U.S.-Kenya Freedom 250 Tech and Innovation Exchange
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- DOS-NBO-PDS-FY26-001
- Agency
-
US Embassy Nairobi
US Consulates and Embassies, Department of State
- Applications due
- Award size
- $3,300,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Science and Technology and other Research and Development
- Eligible applicants
-
- Other
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy Nairobi, seeks qualified organizations to implement an academic exchange program that will embed 76 Kenyan undergraduate students in American tech and business ecosystems through semester-long study at U.S. universities followed by externships with American companies operating in Kenya. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, and for-profit exchange-management organizations that can demonstrate organizational capacity and planning to execute placements and externships. Key program objectives include providing high-quality American tech education experiences to rising scientists and engineers, advancing U.S. university dominance in Kenya's tech sector, and establishing the Freedom 250 brand as a prestigious symbol of U.S.-Kenya collaboration in science, technology, engineering, and innovation. Proposals will be evaluated on five criteria: quality and feasibility (30 points), organizational capacity and grant history (30 points), project planning ability (20 points), budget (10 points), and monitoring and evaluation (10 points). The application deadline is May 29, 2026, at 11:59 PM East Africa Time, with submissions required via email to NairobiGrants@state.gov or through Grants.gov in the form of a seven-page proposal narrative accompanied by required federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B), budget justification, monitoring and evaluation plan, and supporting documentation.
The total available funding is $3,300,000 for one anticipated award with a 36-month performance period beginning October 1, 2026. The program will support Kenyan undergraduate students aged 18-26 in science, technology, engineering, and innovation fields, with performance activities occurring primarily in the United States for the academic semester component and in Kenya for the externship component. All applicants must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and maintain active registration in SAM.gov, and recipients must comply with federal regulations including 2 CFR 200, State Department Standard Terms and Conditions, trafficking in persons certifications, and mandatory Freedom 250 branding requirements across all program materials.
Synopsis
Project Background
In honor of America's 250th anniversary and Freedom 250 celebrations of American excellence, the U.S. Embassy in Kenya announces a new academic exchange through the U.S. Department of State focused on science, technology, and engineering, which are fields of the future for both American global leadership and U.S.-Kenya bilateral ties. Through the Freedom 250 Tech and Innovation Exchange, we will catalyze and grow targeted linkages between U.S. and Kenyan universities in sectors that advance American strength and prosperity.
Program Goals:
Embed Rising Scientists and Engineers in American-led Tech and Business Ecosystems: Provide 76 Kenyan undergrads with a high-quality experience of American tech education through a junior-year semester of study at U.S. universities, thereby establishing their personal and professional connections with the United States and within American operating systems.
Advance the Dominance of U.S. Universities and American Innovation in Kenya's Tech Sector: Establish and strengthen cooperation between U.S. and Kenyan higher education institutions with a focus on collaborative research that will provide an advantage to American economic priorities and business interests in Kenya and Africa more broadly.
Build a Prestigious Brand to Honor America's 250th Anniversary: Establish the Freedom 250 Tech and Innovation Exchange as a prestigious and recognizable brand associated with excellence in U.S.-Kenya collaboration, launching a new generation of Kenyan leaders motivated to partner with America and advance U.S. commercial interests in Africa.
Project Audience(s):
This program targets high-potential Kenyan undergraduate students aged 18-26 years in science, technology, engineering, and innovation fields who demonstrate leadership potential in industries most relevant to American commercial interests and U.S.-Kenya bilateral cooperation. The U.S. Embassy in Kenya will coordinate with the program implementer and American private-sector leaders in Kenya's ICT market on candidate selection. This selection process will deliver participants with the talent, motivation, foundational skills, and commitment required to partner with the United States and ensure value for American economic interests in Kenya and Africa more broadly.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Frequently Asked Questions -- Freedom 250 Tech and Innovation Exchange.docx | DOCX document | |
| NOFO U.S.-Kenya Freedom 250 Tech and Innovation Exchange.docx | DOCX document |
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