FY 2026 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program Announced
Summary
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) has announced the FY 2026 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, inviting proposals for a cooperative agreement to manage the high school exchange program. The program aims to foster leadership and cross-cultural understanding among youth from the U.S. and other countries.
What changed
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is soliciting proposals for a cooperative agreement to implement the FY 2026 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program. This initiative will fund the management of inbound foreign high school participants studying in the U.S. for an academic semester, including host family and school placements, enhancement activities, and monitoring. Applicants may optionally propose an outbound component for American students.
Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits. The program seeks to advance U.S. interests by cultivating young leaders with an understanding of U.S. principles and priorities, focusing on entrepreneurship, innovation, civic engagement, and leadership. The announcement details key activities, eligibility criteria, and contact information for inquiries. Interested parties should refer to the full announcement for specific proposal requirements and deadlines.
What to do next
- Review the FY 2026 YES NOFO and POGI documents for detailed requirements.
- Determine eligibility and assess capacity to manage inbound (and optionally outbound) exchange program components.
- Prepare and submit a proposal according to the guidelines outlined in the announcement.
Source document (simplified)
FY 2026 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES)
Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Assistance Listings: 19.415 -- Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Citizen Exchanges
Last Updated: March 26, 2026 View version history on Grants.gov
Description
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) invite proposals for a cooperative agreement to implement the FY 2026 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) high school exchange program, hereafter referred to as the YES program. Participants will be on program from approximately January to June 2027. The program requires the following elements:
· Manage overseas operations, recruit and select inbound participants, arrange travel, and oversee database and website management for all inbound participants, as well as coordinate the overall program.
... · Manage host family and school placements for inbound foreign participants in the United States, organize “American Excellence” enhancement activities, and provide ongoing monitoring and support.
Although not required, applicants have the option to also propose a YES Abroad outbound component, recruiting, placing, and monitoring up to 30 American students who will attend high school and live with host families overseas.
The YES program advances U.S. interests by cultivating a network of young leaders who understand and support U.S. principles and priorities, with a focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, civic engagement, and leadership. The program equips American youth participants with language skills and cross-cultural competencies essential for success in international business, diplomacy, and security. By fostering connections among young people from the United States and key countries, the program supports the National Security Strategy’s focus on expanding alliances to secure American interests and counter adversarial influence.
Key Activities:
- Up to 270 foreign high school participants will study in the U.S. for an academic semester.
- All participants live with host families, attend high school, perform community service, and participate in American Excellence enhancement activities.
ECA expects to issue one award. Please see announcement 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 full announcement.
Grantor contact information
Description
Katja David-Fox
Documents
Download all
| File name | Description | Last updated |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FY2026YES-NOFO.pdf | FY 2026 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) NOFO | Mar 26, 2026 04:31 PM UTC |
| FY26YES-_POGI.pdf | FY 2026 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) POGI | Mar 26, 2026 04:31 PM UTC |
| performancemonitoringplanmode2.3_02.03.2025.pdf | ECA Performance Monitoring Plan 626 KB (PDF) | Mar 26, 2026 04:32 PM UTC |
| performancemonitoringplanmode2.3_02.03.2025-4.docx | ECA Performance Monitoring Plan 219 KB (DOCX) | Mar 26, 2026 04:33 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Organizational Funding Opportunities
Closing: May 26, 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
$10,000,000
Award Minimum
$10,000,000
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
DFOP0017979
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 announcement.
History
Version:
2
Posted date:
March 26, 2026
Archive date:
June 25, 2026
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