Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0006401
The FY 2020 Creative Arts Exchange (CAE) grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0006401) is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program that funds arts-based, international people-to-people exchange initiatives designed to advance U.S. foreign policy objectives. The program is framed as a cultural diplomacy effort, using artistic collaboration, performance, workshops, and related engagement to build relationships and mutual understanding between U.S. participants and overseas audiences, cultural leaders, and institutions. Awards are issued as cooperative agreements, which typically means the Department of State expects to have substantial involvement in shaping, guiding, or coordinating major elements of the project during implementation rather than simply providing funds with minimal federal participation.
For FY 2020, the CAE competition is organized around three specific thematic tracks tied to established exchange brands: Theme One focuses on Film through the American Film Showcase; Theme Two focuses on Music through American Music Abroad; and Theme Three focuses on Music through OneBeat. While the announcement text provided does not list the exact eligible activities, these theme labels generally signal projects that use screenings, filmmaker engagements, film education and dialogue (Film), as well as performances, residencies, workshops, collaborative composition, and professional or community-based music engagement (Music). In each case, the core emphasis is on international exchange and direct interpersonal connection, not just presenting U.S. art abroad, but facilitating sustained interaction, skill-sharing, and relationship-building that aligns with public diplomacy goals.
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding, with the funding instrument identified as a cooperative agreement, and it is associated with CFDA number 19.415. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is listed as $2,000,000, and the agency anticipated making about three awards under this competition. The application window opened with a creation date of January 28, 2020, and the original closing date was April 24, 2020.
Eligibility is open to a range of applicant types, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). The listing also includes an "Others" category, indicating that additional eligible applicant types may be described in the full announcement under the additional eligibility clarification section. A key compliance rule in this competition is the strict one-proposal limit per applicant: applicants may submit only a single proposal, and if an applicant submits multiple proposals, all of that applicant's submissions are deemed ineligible and will not advance for review. This is a significant procedural constraint that effectively forces organizations to select one theme or concept to put forward rather than trying to compete in multiple lanes.
In practical terms, this funding opportunity supports U.S.-linked film and music exchange programming that can credibly demonstrate how creative collaboration and cultural engagement will advance U.S. Department of State objectives overseas. Prospective applicants would need to align closely with one of the three themes, build a strong exchange rationale centered on people-to-people impact, and ensure internal coordination so only one consolidated application is submitted. For full program expectations, allowable activities, budget parameters, and selection criteria, the announcement directs applicants to consult the complete funding notice.Apply for SFOP0006401
- 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 "FY 2020 Creative Arts Exchange" 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 Jan 28, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 24, 2020. (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 $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 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).
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FY 2020 Creative Arts Exchange (CAE) Grant (SFOP0006401) - FAQs
What is the FY 2020 Creative Arts Exchange (CAE) grant opportunity?
The FY 2020 Creative Arts Exchange (CAE) is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs funding opportunity that supports arts-based, international people-to-people exchange initiatives designed to advance U.S. foreign policy objectives through cultural diplomacy.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SFOP0006401.
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
What is the purpose of the CAE program?
The program is framed as a cultural diplomacy effort. It uses artistic collaboration, performance, workshops, and related engagement to build relationships and mutual understanding between U.S. participants and overseas audiences, cultural leaders, and institutions, in ways that align with U.S. public diplomacy and foreign policy objectives.
What type of funding is this (discretionary vs. formula)?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding.
What is the funding instrument used for awards?
Awards are issued as cooperative agreements.
What does it mean that awards are cooperative agreements?
A cooperative agreement typically indicates the Department of State expects to have substantial involvement during project implementation, such as shaping, guiding, or coordinating major elements of the project, rather than providing funds with minimal federal participation.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 19.415.
What are the thematic tracks for the FY 2020 CAE competition?
The competition is organized around three themes tied to established exchange brands:
- Theme One: Film through the American Film Showcase
- Theme Two: Music through American Music Abroad
- Theme Three: Music through OneBeat
What kinds of projects are generally implied under the Film theme?
While the provided announcement text does not list exact eligible activities, the Film theme label (American Film Showcase) generally signals projects involving screenings, filmmaker engagements, and film education and dialogue as part of an international exchange approach.
What kinds of projects are generally implied under the Music themes?
While the provided announcement text does not list exact eligible activities, the Music theme labels (American Music Abroad and OneBeat) generally signal projects that may involve performances, residencies, workshops, collaborative composition, and professional or community-based music engagement, built around international exchange and direct interpersonal connection.
Is the program focused on presenting U.S. art abroad, or on exchange?
The core emphasis is on international exchange and direct people-to-people connection. The described intent goes beyond presenting U.S. art abroad and focuses on sustained interaction, skill-sharing, and relationship-building aligned with public diplomacy goals.
What is the maximum award amount for this opportunity?
The maximum award amount (award ceiling) listed is $2,000,000.
How many awards does the agency expect to make?
The agency anticipated making about three awards under this competition.
When did the application period open?
The application window opened with a creation date of January 28, 2020.
What was the original application deadline?
The original closing date listed was April 24, 2020.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is open to:
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- An "Others" category, which suggests additional eligible applicant types may be described in the full announcement under additional eligibility clarification
What does the "Others" eligibility category mean?
The listing includes an "Others" category, indicating there may be additional eligible applicant types. The full funding notice is referenced as the place to find any additional eligibility clarification.
Is there a limit on how many proposals an organization can submit?
Yes. There is a strict one-proposal limit per applicant.
What happens if an applicant submits more than one proposal?
If an applicant submits multiple proposals, all submissions from that applicant are deemed ineligible and will not advance for review.
Does the one-proposal rule affect applying under multiple themes?
Yes. The one-proposal limit effectively forces an organization to choose one theme or a single consolidated concept, rather than submitting separate applications across multiple tracks.
What is the main program emphasis applicants should design around?
Applicants are expected to align with one of the three themes and build a strong exchange rationale centered on people-to-people impact, creative collaboration, and cultural engagement that supports Department of State objectives overseas.
Where should applicants look for allowable activities, budget parameters, and selection criteria?
The announcement directs applicants to consult the complete funding notice for full program expectations, allowable activities, budget parameters, and selection criteria.
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