FY 2026 Tech Youth Program
The FY 2026 Tech Youth Program offers a three-week U.S.-based exchange for high school students worldwide to build technical, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills through hands-on training and industry engagement.
Funder: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Due Dates: July 6, 2026 (Full application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Approximately $1,100,000 for a 15-month cooperative agreement; 1 anticipated award; no cost sharing required.
Summary: Supports a three-week U.S.-based youth exchange to equip international and American high school students with technical, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills in emerging technology sectors.
Description
The FY 2026 Tech Youth Program, offered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State, seeks proposals to implement a three-week, U.S.-based youth exchange in summer 2027. The program aims to equip young innovators—approximately 72 English-speaking international high school students and 24 U.S. high school students—with essential technical, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills to succeed in emerging industries. Participants will engage in hands-on learning through job shadowing, site visits to U.S. companies, meetings with industry leaders, and intensive coursework, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies. The program includes pre-exchange virtual activities, post-exchange alumni engagement, and the implementation of capstone projects addressing real-world economic and business challenges.
