# FY 2026 Youth Ambassadors Programs

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/dfop0018391-fy-2026-youth-ambassadors-programs/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/362481

> Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs offered grants of up to $2.1 million (at least $300,000) to nonprofits and colleges and universities. It expected to make about 8 awards worth $8.0 million in total. Applications closed on July 17, 2026.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | DFOP0018391 |
| Agency | Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | July 17, 2026 |
| Award ceiling | $2.1 million |
| Award floor | $300,000 |
| Expected awards | 8 |
| Total funding | $8.0 million |
| 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, Youth Programs Division of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is pleased to announce an open competition for the FY 2026 Youth Ambassadors program. Proposals may be submitted to implement one, or more, of eight program options outlined in this solicitation. A different proposal must be submitted for each program option, if applying for more than one. You must clearly identify which program option a proposal is for, early in the Executive Summary of the proposal. The Youth Ambassadors program provides groups of youth and adult mentor (select programs) participants from select countries in the regions of Sub-Saharan Africa (AF), East Asia and Pacific (EAP), Europe and Eurasia (EUR), Middle East and North Africa (NEA), South Central Asia (SCA), the Western Hemisphere (WHA), and the United States of America (USA) , with a three-week exchange focusing on youth leadership. In addition to participants travelling internationally, exchanges will include U.S. youth and adult mentors participating as peers in U.S. based exchanges. As applicants explore the main theme of leadership, they are encouraged to showcase creative and transformative application of AI concepts, resources, strategies, and tools. Program participants will apply knowledge gained on the program to implement follow-on projects in their home communities. Please see the Notice of Funding Opportunity for additional information.

## Questions people ask

### Is DFOP0018391 still open?

No. It closed on July 17, 2026. A newer notice is open: DFOP0017180, closes January 1, 2099 (26353 days left).

### Who can apply for FY 2026 Youth Ambassadors Programs?

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 Youth Ambassadors Programs?

Closed July 17, 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 $2.1 million each. About $8.0 million in total across about 8 awards.

### 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.