Opportunity Information: Apply for ND NOFO 19 105
The U.S. Speaker and Specialist Program for India is a Department of State (U.S. Mission to India) cooperative agreement run through the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. The core purpose is to bring U.S.-citizen experts to India to engage directly with Indian institutions and audiences through public-facing and professional activities such as lectures, workshops, seminars, and media engagements. By design, the program is meant to advance understanding of U.S. strategic priorities, policies, and institutions, while also building durable working relationships between American and Indian experts and organizations across multiple regions of India.
The project is structured around a set of speaker “tours” and specialist engagements. The implementing organization (the grantee) is expected to help deliver roughly six to seven distinct speaker programs during the award period. Each selected expert is expected to travel to at least two to three Indian cities and spend about seven to ten days in-country per program. Travel is envisioned across “Mission India,” meaning programming may span New Delhi/North India as well as the U.S. consulate regions of Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. The intent is to reach diverse audiences beyond a single metro area and to tailor engagements to different professional communities, academic settings, and public platforms.
Programming content must align with U.S. Mission India’s thematic priorities. While the announcement leaves room for additional related topics, it highlights several major focus areas: promoting study in the United States and strengthening U.S.-India higher education partnerships; supporting U.S.-India trade, investment, entrepreneurship, and broader business development; discussing regional security and connectivity, particularly efforts that enable cross-border engagement and closer economic integration across South Asia; and advancing women’s empowerment. Speakers are expected to address topics identified by PAS New Delhi and to be suitable for engagement with a wide range of professional audiences and disciplines, which could include academia, policy communities, private sector groups, civil society organizations, and media outlets depending on the tour design.
Operationally, the grantee’s role is heavily centered on speaker sourcing and end-to-end logistics. Based on strategic guidance from PAS New Delhi, the grantee must research potential U.S.-citizen speakers and specialists, compile and submit names and biographies for consideration, and ensure that candidates are willing and able to travel to India. After the embassy reviews the candidate list, PAS New Delhi retains approval authority over final speaker selection, confirms which cities will be included, and drafts the overarching program schedules. The grantee then works in close coordination with PAS New Delhi and each speaker to finalize arrival and departure dates and confirm specific event formats and topics for each engagement. In addition, the grantee is responsible for arranging and paying standard program logistics, including honoraria, international and in-country travel, lodging, per diem, and visa-related needs.
From a funding and eligibility standpoint, this opportunity was published as a discretionary award under a cooperative agreement mechanism, reflecting that the Department of State expects substantial coordination during implementation rather than a fully independent grantee-led project. The activity category is listed as education under CFDA 19.040. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions). The opportunity listed an award ceiling of $170,000 with an expectation of one award. Key dates in the notice show it was created on December 20, 2018, with an original closing date of February 20, 2019.
In practical terms, a strong proposal for this kind of program would typically demonstrate the applicant’s ability to (1) identify credible, high-impact American experts aligned to the stated themes, (2) design multi-city itineraries that make sense for Indian partner institutions and target audiences, (3) manage travel and compliance logistics smoothly and cost-effectively, and (4) coordinate tightly with PAS New Delhi’s approvals and scheduling needs. The end result the embassy is aiming for is a repeatable platform that brings the right U.S. voices to Indian stakeholders, sparks substantive professional exchange, and leaves behind lasting institutional connections between the two countries.Apply for ND NOFO 19 105
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to India in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Speaker and Specialist Program for India" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 20, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 20, 2019. (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 $170,000.00 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the U.S. Speaker and Specialist Program for India?
The U.S. Speaker and Specialist Program for India is a U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to India) cooperative agreement run through the Public Affairs Section (PAS) at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. Its purpose is to bring U.S.-citizen experts to India to engage directly with Indian institutions and audiences through public-facing and professional activities.
What is the core purpose of this program?
The core purpose is to advance understanding of U.S. strategic priorities, policies, and institutions, while building durable working relationships between American and Indian experts and organizations across multiple regions of India.
What kinds of activities do speakers and specialists conduct in India?
Engagements may include lectures, workshops, seminars, and media engagements. The emphasis is on direct engagement with Indian audiences through both public-facing and professional formats.
How is the project structured?
The project is structured around a set of speaker "tours" and specialist engagements. The implementing organization (grantee) is expected to help deliver roughly six to seven distinct speaker programs during the award period.
How many speaker programs are expected during the award period?
The grantee is expected to help deliver approximately six to seven distinct speaker programs during the award period.
How long is each speaker program expected to last in-country?
Each selected expert is expected to spend about seven to ten days in India per program.
How many cities will each speaker visit?
Each expert is expected to travel to at least two to three Indian cities per program.
What regions or cities in India may be included?
Travel is envisioned across "Mission India," which may include New Delhi/North India and the U.S. consulate regions of Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. Programming is intended to reach diverse audiences beyond a single metro area.
What topics must the programming cover?
Programming content must align with U.S. Mission India thematic priorities. The notice highlights major focus areas including: promoting study in the United States and strengthening U.S.-India higher education partnerships; supporting U.S.-India trade, investment, entrepreneurship, and broader business development; discussing regional security and connectivity (including efforts enabling cross-border engagement and closer economic integration across South Asia); and advancing women’s empowerment.
Can the program include topics beyond the listed focus areas?
Yes. The announcement leaves room for additional related topics, but programming must align with U.S. Mission India’s thematic priorities.
Who identifies the specific topics for each speaker engagement?
Speakers are expected to address topics identified by PAS New Delhi and to be suitable for engagement with a wide range of professional audiences and disciplines.
What kinds of audiences are expected for the speaker engagements?
Engagements may be designed for a range of audiences depending on the tour, including academia, policy communities, private sector groups, civil society organizations, and media outlets.
Who is eligible to serve as a speaker or specialist?
Speakers and specialists are expected to be U.S.-citizen experts who are willing and able to travel to India.
What is the grantee responsible for in this program?
The grantee’s role centers on speaker sourcing and end-to-end logistics. Based on strategic guidance from PAS New Delhi, the grantee researches potential U.S.-citizen speakers and specialists, compiles and submits names and biographies for consideration, and ensures candidates are willing and able to travel to India. After approval steps, the grantee coordinates closely with PAS New Delhi and each speaker to finalize timing and confirm event formats and topics, and the grantee arranges and pays standard program logistics.
What logistics and costs must the grantee arrange and pay for?
The grantee is responsible for arranging and paying standard program logistics, including honoraria, international and in-country travel, lodging, per diem, and visa-related needs.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
This opportunity is offered under a cooperative agreement mechanism, which reflects that the Department of State expects substantial coordination during implementation rather than a fully independent grantee-led project.
Who has final approval authority over speaker selection?
PAS New Delhi retains approval authority over final speaker selection.
Who determines which cities will be included and creates the overarching schedule?
After reviewing the candidate list, PAS New Delhi confirms which cities will be included and drafts the overarching program schedules.
How does scheduling work between PAS New Delhi, the grantee, and the speaker?
PAS New Delhi drafts the overarching schedules, and the grantee then works in close coordination with PAS New Delhi and each speaker to finalize arrival and departure dates and confirm specific event formats and topics for each engagement.
What is the funding mechanism and category for this opportunity?
The opportunity was published as a discretionary award under a cooperative agreement mechanism. The activity category is listed as education under CFDA 19.040.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions).
What is the maximum award amount?
The opportunity listed an award ceiling of $170,000.
How many awards are expected?
The notice indicates an expectation of one award.
What were the key dates listed in the notice?
The notice was created on December 20, 2018, and the original closing date was February 20, 2019.
What would a strong proposal typically demonstrate for this opportunity?
A strong proposal would typically demonstrate the applicant’s ability to identify credible, high-impact American experts aligned to the stated themes; design multi-city itineraries suited to Indian partner institutions and target audiences; manage travel and compliance logistics smoothly and cost-effectively; and coordinate tightly with PAS New Delhi’s approvals and scheduling needs.
What outcome is the embassy aiming for through this program?
The intended end result is a repeatable platform that brings the right U.S. voices to Indian stakeholders, sparks substantive professional exchange, and leaves behind lasting institutional connections between the United States and India.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education
Next opportunity: Additional environmental compliance tasks at DCID
Previous opportunity: Science Applications
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 ND NOFO 19 105
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (ND NOFO 19 105) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Cyber Safe East India - Workshops on Cyber Security for E-Businesses Apply for K NOFO 19 102 Funding Number: K NOFO 19 102 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to India Category: Education Funding Amount: $45,000 |
| One to Many: Exchange Alumni Workshops Apply for C NOFO 19 101 Funding Number: C NOFO 19 101 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to India Category: Education Funding Amount: $28,000 |
| Disaster Management Studies Course Apply for M NOFO 19 107 Funding Number: M NOFO 19 107 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to India Category: Education Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| Conference “Opportunities for U.S.-Indian Higher Education STEM Collaboration” Apply for M NOFO 19 100 Funding Number: M NOFO 19 100 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to India Category: Education Funding Amount: $22,500 |
| SCA Interpretation Internship Apply for NPSNOICHAM1900036 Funding Number: NPSNOICHAM1900036 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $26,583 |
| Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII): Charter Schools Program (CSP): Grants to State Entities CFDA Number 84.282A Apply for ED GRANTS 122818 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 122818 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Short-Term Project CFDA Number 84.021A Apply for ED GRANTS 012419 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 012419 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Long-Term Project CFDA Number 84.021B Apply for ED GRANTS 012419 002 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 012419 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship Program CFDA Number 84.022A Apply for ED GRANTS 012419 003 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 012419 003 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY 2019 Intelligence Community Centers for Academic Excellence (IC CAE) Program Apply for HHM402 19 FOA 399 Funding Number: HHM402 19 FOA 399 Agency: Department of Defense, Defense Intelligence Agency Category: Education Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Competitive Grants for State Assessments Program CFDA Number 84.368A Apply for ED GRANTS 012819 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 012819 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Office of Indian Education (OIE): Indian Education Formula Grants to Local Education Agencies CFDA Number 84.060A Apply for ED GRANTS 013119 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 013119 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Program: Expansion Grants CFDA Number 84.411A Apply for ED GRANTS 020119 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 020119 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $15,000,000 |
| Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Program: Mid-phase Grants CFDA Number 84.411B Apply for ED GRANTS 020119 002 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 020119 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $8,000,000 |
| Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Program: Early-phase Grants CFDA Number 84.411C Apply for ED GRANTS 020119 003 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 020119 003 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| 2019 Community College Initiative Program Apply for DOS PTA 201901 Funding Number: DOS PTA 201901 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to South Africa Category: Education Funding Amount: $32,000 |
| American Battlefield Protection Program Apply for P19AS00011 Funding Number: P19AS00011 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| American Battlefield Protection Program Apply for P19AS00020 Funding Number: P19AS00020 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Logistical Support for Iraqi Delegation to NAFSA 2019 Apply for DOS BAGHDAD PD 2019 004 Funding Number: DOS BAGHDAD PD 2019 004 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Iraq Category: Education Funding Amount: $80,000 |
| Teach for Tomorrow Apply for RFI 263 19 00002 Funding Number: RFI 263 19 00002 Agency: Agency for International Development, Egypt USAID-Cairo Category: Education Funding Amount: $15,000,000 |
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 "ND NOFO 19 105", 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.