FY 2026 Future Leaders Exchange Global (FLEX Global)
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- DFOP0018219
- Agency
-
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Department of State
- Applications due
- Award size
- $400,000 to $22,000,000
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
-
- Amy Schulz schulzaj@state.gov (202) 718-5863
- 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 cooperative agreements to implement the FY 2026 Future Leaders Exchange Global (FLEX Global) high school exchange program. Applicants may apply for one or both of two program components: the Administrative Component, which manages overseas operations, participant recruitment and selection, travel arrangements, host family placement for outbound American students, database management, and alumni activities; and the Placement Component, which manages host family and school placement of inbound foreign participants in the U.S., regional enhancement activities, and ongoing participant monitoring and support. Eligible applicants must be U.S.-based not-for-profit organizations, including public and private higher education institutions and 501(c)(3) nonprofits, with at least four years of demonstrated experience in conducting international exchanges. The program will support up to 1,200 foreign high school participants studying in the United States for an academic year and up to 150 American high school participants studying abroad, with all participants living with host families, attending high school, and engaging in leadership and American Excellence enhancement activities. The application deadline is June 29, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, and the anticipated award date is September 1, 2026.
ECA anticipates awarding up to $35,000,000 in total funding, with approximately $22,000,000 for one Administrative Component award and $400,000 to $10,000,000 each for six to ten Placement Component awards, with cost sharing optional and no minimum or maximum requirement. The performance period will span 21 to 36 months from the anticipated September 1, 2026 award date. Program implementation will occur at U.S.-based locations including participant orientations and host family placements across all 50 states, with placement clustering requirements mandating that at least 60% of inbound participants be distributed across multiple states, along with overseas operations in participating countries where recruitment, selection, and outbound participant management activities will be conducted.
Synopsis
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) invite proposals for cooperative agreements to implement the FY 2026 FLEX Global high school exchange program. Applicants may apply for one or both of the following program components:
· Administrative Component: Manages overseas operations, recruitment and selection of inbound and outbound participants, travel, host family recruitment and placement for outbound participants (e.g., American students studying abroad), database and website management for all inbound and outbound participants, alumni activities for all inbound and outbound participants, program-wide events, and overall program coordination.
· Placement Component: Manages host family and school placement of inbound foreign participants in the U.S., regional "American Excellence" enhancement type activities, and ongoing monitoring and support.
FLEX Global builds on the 34-year legacy of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program and the 24-year legacy of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, expanding participation beyond specific world regions. The program advances U.S. interests by cultivating a network of young leaders who understand and support U.S. culture and priorities, with a focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, civic engagement, and leadership.
Key Activities:
· Up to 1,200 foreign high school participants will study in the U.S. for an academic year.
· Up to 150 American high school participants will study abroad for an academic year. As noted above, this element of the program will be managed entirely through the Administrative Component. Organizations applying solely for the Placement Component should not include any costs related to this activity.
· All participants live with host families, attend high school, and engage in leadership and American Excellence enhancement activities.
ECA expects to issue one award for the Administrative Component and six to ten awards for the Placement Component. Eligible organizations may apply for one or both components but must submit a separate proposal for each component.
The POGI document outlines the activities, roles, and responsibilities of the FLEX Global Administrative Component and Placement Component recipients.
Please see the full announcement for additional information.
Update #1 ·
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) invite proposals for cooperative agreements to implement the FY 2026 FLEX Global high school exchange program. Applicants may apply for one or both of the following program components: • Administrative Component: Manages overseas operations, recruitment and selection of inbound and outbound participants, travel, host family recruitment and placement for outbound participants (e.g., American students studying abroad), database and website management for all inbound and outbound participants, alumni activities for all inbound and outbound participants, program-wide events, and overall program coordination. • Placement Component: Manages host family and school placement of inbound foreign participants in the U.S., regional "American Excellence" enhancement type activities, and ongoing monitoring and support. FLEX Global builds on the 34-year legacy of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program and the 24-year legacy of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, expanding participation beyond specific world regions. The program advances U.S. interests by cultivating a network of young leaders who understand and support U.S. culture and priorities, with a focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, civic engagement, and leadership. Key Activities: • Up to 1,200 foreign high school participants will study in the U.S. for an academic year. • Up to 150 American high school participants will study abroad for an academic year. As noted above, this element of the program will be managed entirely through the Administrative Component. Organizations applying solely for the Placement Component should not include any costs related to this activity. • All participants live with host families, attend high school, and engage in leadership and American Excellence enhancement activities. ECA expects to issue one award for the Administrative Component and six to ten awards for the Placement Component.
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 FLEX Global - POGI.pdf | ||
| FY 2026 FLEX Global - NOFO.pdf |
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