FY 2022 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program Overseas Components

Background
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is seeking a cooperative agreement to manage the FY 2022 Overseas Components of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program. The YES program aims to engage youth populations, build civil society, and create lasting ties between foreign and U.S. high school students and their host communities. The program consists of two exchange programs: the 'YES inbound' program that brings international high school students to the United States, and the 'YES Abroad' program that sends American high school students to select YES countries.

Grant Details
The cooperative agreement will fund the recruitment, selection, orientation, travel, liaison activities with natural parents, and alumni support for the FY 2022 Overseas Components of the YES program. It will also fund the placement and support of American participants abroad. The recipient will be responsible for conducting broad outreach and recruitment addressing priorities of the U.S. Department of State and U.S. embassies abroad for both programs. The recipient will select participants for the program on the basis of merit and personal character.

Eligibility Requirements
U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to recruit and select international students from designated countries (referred to herein as 'inbound' participants) and American students (referred to herein as 'YES Abroad' participants).

Period of Performance
The funding will support academic year exchanges taking place between August 2023 and June 2024 for the YES inbound program, except for students from Malaysia who participate only in the spring semester due to the school year cycle in their home country.
For YES Abroad, funding will support academic year exchanges between July 2023 and June 2024 with specific dates depending on host countries’ academic schedules.

Grant Value
$16,911,400 is anticipated to be provided through FY 21/22 Economic Support Funds (ESF) for Pakistan to support the YES program for participants from Pakistan.

Place of Performance
Approximately 14 countries overseas including Albania, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Egypt, Gaza, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Israel (Arab Communities), Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon,
Liberia,
Libya,
Malaysia (spring semester only),
Mali,
Morocco,
Mozambique,
Nigeria,
North Macedonia,
Pakistan (funding provided through ESF),
Philippines
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Sierra Leone
South Africa
Suriname
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
West Bank.