Simpler Grants.gov #DFOP0018285

State Department Seeks Nonprofit to Run International Arts & Tech Exchange Program (FY26 U.S.CTX)

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is seeking a U.S.-based nonprofit or educational organization to design and implement the FY 2026 U.S. Creative Tech Exchange (U.S.CTX), an international arts and technology exchange program. - Government Buyer: - U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), Office of Citizen Exchanges, Cultural Programs Division - Program Overview: - Single cooperative agreement valued at approximately $1,320,000 - 18-month international exchange program, with potential for renewal for two additional years - Supports up to 30 participants (U.S. and international) working at the intersection of arts and emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI) - Activities include collaborative labs, fellowships, workshops, mentorship, and public showcases - Services Requested: - Design and delivery of the U.S. Creative Tech Exchange program - Performance monitoring and reporting using MODE Framework indicators (demographics, cross-cultural competence, skills development, alumni engagement) - Participant recruitment, logistics, coordination with U.S. embassies, and alumni engagement - Eligible Applicants: - U.S.-based nonprofit or educational organizations with at least four years of experience in international exchanges - Must comply with all NOFO and Proposal Submission Instructions - Notable Requirements: - Program focus areas: architecture, creative coding and gaming, fashion, graphic design, music, immersive art (VR, AR, MR), with a special emphasis on AI - Excludes film and television - Measurable outcomes in creative arts, economic impact, and public diplomacy - No specific OEMs or commercial vendors are named, as this is a service-based exchange program

Description

The U.S. Creative Tech Exchange (U.S.CTX) is an international arts exchange program aimed at driving economic growth by connecting U.S. creative professionals and technologists with international peers working at the intersection of arts and emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI). The program focuses on arts such as architecture, creative coding and gaming, fashion, graphic design, music, and immersive art including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), excluding film and television. It will support up to 30 participants through short-term activities like collaborative labs, fellowships, workshops, and public showcases. One U.S.-based nonprofit or educational organization will be awarded $1.32 million to design and implement the program in coordination with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and U.S. embassies, with clear plans for recruitment, program delivery, and measurable outcomes in creative arts, economic impact, and public diplomacy.

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