From Sea to Shining Sea-America250 Initiative RFP RELEASE DATE: December 17th, 2025 QUESTION SUBMISSION DEADLINE: January 7th, 2026 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE: January 9th, 2026 Statement of Purpose Meridian International Center’s IVLP Team is responsible for administering the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), a professional exchange program. IVLP participants from around the world travel to Philadelphia, Pa for the first leg of their U.S. professional exchange program. On average, Meridian administers projects for roughly 1,500 – 2,000 IVLP participants during a single year. To ensure a comfortable stay for the participants when they arrive, the IVLP requires … Continued
Request for Proposal DC IVLP Hotel Accommodations For Meridian International Center From Sea to Shining Sea-America250 Initiative RFP RELEASE DATE: December 4th 2025 QUESTION SUBMISSION DEADLINE: December 12th, 2025 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE: December 23rd , 2025 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE Meridian International Center’s IVLP Team is responsible for administering the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), a professional exchange program. IVLP participants from around the world travel to Washington, DC for the first leg of their U.S. professional exchange program. On average, Meridian administers projects for roughly 1,500 – 2,000 IVLP participants during a single year. To ensure … Continued
As space becomes the next frontier for technological collaboration, the United States is deepening partnerships with key allies such as Peru to ensure a shared, secure vision for the future of space. On March 27th, the U.S. Department of State hosted eight Peruvian civil and military officials at Meridian International Center to launch the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) titled: Enabling Space Cooperation with Peru. The 12-day exchange program brought key space sector stakeholders to the United States to explore American successes in space sector innovation. Led by U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and implemented with … Continued
This IVLP project brought nine legislators from Panama’s National Assembly to Washington, DC to strengthen their ability to protect national sovereignty and critical infrastructure from malign foreign influence, particularly from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Through high level engagements—including briefings at the U.S. Department of State, Pentagon, Department of Homeland Security, the Capitol, CSIS, NCSL, the Atlantic Council, IRI, and the Heritage Foundation—the delegation explored U.S. approaches to countering foreign interference, enhancing Canal security cooperation, and improving legislative oversight. The meeting with Representative John Moolenaar, Chair of the House Select Committee on the CCP, was particularly impactful, offering participants a … Continued
Reliable energy systems are the foundation of economic growth and national security. For Pakistan—where rising demand and resource constraints challenge long-term stability—integrated planning across the power and petroleum sectors is essential. This International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) brought together eight Pakistani officials, industry leaders, and researchers to explore how the United States leverages regulatory innovation, public-private partnerships, and advanced technologies to strengthen energy security. Through high-level engagements across Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, North Dakota, and Oklahoma, participants examined how U.S. approaches to energy integration can inform Pakistan’s efforts to build a more resilient energy future. Project Objectives Strengthen energy security by … Continued
From July 16 - 21, 2025, Meridian led a Global Insights Delegation to Osaka, Japan, immersing participants in the dynamic environment of Expo 2025 and the surrounding city. The program provided a unique perspective on how World Expos serve as platforms for cultural diplomacy, innovation, and international collaboration. Meridian's Global Insights Delegations, which include recent trips to India and Portugal, provide participants with firsthand context of Meridian’s mission of strengthening U.S. engagement with the world through the exchange of people, ideas, and culture. Behind the Expo: Showcasing American Creativity Delegates attended the USA Pavilion National Day festivities, where they … Continued
As the official International Resource Partner of the America250 Commission and working with the White House Freedom250 Commission on select future programming, Meridian International Center will commemorate America’s 250th anniversary by highlighting the global relationships that have shaped the United States since its founding. For more than six decades, Meridian has served as a trusted hub for diplomacy and cultural exchange in Washington, D.C. In 2026, we will mark the Semiquincentennial of the United States by convening embassies, international leaders, and American changemakers to showcase how partnerships across borders have defined—and continue to strengthen—our security, prosperity, and global leadership. Meridian’s … Continued
Creative industries are among the fastest-growing sectors globally, generating both economic growth and cultural vitality. As Côte d’Ivoire works to strengthen its creative economy, a delegation of 10 professionals — including government officials, event organizers, and leaders from the film, music, and culinary sectors — participated in an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) designed to explore how the United States supports and sustains its creative and tourism ecosystems. With stops across four U.S. cities, participants investigated how local initiatives can stimulate employment, preserve cultural heritage, and foster economic development through cross-sector collaboration. Project Objectives Exchange best practices with U.S. policymakers … Continued
As international travel grows, the safety of global tourist destinations has become a priority shared by governments, law enforcement agencies, and local communities alike. Through the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), a group of law enforcement professionals and public safety officials from Indonesia traveled to the United States to explore strategies for safeguarding tourist destinations. By examining American approaches to community policing, interagency collaboration, and public-private partnerships, the visitors gained insights into managing security in high-traffic areas while fostering trust across populations. Project Objectives Examine the U.S. "protect and serve" policing ethos across federal, state, and local contexts. Explore how … Continued
Project Objectives The 2025 Meridian-Cox Foreign Service Fellowship for Emerging Leaders brought 20 outstanding college students to Washington, DC, in June 2025 for a fully funded enrichment and training program designed to increase awareness of Foreign Service careers among students nationwide. Generously underwritten by the Una Chapman Cox Foundation, this program is a collaboration between Meridian International Center, the Una Chapman Cox Foundation, and Community Colleges for International Development. The fellowship blends diplomatic skills training with practical learning experiences and valuable networking opportunities, preparing students with the knowledge and confidence needed to thrive in the Foreign Service. Project Design During … Continued
