FY 2026 John McCain Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on the Rule of Law and Public Service

The John McCain Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on the Rule of Law and Public Service is a competitive grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), specifically through its Office of Academic Exchange Programs. The program is designed as a cooperative agreement with the goal of fostering cross-cultural understanding and leadership development among emerging international leaders from military and law enforcement backgrounds. ECA is offering approximately $400,000 in FY26 Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs (ECE) funds to support one U.S.-based not-for-profit organization or higher education institution in the design, implementation, and administration of the program. The anticipated award start date is September 1, 2026, with a performance period of 18 to 24 months, concluding in September 2028. The McCain SUSI (Study of the U.S. Institute) will bring approximately 20 undergraduate students or recent graduates from international military and law enforcement institutions to the United States for an intensive five-week academic and cultural exchange in summer 2027. This program seeks to deepen their understanding of American leadership and the foundational role of rule of law and public service in U.S. society. The exchange comprises a four-week academic residency at an accredited U.S. college or university and a one-week academic field experience in a region distinct from the residency location. Activities will include lectures, seminars, debates, workshops, cultural visits, and community engagement, tailored to meet participants’ varying levels of English proficiency and prior exposure to U.S. culture. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum of four years of experience in conducting international exchanges to qualify. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions. Organizations must have an active registration in SAM.gov and a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Cost sharing is encouraged but not required. ECA reserves the right to modify the award amount based on programmatic needs and fund availability, and it intends to renew the award for one additional year, contingent upon successful implementation and funding availability. The successful applicant will be responsible for all aspects of the program’s implementation including curriculum development, travel logistics, participant health and safety, pre-departure orientation, on-campus support, and alumni engagement. Specific responsibilities also include arranging J-1 visa paperwork, providing health insurance coverage under the ASPE program, and developing health and safety protocols. Follow-on activities post-program are strongly encouraged and can include alumni networking, mentoring, and virtual engagement. The program should highlight democratic values, civic engagement, and American innovation, and comply with all federal laws, visa regulations, and ECA branding guidelines. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by May 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Required documents include the SF-424, executive summary, full narrative proposal, detailed line-item budget, and budget narrative. Evaluation will be based on program relevance, institutional capacity, cost-effectiveness, performance monitoring, and provisions for alumni follow-up. Proposals will be reviewed by an ECA grants panel and may also be evaluated by Public Diplomacy sections at U.S. embassies and other relevant offices. Programmatic reporting requirements include quarterly and annual performance and financial reports, along with compliance with ECA’s MODE (Monitoring Data for ECA) Framework. The recipient will be required to submit data through the MyGrants RPM module. Technical assistance and contact information are provided within the notice for applicants requiring support during the submission process. All elements of the program are expected to reflect the values of transparency, civic responsibility, and respect for diversity, as outlined in the founding legislation, the Fulbright-Hays Act.

Proposals should clearly align with ECA objectives, include strong follow-on plans, and demonstrate robust performance monitoring.