FY26 YA NOFO Solicitation.pdf

U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) FY 2026 Youth Ambassadors Programs

Funding Opportunity Number: DFOP0018391 Application Deadline: July 17, 2026

A. Basic Information B. Eligibility C. Program Description D. Application Contents and Format E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines F. Application Review Information G. Award Notices H. Post-Award Requirements and Administration I. Other Information

A. Basic Information

1. Overview.

Funding Opportunity Title FY 2026 Youth Ambassadors Program

Funding Opportunity

Number

DFOP0018391

Announcement Type New Cooperative Agreement

Deadline for Applications July 17, 2026 11:59pm Eastern (Washington DC time)

Assistance Listing Number 19.415

Length of Performance

Period

15 months

Number of Awards

Anticipated

Eight awards

Award Amounts Awards may range from a minimum of

$300,000 to a maximum of $2,100,000.

Total Available Funding Approximately $7,954,000 pending availability of funds.

Type of Funding FY 2026 Educational and Cultural Exchange

Programs (ECE) Funds

Funding Instrument Type Cooperative Agreement

Anticipated Award Date September 15, 2026

This notice is subject to availability of funding. Issuance of the NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the Government.

ECA reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of the program and the availability of funds.

Pending satisfactory implementation of this program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is ECA's intent to renew these awards for two additional, consecutive fiscal years, before openly competing these opportunities again.

2. Executive Summary.

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.

B. Eligibility

1. Eligible Applicants.

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• U.S. not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations

• U.S. not-for-profit public and private educational institutions

Please see the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) for additional information.

2. Cost Sharing.

There is no minimum or maximum percentage of cost sharing required for this program.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements.

• All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.gov. Please see Section E. Submission

Requirements and Deadlines for more information.

• ECA’s Grant Guidelines require that organizations demonstrate at least four years of experience in conducting international exchanges to be eligible for awards exceeding $130,000 in ECA funding. As noted in Section A. Basic

Information, none of the awards ECA anticipates issuing are for less than

$300,000. Therefore, organizations must demonstrate four years of experience in conducting international exchanges in your proposal to be eligible to apply under this competition.

• All proposals must comply with the requirements stated in the NOFO and the

PSI; not doing so may result in your proposal being declared technically ineligible and given no further consideration in the review process.

• All proposals must contain a SF-424, executive summary, proposal narrative, budget (SF 424A), detailed line-item budget, and budget narrative.

• Only one proposal will be considered by ECA from each applicant organization per program option. In cases where more than one submission per program option from an applicant appears in grants.gov, ECA will only consider the submission for that option made closest in time to the NOFO deadline; that submission would constitute the one and only proposal ECA would review from that applicant for that program option.

Applicants may apply for multiple program options under this solicitation. If applying for multiple awards, individual proposals for each program option must be submitted. Proposals may not combine two program options into one proposal. You must identify which program option a proposal is for clearly and early in the Executive Summary.

Please note: Applicant organizations are defined by their legal name, and

EIN number as stated on their completed SF-424 and additional supporting documentation outlined in the PSI document.

a. Applicants who are current recipients of awards directly from ECA should make sure the application discusses any ECA awards that will be open at the start of the anticipated period of performance for this NOFO (please include the award number). Applicants who do not have current awards directly with

ECA, please review the information in the PSI, section D, with additional information that must be provided in your application for it to be eligible.

C. Program Description

1. Authority.

Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the Mutual

Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of the Act is "to enable the

Government of the United States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries...; to strengthen the ties which unite us with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United States and other nations...and thus to assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States and the other countries of the world."

The funding authority for the program above is provided through legislation.

2. Purpose.

The Youth Ambassadors (YA) program cultivates U.S.-aligned global leaders and competitive American youth to build enduring international partnerships that serve long-term U.S. strategic goals. Through three-week exchanges in the United States and abroad, the program connects youth and adult mentors from select countries with American culture, society, and institutions. Participants engage in skills development workshops, leadership trainings, community projects, cultural activities, and homestays with local host families. These immersive experiences showcase American excellence and innovation while equipping participants with critical entrepreneurial and leadership skills. Upon return home, participants apply what they have learned to implement projects in their communities.

3. Program Specific Guidelines.

ECA will support six distinct regional YA programs, one YA-USA program, and one YA

On-Demand program to engage participants from all world regions and the United

States.

The primary program theme is:

Youth Leadership

The program goals are to:

1) Prepare and equip youth leaders with the skills needed to become responsible, engaged citizens who address community challenges and contribute positively to their societies.

2) Build strategic international partnerships by creating lasting networks where participants will gain new global perspectives and through showcasing American innovation and leadership, international participants will see the United States as a preferred partner.

3) Promote America by deepening participants’ understanding and appreciation of

U.S. culture, history, and founding principles, including free expression and speech, citizen participation in government, and rule of law; instilling pride and patriotism in

American youth; and inspiring all participants to continue learning about these topics and to share their exchange experiences with their home communities.

The objectives of the program are for participants to:

1) Deepen hard and soft entrepreneurial skillsets such as adaptability, critical thinking, communication, problem solving, and resilience to help participants excel in future academic, business, and civic pursuits;

2) Develop program planning and implementation skills; and

3) Use technology, including AI, to efficiently and effectively solve challenges.

The exchange format should be age-appropriate and interactive, allowing participants to thoroughly explore the theme in a creative, memorable, and practical way. Additional topics that help illustrate the theme are encouraged. The program aims to advance dialogue and encourage substantive interaction between

Americans and citizens of selected countries. All participants should live with host families for a portion of the exchange, and applicants are strongly encouraged to maximize the homestay experience. Exchanges must also include programming for adult participants, including some programming separate from activities with youth, to learn and work collaboratively with host country counterparts to develop their leadership and mentoring skills. Proposals must include a detailed description of the proposed programming for adults.

Proposals must focus on leadership and should also demonstrate how American AI technologies can be used by young leaders to effectively engage their communities.

Each program component should be designed to be flexible and responsive to changing U.S. foreign policy priorities. Participants should engage in a variety of activities designed to achieve the program’s goals. Programming should feature substantive community engagement to benefit the largest number of Americans possible. Program activities should prepare participants to implement follow-on capstone projects, multiplying the effects of the exchange.

Applicants must demonstrate capacity to conduct the activities outlined in the application, including expertise in supporting participants from the region for which they are applying. Proposals should also detail applicant experience conducting exchanges for high school students (or college students in the case of YA-EUR).

A successful proposal will also include a detailed plan for alumni activities, engagement with the wider Youth Ambassadors alumni network (in collaboration with U.S. embassies and consulates, hereafter known as posts, and ECA), and follow-on project development.

Program Options:

ECA anticipates awarding eight separate cooperative agreements to design, implement, and manage the FY 2026 Youth Ambassadors program for select countries in AF, EAP, EUR, NEA, SCA, WHA, the On-Demand Program, and a U.S.

outbound program. A list of countries included in each region can be found on the

Countries and Areas page of the Department of State website. ECA reserves the right to add or remove countries from the program as needed. Proposals should include a strong contingency plan to provide in-person, in-country programming for participants from countries that face travel restrictions, if needed, including opportunities for those participants to connect virtually with peers during the U.S.-based exchange programs. The YA-USA award will include the recruitment of U.S.

participants for domestic participation in each of the regional and On-Demand programs as well as the design, implementation, and management of international opportunities for U.S. participants. In all cases, ECA will make final participant selection decisions.

ECA reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal project configurations, budgets, participant numbers, and countries in accordance with the needs of the program, current events, and the availability of funds.

Program Option One: Youth Ambassadors – Africa

ECA anticipates awarding one cooperative agreement for a total of approximately

$1,500,000 in FY 2026 funding to support one or more exchanges for approximately

100 youth and adult mentor participants from sub-Saharan Africa and approximately 50 U.S. youth and adult mentor domestic participants. Applicants should identify within their proposals the number of exchange cohorts they plan to engage in U.S. programming.

In fall 2026, ECA, in coordination with the Bureau of African Affairs, will select the countries for the 2027 calendar year exchange based on regional priorities. ECA anticipates selecting approximately 20 countries to participate. In recent years, participating countries have included Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The award recipient will work in coordination with participating posts to recruit, screen, and nominate the youth and adult mentor international participants.

https://www.state.gov/countries-and-areas-list

Proposals should demonstrate the applicant's commitment to working with ECA and posts on recruitment and selection materials and their ability to develop and implement online recruitment applications. ECA, in collaboration with posts, will make all final participant selection decisions.

The YA-USA award recipient will recruit, screen, and nominate the youth and adult mentor U.S. domestic participants for YA-AF. After ECA confirms finalist and alternate participants, the YA-AF award recipient will receive participant information and assume responsibility for all aspects of preparation and programming for these participants. Proposals should also demonstrate a willingness to collaborate with the YA-USA award recipient on additional programming for all U.S. participants to develop a cohesive YA-USA network.

Program Option Two: Youth Ambassadors – EAP

ECA anticipates awarding one cooperative agreement for approximately $600,000 in

FY 2026 funding to support one exchange for approximately 40 international youth and adult mentor participants and 20 American domestic participants.

In fall 2026, ECA, in coordination with the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, will select the countries for the 2027 calendar year exchange based on regional priorities. ECA anticipates selecting approximately 10 countries to participate. In recent years, participating countries have included: Burma, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

Please note, in recent years, the programming for the Burmese participants has taken place in-person within Burma due to travel restrictions. As such, proposals should include a strong contingency plan to provide in-person, in-country programming for Burmese participants and offer opportunities to connect virtually with the U.S.-based exchange program, if Burma is selected as a participating country.

Participants from the Philippines have historically been recruited from the

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and surrounding areas. Please note that the specific geographic area for Philippines recruitment will be reassessed annually, as priorities may shift, but applicants should be prepared to support recruitment of participants from this region.

The award recipient will work in coordination with participating posts, to recruit, screen, and nominate the international participants. Proposals should demonstrate https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-political-affairs/bureau-of-east-asian-and-pacific-affairs/ the applicant's commitment to working with ECA and posts on recruitment and selection materials and their ability to develop and implement online recruitment applications. ECA, in collaboration with posts, will make all final participant selection decisions.

The YA-USA award recipient will recruit, screen, and nominate the U.S. domestic participants. After ECA confirms finalist and alternate participants, the YA-EAP award recipient will receive participant information and assume responsibility for all aspects of preparation and programming for these participants. Proposals should also demonstrate a willingness to collaborate with the YA-USA award recipient on additional programming for all U.S. participants to develop a cohesive YA-USA network.

Program Option Three: Youth Ambassadors – EUR

ECA anticipates awarding one cooperative agreement for approximately $450,000 in

FY 2026 funding to support one exchange for 30 international participants and 15

U.S. domestic participants. Youth participants on this program will be between the ages of 18-22. This exchange will not include adult mentor participants.

Proposals for the YA-EUR program should explore the program theme through the lens of the arts. This approach can include a range of arts such as filmmaking, literature, music, performing arts, and visual arts.

The award recipient will be fully responsible for recruiting and nominating both the international participants and the 15 U.S. domestic participants. U.S. participants should be youth in the same age range as the international youth. Proposals should detail a plan for participant recruitment and selection. ECA, in collaboration with posts, will make all final participant selection decisions.

ECA anticipates conducting this program with participants from Russia. However, should programming with Russians become infeasible due to political or other factors, ECA may shift programming to other countries in the region. Applicants should briefly describe which European country(ies) they would shift to if a program with Russia is not possible.

Proposals should also demonstrate a willingness to collaborate with the YA-USA award recipient on additional programming for all U.S. participants to develop a cohesive YA-USA network.

Program Option Four: Youth Ambassadors – NEA

ECA anticipates awarding one cooperative agreement for approximately $450,000 in

FY 2026 funding to support one to two separate, single country exchanges. The total number of youth and adult mentor participants will include approximately 30 international participants and approximately 15 U.S. domestic participants.

ECA anticipates selecting one to two countries to participate annually. In fall 2026, ECA, in coordination with the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, will select the country(ies) for the 2027 calendar year exchange based on regional priorities. In recent years, the countries selected for this exchange were Algeria and Iraq.

If Iraq is again selected as a participating country, the award recipient must brand the exchange as the “Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program (IYLEP)” in all program materials for public distribution. As this exchange would be part of a larger IYLEP program, the award recipient will need to participate in monthly calls with ECA, posts, and any other IYLEP implementing organizations to ensure recruitment and messaging in Iraq is coordinated.

Posts in participating countries may choose to amplify recruitment efforts and/or participate in application review, interviews, and selection, when possible, but applicants must be prepared to fully recruit, screen, and nominate participants without significant support from posts. ECA, in collaboration with posts, will confirm final participant selections for the program.

The YA-USA award recipient will recruit, screen, and nominate U.S. domestic participants. After ECA confirms finalist and alternate participants, ECA will provide the YA-NEA award recipient with participant information, and the award recipient will take over all aspects of preparation and programming. Proposals should also demonstrate a willingness to collaborate with the YA-USA award recipient on

Program Option Five: Youth Ambassadors – SCA

ECA anticipates awarding one cooperative agreement for approximately $300,000 in

FY 2026 funding to support one exchange for approximately 20 international youth and adult mentors and 10 U.S. domestic youth and adult mentor participants. Each delegation will typically include one adult participant per country represented.

In fall 2026, ECA, in coordination with the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, will select the countries for the 2027 calendar year exchange based on regional priorities. ECA anticipates selecting approximately five countries to participate.

screen, and nominate international participants. Proposals should demonstrate the applicant's commitment to working with ECA and posts on recruitment and selection materials and their ability to develop and implement online recruitment participants. After ECA confirms finalist and alternate participants, the YA-SCA award recipient will receive participant information and assume responsibility for all aspects of preparation and programming for these participants. Proposals should also demonstrate a willingness to collaborate with the YA-USA award recipient on

Program Option Six: Youth Ambassadors – WHA

ECA anticipates awarding one cooperative agreement for approximately $2,100,000 in FY 2026 to support one or more exchanges for approximately 140 youth and adult mentor participants from select Western Hemisphere nations and approximately 70 U.S. youth and adult mentor domestic participants. Applicant proposals should identify the number of exchange cohorts they propose to engage in programming. Exchanges will include both youth and adult mentors. Each delegation should typically include at least one adult participant per country represented. For U.S. domestic participants, the youth-to-adult mentor ratio will be approximately 15:1.

ECA anticipates selecting approximately 15 countries for participation each year, and that eligible countries will participate biennially. Applicants should prepare to conduct exchanges in in English, French, or Spanish based on State Department guidance.

ECA, in collaboration with the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, will finalize the selection of countries for participation in the 2027 calendar year exchange in the fall of 2026 based on regional priorities. Note: Exact participant distribution across the countries will be decided in collaboration with ECA, the award recipient, regional bureau, and posts in the fall of 2026, but applicants should propose clear plans for cohort country groupings and exchange timelines.

Please note that, in recent years, participants from Haiti have engaged in Haiti due to travel restrictions. Proposals should include a strong contingency plan to provide in-person, in-country programming for participants from Haiti and offer opportunities to connect virtually with the U.S.-based exchange program, if Haiti is selected as a participating country.

applicant's commitment to working with ECA and posts on recruitment and selection materials and their ability to develop and implement online recruitment participants. After ECA confirms finalist and alternate participants, the YA-WHA award recipient will receive participant information and assume responsibility for all aspects of preparation and programming for these participants. Proposals should also demonstrate a willingness to collaborate with the YA-USA award recipient on

Program Option Seven: Youth Ambassadors – USA

ECA anticipates providing up to $1,654,000 in funding for FY 2026. The YA-USA award recipient will organize, manage, and lead open, merit-based competitions to recruit U.S. youth and adult mentor participants for all YA programs outlined in this

NOFO (except YA-EUR) for both U.S.-based and overseas exchanges. The ECA program office will facilitate and expects the award recipient to closely consult and collaborate with other selected YA award recipients to ensure that recruitment efforts align with program timelines and themes.

Applicant proposals should describe in detail how they will recruit, screen, and nominate approximately 210 U.S. youth and adult mentor participants for U.S.-based regional YA programs and YA On-Demand, with a youth to adult ratio of approximately 15:1.

Applicant proposals should also describe in detail how they will recruit, screen, and nominate approximately 90 U.S. citizen youth and adult mentor participants for six international exchanges. Each exchange should include approximately 14 youth participants and one adult mentor. Proposals should provide a plan to design, manage, and implement these exchanges, including the proposed destination countries. Applicants should seek to include countries that have demonstrated innovative ways of using technology and AI to solve challenges. Destination countries should represent all world regions. Applicants should include sample calendars of proposed exchange activities.

The program should help participants deepen their understanding of AI tools and their real-world applications. Exchange activities must maximize significant peer-to-peer interaction with locals for both youth and adult mentors. Applicants can propose to incorporate these youth and adult mentor peers as program participants, similar to the U.S. domestic participants selected for the U.S.-based exchanges or explain in their proposals how they will achieve significant peer-to-peer interaction.

Proposals should also include clear plans to collaborate with other award recipients on additional programming for all U.S. participants to develop a cohesive YA-USA

Program Option Eight: Youth Ambassadors On-Demand

The Youth Ambassadors – On-Demand program enables the YA program to respond quickly to evolving priorities and major events. ECA anticipates providing up to

$900,000 in funding for FY 2026. Applicants should submit proposals to implement three separate three-week exchanges in the United States focused on the YA primary themes. Following the issuance of the award, ECA may provide the award recipient with secondary themes that should be incorporated into programming to advance specific goals in the selected countries or regions and support U.S. foreign policy priorities.

An exchange may include participants from a single country, from multiple countries, or from multiple regions, to be determined in consultation with ECA and posts, based on emerging events and foreign policy priorities. Applicants should budget for approximately 60 international and approximately 30 U.S. domestic participants, across the three exchanges. Each group will consist of both youth and adult mentors.

applicant's commitment to working with ECA and posts on recruitment and selection materials and their ability to develop and implement online recruitment participants. After ECA confirms finalist and alternate participants, the YA-OD award recipient will receive participant information and assume responsibility for all aspects of preparation and programming for these participants. Proposals should also demonstrate a willingness to collaborate with the YA-USA award recipient on

Proposals should illustrate the organization’s experience working in different regions of the world, demonstrating flexibility and originality in programming.

Proposals should include examples in which the organization has responded quickly to fast-changing circumstances in a region or country where they had not previously worked. The award recipient must be able to carry out an exchange at any point in the year; however because many students are only able to travel during the summer months, applicants should be prepared to carry out exchanges during the summer months of June, July, and August if requested. Exchange dates and participating countries/regions will be determined by ECA in consultation with regional bureaus following the issuance of the cooperative agreement.

ECA intends to issue one cooperative agreement for the administration and implementation of three exchanges, however, should funding become available for additional exchanges, the award recipient should indicate any capacity to plan and implement additional exchanges.

All Programs:

Except for select YA-WHA programs as outlined above, exchanges to the United

States should be conducted in English and take place in calendar year 2027, pending availability of funds. Applicants should propose specific exchange dates within their proposals, but the exact timing may be altered, if necessary, through the mutual agreement of ECA and the award recipient.

A successful applicant will demonstrate flexibility regarding the number of exchanges, exchange dates, delegation sizes, and country combinations.

Based on the program exchange information, and as outlined above, applicants may propose to have all participants travel at the same time or, for larger exchanges, propose two or more different delegations and exchange dates.

Applicants are encouraged to be creative and flexible in making arrangements that will meet the program goals and maximize cost-effectiveness and efficiency.

Applicants may propose a plan to divide the delegation, or delegations, of participants into smaller cohorts for most of the exchange activities to ensure that all participants actively take part in the exchange and that program staff can adequately monitor the safety and well-being of the participants. If possible, applicants are encouraged to hold opening and closing sessions with the entire delegation of the exchange cohort for group cohesion and bonding.

Partner Organizations and/or Affiliates:

Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity to conduct the activities required in this solicitation in relevant countries. This capacity may take many forms such as a branch office of the U.S. applicant organization, a non-governmental partner organization, or other affiliates/consultants with demonstrated experience in educational exchange that can support the program activities. The award recipient will be responsible for any subaward recipients' activities under the cooperative agreement, both programmatically and financially.

Organizational Capacity and Project Management:

Applicants must demonstrate their capacity for implementing programs of this nature, focusing on three areas of competency: (1) provision of educational programming that addresses the goals, objectives, and theme outlined in this document; (2) clear detail on experience in programming for and supporting the age group of the program for which the organization is applying: college-aged participants for YA-EUR, high school-aged minors for all other programs; and (3) any previous experience programming with people from the target region.

Organizations must demonstrate their capacity to manage a complex, multi-phase program. Applicants must describe the program staffing (individuals by name and responsibilities), qualifications, structure, and resources. If applicable, applicants should identify critical partner organizations (and/or consultants) and explain their role(s) and their relevant expertise and experience. Applicants must also describe their working relationship with any partner(s), detail the division of program responsibilities between the award recipient and the partner(s), and indicate how they will monitor the performance of any partner(s).

Applicants need not have organizational capacity in all participating countries.

However, organizations must have a method in place to assist participants with pre-departure activities such as coordinating travel and lodging for obtaining passports, visa interviews, pre-departure orientations, international departures, and the disbursement of funds for domestic expenses such as travel to the capital city for passport fees, travel allowances, etc.

Post Involvement:

For all programs except YA-USA:

With the support of the award recipient, posts will collaborate on the recruitment, screening, and nominating of participants. All program promotional and application forms are subject to ECA and post approval before dissemination. The YA-EUR program will not participate in participant recruitment efforts, outside of approval of materials. Posts will help facilitate visa appointments, pre-departure briefings, and alumni engagement, though the costs associated with these activities should be covered through the award. The award recipient will be responsible for preparing materials for the pre-departure briefings and providing follow-on support to participants. Once a cooperative agreement is awarded, the recipient must consult regularly with posts in the partner countries to implement the project and coordinate participants’ international and domestic travel needs.

For YA–USA:

It is important that the proposal narrative clearly states the applicant’s commitment to consult closely with ECA and the relevant posts in the destination countries for

U.S participants travelling abroad. Posts will concur on housing arrangements, including host family locations (regions, neighborhoods); represent the U.S.

Government while the exchange activities are taking place in the host country; and assist program staff and participants in the event of an emergency. Despite post oversight and monitoring, the administering organization must be able to manage the program in the host country in its entirety.

Participants:

Participants will be recruited, selected, and nominated according to a merit-based recruitment system. Final selection criteria will be determined prior to recruitment in consultation with ECA. ECA, in collaboration with posts, will make all final participant selections and confirm the list of finalists.

For Youth Ambassadors – AF, EAP, SCA, NEA, On-Demand, USA, and WHA programs, participants will be both youth and adults. Youth participants (approximately aged

15 to 18 years old at the start of the exchange) will have demonstrated leadership potential through academic excellence, community involvement, and extracurricular activities. Youth participants should typically have at least one semester of secondary school remaining after the conclusion of the exchange.

Adult mentors will be educators or community leaders who work with youth. The selected adults will have the role of chaperone, exchange participant, and mentor.

Each delegation will typically include at least 1 adult participant per country represented, for some countries there may be additional adult participants, dependent on the number of youths travelling. For YA-USA, the ratio of U.S. adult mentors to youth should be approximately 15:1 for domestic and 14:1 for international programs.

For YA–EUR, applicants should outline a plan to competitively recruit, screen, and nominate both international and domestic participants (typically university students, between the ages of 18-22) according to a merit-based system with clear criteria such as leadership experience and strong academic and social skills.

4. Recipient Responsibilities.

1) Participant Recruitment, Screening, and Selection – For all programs EXCEPT YA-

USA the recipient will:

a. Prepare recruitment materials including applications, flyers, frequently asked questions, information session presentations, online application portal, social media posts, and a workplan/timeline for recruitment. The recipient will work with ECA and posts to finalize the materials. Utilizing these materials, posts will conduct outreach to potential applicants, in coordination with, and with support from, the award recipient, as needed and requested. In the proposal, the applicant should outline how they plan to provide support to posts including responding to applicant inquiries and hosting information sessions to encourage applications from the posts’ target demographics. Posts will determine how active of a role they play in these sessions closer to the time of the exchange.

i. For the YA-EUR award only: The award recipient will conduct all participant recruitment, in consultation with ECA and post(s). As the YA-EUR program focuses on college aged participants, the

YA-EUR award recipient will also recruit the U.S. participants for domestic participation in the YA-EUR program.

b. House the online application form and subsequent program applicant data on a secure, private, password protected platform or website that is accessible only to the award recipient, participating posts, and the ECA

Program Officer(s). The award recipient should provide alternative application methods for applicants with limited internet access.

c. Conduct an initial review of applications for eligibility criteria and completeness, prior to posts reviewing application materials.

d. Provide posts with all applications received, a suggested list of candidates to interview, sample interview questions, a scoring mechanism for interviews (including an assessment of English language skill where necessary), and plan to assist posts to create finalist lists for presentation to

ECA.

e. Develop, in coordination with ECA and posts (where applicable), a transparent interview plan and formal process for selection that includes a consistent scoring mechanism and clearly identified evaluation criteria.

f. Present a post approved list of potential participants and alternates to ECA for final selection.

2) Participant Recruitment, Screening, and Selection – For YA-USA:

a. Conduct open recruitment and competitive, merit-based selection of U.S.

citizen high school aged youth and adult mentor participants for U.S.

domestic programs (except YA-EUR) and international exchanges, in close consultation with ECA.

b. Obtain ECA approval of all publicity and outward facing materials.

c. Closely consult and collaborate with ECA and any other selected Youth

Ambassador award recipients to ensure that recruitment efforts align with program timelines and themes.

d. Develop, in coordination with ECA, a merit-based selection process that includes a formal process for selection with a consistent scoring mechanism and clearly identified evaluation criteria.

e. Develop web-based applications for participants in consultation with, and approval from, ECA. The award recipient should provide alternative application methods for applicants with limited internet access.

f. Recommend the final participants and alternates for approval. No invitations may be issued without ECA clearance.

3) Preparation:

a. In collaboration with ECA, coordinate with all participants before the program to provide them with program information and pre-departure materials.

Award recipients for Youth Ambassadors AF, EAP, NEA, On-Demand, SCA, and WHA should be prepared to incorporate American domestic participants into all aspects of preparation, exchange, and post exchange activities after selection is confirmed by ECA.

b. Collect medical information from the participants and ensure that each participant has submitted any health documents necessary for the program.

c. For the foreign participants, facilitate the passport and J-1 visa application process, in collaboration with ECA and posts, before the beginning of travel to the United States. This includes coordinating, and budgeting for travel for passport applications and visa interviews, as necessary. When possible, J-1 visas should be applied for approximately 90 days prior to travel to the

United States.

i. Applicants should budget for in-country travel for finalists to obtain visas in advance of their departure dates. In some countries, such as the Philippines, travel documentation from local government is necessary. In these cases, travel to obtain this documentation should be included in costs.

ii. Third-country travel may be required for participant visa applications in certain countries depending on the security situation.

iii. Detail a plan for providing funds to participants to cover their required pre-program costs.

d. Facilitate, and budget for, the identification needs of U.S. domestic participants. This includes coordinating and budgeting for TSA approved identification for domestic participants (all programs, except YA-USA).

e. Facilitate the passport and visa application process for the U.S. outbound participants before the beginning of travel to their destination country.

This includes coordinating, and budgeting for, passports and travel for any necessary visa interviews (YA-USA only).

f. Identify an individual to serve as Alternate Responsible Officer to issue DS-

2019 forms. All foreign participants will travel on a U.S. Government designation for the J Exchange Visitor Program with ECA as the sponsor.

ECA can provide training for that individual, upon request (all programs, except YA-USA).

g. Enroll foreign participants and U.S. participants travelling internationally in the Bureau’s Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) benefits plan for the duration of the exchange and assist with claims as necessary.

ECA can provide training for this task, upon request.

h. Ensure all U.S. participants travelling internationally are enrolled in STEP on travel.state.gov.

i. Prepare physical emergency contact information cards for all participants.

Participants must receive cards prior to traveling.

j. For international participants, in collaboration with posts (where possible) deliver pre-departure orientation materials covering key program objectives, themes, expectations, intercultural training, preparation for homestays and a general introduction to the

United States, including political, historical, educational, and cultural aspects.

k. Make all round-trip international and domestic travel arrangements for participants (complying with the Fly America Act), in consultation with posts and include appropriate costs in the budget. Provide assistance for participants during travel (as needed).

l. Arrange for ground transport.

4) Exchange Activities:

a. Design, plan, and implement approximately three weeks of exchange activities that develop the participants leadership skills, as well as a deeper understanding of the American people, culture, and traditions. The exchanges should include creative and interactive activities, practical experiences, and other hands-on opportunities that provide substantive experience on the program themes and topics. Activities should be educational both for the exchange participants and their hosts and peers.

i. For YA-EUR, this should be through an arts focused lens.

ii. For YA – On-Demand, applicants should be prepared for secondary themes to be identified by ECA closer to the exchange.

iii. For YA-WHA, applicants should demonstrate capacity to provide the program in either English or Spanish language exchanges for participants from Central America and the Dominican Republic based on State Department guidance. This should include identifying host families that have some Spanish language skills.

Proposals should provide a French language program for participants from Haiti. This should include identifying host families that have some French language skills. All other YA-WHA exchanges should be conducted in English.

b. Incorporate into exchange activities ways AI can provide creative solutions and efficient problem solving, in line with program themes and objectives.

Exchange activities should include visits to American companies and organizations that are using AI tools effectively in their operations to identify and solve real world challenges.

c. Support development of capstone projects to multiply the impact of the program. The ideas and plans should come from the participants, but the award recipient project staff should be prepared to assist the participants in developing these plans during the exchanges and a follow-on period outlined in the proposal.

d. In addition to a visit to Washington. D.C., identify one or two host community locations per cohort where participants will spend time during their exchange to foster connections with a variety of Americans.

i. Organizations should describe the rationale for these location selections in their proposals.

ii. ECA encourages applicants to consider access to businesses and organizations that can further program learning objectives.

e. Provide ECA with a calendar of exchange activities at least two weeks prior to the exchange.

f. Manage all logistical arrangements, including on- program domestic travel, ground transportation, accommodations, group meals, and disbursement of any funds.

g. Conduct a welcome orientation for participants upon arrival for their exchange in the United States, or their host country (in the case of YA-USA overseas participants). The orientation should include a general political, historical, educational, and cultural introduction to their host communities and/or their host countries, a review of the objectives of the program, and practical and administrative information. During this orientation award recipients must ensure that participants are in possession of the printed emergency contact card.

h. Ensure program flexibility, as plans may need to be adjusted once the award has been made due to the variety of countries and varying academic calendars.

i. Provide opportunities, outside of joint activities with youth participants, for the adult mentors to work and collaborate with their peers and American professionals, volunteers, and youth advocates with whom they can discuss the support of youth development. For all proposals, programming for adult participants must be described within the proposal (except YA-EUR, which doesn’t have adult mentors).

j. Arrange appropriate community, cultural, social, and civic activities.

k. Make arrangements for interpreters, as needed.

l. Engage participants in at least two community engagement activities during the exchange. The program should provide context for the participants, such as a discussion of community service/volunteerism in the United

States, and a debriefing so that the engagement helps to develop leadership skills and furthers the program goals.

m. Support participants who may choose to prepare articles/digital media content to share their experiences efficiently and safely.

n. Provide a closing session to summarize exchange activities, prepare participants for their return home, and plan for their future as Youth

Ambassadors alumni.

o. Include a substantive visit to Washington, D.C. including a half day meeting with U.S. Department of State officials.

5) Participant Monitoring:

a. Provide day-to-day age-appropriate monitoring of the participants’ well-being, taking steps to avoid and/or to handle, in a timely manner, any misunderstandings or adjustment issues that may arise. The award recipient will be required to provide proper staff supervision to ensure that participants have a safe, and pedagogically rich, program. Staff should assist participants with cultural adjustments, provide societal context to enhance learning, and guide participants as needed.

b. Develop and implement a detailed plan to monitor the participants’ well-being, safety, and security during all stages of the program.

c. A competitive monitoring plan should include the following:

i. Information provided in pre-departure materials on safety and the avenues for participants to communicate concerns to staff.

ii. An age-appropriate staff supervision plan for when the participants are in hotels and/or dormitories.

iii. Screening of host families, as outlined above.

iv. Monitoring and support of participants while they are in homestays.

v. A comprehensive emergency plan.

d. The award recipient will be required to provide proper supervision to ensure that the program participants have safe and enriching programs. Staff will assist participants with cultural adjustments, provide societal context to enhance learning, and counsel participants as needed.

e. Award recipients must immediately inform the ECA program officer and post about any significant health or safety issues affecting program participants as they arise. Regardless of the situation, it is essential that the ECA program officer be notified immediately.

6) Housing Accommodations:

a. Homestays with local families are an important part of the Youth

Ambassadors programs as they provide participants with unique insight into everyday life in the host community.

i. In the United States, the award recipient should arrange for homestays for all participants for a significant portion of the exchange period.

ii. For YA-USA, homestays, arranged by the award recipient, in partner countries are strongly encouraged for a significant portion of the exchange period to the extent possible.

b. Provide a clear and detailed host family recruitment, screening, and selection plan.

i. Screening must include a visit to the home to meet all members of the household to ensure that the host family can provide a comfortable and nurturing home environment.

ii. Ensure participants are afforded private space in the home. Exchange participants may share a room with someone of a similar age and the same sex; each participant must have their own bed.

iii. Award recipients may place participants with host families as single participants or in pairs.

iv. Ensure host families have adequate resources to undertake hosting obligations, and adequate time to spend with participants.

v. For American host families, criminal background checks, including a search of the U.S. Department of Justice's National Sex Offender Public

Registry, must be conducted…