Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0017848
Apply for DFOP0017848
- The Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2026 English Access Scholarship Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.421.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-03-03.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-01. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $12,477,500.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.
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Opportunity Summary:
The FY 2026 English Access Scholarship Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). It will be issued as a cooperative agreement, which typically means the recipient will implement the program in close coordination with ECA rather than operating fully independently. The overall purpose of Access is to use American English instruction as a tool to build English language capacity with strategic audiences, while also creating pathways for educational exchange and engagement with the United States. ECA frames the program as supporting economic self-reliance, which it links to broader U.S. national security and economic prosperity goals, and it also emphasizes showcasing U.S. educational excellence, U.S. educational technology, and potential opportunities for American business partnerships.
For FY 2026, the program is designed to serve approximately 7,000 participants worldwide, indicating a large-scale, global implementation model rather than a small pilot. Programming can be delivered in-person, virtually, or through hybrid formats, and activities may take place in-country, within a region, or in the United States. In practical terms, this suggests the awardee must be able to manage flexible delivery models across multiple locations and contexts, including potential coordination of exchanges to the United States as part of the broader programming approach. ECA notes that most of the award budget is expected to support program activities that fall under three program components, with the specific structure and allowable costs described in the full Notice of Funding Opportunity.
The opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0017848 and CFDA (now Assistance Listing) 19.421. The anticipated funding structure indicates a single award (Expected Awards: 1) with an award ceiling of $12,477,500, which signals that ECA intends to select one lead organization to manage the global program at scale, potentially through subawards, partnerships, and a network of implementers and educational providers. Because it is a cooperative agreement, the lead organization should also be prepared for substantial federal involvement in planning, approvals, oversight, and reporting.
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and U.S.-based nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), as well as an "Others" category as defined in the official announcement. The application deadline (Original Closing Date) is May 1, 2026, and the opportunity record shows a creation date of March 3, 2026. Applicants should expect that a competitive proposal will need to demonstrate the capacity to recruit and serve thousands of participants globally, manage a mix of instructional and exchange activities, track outcomes related to English language learning and participant development, and maintain compliance with federal assistance requirements and ECA-specific program expectations outlined in the full NOFO.
FY 2026 English Access Scholarship Program (DFOP0017848) - FAQs
What is the FY 2026 English Access Scholarship Program?
The FY 2026 English Access Scholarship Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). The program uses American English instruction as a tool to build English language capacity with strategic audiences and to create pathways for educational exchange and engagement with the United States.
Which agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).
Is this a grant or a cooperative agreement?
It will be issued as a cooperative agreement. This generally means the recipient implements the program in close coordination with ECA rather than operating fully independently, and should be prepared for substantial federal involvement in planning, approvals, oversight, and reporting.
What is the main purpose of the Access program?
ECA describes Access as using American English instruction to build English language capacity with strategic audiences while also creating pathways for educational exchange and engagement with the United States.
How does ECA frame the broader impact of this program?
ECA frames the program as supporting economic self-reliance, which it links to broader U.S. national security and economic prosperity goals. ECA also emphasizes showcasing U.S. educational excellence, U.S. educational technology, and potential opportunities for American business partnerships.
How many participants is the FY 2026 program expected to serve?
For FY 2026, the program is designed to serve approximately 7,000 participants worldwide, indicating a large-scale, global implementation model rather than a small pilot.
What delivery formats are allowed (in-person, virtual, hybrid)?
Programming can be delivered in-person, virtually, or through hybrid formats.
Where can program activities take place?
Activities may take place in-country, within a region, or in the United States.
Does this opportunity suggest that activities could include travel or exchanges to the United States?
Yes. The description notes that activities may take place in the United States and suggests potential coordination of exchanges to the United States as part of the broader programming approach.
How many awards does ECA expect to make?
The anticipated funding structure indicates a single award (Expected Awards: 1).
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $12,477,500.
What does it mean that ECA expects a single, large award?
It signals ECA intends to select one lead organization to manage the global program at scale, potentially through subawards, partnerships, and a network of implementers and educational providers.
What are the identifying numbers for this funding opportunity?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DFOP0017848. The CFDA (now Assistance Listing) number is 19.421.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and U.S.-based nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), as well as an "Others" category as defined in the official announcement.
Are non-U.S. organizations eligible to apply?
The eligibility list provided includes U.S.-based nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status and U.S. institutions of higher education, plus an "Others" category as defined in the official announcement. Any eligibility beyond that is determined by the official announcement.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline (Original Closing Date) is May 1, 2026.
When was the opportunity created or posted?
The opportunity record shows a creation date of March 3, 2026.
What should applicants be prepared to demonstrate in a competitive proposal?
Applicants should expect to demonstrate the capacity to recruit and serve thousands of participants globally; manage a mix of instructional and exchange activities; track outcomes related to English language learning and participant development; and maintain compliance with federal assistance requirements and ECA-specific program expectations outlined in the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
What does the opportunity indicate about the program structure and budget?
ECA notes that most of the award budget is expected to support program activities that fall under three program components, with the specific structure and allowable costs described in the full NOFO.
Will the awardee need to manage multiple locations and implementation contexts?
Yes. The opportunity describes a worldwide program serving approximately 7,000 participants, with in-person, virtual, or hybrid delivery and activities that may occur in-country, regionally, or in the United States. This implies the awardee must be able to manage flexible delivery models across multiple locations and contexts.
How involved will ECA be during implementation?
Because the award will be a cooperative agreement, the lead organization should be prepared for substantial federal involvement in planning, approvals, oversight, and reporting.
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Previous opportunity: FY 2026 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y)
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