The FY 2026 J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative (JCSVEI) Program, administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), invites proposals for two cooperative agreements to design, administer, and implement virtual exchange activities.

Overview

The JCSVEI advances U.S. foreign policy priorities by championing American scientific excellence, technological leadership, and innovation, while promoting core U.S. principles—freedom of speech, individual liberty, and the rule of law—as foundations of peace and prosperity. The program achieves these goals through American-led virtual exchanges that connect young leaders in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) with peers across the United States.

As 2027 marks 15 years since the loss of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, and in honor of his enduring legacy, the Global Leaders Division, Office of Citizen Exchanges, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) invites proposal submissions for two cooperative agreements under the broader JCSVEI.

Program Options

ECA anticipates making two separate cooperative agreements under two distinct program options:

• Program Option 1: J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative
• Program Option 2: J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative: Digital Leaders for Peace and Economic Opportunity

Applicants may submit applications for program option one or program option two. Organizations may submit two separate applications, one for each program option, if they wish to be considered for both. Each application will be evaluated independently. Each application must clearly state in the Executive Summary which program option is being proposed. If applying separately for each program option, the applicant must clearly demonstrate the organizational capacity to implement both program options, including the ability to work in the MENA region and the United States and to deliver both online and hybrid program elements.

Funding and Benefits

• Program Funding: Not specified
• Expected Awards: 2
• Award Minimum: $5,000,000
• Award Maximum: $10,000,000
• Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement
• Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include:

• Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)
• Private institutions of higher education
• Public and state institutions of higher education
• Other

Please see full announcement for additional information.

Deadline and Timeline

• Closing Date: May 29, 2026
• Posted Date: April 29, 2026
• Archive Date: June 28, 2026
• Funding Opportunity Number: DFOP0017856

Contact Information

Grantor Contact: Davron Mirsagatov

Email: mirsagatovd@state.gov

Additional Information: Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Organizational Funding Opportunities