week exchange programs centered on civic education, community service, and youth leadership development. A key expectation is that the impact does not end when travel ends: the grantee must also support follow-on projects in participants home communities, so that returning youth can apply what they learned through service, leadership activities, and community problem-solving initiatives.
The program is explicitly tied to U.S. foreign policy goals around youth empowerment and development. ECA emphasizes outcomes like building mutual understanding, tolerance, and respect by connecting participants through shared experiences, culture, and values. Another stated goal is to help participants become more active and responsible members of their schools and communities, including the ability to identify local issues and organize constructive responses. The program also aims to foster relationships among youth from different ethnic, religious, and national backgrounds, using the exchange setting to encourage collaboration and long-term networks.
Program travel runs in both directions. Delegations from a wide range of countries and territories across the Caribbean, Central America, and South America (and Canada) would travel to the United States. The countries listed include Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, the Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela. In addition, U.S. delegations would travel to select countries in the Western Hemisphere, creating reciprocal engagement rather than a one-way exchange model.
The Department of State anticipates making a single award, meaning one lead recipient will be accountable for the overall program design, compliance, participant safety, and administrative management. At the same time, the lead recipient is expected to build a network of qualified sub-awardees to deliver programming for at least 60 percent of exchange participants, effectively creating a consortium model where one prime organization provides centralized oversight while multiple partners implement local or regional components.
In terms of scale, the program is designed to support approximately 459 total exchange participants, including about 339 foreign participants and 120 U.S. participants. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally signals closer federal involvement and ongoing collaboration during implementation compared with a standard grant. The planned period includes one base year with the option of two non-competitive continuations in FY2023 and FY2024, for an estimated total funding level of about $10.2 million across the full project period. The posted award ceiling for the opportunity is $3.4 million, and the federal assistance listing (CFDA/ALN) number is 19.415.
Eligibility is aimed at U.S. public and private nonprofit organizations that qualify under IRS 501(c)(3), and it also includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education as well as private institutions of higher education (with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement). The opportunity was posted by the Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, with a creation date of December 7, 2021, and an original application deadline of March 14, 2022, under funding opportunity number SFOP0008470.Apply for SFOP0008470
- The Department of State, Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY2022 Youth Ambassadors Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.415.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 07, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 14, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,400,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - FY2022 Youth Ambassadors Program (U.S. Department of State)
1) What is the FY2022 Youth Ambassadors Program grant opportunity?
This opportunity is a U.S. Department of State exchange grant for the FY2022 Youth Ambassadors Program, administered through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), Office of Citizen Exchanges, Youth Programs Division. It funds one organization to run a large, multi-country youth exchange initiative focused on civic education, community service, and youth leadership development across the Western Hemisphere.
2) What is the main purpose of the program?
The program uses structured international exchanges and follow-on activities to strengthen youth leadership, community engagement, and mutual understanding. It is intended to help young people and adult mentors build civic skills, collaborate across cultures, and apply what they learn back home through community-based projects.
3) Who is the federal sponsor and which office manages it?
The sponsor is the U.S. Department of State. The program is run through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), specifically the Office of Citizen Exchanges, Youth Programs Division.
4) What type of award is it?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. This indicates closer federal involvement and ongoing collaboration during implementation compared with a standard grant.
5) How many awards does the Department of State anticipate making?
The Department of State anticipates making a single award. One lead recipient will be responsible for the overall program design, compliance, participant safety, and administrative management.
6) What is expected of the lead (prime) recipient?
The lead recipient is expected to recruit and select youth and adult participants, deliver three-week exchange programs centered on civic-focused content, and support follow-on projects in participants home communities. The lead recipient is also expected to provide centralized oversight and build a network of qualified sub-awardees to deliver programming for at least 60 percent of exchange participants.
7) What is the consortium or sub-awardee model described in the opportunity?
Although there will be a single prime award, the lead recipient is expected to form a network of sub-awardees. These partners would implement programming for at least 60 percent of exchange participants, while the prime organization maintains centralized oversight and accountability.
8) What activities does the program fund?
Funded activities include recruiting and selecting participants, delivering three-week international exchange programs with intensive civic-focused programming (civic education, community service, and youth leadership development), and supporting structured follow-on projects in participants home communities after the exchange concludes.
9) How long are the exchange programs?
The opportunity describes three-week exchange programs.
10) What are follow-on activities and why are they required?
Follow-on activities are projects and initiatives participants carry out in their home communities after returning from travel. They are required so the program impact continues beyond the exchange itself, enabling youth to apply learning through service, leadership activities, and community problem-solving initiatives.
11) What outcomes does ECA emphasize?
ECA emphasizes outcomes such as mutual understanding, tolerance, and respect fostered through shared experiences, culture, and values. The program also aims to help participants become more active and responsible members of their schools and communities, including identifying local issues and organizing constructive responses. Another goal is fostering relationships among youth from diverse ethnic, religious, and national backgrounds, encouraging collaboration and long-term networks.
12) How is the program connected to U.S. foreign policy goals?
The program is explicitly tied to U.S. foreign policy goals related to youth empowerment and development, using exchanges to build mutual understanding and strengthen civic engagement and leadership.
13) Which regions and countries are included?
The program focuses on the Western Hemisphere, with delegations from countries and territories across the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, as well as Canada, traveling to the United States.
14) Which countries are listed as participants traveling to the United States?
The listed countries include Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, the Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
15) Is travel only into the United States, or is it reciprocal?
Travel runs in both directions. In addition to delegations coming to the United States, U.S. delegations would travel to select countries in the Western Hemisphere, creating reciprocal engagement rather than a one-way exchange model.
16) Approximately how many participants will the program support?
The program is designed to support approximately 459 total exchange participants, including about 339 foreign participants and 120 U.S. participants.
17) Who are the participants?
The opportunity describes participation by young people (youth) and adult mentors who take part in intensive civic-focused programming and related follow-on activities.
18) What is the total projected funding across the full project period?
The estimated total funding level across the full project period is about $10.2 million, assuming the base year plus the optional continuation years are funded.
19) What is the award ceiling shown for the opportunity?
The posted award ceiling is $3.4 million.
20) What is the project period structure?
The planned period includes one base year with the option of two non-competitive continuations in FY2023 and FY2024.
21) What is the CFDA/ALN number for this opportunity?
The federal assistance listing number (CFDA/ALN) is 19.415.
22) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is aimed at U.S. public and private nonprofit organizations that qualify under IRS 501(c)(3). It also includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education (with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement).
23) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is SFOP0008470.
24) When was the opportunity posted and what was the application deadline?
The opportunity creation date is December 7, 2021, and the original application deadline was March 14, 2022.
25) What is the central program theme during the exchanges?
The exchanges are centered on civic education, community service, and youth leadership development, with intensive civic-focused programming designed to build practical civic skills and engagement.
26) What management and oversight responsibilities are highlighted?
The lead recipient is accountable for overall program design, compliance, participant safety, and administrative management, while also coordinating a network of sub-awardees implementing a large share of programming.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Next opportunity: FOA: WAP Enhancement & Innovation
Previous opportunity: Community Led Monitoring-Routine Data Collection and Provider feedback
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for SFOP0008470
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (SFOP0008470) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| U.S. Mission in Uganda Public Affairs Annual Program Statement Apply for AFKAM FY22 01 Funding Number: AFKAM FY22 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Uganda Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Mozambique PAS Annual Program Statement – Cycle 1 Apply for PAS MAP FY22 02 Funding Number: PAS MAP FY22 02 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Mozambique Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Interstate Compact Documentary Apply for 22CS14 Funding Number: 22CS14 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| DRL Request for Statements of Interest: FY21 DRL Iraq Programs Apply for SFOP0008444 Funding Number: SFOP0008444 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Djibouti - PAS Annual Program Statement Apply for AF DJ PAS 22 01 Funding Number: AF DJ PAS 22 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Djibouti Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $15,000 |
| U.S. Mission Saudi Arabia PAS Small Grants Program FY2022 Apply for DOS SAU PD 2201 Funding Number: DOS SAU PD 2201 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Journalism Capacity Building Apply for PAUPDFY22001 Funding Number: PAUPDFY22001 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Jerusalem Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Alumni Small Grants Program Apply for PDS CHISINAU FY22 04 Funding Number: PDS CHISINAU FY22 04 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Moldova Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| DEMOCRACY COMMISSION SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM Apply for 001 FY2022 Funding Number: 001 FY2022 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Book Translation Program Apply for DOS GEO 22 002 12132021 Funding Number: DOS GEO 22 002 12132021 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Georgia Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DRL FY21 IRF: Promoting Societal Respect and Interfaith Understanding in Indonesia Apply for SFOP0008454 Funding Number: SFOP0008454 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $740,740 |
| DRL FY21 IRF: Promoting International Standards for Religious Freedom in Kazakhstan Apply for SFOP0008453 Funding Number: SFOP0008453 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $740,740 |
| Anti-Nostalgia Program Apply for PDS CHISINAU FY22 07 Funding Number: PDS CHISINAU FY22 07 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Moldova Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Strategic and Tactical Analysis Technical Assistance and Certification Apply for INL22CA0015 WHPMEX STRATRNG 12142021 Funding Number: INL22CA0015 WHPMEX STRATRNG 12142021 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Alumni Grants Program Apply for DOS GEO 22 003 12152021 Funding Number: DOS GEO 22 003 12152021 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Georgia Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $15,000 |
| WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM Apply for 002 FY2022 Funding Number: 002 FY2022 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| PDS Belgrade Democracy Commission Small Grants Program Apply for SRB10022FO004 Funding Number: SRB10022FO004 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Serbia Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| FY22 Cultural Property Agreement Implementation Grants Apply for CPAIG FY2022 GP Funding Number: CPAIG FY2022 GP Agency: Department of State, Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Empowering Girls through STEM Learning Apply for SCAISB 22 AW 001 12162021 Funding Number: SCAISB 22 AW 001 12162021 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Pakistan Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Community Engagement Office - Annual Program Statement Apply for SCAISB 22 AW 002 12162021 Funding Number: SCAISB 22 AW 002 12162021 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Pakistan Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $300,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "SFOP0008470", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.