FY 2026 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program Funding Opportunity
Summary
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has announced the FY 2026 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program, with up to $4.8 million in funding available. This program aims to place approximately 160 undergraduate students at U.S. colleges and universities to foster cultural understanding and develop skills in priority fields.
What changed
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is soliciting applications for the FY 2026 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD). The program has a total funding ceiling of $4.8 million and is intended to support approximately 160 undergraduate students from various countries at a wide range of U.S. higher education institutions. The initiative focuses on providing participants with an immersive American experience, developing skills in strategic fields such as semiconductors, AI, and manufacturing, and deepening their understanding of U.S. culture and civic engagement.
Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, as well as 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. The application deadline is June 2, 2026. Awarded institutions will be responsible for administering the program, ensuring participant health and safety, and facilitating the students' academic and cultural integration. Compliance officers should review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for detailed application requirements and program administration guidelines.
What to do next
- Review the FY26 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program NOFO for detailed requirements.
- Submit applications by the June 2, 2026 deadline.
- Ensure staffing levels are adequate to prioritize participant health and safety.
Source document (simplified)
FY 2026 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program
Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Assistance Listings: 19.009 -- Academic Exchange Programs - Undergraduate Programs
Last Updated: March 26, 2026 View version history on Grants.gov
Description
The Office of Academic Exchange Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for the administration of the FY 2026 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD). The total amount of funding for this award will be up to $4,800,000, pending the availability of FY 2026 funds.
The Global UGRAD Program places small cohorts of participants at a broad range of colleges and universities, including community colleges, land-grant institutions, rural campuses, and Senior Military Institutions, giving participants a “real American” experience in small towns and rural communities. Participants build skills in strategic U.S. priority fields such as business, entrepreneurship, semiconductors, AI, engineering, critical minerals, manufacturing, and supply chain resilience. All participants are required to study U.S. history, civic engagement, and American culture, deepening their understanding of American excellence, innovation, and culture. Funding should support approximately 160 participants, pending the availability of FY 2026 funds. Every effort should be made to maximize the number of scholarships awarded; staffing levels should be adequate to ensure that participant health and safety are prioritized.
...
Please see the NOFO for additional information.
Show full description
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Education
- Public and state institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
Nonprofit
- Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)
Miscellaneous
- Other
Additional information
Please see announcement.
Grantor contact information
Description
Stephanie Sanders
Documents
Download all
| File name | Description | Last updated |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FY26GlobalUGRAD-NOFO.pdf | FY26 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program NOFO | Mar 26, 2026 04:24 PM UTC |
| FY26GlobalUGRAD-POGI.pdf | FY26 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program POGI | Mar 26, 2026 04:25 PM UTC |
| performancemonitoringplanmode2.3_02.03.2025-4.docx | ECA Performance Monitoring Plan 219 KB (DOCX) | Mar 26, 2026 04:34 PM UTC |
| performancemonitoringplanmode2.3_02.03.2025.pdf | ECA Performance Monitoring Plan 219 KB (PDF) | Mar 26, 2026 04:34 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Organizational Funding Opportunities
Closing: June 2, 2026
Application process
This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates. View on Grants.gov
Award
$--
Program Funding
1
Expected awards
$4,800,000
Award Minimum
$4,800,000
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
DFOP0017975
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
No Funding instrument type:
Cooperative agreement
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
-- Category of Funding Activity:
Other
Category Explanation:
Please see full announcement.
History
Version:
2
Posted date:
March 26, 2026
Archive date:
July 2, 2026
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