FY 2026 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y)
Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Assistance Listings: 19.415 -- Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Citizen Exchanges
Description
The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is pleased to announce an open competition for proposals to administer the FY 2026 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program. NSLI-Y increases the number of American youth (ages 15 to 18) who learn critical foreign languages in support of bolstering U.S. national security; promoting U.S. competitiveness and economic prosperity; and building mutual understanding with critical regions of the world. The award will support approximately 275 American teens to study critical languages through intensive overseas language programs in locations where the target languages are widely spoken, and through virtual programming. U.S. public and private non-profit organizations, meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3), may submit proposals to cooperate with ECA in the overall administration of NSLI-Y and the implementation of summer, academic year, and virtual programs according to the guidance in this solicitation.
Please see the Notice of Funding Opportunity for additional information.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Miscellaneous
- Other
Education
- Public and state institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
Nonprofit
- Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)
Additional information
Grantor contact information
Description
advanike@state.gov
Documents
| File name | Description | Last updated |
|---|---|---|
| NSLI-Y_NOFO.pdf | FY 2026 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) NOFO | Mar 3, 2026 04:38 PM UTC |
| performance_monitoring_plan_mode_2.3_02.03.2025-4.docx | ECA Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) (DOCX) | Mar 3, 2026 04:38 PM UTC |
| performance_monitoring_plan_mode_2.3_02.03.2025.pdf | ECA Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) (PDF) | Mar 3, 2026 04:39 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Organizational Funding Opportunities
Closing: May 1, 2026
Award
$--
Program Funding
1
Expected awards
$5,000,000
Award Minimum
$5,000,000
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
DFOP0017852
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
Funding instrument type:
Cooperative agreement
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
Category of Funding Activity:
Other
Category Explanation:
Please see full announcement.
History
Version:
2
Posted date:
March 3, 2026
Archive date:
May 31, 2026
