Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0018277
The FY 2026 TechLeaders: Critical Emerging Technologies Exchange is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) funding opportunity run through the Office of Citizen Exchanges, Global Leaders Division. It will fund a single organization to design and implement an international exchange program that brings rising foreign technology professionals to the United States for an intensive, hands-on experience tied to priority critical technology sectors. The overall aim is to reinforce U.S. global leadership in high-impact emerging technologies while advancing U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives through professional networks, exposure to American innovation ecosystems, and the spread of U.S.-preferred technology norms and standards.
The program focuses on five targeted technology areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Space Technology, Biotechnology and Health Technology, Supply Chain and Cold Chain Technology, and Agricultural Technology (AgriTech). The core U.S.-based component is built around approximately 60 foreign participants, generally ages 25 to 40, drawn from a wide geographic range that includes Europe and Eurasia, East Asia and the Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa, South and Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Western Hemisphere. Participants complete a five-week intensive placement in the United States, where they engage directly with U.S. companies and mentors. The practical emphasis is on developing actionable solutions in these technology sectors while highlighting American expertise, entrepreneurship, and research and development strengths.
Beyond the U.S. placement, the opportunity requires meaningful overseas programming intended to extend the impact after participants return home. This includes annual reciprocal exchanges and a “Critical Emerging Technologies Accelerator” that occurs after the second U.S.-based cohort. These international follow-on elements are meant to deepen sustained collaboration with American businesses, broaden U.S. influence in partner countries, and encourage future STEM leadership by keeping alumni engaged and connected to U.S. institutions. The program is also explicitly positioned as a way to counter the spread of malign competitors’ technologies in global markets by strengthening pro-U.S. professional networks and encouraging the adoption of U.S.-aligned standards and approaches.
The award is offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning the recipient should expect substantial involvement from the U.S. government during implementation, rather than operating entirely independently. The funding opportunity is discretionary, falls under CFDA 19.415, and is administered by ECA. The anticipated funding level is up to $1,500,000 total (award ceiling $1,500,000), with an expectation of one award.
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, U.S. nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), and other eligible entities as allowed in the full Notice of Funding Opportunity. Applicants must show they can handle the full lifecycle of a complex exchange program: recruiting and selecting participants across multiple regions, placing them appropriately in U.S.-based experiences, managing logistics for a five-week U.S. program, coordinating mentors and host companies, and delivering the required overseas components such as reciprocal exchanges and the accelerator. The closing date listed for submissions is July 6, 2026, under Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0018277.Apply for DFOP0018277
- The Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2026 TechLeaders: Critical Emerging Technologies Exchange" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.415.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-07.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-06. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the FY 2026 TechLeaders: Critical Emerging Technologies Exchange?
The FY 2026 TechLeaders: Critical Emerging Technologies Exchange is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) funding opportunity to support an international exchange program. It is run through ECA's Office of Citizen Exchanges, Global Leaders Division, and it will fund one organization to design and implement the full program.
What is the purpose of this exchange program?
The program aims to reinforce U.S. global leadership in high-impact emerging technologies while advancing U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives. It does this by building professional networks, exposing participants to American innovation ecosystems, and promoting U.S.-preferred technology norms and standards.
Which technology sectors does the program focus on?
The program targets five technology areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Space Technology, Biotechnology and Health Technology, Supply Chain and Cold Chain Technology, and Agricultural Technology (AgriTech).
How many awards will be made under this opportunity?
The opportunity anticipates one award, meaning a single organization is expected to be selected to run the program.
What is the maximum funding available?
The anticipated funding level is up to $1,500,000 total, with an award ceiling of $1,500,000.
What type of award is this?
This award is a cooperative agreement. That means the selected recipient should expect substantial involvement from the U.S. government during implementation rather than operating fully independently.
Who is the awarding and administering agency?
The program is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), and it is administered by ECA.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.415.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DFOP0018277.
When is the application submission deadline?
The closing date for submissions is July 6, 2026.
What organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, U.S. nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), and other eligible entities as allowed in the full Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Does the opportunity specify the number of participants?
Yes. The core U.S.-based component is built around approximately 60 foreign participants.
What is the typical participant profile?
Participants are generally rising foreign technology professionals and are typically ages 25 to 40.
From which regions will participants be drawn?
Participants are expected to come from a wide geographic range, including Europe and Eurasia, East Asia and the Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa, South and Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Western Hemisphere.
How long is the U.S.-based program component?
Participants complete a five-week intensive placement in the United States.
What will participants do during the U.S. placement?
During the five-week U.S. component, participants engage directly with U.S. companies and mentors in an intensive, hands-on experience. The practical emphasis is on developing actionable solutions in the targeted technology sectors while highlighting American expertise, entrepreneurship, and research and development strengths.
Is the program limited to activities in the United States?
No. The opportunity requires meaningful overseas programming designed to extend impact after participants return home.
What overseas components are required?
The required overseas programming includes annual reciprocal exchanges and a "Critical Emerging Technologies Accelerator" that occurs after the second U.S.-based cohort.
When does the Critical Emerging Technologies Accelerator take place?
The accelerator is scheduled to occur after the second U.S.-based cohort.
Why are follow-on international components included?
The international follow-on elements are intended to deepen sustained collaboration with American businesses, broaden U.S. influence in partner countries, and encourage future STEM leadership by keeping alumni engaged and connected to U.S. institutions.
How is the program positioned in relation to global technology competition?
The program is explicitly positioned as a way to counter the spread of malign competitors' technologies in global markets by strengthening pro-U.S. professional networks and encouraging the adoption of U.S.-aligned standards and approaches.
What capabilities should an applicant be prepared to demonstrate?
Applicants must show they can manage the full lifecycle of a complex exchange program, including recruiting and selecting participants across multiple regions, placing participants in appropriate U.S.-based experiences, managing logistics for a five-week U.S. program, coordinating mentors and host companies, and delivering required overseas components such as reciprocal exchanges and the accelerator.
What is meant by "discretionary" funding in this opportunity?
The opportunity is described as discretionary, meaning it is offered through a competitive funding process administered by ECA, as described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
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