# FY 2026 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y)

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/dfop0017852-fy-2026-national-security-language-initiative-for-youth/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361397

> Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs offered grants of up to $5.0 million (at least $5.0 million) to nonprofits and colleges and universities. It expected to make one award. Applications closed on May 1, 2026.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | DFOP0017852 |
| Agency | Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | May 1, 2026 |
| Award ceiling | $5.0 million |
| Award floor | $5.0 million |
| Expected awards | 1 |
| Total funding | not stated |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 19.415 |

## Who can apply

- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Please see full announcement.

## What the grant funds

The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is pleased to announce an open competition for proposals to administer the FY 2026 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program. NSLI-Y increases the number of American youth (ages 15 to 18) who learn critical foreign languages in support of bolstering U.S. national security; promoting U.S. competitiveness and economic prosperity; and building mutual understanding with critical regions of the world. The award will support approximately 275 American teens to study critical languages through intensive overseas language programs in locations where the target languages are widely spoken, and through virtual programming. U.S. public and private non-profit organizations, meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3), may submit proposals to cooperate with ECA in the overall administration of NSLI-Y and the implementation of summer, academic year, and virtual programs according to the guidance in this solicitation. Please see the Notice of Funding Opportunity for additional information.

## Questions people ask

### Is DFOP0017852 still open?

No. It closed on May 1, 2026. A newer notice is open: DFOP0017180, closes January 1, 2099 (26353 days left).

### Who can apply for FY 2026 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y)?

Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs accepted applications from nonprofits and colleges and universities. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for FY 2026 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y)?

Closed May 1, 2026. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $5.0 million each.

### Who has won Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Citizen Exchanges grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were American Councils for International Education: Actr/Accels, Inc., International Research and Exchanges Board Inc., World Learning Inc. The program made 289 awards worth $569 million in that time.