FY 2026 English Access Scholarship Program
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- DFOP0017848
- Agency
-
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Department of State
- Applications due
- Award size
- $12,477,500
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Other
- Eligible applicants
-
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Points of contact
-
- Melissa Fernandez accessprogram@state.gov (771) 204-6017
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The FY 2026 English Access Scholarship Program, administered by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, seeks to procure comprehensive English language programming and exchanges serving approximately 7,000 global participants. Eligible applicants include public and private higher education institutions and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with a minimum of four years of demonstrated experience conducting international exchanges. Key program requirements include establishing three components: Access Scholarships (30-40% of costs), Access Educational Seminars and Content Development (30-35%), and Access Alumni programming (5-10%), along with managing U.S. exchanges, administrative functions, and an open-source Community of Practice platform. Applicants will be evaluated on program quality, institutional capacity, monitoring and evaluation plans aligned with the ECA's Monitoring Data for ECA (MODE) Framework, and cost-effectiveness. The application deadline is May 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, with submissions required through Grants.gov.
The anticipated award is approximately $12,477,500 through a cooperative agreement with a 56-month performance period, with an expected award date of August 1, 2026. Programming may be delivered in-person, virtual, or hybrid format and may occur in-country, in the region, or in the United States. Recipients must comply with all federal regulations, including J-visa requirements for exchange participants, maintain active registrations in SAM.gov and the MyGrants system, and conduct comprehensive performance monitoring and reporting aligned with ECA standards. Cost sharing is not required but is encouraged.
Synopsis
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
The English Access Scholarship Program (Access) leverages American English to build English language capacity with strategic audiences through in-person programming and exchanges in the United States. The program promotes economic self-reliance which strengthens American national security and economic prosperity. Access showcases U.S. educational excellence, demonstrates U.S. educational technology, and promotes opportunities for American business partnerships. The FY 2026 Access Program will support approximately 7,000 participants globally. Programming may be in-person, virtual, or hybrid and occur in-country, in the region, or in the United States. ECA anticipates that the majority of the award costs will be for program activities detailed across three program components.
Please see the Notice of Funding Opportunity for additional information.
Update #1 ·
The English Access Scholarship Program (Access) leverages American English to build English language capacity with strategic audiences through in-person programming and exchanges in the United States. The program promotes economic self-reliance which strengthens American national security and economic prosperity. Access showcases U.S. educational excellence, demonstrates U.S. educational technology, and promotes opportunities for American business partnerships. The FY 2026 Access Program will support approximately 7,000 participants globally. Programming may be in-person, virtual, or hybrid and occur in-country, in the region, or in the United States. ECA anticipates that the majority of the award costs will be for program activities detailed across three program components. 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 | |
| FY26 Access NOFO.pdf |
On GovTribe
Work this opportunity
- Track it in your pipeline
- Find teaming partners
- Similar grant opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this opportunity