FY 2026 Leaders Lead On-Demand

The FY26 Leaders Lead On-Demand program is administered by the U.S. Department of State through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. This program operates under the authority of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act, which supports international exchange initiatives to foster mutual understanding between the United States and other countries. The Leaders Lead On-Demand program is designed as a flexible and rapid-response mechanism to address emerging foreign policy priorities by creating tailored exchange opportunities for professionals across sectors. The core purpose of the program is to develop and implement a series of customized exchange projects that bring together emerging leaders and mid-level professionals from government, business, and civil society. These exchanges are intended to build self-sustaining networks across global, regional, and country-specific contexts. Participants engage in collaborative activities such as workshops, meetings, and events, both in the United States and abroad. Each exchange includes a U.S.-based component as well as at least one international segment involving U.S. participants, ensuring a two-way exchange model. Funding for this program is provided through a cooperative agreement, with approximately 2,000,000 dollars available for a single award. The anticipated performance period ranges from 24 to 30 months, during which the recipient organization will manage approximately eight to twelve exchange projects. Allowable costs include travel, per diem, participant allowances, consultant fees, materials development, and logistical support, all subject to federal guidelines. While cost sharing is not required, applicants are encouraged to contribute additional resources to strengthen proposals. Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations and educational institutions, both public and private. Applicants must demonstrate at least four years of experience conducting international exchange programs, particularly those involving leadership development and professional training. Organizations must also maintain active registration in federal systems such as SAM.gov and Grants.gov and comply with all submission requirements outlined in the solicitation. Only one application per organization will be considered. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes several mandatory components such as the SF-424 form, a detailed proposal narrative, budget documentation, and supporting materials. Proposals are evaluated based on program design quality, institutional capacity, cost effectiveness, and monitoring and evaluation plans. The Department of State maintains substantial involvement throughout the project lifecycle, including approval of participants, oversight of programming, and coordination with U.S. embassies and consulates. The application deadline for this opportunity is May 25, 2026, with an anticipated award date of August 31, 2026. The program does not specify recurring funding cycles, indicating a one-time funding opportunity for this fiscal year. Selected recipients are expected to begin program implementation following award notification and to comply with ongoing reporting, monitoring, and evaluation requirements throughout the period of performance.

Align proposal closely with stated review criteria including program design quality and measurable outcomes; demonstrate strong institutional capacity and prior exchange experience; include detailed monitoring and evaluation framework