The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) has officially announced the FY 2026 Youth Ambassadors Programs funding opportunity, inviting eligible higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, and other qualified entities to submit proposals for one of the United States’ flagship international youth leadership exchange initiatives.

With program funding totaling $7,954,000, this competitive grant opportunity aims to strengthen global leadership, promote mutual understanding between nations, and empower young leaders through immersive cultural exchange experiences focused on leadership development, civic engagement, community service, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Organizations interested in implementing international exchange programs are encouraged to submit proposals before the application deadline of July 17, 2026.

About the FY 2026 Youth Ambassadors Program

The Youth Ambassadors Program is administered by the Office of Citizen Exchanges, Youth Programs Division, under the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State.

The program provides outstanding youth participants and adult mentors from selected countries with a unique opportunity to participate in intensive international exchange experiences that promote leadership, cross-cultural understanding, civic participation, and community engagement.

Participants travel internationally for approximately three weeks, where they engage in educational activities, leadership workshops, cultural immersion, community service, and collaborative learning alongside peers from the United States and participating countries.

The program seeks to develop future leaders capable of creating meaningful change within their local communities after returning home.

Purpose of the Grant

The primary objective of the FY 2026 Youth Ambassadors Program is to support organizations capable of implementing high-quality international exchange programs that:

• Strengthen youth leadership skills.
• Foster civic responsibility.
• Promote mutual understanding among cultures.
• Encourage international collaboration.
• Build lasting relationships between participants.
• Promote democratic values.
• Support community engagement.
• Encourage innovation through responsible AI use.

Applicants are encouraged to integrate creative and transformative applications of artificial intelligence (AI) into leadership programming while maintaining a focus on ethical and responsible AI practices.

Available Program Options

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) includes eight distinct program options.

Organizations should note the following:

• A separate proposal must be submitted for each program option.
• Each proposal must clearly identify the specific program option early in the Executive Summary.
• Applicants may apply for one or multiple program options.

This structure allows organizations to tailor their proposals according to specific regional or thematic priorities.

Program Structure

The Youth Ambassadors Program combines international exchange with leadership development.

Participants include:

• Youth delegates.
• Adult mentors (for selected programs).
• U.S.-based youth participants.
• U.S. adult mentors.

Together, participants engage in collaborative learning experiences designed to strengthen leadership capacity and intercultural understanding.

Each exchange typically lasts three weeks.

Geographic Regions Covered

The program supports participants from multiple regions around the world, including:

• Sub-Saharan Africa
• East Asia and the Pacific
• Europe and Eurasia
• Middle East and North Africa
• South and Central Asia
• Western Hemisphere
• United States

This broad geographic reach reflects the program’s commitment to building global partnerships and strengthening international cooperation among emerging youth leaders.

Artificial Intelligence and Leadership

A unique feature of the FY 2026 competition is its emphasis on artificial intelligence.

Applicants are encouraged to incorporate AI into leadership programming by demonstrating:

• Innovative applications of AI.
• Ethical AI practices.
• Responsible technology use.
• AI-enabled problem-solving.
• Digital leadership.
• Critical thinking around emerging technologies.

The goal is to prepare participants to understand both the opportunities and challenges AI presents within communities and democratic societies.

Participant Outcomes

Following completion of the exchange program, participants are expected to return to their home communities and apply the knowledge and skills they have gained.

Participants will be encouraged to implement follow-on community projects that:

• Address local challenges.
• Promote civic engagement.
• Inspire youth leadership.
• Strengthen community development.
• Encourage cross-cultural collaboration.
• Share lessons learned during the exchange.

These community projects help extend the impact of the program well beyond the exchange itself.

Funding Details

The FY 2026 Youth Ambassadors Program provides substantial funding to selected organizations.

Funding includes:

• Total Program Funding: $7,954,000
• Expected Number of Awards: 8
• Minimum Award Amount: $300,000
• Maximum Award Amount: $2,100,000

Funding is provided through a Cooperative Agreement, enabling close collaboration between the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and funded organizations during program implementation.

Cost Sharing Requirement

One notable advantage of this opportunity is that:

• No cost sharing or matching contribution is required.

This reduces financial barriers for eligible organizations and allows greater focus on designing impactful exchange programs.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include:

Educational Institutions

• Public institutions of higher education.
• State institutions of higher education.
• Private institutions of higher education.

Nonprofit Organizations

• Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (non-higher education).

Other Eligible Organizations

Additional eligible entities should consult the official Notice of Funding Opportunity for complete eligibility requirements.

Required Application Information

Organizations applying for the FY 2026 Youth Ambassadors Program should carefully review the official Notice of Funding Opportunity before preparing proposals.

Applicants should ensure they:

1. Select the appropriate program option.
2. Submit a separate proposal for each option.
3. Clearly identify the selected option in the Executive Summary.
4. Follow all submission requirements outlined in the NOFO.
5. Include all required program documents and supporting information.

Available Supporting Documents

Applicants can access several official resources, including:

• FY 2026 Youth Ambassadors Programs Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
• ECA Performance Monitoring Plan (DOCX).
• ECA Performance Monitoring Plan (PDF).
• Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Organizational Funding Opportunities.

These resources provide comprehensive guidance on proposal preparation, performance monitoring, eligibility, and reporting requirements.

Important Dates

Applicants should note the following timeline:

• Funding Opportunity Posted: May 19, 2026
• Application Deadline: July 17, 2026
• Archive Date: August 16, 2026

Why Organizations Should Apply

The FY 2026 Youth Ambassadors Program offers organizations an opportunity to contribute to one of the U.S. government’s premier international exchange initiatives.

By participating, successful organizations can:

• Expand international partnerships.
• Promote youth leadership development.
• Foster cultural understanding.
• Support community-based projects.
• Advance civic engagement.
• Integrate innovative AI learning into youth leadership programming.
• Help shape the next generation of global leaders.

Apply Here

With significant funding available and no cost-sharing requirement, this grant presents an exceptional opportunity for organizations committed to international education, youth development, and cultural diplomacy.

For more information, visit the official website

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