other · DOS-ECA
FY 2026 Youth Ambassadors Programs
Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs · DFOP0018391
Award Range
$300K – $2.1M
Total Program Funding
$8.0M
Expected Awards
8
Deadline
July 17, 2026
GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview
State Dept ECA funds 8 grants (up to $2.1M each) for FY 2026 Youth Ambassadors Programs — youth exchange programs bringing young leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean to the U.S. for leadership development.
Who Should Apply
Large exchange organizations with Latin America/Caribbean youth programming capacity and J-1 visa sponsorship.
Who Should NOT Apply
Small organizations, entities without international youth exchange infrastructure.
Key Requirements (Plain English)
- •Must administer youth exchange with Latin America/Caribbean
- •8 awards up to $2.1M
- •Must manage J-1 visa exchanges
- •No cost-sharing required
💡 GrantQuick Tip
Youth Ambassadors is an established regional exchange program with known implementers. New applicants need demonstrated capacity for multi-country youth exchanges.
Competitiveness: High — 8 awards with likely incumbent advantage for each region.
What This Grant Funds
The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Youth Programs Division of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is pleased to announce an open competition for the FY 2026 Youth Ambassadors program. Proposals may be submitted to implement one, or more, of eight program options outlined in this solicitation. A different proposal must be submitted for each program option, if applying for more than one. You must clearly identify which program option a proposal is for, early in the Executive Summary of the proposal. The Youth Ambassadors program provides groups of youth and adult mentor (select programs) participants from select countries in the regions of Sub-Saharan Africa (AF), East Asia and Pacific (EAP), Europe and Eurasia (EUR), Middle East and North Africa (NEA), South Central Asia (SCA), the Western Hemisphere (WHA), and the United States of America (USA) , with a three-week exchange focusing on youth leadership. In addition to participants travelling internationally, exchanges will include U.S. youth and adult mentors participating as peers in U.S. based exchanges. As applicants explore the main theme of leadership, they are encouraged to showcase creative and transformative application of AI concepts, resources, strategies, and tools. Program participants will apply knowledge gained on the program to implement follow-on projects in their home communities.
Please see the Notice of Funding Opportunity for additional information.
Attachments
Who Can Apply
Eligible Applicant Types
Funding Details
- Minimum Award
- $300K
- Maximum Award
- $2.1M
- Total Program Funding
- $8.0M
- Expected Number of Awards
- 8
- Cost Sharing Required?
- No
- Funding Instrument
- cooperative_agreement
Key Dates
Agency Contact
Ashraf Sarsour
SarsourAA@state.govReady to apply?
View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov