No Borders NewsThe U.S. Department of State is creating a new award term called “Combating Gender Ideology in Foreign Assistance.” It will be used in some grants, cooperative agreements, and voluntary contributions connected to U.S. foreign assistance.
According to the Federal Register notice, the term is meant to carry out a U.S. foreign policy goal of not supporting the promotion of “gender ideology” overseas. The requirements are directed at a range of partners, including foreign NGOs, U.S. NGOs, international organizations, foreign governments, and parastatals that receive or participate in covered awards.
The notice says the award term is being issued under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and other foreign assistance laws that allow the Department to attach terms and conditions to foreign aid. It also notes the approach is consistent with the Mexico City Policy protocol.
The Department says the term will be incorporated as applicable into grants and cooperative agreements when new funds are added and also into new awards. This means the practical impact will depend on whether a specific award is newly funded or newly issued.
Official source: Federal Register notice (U.S. Department of State) — https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/27/2026-01516/combating-gender-ideology-in-foreign-assistance