Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0017852
Apply for DFOP0017852
- The Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2026 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.415.
- 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 $5,000,000.00 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 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) is a federal funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), Office of Citizen Exchanges, to select one organization to help run and manage the NSLI-Y program for American high school-aged students. The program is designed to grow the number of U.S. youth, specifically ages 15 to 18, who gain proficiency in what the U.S. government considers critical foreign languages. The broader purpose is tied to national priorities: strengthening U.S. national security, improving U.S. competitiveness and long-term economic prosperity, and building mutual understanding with key regions around the world through direct cultural and educational exchange.
This opportunity is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement, which typically means the selected applicant will not just receive funds and operate independently, but will work in close coordination with ECA on program design, implementation, oversight, and results. The program described in the announcement includes intensive overseas language study in places where the target languages are commonly spoken, paired with virtual components. The award is expected to support roughly 275 American teenagers participating through summer programs, academic-year programs, and virtual programming, all implemented in line with the requirements laid out in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
The competition is open to eligible U.S. organizations that can demonstrate the required legal status and capacity to administer a national exchange program at scale. Eligible applicants include U.S. public and private nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (as defined in 26 USC 501(c)(3)), public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and other eligible entities as allowed in the full solicitation. The intent is to identify an organization capable of handling end-to-end administration, which commonly includes participant recruitment and selection support, pre-departure preparation, coordination with overseas partners and host communities, student support and safety processes, program monitoring, and the execution of both in-country and online learning and engagement activities.
Key funding and administrative details are straightforward. The Funding Opportunity Number is DFOP0017852, and the CFDA (Assistance Listing) number is 19.415. ECA anticipates making one award under this announcement. The award ceiling is $5,000,000. The opportunity was posted (creation date) on 2026-03-03, and the original application closing date is 2026-05-01. Applicants are expected to follow the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for the complete scope of work, required program elements, application format, evaluation criteria, compliance expectations, and any cost principles or reporting requirements that apply to this cooperative agreement.
FAQs: FY 2026 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) Cooperative Agreement
1) What is the FY 2026 NSLI-Y funding opportunity?
This is a federal funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), Office of Citizen Exchanges, to select one organization to help run and manage the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program for American high school-aged students.
2) What is the main purpose of NSLI-Y?
The program is designed to increase the number of U.S. youth (ages 15 to 18) who gain proficiency in foreign languages that the U.S. government considers critical. The broader purpose aligns with national priorities, including strengthening U.S. national security, improving U.S. competitiveness and long-term economic prosperity, and building mutual understanding with key regions through cultural and educational exchange.
3) What type of federal award is being offered?
The award is a discretionary cooperative agreement.
4) What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
Based on the description in the opportunity, the selected organization is expected to work in close coordination with ECA on program design, implementation, oversight, and results, rather than operating completely independently after receiving funds.
5) How many awards does ECA expect to make?
ECA anticipates making one award under this announcement.
6) What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $5,000,000.
7) About how many participants is the award expected to support?
The award is expected to support roughly 275 American teenagers through a combination of summer programs, academic-year programs, and virtual programming.
8) What kinds of program components are included?
The program described includes intensive overseas language study in locations where the target languages are commonly spoken, paired with virtual components.
9) Who are the participants NSLI-Y is intended to serve?
American high school-aged students, specifically ages 15 to 18.
10) Who can apply for this opportunity?
The competition is open to eligible U.S. organizations that can demonstrate the required legal status and capacity to administer a national exchange program at scale.
11) What types of organizations are listed as eligible applicants?
Eligible applicants include U.S. public and private nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (as defined in 26 USC 501(c)(3)), public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and other eligible entities as allowed in the full solicitation.
12) What is ECA looking for in the selected organization?
The intent is to identify one organization capable of handling end-to-end administration of a national exchange program at scale, consistent with the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
13) What are examples of responsibilities the selected organization may be expected to handle?
Responsibilities commonly include participant recruitment and selection support, pre-departure preparation, coordination with overseas partners and host communities, student support and safety processes, program monitoring, and implementing both in-country and online learning and engagement activities.
14) Is the program only overseas, or are there online/virtual elements too?
The announcement describes both intensive overseas language study and virtual components, including virtual programming as part of the overall participant experience.
15) Which U.S. government office is administering this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), Office of Citizen Exchanges.
16) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DFOP0017852.
17) What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number?
The CFDA (Assistance Listing) number is 19.415.
18) When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted (creation date) on 2026-03-03.
19) What is the application deadline?
The original application closing date is 2026-05-01.
20) Where can applicants find the full requirements for applying?
Applicants are expected to follow the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for the complete scope of work, required program elements, application format, evaluation criteria, compliance expectations, and any applicable cost principles or reporting requirements for this cooperative agreement.
21) Are evaluation criteria and compliance requirements included in the summary?
The summary notes that evaluation criteria and compliance expectations apply, but it directs applicants to the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for the detailed requirements.
22) Does the announcement specify which languages or host countries are included?
The provided information states that the program focuses on languages the U.S. government considers critical and involves overseas study where those languages are commonly spoken, but it does not list specific languages or countries in the excerpt provided.
23) Does the announcement specify exact program lengths for summer or academic-year options?
The excerpt mentions summer programs, academic-year programs, and virtual programming, but it does not provide exact durations in the information provided.
24) Does the announcement specify the required application format or required attachments?
The excerpt does not list specific formatting instructions or attachments; it indicates that application format requirements are in the full Notice of Funding Opportunity.
25) Does the opportunity allow multiple organizations to share the award?
The summary indicates ECA anticipates making one award and selecting one organization. It does not describe multi-award arrangements in the information provided.
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