FY 2026 Tech Youth Program

The FY Tech Youth Program is a federal funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of State through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), specifically the Office of Citizen Exchanges. The program is issued under Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0018281 and supports a new international youth exchange initiative designed to advance U.S. technological leadership, workforce competitiveness, and foreign policy objectives through education and cultural exchange. The authority for the program derives from the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The initiative is structured as a cooperative agreement with substantial involvement from the Department of State throughout implementation. ECA anticipates making one award totaling approximately $1,100,000, subject to the availability of federal funds, for a 15-month period of performance beginning around September 15, 2026. Pending successful implementation and future appropriations, ECA intends to renew the award for up to two additional consecutive fiscal years before recompeting the opportunity. The Tech Youth Program will support approximately 96 participants, including around 72 English-speaking international high school students and 24 American high school students, through pre-exchange virtual activities, a three-week U.S.-based exchange program planned for summer 2027, and post-exchange alumni engagement and capstone projects. The program focuses heavily on artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and international collaboration. Participants will engage in immersive educational experiences such as technology camps, job shadowing, mentorships, company site visits, workshops, and interactions with U.S. industry leaders. Subject areas may include artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, quantum computing, e-commerce, energy technologies, and related innovation sectors. The exchange is also intended to deepen understanding of American history, democratic values, civic engagement, freedom of speech, and entrepreneurship through homestays, community engagement, and cultural activities. Eligible applicants are limited to U.S. nonprofit organizations, including nongovernmental organizations, think tanks, and public or private educational institutions. Organizations must demonstrate at least four years of experience conducting international exchanges because the anticipated award exceeds $130,000 in ECA funding. Applicants must maintain an active SAM.gov registration and possess a Unique Entity Identifier. Only one application per legal entity will be considered. Applications must contain all required federal forms and narratives, including SF-424, SF-424A, an executive summary, proposal narrative, detailed line-item budget, and budget narrative. Although cost sharing is not mandatory, ECA strongly encourages applicants to maximize private sector and institutional support, especially through partnerships with technology companies and industry leaders. Private sector contributions may support additional technology programming, expanded American student participation, or supplemental activities. The solicitation places substantial emphasis on participant safety, monitoring, and compliance with J-1 visa regulations. Applicants must provide comprehensive participant supervision plans, emergency response procedures, host family screening protocols, and criminal background checks for staff and host families. The award recipient will be responsible for international and domestic travel coordination, visa facilitation, pre-departure orientations, housing arrangements, health enrollment through the Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges, alumni engagement, participant monitoring, and reporting requirements. The program also requires a short educational visit to Washington, D.C. that includes engagement with the U.S. Department of State and activities highlighting American civic history. ECA expects recipients to coordinate extensively with U.S. embassies worldwide during recruitment, participant selection, alumni engagement, and travel logistics. Applications will be evaluated competitively using several equally weighted criteria. Reviewers will assess the quality and originality of the program design, institutional capacity, ability to achieve stated goals, participant safety planning, monitoring and evaluation capacity, and overall cost effectiveness. Strong preference will be given to organizations with demonstrated experience operating youth exchange programs, managing complex international projects, and implementing substantive technology-focused educational activities for secondary school participants. Monitoring and evaluation plans must align with ECA’s MODE Framework and include specific indicators measuring participant outcomes related to cross-cultural competence, civic engagement, leadership, technical skills, and alumni engagement. Applicants are also encouraged to integrate virtual exchange components that can supplement or temporarily replace in-person activities when necessary due to political, health, or environmental disruptions. The application deadline is July 6, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, and applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. ECA recommends applicants begin registration processes early because SAM.gov registration may require four to eight weeks. Questions regarding the competition may be directed to Sarah Shields of the Youth Programs Division at ShieldsSD@state.gov. The anticipated award date is September 15, 2026. The funding opportunity is expected to recur because ECA explicitly states its intent to renew the cooperative agreement for two additional fiscal years, contingent upon satisfactory program performance and continued federal appropriations. The NOFO also notes that program structures, participating countries, budgets, and participant numbers may be modified based on evolving U.S. foreign policy priorities and operational considerations.

Prioritize strong AI and emerging technology programming with substantive U.S. business engagement and detailed participant safety monitoring. Competitive applications will demonstrate experience managing global youth exchanges and include robust mentorships job shadowing and alumni engagement strategies aligned with ECA review criteria.