FY 2026 Community Engagement Exchange
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- DFOP0018606
- Agency
-
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Department of State
- Applications due
- Award size
- $1,000,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Other
- Eligible applicants
-
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- Points of contact
-
- Linnéa Allison allisonle@state.gov (202) 632-6060
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs seeks applications for a cooperative agreement to design and implement the FY 2026 Community Engagement Exchange by July 9, 2026. The award ceiling is approximately $1,000,000 for a single 30-month cooperative agreement, with an anticipated award date of September 4, 2026 and ECA's intent to renew for two additional consecutive fiscal years before reopening competition.
Eligible applicants are U.S. not-for-profit organizations, think tanks, civil society organizations, and not-for-profit educational institutions with at least four years of international exchange experience, and must hold a Unique Entity Identifier and active SAM.gov registration. There is no required cost-sharing minimum or maximum.
CEE targets approximately 30-40 emerging civic leaders (ages 22-27) from select Europe and Eurasia countries for a two-way exchange centered on First Amendment principles and free speech literacy. International participants complete a six- to eight-week U.S.-based program including a four- to five-week individually tailored professional placement with American organizations. Approximately 15-20 American participants conduct reciprocal one- to two-week exchanges in participants' home countries. The program emphasizes skill-based training, hands-on activities, and practical application of free speech principles to promote constructive public discourse and strengthen community engagement.
Applicants must submit an SF-424, 20-page narrative addressing program vision, participating organizations, core activities, evaluation, follow-on activities, project management, and work plan, along with SF-424A budget forms and detailed line-item budget narrative. Recipients report performance monitoring data through ECA's MODE Framework, measuring outcomes in cross-cultural competence, civic engagement, professional networks, and skill development via the MyGrants system. The program is supported by Pawel Adamowicz supplemental funding. Assistance Listing 19.415 (Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs – Citizen Exchanges).
Synopsis
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
The Global Leaders Division in the Office of Citizen Exchanges at the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) seeks proposals for a cooperative agreement to design and implement the FY 2026 Community Engagement Exchange (CEE). CEE is a two-way exchange initiative for approximately 30-40 emerging civic leaders (ages 22-27), from Europe and Eurasia, that provides skill-based training, hands-on activities, and practical application of one of the First Amendment's most fundamental rights: the freedom of speech. Grounded in the enduring principles of the U.S. Constitution, CEE equips participants with the skills to promote free speech, reduce conflict and strengthen community engagement. CEE participants will work alongside American counterparts in a substantive six- to eight-week exchange program, including a four-to five-week individually tailored professional placement in a U.S. organization, designed to cultivate practical First Amendment (1A) skills. Approximately 15-20 Americans will travel on reciprocal visits, co-designed with CEE participants, that showcase America's leadership, promote free speech, and create opportunities for sustained collaboration. CEE advances U.S. foreign policy by strengthening the free speech and community engagement, promoting constructive public discourse, and fostering international partners equipped to address complex challenges in alignment with U.S. interests. CEE is supported by Pawel Adamowicz supplemental funding.
Please see the Notice of Funding Opportunity for additional information.
Update #1 ·
The Global Leaders Division in the Office of Citizen Exchanges at the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) seeks proposals for a cooperative agreement to design and implement the FY 2026 Community Engagement Exchange (CEE). CEE is a two-way exchange initiative for approximately 30-40 emerging civic leaders (ages 22-27), from Europe and Eurasia, that provides skill-based training, hands-on activities, and practical application of one of the First Amendment's most fundamental rights: the freedom of speech. Grounded in the enduring principles of the U.S. Constitution, CEE equips participants with the skills to promote free speech, reduce conflict and strengthen community engagement. CEE participants will work alongside American counterparts in a substantive six- to eight-week exchange program, including a four-to five-week individually tailored professional placement in a U.S. organization, designed to cultivate practical First Amendment (1A) skills. Approximately 15-20 Americans will travel on reciprocal visits, co-designed with CEE participants, that showcase America's leadership, promote free speech, and create opportunities for sustained collaboration. CEE advances U.S. foreign policy by strengthening the free speech and community engagement, promoting constructive public discourse, and fostering international partners equipped to address complex challenges in alignment with U.S. interests. CEE is supported by Pawel Adamowicz supplemental funding. Please see the Notice of Funding Opportunity for additional information.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| performance_monitoring_plan_mode_2.3_02.03.2025.pdf | ||
| performance_monitoring_plan_mode_2.3_02.03.2025-4.docx | DOCX document | |
| FY 2026 Community Engagement Exchange NOFO.pdf |
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