Opportunity Information: Apply for ECA ECAPA 17 001
The FY 2017 Alumni Thematic International Exchange Seminars (TIES) opportunity is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) funding competition run through ECA's Office of Alumni Affairs. It seeks a U.S.-based implementing organization to administer a series of short, regional or sub-regional enrichment seminars designed specifically for alumni of U.S. government-sponsored people-to-people exchange programs. The core idea is to bring these alumni together around timely themes tied to U.S. foreign policy priorities, while strengthening alumni identity, peer-to-peer networks, and sustained dialogue across countries and sectors.
Under this cooperative agreement, the selected recipient would be expected to plan and deliver approximately eight to ten seminars. Each seminar is envisioned as a concentrated, three- to four-day program serving roughly 20 to 100 participants. The seminars can be hosted in any of the Department of State's six geographic regions: Africa; Europe and Eurasia; East Asia and Pacific; Near East and North Africa; South and Central Asia; and the Western Hemisphere. The thematic focus is central to the model, meaning the seminars are not general reunions or networking events, but structured programs organized around specific topics that advance U.S. policy priorities and encourage practical collaboration among alumni.
A notable component of the program is its built-in pathway from convening to action. After participating in a seminar, alumni may compete for follow-on small grants to apply what they gained to real projects in their home communities. Individual projects may receive up to $10,000, supported by an overall small grants fund of $750,000. This feature is meant to help translate seminar discussions into tangible civic, professional, or community outcomes, and to incentivize continued engagement among alumni beyond the event itself.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, ECA anticipated issuing a single cooperative agreement with a maximum federal funding level (award ceiling) of up to $1,750,000, contingent on the availability of FY 2017 appropriations. Because the instrument is a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, the award structure typically implies substantial federal involvement, such as ongoing coordination, shared decision-making, or programmatic oversight by ECA during implementation. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding, falls under CFDA number 19.452, and is listed as an "Other" activity category.
Eligibility is limited to U.S. organizations, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations that hold 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education). The funding opportunity number is ECA/ECAPA-17-001. The opportunity was created on February 22, 2017, and the original application closing date was April 24, 2017.Apply for ECA ECAPA 17 001
- The Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2017 Alumni Thematic International Exchange Seminars (TIES)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.452.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-02-22.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-04-24. (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 $1,750,000.00 in funding.
- 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.
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FAQs: FY 2017 Alumni Thematic International Exchange Seminars (TIES)
What is the FY 2017 Alumni Thematic International Exchange Seminars (TIES) opportunity?
It is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) funding competition run through ECA's Office of Alumni Affairs. The competition seeks a U.S.-based implementing organization to administer a series of short, regional or sub-regional enrichment seminars for alumni of U.S. government-sponsored people-to-people exchange programs.
What is the main purpose of the TIES seminars?
The seminars are designed to bring exchange alumni together around timely themes tied to U.S. foreign policy priorities, while strengthening alumni identity, expanding peer-to-peer networks, and supporting sustained dialogue across countries and sectors.
Who will run and administer the program if awarded?
A single U.S.-based implementing organization selected through this funding competition would be responsible for planning and delivering the seminar series under a cooperative agreement with ECA.
How many seminars is the recipient expected to deliver?
The selected recipient is expected to plan and deliver approximately eight to ten seminars.
How long is each seminar expected to be?
Each seminar is envisioned as a concentrated three- to four-day program.
How many participants are expected per seminar?
Each seminar is expected to serve roughly 20 to 100 participants.
Who are the intended participants?
The seminars are designed specifically for alumni of U.S. government-sponsored people-to-people exchange programs.
Where can the seminars be hosted?
The seminars can be hosted in any of the Department of State's six geographic regions: Africa; Europe and Eurasia; East Asia and Pacific; Near East and North Africa; South and Central Asia; and the Western Hemisphere.
Are these seminars general alumni reunions or networking events?
No. The seminars are not intended to be general reunions or informal networking events. The model emphasizes structured programming organized around specific thematic topics that advance U.S. policy priorities and encourage practical collaboration among alumni.
What does "thematic" mean in this opportunity?
"Thematic" means each seminar is organized around a specific topic or set of topics connected to U.S. foreign policy priorities, with programming designed to support structured discussion and practical collaboration.
Is there a follow-on funding component after the seminars?
Yes. After participating in a seminar, alumni may compete for follow-on small grants intended to help them apply what they gained to real projects in their home communities.
What is the maximum amount for an individual follow-on small grant project?
Individual projects may receive up to $10,000.
How large is the overall small grants fund?
The overall small grants fund is $750,000.
What is the goal of the follow-on small grants?
The small grants are meant to translate seminar discussions into tangible civic, professional, or community outcomes and to incentivize continued engagement among alumni beyond the seminars.
What is the total federal funding amount for the main award?
ECA anticipated issuing a single cooperative agreement with a maximum federal funding level (award ceiling) of up to $1,750,000, contingent on the availability of FY 2017 appropriations.
How many awards does ECA anticipate making?
Based on the information provided, ECA anticipated issuing a single cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant?
This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement, which typically implies substantial federal involvement during implementation. In this context, it may include ongoing coordination, shared decision-making, or programmatic oversight by ECA.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity falls under CFDA number 19.452.
How is this opportunity categorized?
It is categorized as discretionary funding and is listed as an "Other" activity category.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to U.S. organizations, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations that hold 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education).
Are non-U.S. organizations eligible to apply?
No. Eligibility is limited to U.S. organizations.
Which U.S. government office is running this competition?
The competition is run through ECA's Office of Alumni Affairs within the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is ECA/ECAPA-17-001.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on February 22, 2017.
What was the original application closing date?
The original application closing date was April 24, 2017.
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