FY 2026 John McCain Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on the Rule of Law and Public Service
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- DFOP0017914
- Agency
-
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Department of State
- Applications due
- Award size
- $400,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Other
- Eligible applicants
-
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- Points of contact
-
- Tania Jazynka jazynkat@state.gov (202) 718-8378
- 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 proposals for the design and implementation of the FY 2026 John McCain Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on the Rule of Law and Public Service (McCain SUSI), a five-week intensive academic exchange program scheduled for summer 2027. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, private higher education institutions, and public higher education institutions that can demonstrate at least four years of experience conducting international exchanges and possess an active Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) with valid SAM.gov registration. The program will serve approximately 20 foreign undergraduate students and recent graduates from military and law enforcement colleges and universities, comprising a four-week academic residency at a U.S. educational institution and a one-week integrated academic field experience in a distinct U.S. region, with required follow-on alumni engagement activities. Award recipients must be responsible for complete program planning, curriculum development, participant recruitment and logistics, health and safety protocols, and sustained alumni engagement; evaluation will focus on participant outcomes measured through the MODE Framework, including cross-cultural competence, leadership development, democratic values advancement, and community impact. The application deadline is May 11, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, with an anticipated award date of September 1, 2026.
The anticipated award value is approximately $400,000 for a single recipient organization to support an 18 to 24-month cooperative agreement, pending Congressional appropriations and fund availability. The program will be performed primarily at a U.S. college or university campus designated as the primary academic residency site, with an additional one-week field experience component conducted in a separate U.S. region. Applicants must submit comprehensive proposals including SF-424 forms, executive summary, detailed program narrative, budget justification, Performance Monitoring Plan using the MODE Framework, and supporting documentation demonstrating organizational capacity and relevant exchange program experience.
Synopsis
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
The Office of Academic Exchange Programs, ECA, invites proposal submissions for the design and implementation of the John McCain Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on the Rule of Law and Public Service (McCain SUSI). The SUSI will take place over five weeks in summer 2027. See details in section C. Program Description. The McCain SUSI is an intensive academic exchange program that provides a group of approximately 20 foreign undergraduate students and recent graduates from military and law enforcement colleges and universities with a deeper understanding of American leadership and how it has shaped global stability and security.
The McCain SUSI will include an approximately four-week academic residency at a U.S. educational institution and an approximately one-week integrated academic field experience that will bring participants to a U.S. region distinct from their residency location. The program should include opportunities for continued follow-on engagement once participants return home. The award recipient will be responsible for planning, overseeing, and implementing the program.
Only one proposal will be considered by ECA from each applicant organization. Please see the Notice of Funding Opportunity for additional information.
Update #1 ·
The Office of Academic Exchange Programs, ECA, invites proposal submissions for the design and implementation of the John McCain Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on the Rule of Law and Public Service (McCain SUSI). The SUSI will take place over five weeks in summer 2027. See details in section C. Program Description. The McCain SUSI is an intensive academic exchange program that provides a group of approximately 20 foreign undergraduate students and recent graduates from military and law enforcement colleges and universities with a deeper understanding of American leadership and how it has shaped global stability and security. The McCain SUSI will include an approximately four-week academic residency at a U.S. educational institution and an approximately one-week integrated academic field experience that will bring participants to a U.S. region distinct from their residency location. The program should include opportunities for continued follow-on engagement once participants return home. The award recipient will be responsible for planning, overseeing, and implementing the program. Only one proposal will be considered by ECA from each applicant organization.
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 McCain SUSI_Budget Template.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| FY26 McCain SUSI_Budget Template.pdf | ||
| FY26 McCain SUSI_NOFO.pdf |
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