FY 2026 TechLeaders: Critical Emerging Technologies Exchange
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations experienced in international exchange programs and technology sector development. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to recruit and place approximately 60 foreign participants ages 25-40 from multiple global regions. Organizations must manage all program logistics, U.S.-based mentorships with companies, overseas components including reciprocal exchanges, and a Critical Emerging Technologies Accelerator program. Eligible organizations typically include nonprofits, educational institutions, and exchange program operators with proven experience in international participant recruitment and placement.
Program description
The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Global Leaders Division, of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) invites proposal submissions for the FY 2026 TechLeaders: Critical Emerging Technologies Program. TechLeaders will strengthen America’s technological edge and industry dominance by promoting U.S. leadership in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Space Technology, Biotechnology/Health Technology, Supply Chain/Cold Chain Technology, and Agricultural Technology (AgriTech). This initiative engages approximately 60 foreign participants, ages 25-40, from Europe and Eurasia, East Asia and the Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, South and Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Western Hemisphere through a five-week intensive placement in the United States. Participants will collaborate with U.S.-based mentors and companies to develop actionable solutions in critical technology sectors, showcasing American expertise and innovation. The program will also feature overseas components including reciprocal exchanges and an accelerator following the second U.S.-based cohort to expand U.S. influence, inspire future STEM professionals, and foster collaboration with American businesses. TechLeaders supports U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives by exporting American expertise and technological innovations abroad, promoting U.S.-preferred technology standards globally, bolstering economic ties, and countering the proliferation of malign competitors’ technology in the global market.
Organizations applying for this federal award must demonstrate the capacity to recruit, select, and place participants, manage all program logistics, and implement overseas programming, which includes annual reciprocal exchanges and a Critical Emerging Technologies Accelerator program after the second cohort of participants. The recipient will be awarded $ 1,500,000 for the overall FY 2026 TechLeaders: Critical Emerging Technologies Program, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently to advance U.S. national interests and global leadership in critical technology sectors.
Please see the Notice of Funding Opportunity for additional information.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Notice of Funding Opportunity (full announcement)
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Letters of commitment from U.S. company partners
- Participant recruitment and placement plan
- Program logistics and management plan
- Budget narrative and timeline
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs
- 📧 harrismr@state.gov
- 📞 202-890-9795
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 19.415 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$20,570,000
-
$20,450,000
-
$19,800,000
-
$18,390,884
-
$17,980,767
-
$17,915,753
-
$17,903,753
-
$17,403,806
-
$16,896,050
-
$16,320,000
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 19.415). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $139,802,885 | |
| 2025 | $86,270,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $86,270,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Organizations experienced in international exchange programs and technology development. You must demonstrate capacity to recruit, place, and manage 60 foreign participants and coordinate U.S. company mentorships.
What is the award amount?
This grant provides a fixed award of $1,500,000 for the overall FY 2026 program. No cost-sharing is required.
What activities are supported?
Five-week U.S.-based intensive placements in AI, space, biotech, supply chain, and agricultural technology. Overseas reciprocal exchanges and an accelerator program after the second cohort are also supported.
Is there a deadline?
The deadline is July 6, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling.
What geographic regions are involved?
Participants come from Europe and Eurasia, East Asia and the Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, South and Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Western Hemisphere.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your organization's track record recruiting and placing international participants in previous exchange programs. Document success metrics from similar initiatives.
- Show clear partnerships with U.S. technology companies willing to mentor participants and provide real-world problem-solving opportunities in priority sectors.
- Detail your capacity to manage logistics for 60 international participants including housing, visas, programming, and U.S.-based mentorships across five weeks.
- Plan your overseas component early, including how you'll execute reciprocal exchanges and the accelerator program post-second cohort to meet funder expectations.
- Align your proposal with U.S. foreign policy objectives in critical technologies and describe how your program counters competitors' technology influence globally.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Underestimating the operational complexity of managing 60 international participants across logistics, mentorships, and programming simultaneously. Lacking demonstrated partnerships with U.S. technology companies committed to meaningful mentor roles. Failing to articulate a credible plan for overseas components including reciprocal exchanges and the accelerator program after the second cohort.
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