Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0017779
Apply for DFOP0017779
- The Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2026 English Language Fellow, Specialist, and Virtual Educator 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 2026-02-13.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-04-24. (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 $14,000,000.00 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 Language Fellow, Specialist, and Virtual Educator Program (ELFSVEP) is a U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) funding opportunity run through the Office of English Language Programs (ECA/A/L). It is structured as a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement, meaning the selected recipient will not just receive funds but will also work closely with the Department of State on planning, coordination, and implementation. The government intends to make a single award (one recipient organization) to run the program at scale across multiple countries and regions.
At its core, ELFSVEP supports the placement of highly qualified American English-teaching experts into overseas assignments that are designed to advance U.S. strategic interests. The program is built around three different engagement models. First, English Language Fellows typically serve longer placements of about ten months, usually embedded at host institutions where they can teach, train teachers, develop curricula, and contribute to broader educational capacity building. Second, English Language Specialists serve short-term assignments lasting two weeks or more, often focused on targeted technical assistance such as teacher training workshops, curriculum reform, assessment, English for Specific Purposes programs, or institutional advising. Third, Virtual Educators support engagements delivered remotely, lasting from roughly three weeks up to six months, allowing the Department and U.S. missions to reach partners in locations where in-person placements are difficult or where virtual delivery can expand reach efficiently.
The stated purpose goes well beyond standard language instruction. The Department frames English language programming as a tool of public diplomacy and long-term influence, emphasizing that English is a global language of diplomacy, business, science, and international exchange. By providing American expertise in English teaching, the program aims to build trusted professional networks for U.S. missions, strengthen ties with allies and partners, and support U.S. economic and security interests. The announcement also highlights a competitive global environment in which other countries may expand their influence if U.S. engagement in English language education decreases. In that sense, the program positions English language support as a strategic investment that shapes how foreign institutions, educators, and emerging leaders engage with the United States over time.
Funding is expected to total up to $14,000,000, contingent on the availability of funds, and the program is expected to support approximately 385 participants across all world regions. The award ceiling listed is $14,000,000, and the government anticipates making one award, which implies the selected applicant must have the capacity to recruit, select, place, and support hundreds of educators; coordinate with U.S. embassies and host institutions; manage international logistics; and oversee program quality and compliance at significant scale.
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions). The opportunity is listed under CFDA (now commonly referenced as Assistance Listing) 19.421. The funding opportunity number is DFOP0017779. The notice was created on February 13, 2026, and the original application closing date is April 24, 2026. Applicants should expect the full Notice of Funding Opportunity to contain the required program design elements, budget and cost rules, monitoring and evaluation expectations, reporting requirements, and the specific roles the Department of State will play under the cooperative agreement structure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): FY 2026 English Language Fellow, Specialist, and Virtual Educator Program (ELFSVEP)
1. What is the FY 2026 ELFSVEP grant opportunity?
The FY 2026 English Language Fellow, Specialist, and Virtual Educator Program (ELFSVEP) is a U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) funding opportunity, administered through the Office of English Language Programs (ECA/A/L). It supports the placement of American English-teaching experts in overseas (in-person) and remote (virtual) assignments to advance U.S. public diplomacy and strategic interests.
2. Which U.S. government office is funding and running this opportunity?
The opportunity is funded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), and is run through the Office of English Language Programs (ECA/A/L).
3. What type of award is this?
This is a discretionary award issued as a cooperative agreement. Under a cooperative agreement, the selected recipient does more than receive funding; it works closely with the Department of State on planning, coordination, and implementation.
4. What does “cooperative agreement” imply for the selected recipient?
It implies substantial collaboration with the Department of State. The recipient should expect the Department to have an active role in program planning and execution, rather than a purely hands-off grant relationship.
5. How many awards does the government expect to make?
The government intends to make a single award. That means one recipient organization is expected to run the program at scale across multiple countries and regions.
6. How much funding is available?
Funding is expected to total up to $14,000,000, contingent on the availability of funds. The award ceiling is listed as $14,000,000.
7. Is the full $14,000,000 guaranteed?
No. The funding amount is contingent on the availability of funds, meaning the final award amount depends on appropriations and agency funding availability.
8. Approximately how many participants is the program expected to support?
The program is expected to support approximately 385 participants across all world regions.
9. What is the program’s overall purpose?
ELFSVEP is designed to place highly qualified American English-teaching experts into overseas assignments that advance U.S. strategic interests. The Department frames English language programming as a public diplomacy tool that helps build trusted professional networks, strengthen ties with allies and partners, and support U.S. economic and security interests over the long term.
10. Is the program only about teaching English classes?
No. The stated purpose goes beyond standard language instruction. In addition to teaching, assignments may include teacher training, curriculum development, institutional capacity building, assessment-related support, and other forms of technical assistance that strengthen educational systems and professional networks connected to U.S. missions.
11. What are the three engagement models supported by ELFSVEP?
The program includes three models: English Language Fellows (longer placements), English Language Specialists (short-term targeted assignments), and Virtual Educators (remote engagements).
12. What do English Language Fellows do, and how long are Fellow placements?
English Language Fellows typically serve placements of about ten months. They are usually embedded at host institutions and may teach, train teachers, develop curricula, and contribute to broader educational capacity building.
13. What do English Language Specialists do, and how long are Specialist assignments?
English Language Specialists serve short-term assignments lasting two weeks or more. Their work often focuses on targeted technical assistance such as teacher training workshops, curriculum reform, assessment, English for Specific Purposes programs, or institutional advising.
14. What do Virtual Educators do, and how long do Virtual Educator engagements last?
Virtual Educators support remote engagements lasting from roughly three weeks up to six months. This model allows the Department and U.S. missions to reach partners in locations where in-person placements are difficult, or where virtual delivery can efficiently expand reach.
15. Are assignments limited to a specific country or region?
No. The opportunity describes implementation across multiple countries and regions, spanning all world regions.
16. Why does the Department of State emphasize English language programming in this opportunity?
The announcement describes English as a global language of diplomacy, business, science, and international exchange. It positions English language support as a strategic investment that can influence how foreign institutions, educators, and emerging leaders engage with the United States over time.
17. What scale of capacity is expected from the selected recipient?
Because the government anticipates one award supporting approximately 385 participants globally, the selected recipient is expected to have the capacity to recruit, select, place, and support hundreds of educators; coordinate with U.S. embassies and host institutions; manage international logistics; and oversee program quality and compliance at significant scale.
18. Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions).
19. Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
The eligibility list provided includes higher education institutions (public/state-controlled and private) and nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations (other than higher education institutions). For-profit eligibility is not indicated in the information provided.
20. What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA (Assistance Listing) 19.421.
21. What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is DFOP0017779.
22. When was the notice created?
The notice was created on February 13, 2026.
23. What is the application closing date?
The original application closing date is April 24, 2026.
24. What should applicants expect to find in the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)?
Applicants should expect the full NOFO to describe required program design elements, budget and cost rules, monitoring and evaluation expectations, reporting requirements, and the specific roles the Department of State will play under the cooperative agreement structure.
25. Will the Department of State be involved after award selection?
Yes. Because this is a cooperative agreement, the Department of State is expected to work closely with the recipient on planning, coordination, and implementation.
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