[Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs](https://eca.state.gov)

May 1, 2026 (full applications due via Grants.gov)

$5,000,000 (single cooperative agreement; 30–33 months duration; supports ~275 youth participants)

Supports U.S. organizations to administer immersive and virtual language programs for American high school students (ages 15–18) to study critical foreign languages abroad and online.

--- ## Description This opportunity supports the administration of the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y), a program designed to increase the number of American youth (ages 15–18) proficient in critical foreign languages. The program aims to bolster U.S. national security, enhance economic competitiveness, and foster mutual understanding with strategically important regions. The award recipient will manage all aspects of the NSLI-Y program, including recruitment, selection, placement, and support for approximately 275 American high school students in immersive overseas and virtual language programs in Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, and Russian. ## Due Dates - May 1, 2026: Application deadline (full applications due via Grants.gov) — 11:59 PM Eastern (Washington, DC time) --- ## Funding Amount - Total Funding: $5,000,000 (cooperative agreement) - Expected Number of Awards: 1 - Period of Performance: 30–33 months (with potential for renewal for two additional years, subject to satisfactory performance and funding) - Supports: ~275 American high school students (overseas and virtual programs) --- ## Eligibility - U.S. public and private non-profit organizations, including: - Not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and civil society/NGOs) - Not-for-profit public and private educational institutions - Organizations must: - Have 501(c)(3) status (if non-profit) - Demonstrate at least four years of experience in conducting international exchanges for awards exceeding $130,000 - Have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and active registration in SAM.gov - Only one proposal per applicant organization will be considered. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted electronically via [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361397). - Required documents include: - SF-424, executive summary, proposal narrative, budget (SF-424A), detailed line-item budget, and budget narrative - Proposals must address all program requirements outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), including: - Program design and implementation for both overseas and virtual components - Recruitment and outreach plan - Transparent, merit-based participant selection process - Alumni programming and tracking - Monitoring and evaluation plan (including use of ECA’s MODE Framework indicators) - Organizations must register key personnel and contacts with the U.S. Department of State’s MyGrants system. --- ## Additional Information - No cost sharing or matching funds are required, but cost sharing is encouraged. - The program covers most participant costs (travel, tuition, housing, meals, health benefits, stipends for overseas programs); some items (e.g., passports, routine medical costs) are not covered. - The award recipient must be prepared to transition programs to virtual delivery if required by circumstances. - The program includes robust performance monitoring and reporting requirements. - Only U.S. citizens ages 15–18, enrolled in high school, are eligible as program participants. - All proposals must comply with federal anti-discrimination, trafficking, and other compliance requirements. --- ## External Links - [Notice of Funding Opportunity (Full Text, PDF)](https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/NSLI-Y-NOFO.pdf) - [ECA Grant Opportunities Page](https://www.state.gov/eca-grant-opportunities/) - [Grants.gov Listing and Application Portal](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361397) - [ECA Performance Monitoring Plan Resources](https://eca.state.gov/impact/eca-monitoring-evaluation-learning-and-innovation-meli-unit/mode-framework-eca-applicants-and) - [Instructions and Mandatory Application Forms](http://state.gov/instructions-and-mandatory-forms/) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Notes | |----------------|----------------------------|---------------------------------------| | Kaveri Advani | advanike@state.gov | ECA Program Officer for NSLI-Y | | General ECA | ecawebsitesmail@state.gov | Bureau contact (general inquiries) | | Grants.gov Help| support@grants.gov | Grants.gov technical support | Phone (ECA): (202) 632-6445 ---

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

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