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FY 2025 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program: Overseas Components

ID: DFOP0017284 • Type: Posted
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Description

The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program strengthens national security by engaging emerging young leaders from the United States and from countries of strategic importance. YES is a merit-based, academic-year program consisting of two exchange cohorts: YES and YES Abroad. YES brings approximately 450 high school participants to the United States each year from approximately 30 countries of strategic importance. Participants live with volunteer Americans host families in all 50 states, study in U.S. high schools, engage in community service activities, and learn leadership skills for an academic year. YES Abroad sends approximately 60 American high school participants abroad each year to select YES countries for a similar program. The FY 2025 Kennedy-Lugar YES Program: Overseas Components cooperative agreement, which is the subject of this NOFO, will fund the recruitment, selection, orientation, travel, liaison activities with natural parents, and alumni support for international and U.S. participants. This award will also fund the placement and support of U.S. participants abroad. Participant placement and support for the international participants in the United States will be conducted under separate awards. The exchanges for both cohorts will take place during the 2026-27 academic year. Please see the full announcement for additional information.
Background
The FY 2025 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program: Overseas Components is a cooperative agreement issued by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). The program aims to strengthen national security by engaging emerging young leaders from the United States and countries of strategic importance.

The YES program consists of two exchange cohorts: YES, which brings approximately 450 high school participants from around 30 countries to the U.S., and YES Abroad, which sends about 60 American high school participants abroad. The goal is to foster mutual understanding and develop leadership skills among youth.

Grant Details
The cooperative agreement will fund various tasks including recruitment, selection, orientation, travel arrangements for participants, liaison activities with natural parents, alumni support for both international and U.S. participants, and placement support for U.S. participants abroad.

The recipient will coordinate with placement organizations responsible for supporting international participants in the U.S. The exchanges for both cohorts are scheduled for the 2026-27 academic year. Specific responsibilities include conducting outreach and recruitment aligned with U.S. Department of State priorities, ensuring compliance with J-1 visa regulations for international participants, developing participant support materials, managing travel logistics, and maintaining communication with U.S. embassies.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include U.S. not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations) and public/private educational institutions that have at least four years of experience in conducting international exchanges. Organizations must also have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov and be registered in SAM.gov.

Period of Performance
The period of performance is anticipated to be 36 months, from September 2025 to August 2028.

Grant Value
The total value of the grant is approximately $11,761,350.

Place of Performance
The program will be conducted in the United States and select countries abroad as part of the YES Abroad initiative.
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Overview

Agency
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) [DOS]
Category of Funding
Other (see text field entitled "Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity" for clarification)
Funding Instruments
Cooperative Agreement
Grant Program (CFDA)
19.415 - Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Citizen Exchanges
Grant Category
Discretionary
Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement
False
Source
Grants.gov
On 6/17/25 the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs posted grant opportunity DFOP0017284 for FY 2025 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program: Overseas Components. The grant will be issued under grant program 19.415 Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Citizen Exchanges. It is expected that one grant will be made worth between $11.8 million and $11.8 million.

Timing

Posted Date
June 17, 2025, 12:00 a.m. EDT
Closing Date
Aug. 15, 2025, 12:00 a.m. EDT Past Due
Last Updated
June 17, 2025, 12:35 p.m. EDT
Version
2
Archive Date
Sept. 14, 2025

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Additional Info
Please see full announcement.

Award Sizing

Ceiling
$11,761,350
Floor
$11,761,350
Estimated Program Funding
Not Provided
Estimated Number of Grants
1

Contacts

Contact
Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Contact Email
david-foxko@state.gov
Contact Phone
(202) 890-9795
Additional Information
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Organizational Funding Opportunities
Additional Information Site
https://www.state.gov/eca-grant-opportunities/

Documents

Posted documents for DFOP0017284

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