FY 2026 Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals and Congress-Bundestag/Bundesrat Staff Exchange

The U.S. Department of State, through its Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals and the Congress-Bundestag/Bundesrat Staff Exchange programs. This initiative is authorized under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act, which promotes mutual understanding between the United States and other nations through educational and cultural exchange. The program reflects long-standing bilateral cooperation between the United States Congress and the German Bundestag, with origins dating back to 1983. It aims to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between the two countries through structured exchange opportunities for young professionals and legislative staff. The primary purpose of the program is to develop the next generation of transatlantic leaders while reinforcing shared economic and security priorities between the United States and Germany. The initiative focuses on building leadership capacity, enhancing workforce skills, and fostering cultural exchange through immersive, year-long experiences. Participants engage in academic study, professional training, and community integration, including living with host families. The program also includes a short-term staff exchange component that strengthens institutional collaboration between U.S. Congressional staff and German parliamentary staff. Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement, with approximately $1,100,000 available for a single award. The selected recipient organization will be responsible for implementing the full program, including recruitment, selection, placement, and support of participants. Allowable costs include participant travel, academic programming, administrative support, and monitoring activities, as well as up to $35,000 allocated for the outbound staff exchange travel component. While cost sharing is not required, applicants are encouraged to demonstrate additional private sector support. The period of performance ranges from 12 to 24 months, covering preparation, implementation, and follow-up activities. Eligible applicants are limited to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations, including civil society organizations, think tanks, and public or private educational institutions. Applicants must demonstrate at least four years of experience in conducting international exchange programs to access full funding levels, as those with less experience may face funding caps. Organizations must also maintain valid registrations in SAM.gov and possess a Unique Entity Identifier. Only one proposal per organization is permitted, and submissions must comply fully with all requirements outlined in the solicitation and associated guidance documents. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes several mandatory components such as the SF-424 form, executive summary, proposal narrative, detailed budget, and budget narrative. Applications must be submitted electronically by the stated deadline, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances. The review process involves technical eligibility screening, followed by evaluation against criteria such as program planning, participant safety, institutional capacity, monitoring and evaluation, and cost effectiveness. Final award decisions are made by the Assistant Secretary of ECA. The timeline for the program includes an anticipated award date in mid-September, followed by recruitment activities in late 2026 and participant selection in early 2027. Program implementation occurs during the 2027–2028 academic year, with participant travel beginning in mid-2027 and concluding in mid-2028. The cooperative agreement extends through August 2029 to accommodate reporting and administrative closeout. Applicants can direct questions to the designated program officer via email, and all correspondence must reference the funding opportunity number. This opportunity does not explicitly indicate recurrence but is part of an established exchange program historically offered on a recurring basis.

Focus on strong program design aligned with transatlantic goals; demonstrate experience in international exchanges; include detailed monitoring and evaluation framework aligned with MODE indicators; ensure budget justification is clear and compliant