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

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Amendment to the FY 2026 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) Funding Opportunity Number: DFOP0017852

Application Deadline: May 1, 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 FY26 National Security Language Initiative for

Youth (NSLI-Y) Funding Opportunity Number

DFOP0017852

Announcement Type Amendment to New Cooperative Agreement Deadline for Applications May 1, 2026, 11:59pm Eastern (Washington DC time) Assistance Listing Number 19.415

Length of Performance Period

30 to 33 months

Number of Awards Anticipated

1 award

Award Amount Award Amounts approximately $5,000,000

Total Available Funding $5,000,000

Type of Funding FY26 Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs (ECE) Funds

Funding Instrument Type Cooperative Agreement

Anticipated Award Date July 1, 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 this award for two additional, consecutive fiscal years, before openly competing it again.

2. Executive Summary The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is pleased to announce an open competition for proposals to administer the FY 2026 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program. NSLI-Y increases the number of American youth (ages 15 to 18) who learn critical foreign languages in support of bolstering U.S. national security; promoting U.S.

competitiveness and economic prosperity; and building mutual understanding with critical regions of the world. The award will support approximately 275 American teens to study critical languages through intensive overseas language programs in locations where the target languages are widely spoken, and through virtual programming. U.S. public and private non-profit organizations, meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3), may submit proposals to cooperate with ECA in the overall administration of NSLI-Y and the implementation of summer, academic year, and virtual programs according to the guidance in this solicitation. This NOFO has been amended to correct the dates of the overseas summer and academic year programs in section C.3.a.

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

a. 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.

b. 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, ECA anticipates issuing one award, for approximately $5,000,000. Therefore, organizations must demonstrate four years of experience in conducting international exchanges in your proposal to be eligible to apply under this competition.

c. 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.

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

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

Please note: Applicant organizations are defined by their legal name, and EIN number as stated on their completed SF-424 and additional supporting documentation.

f. Applicants who are current recipients of awards directly from ECA should make sure the application details one or more award that will be open with ECA at the start of the anticipated period of performance for this NOFO.

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 in order 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 NSLI-Y program is designed to increase the number of young Americans with linguistic and cultural skills necessary to advance American interests on the global stage. Launched in 2006 to address the deficit of speakers of critical languages in the United States, NSLI-Y creates a pipeline of American youth with linguistic and professional skills needed for a wide variety of careers that directly strengthen U.S.

national security and economic competitiveness.

NSLI-Y in-person overseas immersive programs and virtual programs accelerate and advance participants’ language skills through structured classroom language instruction as well as less formal interactive and applied learning opportunities.

Virtual NSLI-Y is a 10-week virtual program for U.S. high school students who are at the absolute beginner level and have not studied the target language before. It provides students with an introduction to the target language and culture with the goal of sparking an interest in critical languages and regions and inspiring students to continue their studies both domestically and abroad.

3. Program Specific Guidelines

The FY 2026 award will be executed as a cooperative agreement between ECA and a single award recipient. The award will fund approximately 275 current or recently graduated American high school students to study Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, or Russian in overseas summer and academic year programs, or virtually.

Overseas programs will take place in countries and locations where the target language is widely spoken. Program locations and local host institution partners are subject to annual ECA approval. The award also supports programming for NSLI-Y alumni since the program’s inception in 2006, totaling over 10,000 alumni to date.

IMPLEMENTATION OF OVERSEAS PROGRAMS

In FY 2026, the NSLI-Y program anticipates supporting approximately 215 participants in NSLI-Y programs located outside the United States. NSLI-Y overseas programs provide intensive language instruction in a classroom setting, as well as immersion in the cultural, social, and educational life of the receiving country/location for six to eight weeks over the summer or for an academic year.

NSLI-Y overseas programs maximize language acquisition and cultural learning opportunities through a host family experience, language partners, and cultural activities.

The applicant may propose directly implementing overseas programs and may also identify and manage qualified organizations as sub-recipients to implement overseas programs, as needed. The applicant must work with all sub-recipients to design, plan, and implement NSLI-Y overseas programs that focus on language acquisition and cultural immersion. The applicant must demonstrate that each implementing organization has significant and relevant experience and expertise in planning and carrying out programs in the respective language(s) and country(ies)/location(s) where it proposes to implement the program(s). All implementing organizations must be capable of handling emergencies and on-program support (OPS) issues in a timely and transparent way that permits information to be conveyed to the award recipient and to ECA. Once the award is in place and with ECA concurrence, additional sub-award implementing organizations may be added into the program if needed to meet program requirements. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all NSLI-Y overseas programs maintain program standards and meet all program requirements.

For FY 2026, NSLI-Y anticipates supporting the following languages. Applicants are encouraged to maximize participant numbers and propose a greater number of participants per language, when possible, within the limitations of the budget:

• Arabic: approximately 38 for summer; approximately eight for academic year. Programs may be proposed countries/locations in North Africa, the Middle East, or the Gulf region, with the exception of Iraq, Libya, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, Syria, and Yemen.

• Chinese (Mandarin): approximately 75 for summer; approximately eight for academic year. Programs may be proposed for Taiwan.

• Korean: approximately 36 for summer. Programs may be proposed for the Republic of Korea (South Korea).

• Russian: approximately 42 for summer; approximately eight for academic year. Programs may be proposed for Central Asia and the Baltic States.

Programs should not be proposed for Russia, Ukraine, or Belarus.

An adequate number of alternates should be identified to replace finalists who may drop out prior to the start of the program. Programs should be proposed for all four languages, but do not need to be proposed for all potential locations.

Specific locations should be where the target language is widely used in everyday life and conditions are suitable for implementation of a youth program.

ECA will select – and reserves the right to make changes to – eligible countries, locations, languages, number of proposed participants by language, program components, or other elements of the program design or implementation, considering any Department of State Travel Advisories and other relevant safety and security concerns, the availability of funding, or other factors determined by ECA. ECA reserves the right to transition one or more overseas programs to a virtual format if needed to ensure the health and safety of the participants, the integrity of the program, or for other reasons. The proposal should demonstrate flexibility and creativity in program administration in response to natural events, disasters, or crises. Such conditions may create significant challenges to normal or routine program administration.

As part of emergency planning, all applicants must present a plan for transitioning some or all of the proposed NSLI-Y overseas sites to a virtual format, if deemed necessary by ECA. The final slate of all site locations and partners is subject to approval by ECA.

a. Overseas Program Design:

Unless otherwise directed by ECA, duration, dates, and size of overseas programs shall be as follows:

• Duration: Each proposed summer program should be six – eight weeks in country, not including the pre-program orientation. Each proposed academic year program should be eight – ten months.

• Dates: Summer programs should take place in summer 2027 (approximately June to mid-August), academic year programs should take place during the academic year (approximately September 2027 – May 2028).

• Size: The number of participants proposed per overseas site must consider the capability of each proposed site to provide a quality academic program, housing, and support to participants in all aspects of the program and especially for any safety or health issues that may arise. For overseas NSLI-Y programs, applicants should propose a minimum of five participants for each academic year program;

and a minimum of 10 participants for each summer program.

For each language offered, multiple levels of language instruction must be offered to support students at the complete beginner to Advanced levels on the ACTFL scale, or equivalent.

Ensure that the overseas NSLI-Y program is comprehensive and consistent across all implementing organizations, and covers the following expenses:

• Travel: Round-trip travel between the participant’s city of official residence, to the pre-departure orientation location, and to the overseas NSLI-Y program location.

• Orientations: Pre-departure, arrival, mid-program (academic year only), and re-entry.

• Visas: Receiving country entry/exit and transit visas, as needed.

• Tuition and related academic expenses: Including support and testing for placement and language acquisition.

• Educational and cultural programming: Including overseas language-focused excursions, volunteer opportunities, and guided internships, if applicable.

• Meals: Three meals per day.

• Accommodations: A host family for the entirety of each program is preferred; if students are in a dormitory or other supervised group housing for part of the exchange, there must be a host family stay for part of the program.

• Health Benefits: Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) health benefits, provided by the U.S. Department of State, or equivalent health benefits.

• Stipend: To cover additional living expenses if needed, as determined by in-country implementer and approved by award recipient.

• Cell phones: Including related expenses as outlined in the solicitation.

• Additional Funds: The NSLI-Y Program may cover incidentals in addition to the stipend, such as medical expenses, in cases of unusual hardship, as determined by the award recipient(s) and approved by ECA.

The NSLI-Y Program does not cover the following:

• Passports: Costs associated with obtaining a valid U.S. passport, except in cases of unusual hardship, as determined by the award recipient and approved by ECA.

• Medical: Required medical examinations and immunizations needed to travel to the receiving country or routine medical checkups.

• Incidentals: Pocket money outside of the stipend for souvenirs or additional events such as movies, ice skating, etc., except in cases of unusual hardship, as determined by the award recipient, in collaboration with ECA.

The applicant must integrate the following components into program design at each site.

Design and Implement Overseas Language Programs: Design, plan, and implement overseas programs focused on language acquisition and cultural immersion, and work with implementing organizations to do the same for the programs they implement. The applicant will develop program standards and requirements in consultation with ECA and ensure that each implementing organization maintains program standards and meets all program requirements.

The applicant and each implementing organization should provide a detailed program schedule for each program location. Program schedules must clearly delineate language instruction, cultural enrichment activities, and community service activities. Activities should be designed to ensure participants focus on the target language and culture. Schedules must be provided well in advance of the start of the programs for review by the award recipient and ECA.

Proficiency Goals, Curriculum, and Teacher Training: In consultation with ECA, propose, implement, and maintain appropriate standards and proficiency goals across program sites. Ensure that language instruction and program design is based on relevant standards and pedagogical best practices at each program site.

Ensure that each program site creates a curriculum in line with NSLI-Y proficiency goals and conducts appropriate teacher training. Evaluate program sites on meeting NSLI-Y language goals and provide feedback to program implementers.

Language Instruction Standards: Develop, implement, and monitor language instruction standards for language instruction in the classroom and language-focused cultural activities and excursions for all NSLI-Y programs to meet NSLI-Y expected proficiency outcomes. Ensure that all summer programs include a minimum of 120 hours of classroom language instruction. Ensure that all academic year programs include a minimum average of ten hours per week of classroom language instruction for most weeks of the academic year. For both summer and academic year programs, classroom language instruction should generally not exceed five hours per day.

Language Assessment Placement Plan: Develop an assessment plan to measure the appropriate levels of instruction for participants at the start of and during the program. Ensure overseas implementing organizations are complying with the placement plan and placing participants in appropriate classes based on proficiency level.

Level of Instruction: Provide group classes to participants based on their language proficiency. Participants with widely varying levels of language knowledge must not be placed in the same class. In general, classes should be limited to approximately 12 or fewer students. Overseas implementing organizations must be informed of student language levels prior to the program start date to make appropriate student groupings, assign qualified teachers, and adapt the curriculum as needed.

Language Instruction in the Primary Target Language and Local Dialect: A minimum of 70% of language instruction time must be devoted to the primary target language. A maximum of 30% of class time may be allotted to the local dialect, if applicable. This ensures that NSLI-Y students receive sufficient instruction in the primary target language and are given enough language instruction to be able to communicate with their host families and others in the local community.

For Arabic, students should understand in which situations it is appropriate to use Modern Standard Arabic and in which situations it is appropriate to use dialect.

This breakdown may be changed in consultation with ECA.

Enrichment Activities/Community Engagement: Include cultural enrichment activities that reinforce language learning, such as planned excursions, guided internships, activities with local peers, and extra-curricular activities. Cultural activities should enhance the participants’ understanding of contemporary society, culture, media, political institutions, history, of the receiving country. Activities must be language-focused and promote NSLI-Y goals and objectives. The award recipient should consult with ECA to develop, to the extent possible, enrichment activities that align with foreign policy priorities.

Language Partners: Propose a plan to integrate language partners into the program design at each program site so that participants have an opportunity to engage with local peers outside of the classroom and connect to the local culture and community.

Community Service: Arrange or help facilitate volunteer community service activities during the academic year that provide opportunities for language practice and enhance understanding of local culture and society. ECA reserves the right to waive this requirement in situations where volunteer work is deemed inappropriate or risky. Community service for summer programs is optional.

Housing: Arrange appropriate housing during the program. All overseas programs must include a host family stay for all or part of the program to maximize participants’ exposure to their target language and culture. A host family for the entirety of each overseas program is preferred. Develop a process for identifying and screening host families for suitability. Ensure that proper host family reference checks are conducted, recorded, and maintained. Records must be kept for three years and made available to ECA upon request. Provide host families with a substantive orientation and maintain regular contact with host families throughout the program to answer questions and address concerns. Host families must have adequate financial resources to undertake hosting obligations and may receive reasonable reimbursement to cover the costs associated with hosting a student, but not to serve as a financial incentive. The amounts of any stipends or allowances provided to host families should be justified based on the receiving country’s local economy. All implementing organizations must maintain regular, at minimum monthly, contact with host families to answer questions, provide information, and assist in working out problems. Obtain concurrence from the U.S.

Embassy/Consulate/AIT Public Diplomacy Section on the general locations of host families.

Ensure that non-host family housing arrangements, such as dormitories or group housing, provide safe, appropriate, and supervised living accommodations.

Identify, screen, and orient the individual(s) responsible for supervising the participants in the group living environments.

Meals: Provide participants with three meals a day for the duration on the program. It is expected that the majority of meals will be provided by host families, educational institutions, and/or arranged group meals with other students.

Participant stipends should cover the costs of additional meals as needed.

Stipends: Participant stipends are allowable for participants to cover incidental expenses. If proposed, all participants within one country and on the same duration of program (summer or academic year) should receive the same stipend amount, regardless of implementing organization.

U.S. Embassy Liaison and Consultation: Ensure that all implementing organizations and overseas partners establish a working relationship with the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the relevant U.S. embassy, consulate, or the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). During the program-planning phase, implementing organizations must contact PDS to obtain concurrence on program placement locations, including the host language institution/host school, and host family or other long-term accommodation locations (regions neighborhoods, etc.).

Implementing organizations must invite the PDS to participate in the arrival orientation and request a briefing by the embassy’s Regional Security Officer or other U.S. embassy/consulate/AIT official to address matters of safety and security.

If the program site is not in a city with an embassy/consulate/AIT, the implementing organization should consider routing travel through a city that will allow for embassy/consulate/AIT involvement. If an in-person briefing is not feasible, the implementing organization must provide a virtual briefing.

Implementing organizations should consult PDS staff regarding proposed activities with participants and/or alumni of other ECA programs. Implementing organizations should invite PDS staff to participate in NSLI-Y program events, as appropriate. If the political situation in any location results in the need for the embassy/AIT to assume more responsibility, the overseas implementing organization should work with the embassy/AIT as appropriate.

Staffing: Identify a lead for each program site. Ensure that all program sites are appropriately staffed and have the physical space (i.e., classrooms, common areas) to ensure the successful delivery of high-quality language immersion program and provide adequate support and guidance to participants.

Assign and train a Resident Director/Local Coordinator who speaks both English and the target language to each program site. The Resident Director/Local Coordinator serves as the primary on-site resource and supports participants regarding academic, social, disciplinary, and/or personal issues on program.

Resident Director/Local Coordinator Training and Support: Facilitate additional training for resident directors, local coordinators, or other equivalent in country staff who implement student on-program support. Trainings and support systems should be flexible and able to provide needed assistance across the program regardless of local technology or staffing structure. Funds may be used to send staff to private trainings in limited situations. Plans for training should be discussed with ECA in advance of the training.

b. Participant Monitoring and Support

Participant Monitoring: Participant well-being is a top priority of the U.S.

Department of State. The applicant must propose a plan for monitoring participants’ safety and welfare while on program that parallels, to the greatest extent possible, the standards for J-1 visa regulations for international secondary school students found in 22 CFR 62. This includes the identification and use of appropriate means of verifying the integrity and suitability of each host family.

Ensure that all implementing organizations and any volunteers and staff who have regular contact with the NSLI-Y participants have undergone screening for suitability.

In keeping with the J-1 visa regulations, immediately report to ECA any incident or allegation involving the actual or alleged sexual exploitation, harassment, or abuse or harm of an exchange student participant. Furthermore, inform ECA promptly of any behavior, incident, or serious problem that could result in a request for program dismissal and/or bring the Department of State or the exchange program into notoriety or disrepute. The award recipient must ensure that all implementing organizations have a plan for monitoring participants on a regular basis and provide adequate support and guidance to participants during their program. All implementing organizations must maintain, at a minimum, a monthly schedule of personal contact with the participant and monthly contact with the host family, addressing legitimate concerns in a timely fashion and apprising ECA in a timely manner about significant issues. All records and data collected, including survey responses and contact information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years and be provided to ECA upon request.

Overseas program staff should be available to participants throughout the duration of the program to help ensure health, safety, and emotional well-being of participants and deal effectively with misunderstandings, adjustment issues, and emergencies. Staff roles and responsibilities should be clearly defined and explained to participants. The award recipient must provide guidance and training to overseas staff on handling student support issues. Each program site must have a trained, English-speaking Resident Director/Local Coordinator whose primary responsibility is participant support. The award recipient must ensure that all staff who have regular contact with participants have undergone a reasonable level of screening for suitability and adhere to professional standards of conduct, including standards on sexual harassment and abuse.

The award recipient must ensure that all participants abide by U.S. and local laws;

the NSLI-Y Terms and Conditions; and other program standards and requirements.

In consultation with ECA, the award recipient must develop disciplinary procedures that include ECA approval for termination and dismissal from program. Convey serious issues and concerns to ECA in a timely fashion and inform ECA immediately of any requests from participants to voluntarily leave the program.

In addition, in order to ensure participant safety and well-being, applicants must provide a comprehensive plan to address emergencies that may occur before or during the program that may impact individual participants or the entire group. The plan must clearly identify lines of responsibility and communication with ECA, sub-recipients, institute staff, participants, and appropriate U.S.

Embassies/Consulates/AIT.

Applicants must also develop a plan to implement some or all of the language programs virtually if deemed necessary by ECA. Virtual programming should include language instruction, language partner activities, cultural enrichment activities, pre-and post-program language assessment, program monitoring and outcome tracking, and participant support mechanisms.

On-Program Support (OPS): Management of OPS is among the most important functions. The award recipient must provide support to participants in dealing effectively with misunderstandings, adjustment issues, and emergencies, provide guidance to implementing organizations on handling OPS issues, as necessary, and promptly convey serious issues and concerns to ECA. Management of OPS must be detailed in a monitoring plan included in the proposal. The award recipient must work with ECA in developing a communication and reporting plan to ECA/Embassy/Consulate/AIT on OPS issues.

Emergency Contact Information and Access: Supply each participant with a cell phone, charger, and provider service to ensure a way to communicate with in-country representatives in an emergency. Ensure that ECA, participants, and their parents/guardians have access to emergency contact information for the award recipient, the U.S.-based implementing organization, and the overseas implementing organization prior to international departure

c. Pre-Program Planning and Activities

The award recipient will be responsible for the following pre-program responsibilities and requirements:

Terms and Conditions: In consultation with ECA, develop the NSLI-Y Terms and Conditions for the overseas programs. The key conditions, benefits, and terms of the program should be fully described to candidates and their legal guardians before they accept the award. Ensure that all participants and their legal guardians agree to and sign the Terms and Conditions, as well as other forms and documents as required by ECA.

Release Form: Share with all participants and their legal guardians the official Minor Participant Name and/or Likeness Release form provided by ECA to permit the award recipient, implementing organizations, Department of State, and United States Government to use their image and name for program promotion or other similar purposes.

Medical Clearance: Propose a process to collect and evaluate health history information for finalists and alternates to ensure that participants can participate in the program safely. Work with ECA and implementing organizations to make reasonable accommodations for participants as needed. Protect all Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

Health Benefits: Enroll participants in the Bureau's Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) health benefits program and facilitate claims as necessary.

Applicants may propose using a different health plan for participants but must demonstrate that the alternate plan provides comparable or more comprehensive coverage. Coverage must begin when students depart the United States and conclude when they return to the United States. A copy of the alternate health insurance policy should be included with the proposal.

Travel Arrangements: Arrange related domestic and international round-trip travel for participants for program participation. Ensure that implementing organizations arrange all travel in accordance with the Fly America Act. Provide an adult flight chaperone with necessary language skills for group flights to and from all overseas destinations, unless this requirement is waived by the award recipient with ECA's concurrence. Provide dates of international and domestic travel to ECA in advance of travel.

Travel Documents: Provide information to participants about obtaining valid U.S.

passports. Facilitate and pay costs for obtaining all necessary visas, including transit visas.

Standardized Language Assessment: In consultation with ECA, identify and use a standardized language assessment tool to evaluate the baseline (pre-program) and post-program oral proficiency language skills of participants in the overseas programs. After the completion of the post-program assessments, provide ECA with the assessment results, including analyses by language and program site. Share results with implementing partners and if necessary, work with implementing partners on program adjustments if needed.

Communication with Participants: Ensure that implementing organizations contact participants in a timely fashion in advance of departure to provide them with program information, language preparation materials, flight details, and accommodations information. Communicate with participants to address any concerns or questions during the program.

STEP Registration: Provide information to all participants and their legal guardians about the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and ensure that all participants are registered in STEP prior to the start of the program.

d. Orientations

Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO): Ensure that all NSLI-Y programs include a substantive participant PDO held in a logistically convenient location. Invite ECA to participate in all PDOs and provide copies of agendas to ECA in advance. Provide guidance to implementing organizations to ensure that all key topics are covered and a common approach to PDOs is maintained across programs. Topics must include, but are not limited to, program goals and expectations, cross-cultural training, receiving country information, language program tips and requirements, personal safety and security, mental health, online safety, and information on identifying and reporting sexual harassment and abuse. Ensure that each participant receives the name and contact information for the participant’s resident director and/or local coordinator, an emergency contact, and health benefits information. Emphasize to participants that NSLI-Y is a U.S. Department of State program.

In-Country Partner Orientation: Orient all in-country teaching staff and administrators about NSLI-Y goals and objectives, required language classroom hours, learning styles of American high school students, and relevant safety and security guidelines in advance of the arrival of NSLI-Y participants.

Host Family Orientations: Ensure that all host families receive an orientation that includes information about NSLI-Y goals and objectives (indicating it is a U.S.

Department of State program), responsibilities of being a host parent, support available to host families, and an introduction to the inter-cultural experience of hosting an American high school student.

Arrival Orientation: Organize an in-country arrival orientation. Contact the embassy/consulate/AIT far in advance of arrival to arrange participation in the orientation, as noted above. Inform participants of relevant local and country-specific information including personal and general safety considerations, as well as emergency services offered by the embassy/consulate/AIT to American citizens.

Mid-Program Workshop: All academic year programs must include a mid-program workshop during which participants share and reflect upon their experiences, discuss concerns, and speak one-on-one with the resident director/local coordinator.

Re-entry Orientation: Provide a re-entry orientation to prepare participants for their return to the United States. Re-entry orientations must include a discussion of the following topics: required post-program language testing; post-program evaluation; tips for cultural re-entry; ideas for future language study; information about other U.S. government scholarships for continued language study; internships and careers that utilize language skills; and suggestions for sharing the NSLI-Y experience with other individuals and groups in the United States. The re-entry orientation should also encourage participants to join the NSLI-Y alumni association and register on the Department’s International Exchange Alumni website (https://alumni.state.gov).

Academic Year Programs should include a re-entry workshop component in the Washington, D.C. area to allow for returning participants to share their experiences with ECA if feasible and cost-effective.

IMPLEMENTATION OF VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING

The award recipient will be responsible for implementing Virtual NSLI-Y. In FY 2026, NSLI-Y anticipates supporting approximately 60 students in virtual programs.

For Virtual NSLI-Y, the award recipient must design, plan, and implement online language learning programs at the beginner level. The award recipient should recruit qualified and vetted online instructors to provide a minimum of 30 hours of live, interactive online classroom instruction at the novice level via a videoconference platform. Teachers should receive orientation to the goals of the program and maintain an appropriate curriculum for language instruction based on participant level, relevant standards and pedagogical best practices for online learning. The curriculum should also include cultural learning opportunities and activities such as guest speakers, virtual tours of historic sites, peer engagement, etc.

Student progress and learning outcomes will be evaluated by teachers through assignments and quizzes.

The program should take place during the Fall or Spring terms and should take place after school at a time that accommodates students from multiple time zones. Class sizes should be limited to approximately 10 students. For FY 2026 NSLI-Y anticipates supporting the following languages for virtual programing:

• Arabic: Approximately 20 participants.

• Chinese (Mandarin): Approximately 20 participants.

• Russian: Approximately 20 participants.

For Virtual NSLI-Y, ensure the program covers the following expenses:

• Language Instruction: A minimum of 10-weeks/30 hours of instruction with an experienced language instructor through videoconferencing tools.

• Program materials/textbooks.

• Virtual Cultural learning and cultural enrichment activities.

• Digital Platform: For assignments, projects, etc., if needed.

• Certificate of Program Completion: All templates should be approved by

ECA.

Participant costs for NSLI-Y virtual programming do not cover the following:

• Travel of any kind

• Internet access, software, or hardware

• Stipend

• Health benefits

a. Other Deliverables for Virtual NSLI-Y

The award recipient will also be responsible for the following:

Terms and Conditions: In consultation with ECA, determine terms and conditions and other program standards for Virtual NSLI-Y. Ensure participants abide by the terms and conditions on program and that all participants and their parents/legal guardians sign the Virtual NSLI-Y Terms and Condition prior to the start of the program.

Monitoring Participants: Develop a plan to monitor participant safety, performance, participation, and wellbeing on a regular basis in an online environment and manage on-program support issues effectively. Ensure that Virtual NSLI-Y implementing organizations and any volunteers and staff who have regular contact with the NSLI-Y participants have undergone screening for suitability. Develop a plan for providing reasonable accommodation for students with disabilities. Provide on-program support reports to ECA concerning serious or disciplinary issues, including recommendations for dismissal.

Communication with Participants: Ensure that information about program arrangements and logistics is communicated to participants in a timely fashion.

Orientations: Provide a virtual pre-program orientation for participants which covers key topics such as program goals and expectations, and instructions for using the online platform(s). Ensure that each participant receives the name and contact information for program staff who can assist with technical questions or issues on program. Provide a virtual post-program closing ceremony that celebrates the success of program participants and connects them to future critical language study opportunities.

NSLI-Y PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

The award recipient will be responsible for managing the administrative components of the NSLI-Y program comprising the following key areas of responsibility: recruitment, outreach, and program promotion; application, selection, and notification of participants; and alumni programing and tracking.

The award recipient will also be responsible for program planning and management and financial oversight and reporting as it relates to the award.

a. Recruitment, Outreach, and Program Promotion

Outreach and Recruitment: Propose a comprehensive outreach plan to publicize the NSLI-Y program broadly and to recruit a strong pool of qualified candidates.

The outreach and recruitment plan should describe how the NSLI-Y program will be publicized to potential applicants, to U.S. high schools and other relevant organizations, and to the general public. Outreach efforts should be robust and aim for a quality pool of semifinalists and alternates from all 50 U.S. states. Plans should clearly outline what materials and strategies, such as printed material, social media, etc., will be used to reach recruitment goals. The recruitment plan will be subject to ongoing coordination and approval by ECA. ECA may request that the award recipient collaborate with other ECA-sponsored programs on some outreach activities. Ensure that the following minimum criteria are used for recruitment.

Eligibility Criteria for Overseas Programs: NSLI-Y participants must be:

• U.S. citizens;

• 15 to 18 years of age at the approximate beginning of the program

(beginning of the program can be defined as early as when the scholarship is accepted; one cut-off date for summer programs and one for academic year programs is allowed);

• Enrolled in high school or equivalent home school program at the time of application; and,

• Have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale or equivalent.

• Adhere to the ECA eligibility policy, including for alumni of NSLI-Y and other

ECA Youth Programs Division exchange programs.

Eligibility Criteria for Virtual NSLI-Y Programs: Virtual NSLI-Y participants must be:

• U.S. citizens;

• 15 to 18 years of age at the approximate beginning of the program

(beginning of the program can be defined as early as when the scholarship is accepted);

• Enrolled in a high school or equivalent for the 2027-28 academic year;

• Living in and attending school in the United States;

• Beginner in the target language; and,

• Has not previously participated in any NSLI-Y program or another U.S.

Department of State exchange program

ECA reserves the right to amend the eligibility requirements and will provide additional eligibility requirements to the recipient organization.

Print and Electronic Materials: Ensure that all print and electronic materials (online application, websites, digital resources, brochures, press releases, announcements, etc.) developed for promotional purposes and related to the program comply with ECA’s Communications Guidance. Use the U.S. Department of State seal, the U.S. flag, and the NSLI-Y logo on all materials related to the program as delineated in ECA’s Communications Guidance. Obtain ECA concurrence on all print and electronic materials related to NSLI-Y in advance of publication and distribution. ECA retains copyright use of, and may distribute, materials related to this program as it sees fit.

Publicity: On a regular and timely basis, provide ECA with participant, alumni and program highlights, photos, videos, press coverage, and any content that may be used to publicize the program. Inform ECA of any publicity that highlights the NSLI- Y program or NSLI-Y participants, or otherwise strengthens recruitment and outreach efforts, particularly those that involve government officials and the media.

When the media interacts with NSLI-Y participants or alumni, the award recipient should make every effort to identify NSLI-Y as a U.S. Department of State program, unless otherwise advised by ECA or the Public Diplomacy Section of a U.S.

Embassy/Consulate.

NSLI-Y Digital Presence: As directed by ECA, develop and maintain a dedicated and dynamic NSLI-Y Program website that is mobile responsive and/or contribute NSLI-Y content to ECA digital efforts. The NSLI-Y website should include comprehensive information about the program, including information on the overseas programs and virtual programming; application information and frequently asked questions; and may include, as directed by ECA, program highlights; impact stories and data; and alumni resources. If requested by ECA, maintain an engaging presence on social media accounts for recruitment and program promotion, or contribute NSLI-Y content for ECA social media, as requested. Regularly consult with ECA on guidelines for content for social media.

b. Application, Selection, Placement, and Notification

Application: Establish, maintain, and update a comprehensive and secure online application for overseas programs and virtual programs. Applications must also be designed to elicit information for applicants that are relevant to the selection process. Monitor the online system to limit and address technical problems. The award recipient must accommodate applicants who cannot apply online. All application materials and associated data should be available in a sortable, searchable, database format that can be easily shared with ECA upon request.

Historically, 2,500-4,000 applications are received each year. Respond to and manage all general inquiries and application questions. Record and track all inquiries related to problems or issues with any part of the application process.

Selection Process: Plan for and conduct a transparent merit-based selection process with clearly defined criteria and a scoring matrix for assessing applicants for overseas and virtual programming.

At minimum, successful applicants should demonstrate maturity and an ability to succeed in an intensive, demanding language study program overseas or virtually.

Successful applicants should also demonstrate an intent to continue their language and culture study beyond the scholarship period and a desire to apply their critical language and cultural skills later in their academic and/or professional pursuits.

ECA will approve the overall selection plan and specific selection criteria. Suggested revisions and additions may be made in consultation with ECA.

U.S. Department of State Approval: Present the final recommended participants and alternates to ECA for approval, providing an overall analysis of the results including but not limited to number of participants by language, home state, participation in previous ECA programs and other categories as requested by ECA.

Program Placement: Assign finalists and alternates to particular programs based on language level and other relevant criteria to ensure that each participant is placed into an appropriate and challenging program, and when possible, contributes to positive group dynamics. The proposal should address how the participants’ language skills will be assessed for placement purposes and on what basis program assignments are made. Notify all implementing organizations of finalists and alternates from the national application pool assigned to them.

Applicant Notification: Prepare and send notifications to all finalists, alternates, and non-selected applicants on ECA approved templates. Applicants for overseas programs should be notified in time to secure necessary visas before programs begin. Manage the acceptance process, advancing alternates to replace declinations on a timely basis and with ECA approval. Prepare ECA approved program descriptions for each overseas program based on a standard template.

Inform participants of their program placement (including implementing organization, city, and school) at the time of scholarship notification, unless this is not possible due to security or other concerns about the location or program.

Inform participants of specific housing accommodations (host family name, location and, if applicable, dormitory or group housing location) no later than one week prior to departure from the United States and preferably earlier.

Additional Deliverables:

• Conduct a technical review of applications for eligibility and completeness.

• Develop and implement best practices and training for staff and volunteers who work on the proposed selection process. These best practices and trainings should aim to ensure consistency and standardization.

• Develop a mechanism to evaluate the application and selection process and share analyses, results, and any suggested changes to recruitment and selection with

ECA.

c. Alumni Programming and Tracking

Develop a plan for post program and alumni activities. Consult with ECA to include foreign policy priorities, to the extent possible, in alumni activities. Plans for program alumni support should include the following:

Alumni Association: Manage an alumni association that includes alumni from all NSLI-Y program years. Provide opportunities for alumni to develop their leadership skills. Work with the alumni association leadership to set goals and priorities, plan and implement activities, recruit additional alumni, and encourage alumni to share their overseas experiences with their schools and their communities.