Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program
Forecasted
The Kennedy-Lugar YES Program by American Councils enables international high school students to study in the U.S., advancing leadership and cross-cultural research through immersive academic exchange.
Funder: American Councils for International Education
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2026 (application deadline for spring 2027 semester, projected)
Funding Amounts: Fully funded academic year in the U.S. for selected high school students; covers tuition, travel, living expenses, and program activities.
Summary: Enables international high school students from select countries to spend a year in the U.S. as youth ambassadors, promoting cultural exchange and leadership.
Key Information: This is a forecasted opportunity; official application opening and deadlines may shift.
Description
The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program is a flagship international exchange initiative funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by American Councils for International Education. The program offers high school students from strategically important countries the opportunity to spend an academic year living with an American host family and attending a U.S. high school. Participants serve as youth ambassadors, fostering mutual understanding, building leadership skills, and sharing their own cultures with U.S. communities. The YES Program is fully funded and emphasizes educational enrichment, cross-cultural engagement, and leadership development.
