Apply for the TechGirls 2026: Empowering the Next Generation of Female Leaders in STEM(Fully-funded)
TechGirls is a U.S.-based summer exchange program designed to expand the talent pipeline in STEM. Young women (ages 15-17) from the United States and select countries gain valuable hands-on training leading them to pursue higher education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.
In 2026, the program will include 111 young women from 37 eligible countries/territories and 13 U.S. peers in a dynamic three-week U.S.-based experience with a seven-month mentoring program (including pre-and post-exchange).
Participating Countries: TechGirls will be competitively recruited and selected from the following regions/countries and territories (approximately 3 participants per country/territory):
- United States of America
- Sub-Saharan Africa (AF) – Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zambia
- East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) – Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Mongolia, Taiwan, and Vietnam
- Europe and Eurasia (EUR) – Albania, Cyprus, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Türkiye
- Middle East and North Africa (NEA) – Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, and Tunisia
- South and Central Asia (SCA) – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan
- Western Hemisphere (WHA) – Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Suriname
Since 2012, TechGirls has trained and mentored 901 teenage girls. The TechGirls program engages a talented cadre of STEM-minded young women from the United States and select countries in all six regions of the world (Western Hemisphere, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and Eurasia, East Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, and South and Central Asia).
The core of the TechGirls program is a 23-day experience in the United States. In partnership with Virginia Tech University, participants engage in an interactive tech camp that provides an in-depth examination of cutting-edge technologies and various educational and professional paths in STEM fields. Then, TechGirls travel to a city around the USA (Austin, Cincinnati, Denver, Detroit, Kansas City or Seattle) for community immersion and STEM career exploration. The program ends in Washington DC. The TechGirls programming yields a multiplier effect as participants return home to conduct community-based projects with seven months of mentorship.
ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION
The application for the 2026 TechGirls program opens on December 11 at 8:00 AM EST and closes on January 20 at 12:00 PM/Noon EST.
Please note that due to strong interest in the program globally, ONLY the first 125 fully completed applications from each country/territory will be considered. Do not wait until the last minute to apply as you will not be able to submit an application after 125 completed applications have been received from your country/territory. There will be no exceptions.
Selection Process
All TechGirls participants are selected based on the eligibility requirements below. Independent selection committees composed of industry leaders and regional experts review applications.
- For international semi-finalists, U.S. embassy personnel in host country/territory of permanent residence conduct interviews.
- For U.S. semi-finalists, Legacy International conducts interviews.
2026 Eligibility Requirements
Students eligible to apply are those who:
- Are citizens of one of the 2026 participating countries/territories AND living in that country/territory at time of exchange:
- Sub-Saharan Africa (AF) – Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zambia
- East Asia and Pacific (EAP) – Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Mongolia, Taiwan, and Vietnam
- Europe and Eurasia (EUR) – Albania, Cyprus, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Türkiye
- Middle East and North Africa (NEA) – Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, and Tunisia
- South and Central Asia (SCA) – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan
- Western Hemisphere (WHA) – Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Suriname
- United States of America
- Are between the ages of 15 and 17 at the start of the exchange on July 11, 2026
- Born on or between July 12, 2008 and July 11, 2011;
- Have demonstrated advanced skills and a serious interest in science, technology, engineering, and/or math in their academic studies;
- Intend to pursue higher education and/or careers in STEM, especially technology;
- Have strong English language skills (advanced intermediate English skills);
- Exhibit maturity, flexibility, and open-mindedness;
- Will attend at least one additional semester of secondary school upon their return to their home country;
- Are committed to completing a community-based project upon their return home;
- Eligible candidates must be citizens and current residents of 2026 participating countries. Third-country nationals permanently living in an eligible country should contact us to determine eligibility prior to applying.
- Preference will be given to those who have limited or no prior experience in the United States. You are not eligible if you have traveled to the United States in the last three years as part of any other ECA exchange program.
- Not eligible if you are a family member of U.S. Embassy or Consulate staff or U.S. Department of State employees. You cannot be a family member of a Legacy International staff member or any of our partner organizations.
- Americans who are dual citizens and living abroad are not eligible to travel to the US on the program or get a J-1 visa.
Use of AI software:
All answers in the application, including written responses to essays, must be your own original work, based on your own creativity and effort, without any aid or assistance from others or from any technological tools (including, but not limited to, translation services and editing software tools).
Using language copied from other applications (including those of other applicants or TechGirls alumnae) or from other sources (including websites or blogs) is considered plagiarism and will result in the application being disqualified.
Candidates are prohibited from using any artificial intelligence (AI) tool, including but not limited to ChatGPT, to aid in their written responses. The review panel reserves the right to discontinue any individual’s candidacy if found to have used AI tools in the application process.
TechGirls is made possible through the financial support of the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The program benefits the selected young leaders and provides a broad range of domestic benefits while involving American communities and organizations.
Covered Costs
The TechGirls program covers the following costs:
- Visa fee for international participants
- Roundtrip international airfare from participant home country to the United States
- Roundtrip domestic airfare from participant home city (as applicable)
- Housing during program
- Double occupancy dormitory accommodations at Virginia Tech
- Double occupancy accommodations at hotel in Washington, D.C.
- Meals during program
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Local transportation to group program events
- All educational and cultural events
- Emergency health insurance
A safe environment:
At TechGirls, we encourage youth leadership and responsibility and create an environment of trust. We clearly explain the schedule and expect TechGirls to be on time and ready for each activity. The schedule created helps everyone get most out of the three week intensive learning experience.
Supervision: TechGirls are supervised 24 hours a day. An environment is created to address problems and concerns swiftly. Staff assist youths with cultural adjustments, and mentor and counsel as needed. Staff are First Aid and CPR certified to speedily address any health care needs.
Respect for all Religions: The TechGirls population includes girls from a variety of faith backgrounds and the staff make sure that the students wishing to practice specific religious observances are given the space and opportunity to do so.
TechGirls will:
- Challenge themselves with new questions and concepts.
- Learn coding and tech skills from enthusiastic university professors.
- Network with influential industry leaders.
- Build their own innovative leadership style.
- Create meaningful friendships with peers from all over the world.
- Explore the United States living on the campus of Virginia Tech, enjoying homestays in a US city, and visiting the nation’s capitol, Washington D.C.
- Discover American culture, ideas, and innovations.
- Implement community projects engaging the next generation in their home countries.
2026 Program Flow*:
(*Please note that all dates are tentative)
- July 11, 2026: Arrivals and Orientation in Washington, D.C.
- International TechGirls travel with fellow TechGirls from their home country and a flight chaperone.
- July 13-25, 2026: Tech camp at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia
- July 25-29, 2026: Community Immersion and Job Shadow experience in one of the following cities:
- Austin, Texas
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Denver, Colorado
- Detroit, Michigan
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Seattle, Washington State
- July 29-August 1, 2026: Activities and meetings in Washington, D.C.
- Past activities include visits to NASA, Capitol Hill, sports games, the U.S. Department of State, and more.
- August 2, 2026: Departure from Washington, D.C.
Important Notes:
- The TechGirls staff provides 24-hour supervision and a safe and secure environment.
- The TechGirls team is aware that there may be academic calendar conflicts with the summer TechGirls program schedule for some participants. The TechGirls team, the U.S. Department of State, and U.S. embassies are committed to providing support in coordinating with school officials to enable participation. Applicants who meet all eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply!
Community Immersion and Job Shadow Experience
TechGirls will have the opportunity to dive into American culture and learn more about American innovation during this portion of the program. Through living with an American family, job shadowing in American companies, and more, TechGirls will gain insight into what life is like in the United States.
Participants will spend several days with a U.S. host family that has been carefully vetted through extensive background checks. The host family stay will be a fun opportunity for TechGirls to experience the daily life of a family in a U.S. city firsthand and engage in cultural activities.
Participants may be paired with another TechGirl for this experience. TechGirls may also “give back” during this program segment by participating in a service project in the host community. The spirit of volunteerism is a cornerstone in US communities.
Back At Home (August to December)
During the program, each TechGirl develops a Community Action Project to transfer skills and knowledge back home. Projects have included:
- starting a Tech Club at school
- offering STEM-based training to classmates
- helping local businesses by designing a website
- creating an online dialogue forum, blog, or podcast with friends
- organizing STEM-focused career fairs at their school
- teaching community building skills through leadership workshops
- building resources to guide others towards college/university and vocational aspirations
- advancing STEM solutions through youth leadership
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
The 2026 TechGirls Application is now open.
The application for the 2026 TechGirls program opens on December 11 at 8:00 AM EST and closes on January 20 at 12:00 PM/Noon EST. Please note that due to strong interest in the program globally, ONLY the first 125 fully completed applications from each country/territory will be considered. Do not wait until the last minute to apply as you will not be able to submit an application after 125 completed applications have been received from your country/territory. There will be no exceptions.
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- Prior to applying, we urge all applicants to read our Eligibility and Application requirements.
- Complete ALL ANSWERS in English
- For essay questions, we recommend you write them in a Word Document first, and then paste them into the online form.
- For Uploads:
- For Portrait: Please upload a photo/headshot of yourself that is clear and without filters.
- For Transcript: Please upload your most recent academic transcript (a copy of your grades provided by your school). We accept transcripts in your native language. It does NOT need to be in English.
- You can save your progress and return to the form by clicking the Save & Return button located at the top and bottom right side of the application. You can save progress as much as you wish until you are ready for final submission.
- Check out these Frequently Asked Questions for more help.
- Still having problems? Email us at techgirlsapplication@legacyintl.orgcreate new email
GOOD LUCK!
For a step-by-step tutorial on how to apply, please review the video below:
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