FY 2026 J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative (JCSVEI) Program

The J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative (JCSVEI) is a signature program of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), implemented through its Global Leaders Division in the Office of Citizen Exchanges. Named in honor of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, the program embodies his legacy of open dialogue, diplomacy, and mutual understanding. This initiative leverages American expertise in science, technology, entrepreneurship, and democratic values to connect youth in the United States with peers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) through innovative virtual exchanges. The overarching goal is to foster cross-cultural collaboration and support U.S. foreign policy objectives, including regional stability, economic opportunity, and democratic engagement. The program's structure is centered around American-led virtual exchanges that use immersive digital tools—such as virtual reality, collaborative innovation labs, and hackathons—to engage approximately 8,000 participants annually. Through this interactive platform, young leaders aged 18–25 from both the U.S. and MENA regions collaborate on digital storytelling, media projects, and entrepreneurship-focused problem solving. Programming themes include Science and Technology Innovation, Digital Media and Storytelling, Civic Engagement, and Economic Prosperity—all grounded in American foundational values like freedom of speech and the rule of law. A core program component is the Alumni Leadership Academy, which offers advanced mentorship and training for select participants, further strengthening their roles as ambassadors of U.S. values and agents of change within their communities. Applicants for this cooperative agreement must demonstrate capacity to design and manage large-scale virtual programming, including oversight of up to six subawardee organizations. The award recipient will hold full responsibility for partner selection, program compliance, fiscal accountability, and strategic alignment with ECA goals. In collaboration with U.S. embassies, the recipient will vet partners, approve recruitment strategies, and manage participant selection processes. Key deliverables include implementing an outreach campaign, establishing an alumni network, facilitating program evaluation using the Monitoring Data for ECA (MODE) framework, and producing robust impact reporting and communications that highlight American leadership and innovation. The cooperative agreement provides an estimated $4 million in total funding, to be awarded to one organization for a 24-month period beginning on or around September 15, 2026. There is no required cost share or match; however, ECA encourages voluntary contributions. Award funds may cover a wide range of costs including staffing, travel, digital media production, alumni activities, participant support, and subawards. A strong emphasis is placed on safeguarding, performance monitoring, and compliance with ECA branding and communications standards. Organizations with less than four years of international exchange experience are limited to a $130,000 ceiling. Eligibility is open to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations (including civil society organizations and think tanks) and accredited public or private institutions of higher education. All applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and active registration in SAM.gov. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and include a full application package consisting of SF-424 forms, a proposal narrative, budget documentation, and required appendices. Only one application per organization is permitted. Applications are due by May 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The anticipated award announcement is expected by September 15, 2026. The opportunity is non-recurring and not subject to rolling submission. Questions regarding the application process may be directed to Program Officer Davron Mirsagatov at [email protected] or Branch Chief Dawnjalice Brown at [email protected]. Full proposal guidelines and application instructions are provided in the official NOFO documentation available through Grants.gov.

Align with ECA branding and MODE framework; confirm embassy approvals for activities and partners; ensure SAM.gov and MyGrants registrations are active