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FY 2026 English Access Scholarship Program

ID: DFOP0017848 • Type: Posted
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Description

The English Access Scholarship Program (Access) leverages American English to build English language capacity with strategic audiences through in-person programming and exchanges in the United States. The program promotes economic self-reliance which strengthens American national security and economic prosperity. Access showcases U.S. educational excellence, demonstrates U.S. educational technology, and promotes opportunities for American business partnerships. The FY 2026 Access Program will support approximately 7,000 participants globally. Programming may be in-person, virtual, or hybrid and occur in-country, in the region, or in the United States. ECA anticipates that the majority of the award costs will be for program activities detailed across three program components. Please see the Notice of Funding Opportunity for additional information.
Background
The FY 2026 English Access Scholarship Program (Access) is administered by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). This program aims to leverage American English to enhance English language capacity among strategic audiences through in-person programming and exchanges in the United States. The initiative promotes economic self-reliance, strengthens American national security, and showcases U.S. educational excellence and technology.

The program is designed to support approximately 7,000 participants globally, with activities that may be in-person, virtual, or hybrid.

Grant Details
The program consists of three main components:
1) Access Scholarships: Targeting audiences identified by U.S. embassies to provide foundational English language skills and professional development; historically utilizing 30-40% of total award costs.
2) Access Educational Seminars and Content Development: Conducting seminars for teachers on American English teaching methodologies, historically utilizing 30-35% of total award costs.
3) Access Alumni Engagement: Maintaining a global network of alumni supportive of the U.S., historically utilizing 5-10% of total award costs.

The recipient organization will manage all program components, including strategic planning, content development focused on U.S. culture, documentation maintenance, monitoring local scholarship programs, and conducting educational seminars for teachers.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include U.S. not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs) and U.S. not-for-profit public and private educational institutions. Organizations must demonstrate at least four years of experience in conducting international exchanges to be eligible for awards exceeding $130,000 in ECA funding. All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov.

Period of Performance
The period of performance for this grant is anticipated to be 56 months.

Grant Value
The total available funding for the grant is approximately $12,477,500, pending availability of funds. One award is anticipated under this funding opportunity.

Place of Performance
Programming may occur in-country, in the region, or in the United States.
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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)
19.421 - Academic Exchange Programs - English Language Programs
Grant Category
Discretionary
Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement
False
Source
Grants.gov
On 3/3/26 the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs posted grant opportunity DFOP0017848 for FY 2026 English Access Scholarship Program. The grant will be issued under grant program 19.421 Academic Exchange Programs - English Language Programs. It is expected that one grant will be made worth between $12.5 million and $12.5 million.

Timing

Posted Date
March 3, 2026, 12:00 a.m. EST
Closing Date
May 1, 2026, 12:00 a.m. EDT Due in 48 Days
Last Updated
March 3, 2026, 11:28 a.m. EST
Version
2
Archive Date
May 31, 2026

Eligibility

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

Award Sizing

Ceiling
$12,477,500
Floor
$12,477,500
Estimated Program Funding
Not Provided
Estimated Number of Grants
1

Contacts

Contact
Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Contact Email
accessprogram@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 DFOP0017848

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