FY 2026 English Access Scholarship Program

The English Access Scholarship Program, administered by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), provides foundational English language education to youth worldwide. Its aim is to empower participants with the skills and connections necessary to advance educational and professional goals, while strengthening ties between foreign participants and the United States. The program also reinforces American national security by promoting economic self-reliance and mitigating illegal migration. Established in 2004, the Access Program has already reached over 200,000 youth and 20,000 teachers across 80+ countries. The FY 2026 iteration of the program builds on this legacy by supporting approximately 7,000 new participants through in-person, virtual, or hybrid educational models. Funded through a cooperative agreement totaling $12,477,500, the program’s activities span three main components: Access Scholarships, Educational Seminars and Content Development, and Alumni Engagement. Scholarships are targeted at emerging voices and opinion leaders and provide training in English, leadership, and professional development. Educational Seminars bring American English teaching practices to foreign classrooms and include both U.S.-based and overseas components for English educators. The Alumni Engagement component fosters an enduring global network of Access alumni who remain connected to American values and institutions. Final decisions regarding participant selection, funding levels per country, and implementation logistics rest with ECA and U.S. embassies. Applicants must be U.S.-based nonprofit organizations or public/private educational institutions with at least four years of experience conducting international exchanges. Only one application per organization will be considered. While cost-sharing is not required, applicants are encouraged to provide it voluntarily. The performance period for the grant is 56 months, beginning around August 1, 2026, and the program may be renewed for up to two additional years pending funding and successful implementation. Applicants must submit a complete package through Grants.gov by May 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Required components include the SF-424 form, executive summary, proposal narrative, detailed budget (including SF-424A and narrative), and documentation of eligibility. Applications must demonstrate strong institutional capacity, a sound Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan using the MODE Framework, and compliance with federal regulations. A Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) aligned with specified objectives and indicators is recommended. Substantial involvement is expected from ECA, including strategic oversight, funding approvals, material review, and coordination with U.S. embassies and RELOs (Regional English Language Officers). The recipient will manage online systems, track documentation and disbursements, organize U.S.-based exchanges, and deliver ongoing training and monitoring for stakeholders. Proposals should also address virtual engagement capacity, compliance with J-visa regulations, and alignment with U.S. foreign policy goals including celebration of events like America’s 250th anniversary. Melissa Fernandez of ECA’s Office of English Language Programs serves as the primary contact for this funding opportunity and can be reached at [email protected] or 771-204-6017. A complete solicitation package, including budget guidance and application instructions, is available through Grants.gov and the ECA website. The Access Program exemplifies cultural diplomacy and soft power by sharing American values, enhancing educational systems abroad, and nurturing long-term relationships with future global leaders.

Use the MODE Framework for evaluation and propose scalable, hybrid-capable programming. Ensure compliance with J-visa and ECA branding rules.