Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0017914
Apply for DFOP0017914
- The Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2026 John McCain Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on the Rule of Law and Public Service" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.009.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-03-12.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-11. (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 $400,000.00 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 John McCain Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on the Rule of Law and Public Service (McCain SUSI) is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) grant opportunity that funds one organization to design and run an intensive, five-week academic exchange program in summer 2027. Administered through ECA's Office of Academic Exchange Programs, the institute is built to give a cohort of about 20 international participants a structured, in-depth look at American leadership and the ways it has influenced global stability and security, with a specific emphasis on the rule of law and public service.
Programmatically, the institute is expected to combine two core components: an approximately four-week academic residency hosted at a U.S. educational institution, followed by an approximately one-week integrated academic field experience in a different U.S. region than the residency site. The residency portion typically implies a rigorous schedule of lectures, seminars, discussions, and other structured learning activities anchored in U.S. governance, legal and civic institutions, ethical leadership, and public service practice. The field experience is intended to complement classroom learning by exposing participants to U.S. institutions and communities in another region, allowing them to see how rule of law and public service are practiced in varied local contexts. Beyond the in-country experience, applicants are expected to build in opportunities for follow-on engagement after participants return home, supporting continued professional and alumni connections and reinforcing the program's longer-term impact.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary award made as a cooperative agreement, which generally means the federal government anticipates substantial involvement in the project during implementation compared to a standard grant. The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $400,000 and anticipates making a single award (Expected Awards: 1), so the competition is effectively for one implementer. Only one proposal per applicant organization will be considered by ECA, meaning organizations need to consolidate internal efforts and submit a single, unified application rather than multiple competing concepts.
Eligible applicants include U.S. public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), along with other eligible entities as specified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. The funding opportunity number is DFOP0017914, associated with CFDA/Assistance Listing 19.009. The original application closing date is May 11, 2026. The official posting was created on March 12, 2026, and applicants are directed to consult the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for detailed program requirements, deliverables, selection criteria, budgeting expectations, and compliance terms.
FAQs: FY 2026 John McCain Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on the Rule of Law and Public Service (McCain SUSI)
What is the McCain SUSI grant opportunity?
The FY 2026 John McCain Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on the Rule of Law and Public Service (McCain SUSI) is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) grant opportunity to fund one organization to design and run an intensive academic exchange institute.
Which U.S. government office is responsible for this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), and administered through ECA's Office of Academic Exchange Programs.
What is the purpose of the institute?
The institute is intended to provide a cohort of approximately 20 international participants with a structured, in-depth look at American leadership and how it has influenced global stability and security, with a specific emphasis on the rule of law and public service.
How many participants are expected?
The institute is designed for a cohort of about 20 international participants.
When is the program expected to take place?
The program is described as a five-week academic exchange program expected to be implemented in summer 2027.
How long is the institute, and what are the main components?
The institute is expected to be five weeks total and include two core components: (1) an approximately four-week academic residency hosted at a U.S. educational institution and (2) an approximately one-week integrated academic field experience in a different U.S. region than the residency site.
What is the academic residency portion expected to include?
The residency portion typically implies a rigorous schedule of lectures, seminars, discussions, and other structured learning activities. Content is anchored in U.S. governance, legal and civic institutions, ethical leadership, and public service practice.
What is the field experience, and how should it relate to the residency site?
The field experience is an approximately one-week integrated academic field experience that must take place in a different U.S. region than the residency site. It is intended to complement classroom learning by exposing participants to U.S. institutions and communities in another region and showing how rule of law and public service are practiced in varied local contexts.
Are applicants expected to include activities after participants return home?
Yes. Applicants are expected to build in opportunities for follow-on engagement after participants return home, supporting continued professional and alumni connections and reinforcing longer-term program impact.
What type of federal award is this?
This opportunity is described as a discretionary award made as a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
Based on the description provided, a cooperative agreement generally indicates the federal government anticipates substantial involvement in the project during implementation compared to a standard grant.
What is the maximum funding available (award ceiling)?
The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $400,000.
How many awards does ECA expect to make?
The opportunity anticipates making a single award (Expected Awards: 1).
Does ECA allow multiple proposals from the same organization?
No. Only one proposal per applicant organization will be considered by ECA, so organizations should submit a single, unified application rather than multiple competing concepts.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include U.S. public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), along with other eligible entities as specified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is DFOP0017914.
What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number associated with this opportunity?
This opportunity is associated with CFDA/Assistance Listing 19.009.
What is the application deadline?
The original application closing date is May 11, 2026.
When was the opportunity posted?
The official posting was created on March 12, 2026.
Where can applicants find the full requirements and evaluation details?
Applicants are directed to consult the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for detailed program requirements, deliverables, selection criteria, budgeting expectations, and compliance terms.
What is the expected host setting for the residency component?
The residency component is expected to be hosted at a U.S. educational institution.
What major themes should the institute cover?
The institute is expected to emphasize the rule of law and public service, with structured learning anchored in U.S. governance, legal and civic institutions, ethical leadership, and public service practice, along with a broader focus on American leadership and its influence on global stability and security.
Is the program limited to one U.S. location?
No. The program design is expected to include at least two U.S. regions: one for the approximately four-week residency and a different U.S. region for the approximately one-week academic field experience.
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