Foreign assistance data in the Foreign Assistance Dashboard is classified by sector, for example, Agriculture, Basic Education, or Civil Society. Fourty-four sectors are organized under broader foreign assistance categories. The nine categories used to organize foreign assistance funds are:

1. Peace and Security
2. Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance
3. Health
4. Education and Social Services
5. Economic Development
6. Environment
7. Humanitarian Assistance
8. Program Management
9. Multi-Sector

All funds are sorted into only one sector and one category, so there is no double-counting of funds. This sector framework, therefore, represents 100% of the Dashboard’s currently available data on the foreign assistance budget, excluding Operating Expenses. The framework of sector classifications includes an established structure with precise definitions that enables the aggregation, comparison, and analysis of data.

It is important to note that budgets and programs are generally classified within the sector framework according to "what" they are doing and not "why" they are doing it. This is done to preserve sector classification consistency and to prevent funds from being double counted. A single foreign assistance program can have multiple functions, but can only be counted one time against the sector framework. To avoid individual perceptions of purpose and function, programs are classified based on the activity. For example, to increase participation in an upcoming election, a program is improving a road that leads to an electoral voting station. This program would be classified under Infrastructure (the activity) and not Political Competition (the purpose). For a list of all the sectors represented within each category and their corresponding definitions, click here. The Dashboard Sector Framework was included as an Attachment to the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Bulletin 12-01, which offers federal agencies guidance on the collection of U.S. foreign assistance data. The U.S. interagency will make periodic updates to the Sector Framework and the most current version will be reflected on the Dashboard. For more detailed information about the Bulletin, please see the Understanding the Data and What’s Coming pages.