DFOP0018816: FY 2026 Community Solutions Program
Closed
This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: Annual Program Statement for U.S. Presentation at International Architecture Biennales (DFOP0017180). Status: Closes January 1, 2099 (26353 days left). It is in our archive of Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs notices from 2026.
Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs offered grants of up to $3.0 million (at least $3.0 million) to nonprofits and colleges and universities. It expected to make one award. Applications closed on July 23, 2026.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed June 24, 2026. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$3.0 million
- Award floor$3.0 million
- Expected awards1
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeCooperative Agreement
Key dates
| Posted | June 24, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | July 23, 2026 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | August 22, 2026 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to nonprofits and colleges and universities.
- 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.
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Citizen Exchanges awards averaged $2.0 million; this notice allows up to $3.0 million per award.
- Most of the program's money (95% over five years) went to nonprofits.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
The Global Leaders Division in the Office of Citizen Exchanges at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) seeks proposals for a cooperative agreement to design and implement the FY 2026 Community Solutions Program (CSP). The United States has a strong tradition of hard work, entrepreneurship, and local leadership that has powered economic growth. American communities succeed by building on what they do best — innovating, strengthening key industries, and coordinating business, workforce, and community leadership to deliver results. CSP invests in American and international community leaders interested in learning from proven U.S. approaches to regional economic growth. It will engage leaders, ages 27–39, who will work alongside American partners to understand how regional industry clusters and locally driven strategies expand opportunities that benefit the American people. During a three- to four-month exchange in the United States, approximately 50–60 participants will work directly with American counterparts on real-world economic growth initiatives across key sectors such as: culinary industries/farm-to-table; business and entrepreneurship; hospitality and tourism; technology and innovation, and others as proposed. Placements will demonstrate how U.S. communities organize around regional industry clusters to attract talent, secure investment, grow businesses, and strengthen local economies. Please see the Notice of Funding Opportunity for additional information.
Who has won Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Citizen Exchanges grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Citizen Exchanges (19.415) awarded $569 million across 289 grant awards, an average of $2.0 million per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Councils for International Education: Actr/Accels, Inc. | District of Columbia | 34 | $220 million |
| International Research and Exchanges Board Inc. | District of Columbia | 11 | $59.2 million |
| World Learning Inc. | Vermont | 20 | $32.2 million |
| Aspen Institute, Inc. (the) | District of Columbia | 2 | $22.3 million |
| Afs-USA, Inc | New York | 8 | $17.0 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, DFOP0017180, which is open now.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is DFOP0018816 still open?
No. It closed on July 23, 2026. A newer notice is open: DFOP0017180, closes January 1, 2099 (26353 days left).
Who can apply for FY 2026 Community Solutions Program?
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 Community Solutions Program?
Closed July 23, 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 $3.0 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.
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