FY 2026 J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative (JCSVEI) Program
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- DFOP0017856
- Agency
-
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Department of State
- Applications due
- Award size
- $5,000,000 to $10,000,000
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
-
- Davron Mirsagatov mirsagatovd@state.gov (202) 632-2718
- 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 two cooperative agreement recipients to design, administer, and implement the FY 2026 J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative (JCSVEI), which connects young leaders ages 18-30 in the Middle East and North Africa with American peers through virtual exchanges that advance U.S. foreign policy priorities in scientific excellence, technological innovation, and democratic principles. Eligible applicants include public and private higher education institutions and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with at least four years of international exchange program experience; organizations with less experience may receive awards up to $130,000. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity to work across the MENA region and United States, deliver both online and hybrid program elements, and maintain active SAM.gov registration with a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). The application deadline is May 29, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, with an anticipated award date of September 15, 2026. Evaluation will emphasize demonstrated experience in international exchanges, program design quality, capacity to manage subaward recipients (up to eight), and comprehensive performance monitoring using the ECA Monitoring Data for ECA (MODE) Framework.
Each cooperative agreement carries an approximate award value of $5,000,000, with total available funding of $10,000,000 supporting two separate awards, and a 36-month period of performance. The initiative targets approximately 9,000 annual participants in the primary program option through virtual dialogues and digital projects for ages 18-25, while the secondary program option reaches approximately 4,000 short-term exchange participants and 1,000 virtual internship participants ages 20-30, with select cohorts eligible for in-person alumni accelerator workshops and seed funding. Implementation will occur across both the United States and Middle Eastern and North African regions, with recipients responsible for participant recruitment, selection, DS-2019 J-1 visa issuance, travel logistics, comprehensive data collection, alumni engagement, and quarterly performance reporting through MyGrants.
Synopsis
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
This NOFO has been amended. Please see the amended Notice of Funding Opportunity for additional information.
As 2027 marks 15 years since the loss of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, and in honor of his enduring legacy, the Global Leaders Division, Office of Citizen Exchanges, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), invites proposal submissions for two cooperative agreements to design, administer, and implement activities under the broader J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative (JCSVEI).
ECA anticipates making two separate cooperative agreements to design, implement, and manage the FY 2026 J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative (JCSVEI) under two distinct program options: (1) J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative and (2) J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative: Digital Leaders for Peace and Economic Opportunity. Applicants may submit applications for program option one or program option two. Organizations may submit two separate applications, one for each program option, if they wish to be considered for both. Each application will be evaluated independently. Each application must clearly state in the Executive Summary which program option is being proposed. If applying separately for each program options the applicant must clearly demonstrate the organizational capacity to implement both program options, including the ability to work in the MENA region and the United States and to deliver both online and hybrid program elements.
The JCSVEI advances U.S. foreign policy priorities by championing American scientific excellence, technological leadership, and innovation, while promoting core U.S. principles-freedom of speech, individual liberty, and the rule of law-as foundations of peace and prosperity. The program achieves these goals through American-led virtual exchanges that connects young leaders in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) with peers across the United States.
Update #1 ·
This NOFO has been amended. Please see the amended Notice of Funding Opportunity for additional information. As 2027 marks 15 years since the loss of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, and in honor of his enduring legacy, the Global Leaders Division, Office of Citizen Exchanges, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), invites proposal submissions for two cooperative agreements to design, administer, and implement activities under the broader J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative (JCSVEI). ECA anticipates making two separate cooperative agreements to design, implement, and manage the FY 2026 J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative (JCSVEI) under two distinct program options: (1) J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative and (2) J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative: Digital Leaders for Peace and Economic Opportunity. Applicants may submit applications for program option one or program option two. Organizations may submit two separate applications, one for each program option, if they wish to be considered for both. Each application will be evaluated independently. Each application must clearly state in the Executive Summary which program option is being proposed. If applying separately for each program options the applicant must clearly demonstrate the organizational capacity to implement both program options, including the ability to work in the MENA region and the United States and to deliver both online and hybrid program elements. The JCSVEI advances U.S. foreign policy priorities by championing American scientific excellence, technological leadership, and innovation, while promoting core U.S. principles-freedom of speech, individual liberty, and the rule of law-as foundations of peace and prosperity. The program achieves these goals through American-led virtual exchanges that connects young leaders in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) with peers across the United States.
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 JCSVEI NOFO Amended.pdf |
Posting history
| Listing | Posted | Applications due |
|---|---|---|
| Opportunity | ||
| Opportunity |
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