Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0017930
Apply for DFOP0017930
- The Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2026 U.S. Leadership in Education, Advanced Manufacturing, and Digital Skills (U.S. LEADS) Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.408.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-03-13.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-18. (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 $2,500,000.00 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The FY 2026 U.S. Leadership in Education, Advanced Manufacturing, and Digital Skills (U.S. LEADS) Program is a State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) initiative that uses the United States 250th anniversary as a platform to highlight long-running U.S. strengths in workforce development and industrial innovation, from the Industrial Revolution through today’s Digital Revolution. The program is framed as part of the Freedom 250 initiative and is designed to strengthen U.S. economic and strategic interests by promoting American leadership in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and supply chain resilience. At its core, it aims to connect U.S. community colleges and industry partners with international vocational-technical education leaders and policymakers to address shifting labor market needs and encourage approaches that support U.S. commercial diplomacy and economic development goals.
The funded project is expected to deliver a two-part experience: a national-level kickoff summit in Washington, D.C., followed immediately by regionally based exchange programs in multiple U.S. cities. The Washington summit, scheduled to occur between December 2026 and March 2027, is meant to spotlight America’s industrial heritage, current leadership in manufacturing and AI, and the practical role community colleges play in training the next-generation workforce. The summit functions as both a thematic launch and a convening moment for relationship-building among U.S. educators, employers, and international decision-makers who influence vocational and technical education systems.
After the summit, the program will bring approximately 100 international participants to the United States for in-person regional exchanges. These participants are expected to include higher education officials, commerce leaders, and policymakers from countries considered strategically important to U.S. industry. The cohort design is prescriptive: the 100 visitors should be divided into four cohorts of about 25 participants each, with each cohort representing roughly 3 to 4 countries. Final country selection is not left solely to the applicant; it is expected to be determined according to U.S. foreign policy priorities through coordination with ECA, U.S. embassies, and regional bureau input. Each cohort will participate in a two-week program hosted in one of approximately four U.S. cities chosen for strong, visible partnerships between higher education institutions and industry.
Programming during the regional exchanges is expected to be practical and highly applied, emphasizing site visits, hands-on learning, and direct engagement with employers and training providers. The intent is for international participants to learn how U.S. institutions build and update manufacturing and technology training programs, align credentials with employer demand, incorporate emerging technologies (including AI), and create durable education-to-employment pipelines. A major expected benefit is that participants return home able to adapt or replicate U.S. best practices in their own contexts while also building ongoing institutional relationships that can translate into partnerships that advantage U.S. companies and support stronger cross-border supply chains.
From a performance and management standpoint, the Notice emphasizes that the implementing organization must be responsive and flexible, tailoring activities to U.S. priorities in vocational-technical education and commercial diplomacy. The outcomes are expected to go beyond general professional development; the program is intended to produce measurable, positive policy change, suggesting an emphasis on concrete commitments, follow-on action plans, institutional partnership agreements, or policy reforms influenced by what participants learn and experience in the United States.
This opportunity is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement under CFDA 19.408, meaning the federal agency anticipates substantial involvement in shaping or overseeing the project as it is carried out. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (as well as certain other eligible entity types listed in the full announcement). The funding opportunity number is DFOP0017930. The program anticipates making one award, with an award ceiling of $2,500,000. The application deadline is May 18, 2026, and the opportunity was posted on March 13, 2026.
FAQs: FY 2026 U.S. LEADS Program (DFOP0017930)
What is the FY 2026 U.S. LEADS Program?
The FY 2026 U.S. Leadership in Education, Advanced Manufacturing, and Digital Skills (U.S. LEADS) Program is a U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) initiative. It uses the United States 250th anniversary as a platform to highlight longstanding U.S. strengths in workforce development and industrial innovation, from the Industrial Revolution through today’s Digital Revolution.
Which federal office is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).
How does this program relate to the U.S. 250th anniversary and Freedom 250?
The program is framed as part of the Freedom 250 initiative and uses the U.S. 250th anniversary theme to spotlight American leadership in industrial innovation, workforce development, advanced manufacturing, and emerging digital skills such as artificial intelligence.
What are the primary goals of the program?
The program is designed to strengthen U.S. economic and strategic interests by promoting American leadership in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and supply chain resilience. It also aims to connect U.S. community colleges and industry partners with international vocational-technical education leaders and policymakers to address shifting labor market needs and support U.S. commercial diplomacy and economic development goals.
What types of activities are expected under the funded project?
The funded project is expected to deliver a two-part experience: (1) a national-level kickoff summit in Washington, D.C., followed immediately by (2) regionally based in-person exchange programs in multiple U.S. cities.
When is the Washington, D.C. kickoff summit expected to occur?
The Washington summit is scheduled to occur between December 2026 and March 2027.
What is the purpose of the Washington, D.C. summit?
The summit is intended to spotlight America’s industrial heritage, current leadership in manufacturing and AI, and the practical role community colleges play in training the next-generation workforce. It also functions as a thematic launch and a convening moment for relationship-building among U.S. educators, employers, and international decision-makers who influence vocational and technical education systems.
How many international participants are expected to come to the United States?
The program is expected to bring approximately 100 international participants to the United States for in-person regional exchanges.
Who are the expected international participants?
Participants are expected to include higher education officials, commerce leaders, and policymakers from countries considered strategically important to U.S. industry.
How will the international participants be organized into groups?
The cohort design is prescriptive: the approximately 100 visitors should be divided into four cohorts of about 25 participants each, and each cohort should represent roughly 3 to 4 countries.
Who chooses the participating countries?
Final country selection is not left solely to the applicant. It is expected to be determined according to U.S. foreign policy priorities through coordination with ECA, U.S. embassies, and regional bureau input.
How many U.S. cities will host the regional exchange programs?
Each cohort will participate in a two-week program hosted in one of approximately four U.S. cities.
What is the criteria for selecting host cities?
The cities are expected to be chosen for strong, visible partnerships between higher education institutions and industry.
How long is each regional exchange program?
Each cohort is expected to participate in a two-week regional program.
What kind of programming is expected during the regional exchanges?
Programming is expected to be practical and highly applied, emphasizing site visits, hands-on learning, and direct engagement with employers and training providers.
What topics and themes should the exchanges emphasize?
The exchanges are intended to focus on how U.S. institutions build and update manufacturing and technology training programs, align credentials with employer demand, incorporate emerging technologies (including AI), and create durable education-to-employment pipelines.
What outcomes does ECA expect beyond professional development?
The Notice indicates outcomes are expected to go beyond general professional development. The program is intended to produce measurable, positive policy change, implying an emphasis on concrete commitments, follow-on action plans, institutional partnership agreements, or policy reforms influenced by what participants learn and experience in the United States.
What does it mean that this is a discretionary cooperative agreement?
This opportunity is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement (CFDA 19.408), which means the federal agency anticipates substantial involvement in shaping or overseeing the project as it is carried out.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 19.408.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is DFOP0017930.
How many awards does the program anticipate making?
The program anticipates making one award.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $2,500,000.
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, as well as certain other eligible entity types listed in the full announcement.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on March 13, 2026.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is May 18, 2026.
What kinds of U.S. partners are central to the program concept?
At its core, the program aims to connect U.S. community colleges and industry partners with international vocational-technical education leaders and policymakers.
What broader U.S. interests does the program aim to support?
The program is designed to strengthen U.S. economic and strategic interests, including promoting U.S. leadership in advanced manufacturing and AI, supporting supply chain resilience, and encouraging approaches aligned with U.S. commercial diplomacy and economic development goals.
What does the Notice suggest about project management expectations?
The Notice emphasizes that the implementing organization must be responsive and flexible, tailoring activities to U.S. priorities in vocational-technical education and commercial diplomacy.
How many countries are expected to be represented in each cohort?
Each cohort is expected to represent roughly 3 to 4 countries.
What is the intended benefit for participants when they return home?
A major expected benefit is that participants return home able to adapt or replicate U.S. best practices in their own contexts while also building ongoing institutional relationships that can translate into partnerships that advantage U.S. companies and support stronger cross-border supply chains.
Browse more business programs for Manufacturing Companies
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other
Next opportunity: FY 2026 Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellows Program
Previous opportunity: FY 2026 Ocean Technology Transition Program
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for DFOP0017930
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DFOP0017930) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| FY 2026 Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellows Program Apply for DFOP0017934 Funding Number: DFOP0017934 Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other Funding Amount: $4,300,000 |
| Managing Restrictive Housing Populations Training Apply for 26JD04 Funding Number: 26JD04 Agency: National Institute of Corrections Category: Other Funding Amount: $186,000 |
| Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Apply for DOS PDS FY26 01 Funding Number: DOS PDS FY26 01 Agency: U.S. Mission to Uganda Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| OIA Technical Assistance Program 2026 Apply for OIA TAP 2026 Funding Number: OIA TAP 2026 Agency: Department of the Interior Category: Other Funding Amount: $22,500,000 |
| OIA Maintenance Assistance Program 2026 Apply for OIA MAP 2026 Funding Number: OIA MAP 2026 Agency: Department of the Interior Category: Other Funding Amount: $4,375,000 |
| OIA Brown Treesnake Program 2026 Apply for OIA BTS 2026 Funding Number: OIA BTS 2026 Agency: Department of the Interior Category: Other Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs for Disabled Veterans and Disabled Members of the Armed Forces Apply for VA SPORTS 26 Funding Number: VA SPORTS 26 Agency: National Veterans Sports Programs Category: Other Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| FY 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity for Small Shipyard Grants Apply for DTMASSG26 Funding Number: DTMASSG26 Agency: Maritime Administration Category: Other Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Cotonou AEIF FY2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity Apply for OFOP0002524 Funding Number: OFOP0002524 Agency: U.S. Mission to Benin Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) Apply for PDS KIGALI FY26 001 Funding Number: PDS KIGALI FY26 001 Agency: U.S. Mission to Rwanda Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Bishkek Public Diplomacy Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Apply for STATE BISHKEK PDS 26 0003 Funding Number: STATE BISHKEK PDS 26 0003 Agency: U.S. Mission to Kyrgyzstan Category: Other Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Sofia PDS Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026) Apply for PDS AEIF FY26 01 SOFIA Funding Number: PDS AEIF FY26 01 SOFIA Agency: U.S. Mission to Bulgaria Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026 Apply for PDS DKR RSOI FY26 01 Funding Number: PDS DKR RSOI FY26 01 Agency: U.S. Mission to Senegal Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2024 & 2025 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Apply for DHS 25 MT 047 00 98 Funding Number: DHS 25 MT 047 00 98 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Other Funding Amount: $150,000,000 |
| 2026 U.S. Embassy Caracas PDS Annual Program Statement Apply for 2026VE 001 Funding Number: 2026VE 001 Agency: U.S. Mission to Venezuela Category: Other Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| FY 2026 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program Apply for DFOP0017975 Funding Number: DFOP0017975 Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other Funding Amount: $4,800,000 |
| FY 2026 Sports Visitor Program Apply for DFOP0018011 Funding Number: DFOP0018011 Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| FY 2026 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Apply for DFOP0017979 Funding Number: DFOP0017979 Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| FY 2026 American Music Mentorship Program Apply for DFOP0017971 Funding Number: DFOP0017971 Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| FY 2026 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Apply for DFOP0017987 Funding Number: DFOP0017987 Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other Funding Amount: $7,875,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DFOP0017930", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.