The FY 2026 Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars (SUSIs for Scholars) invites proposals from eligible U.S. institutions to design and implement three post‑graduate seminars for foreign university faculty, researchers, and practitioners. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), Office of Academic Exchange Programs, will make awards to administer these five‑week programs, which take place in summer 2027.

Overview

Three SUSIs for Scholars will each focus on a distinct theme: Critical Minerals, Digital Transformation, and Economics and Business. Each institute includes an approximately four‑week intensive summer residency at a U.S. educational institution and an approximately one‑week integrated academic field experience in a different U.S. region. The academic residency should involve coursework, independent research time, and interaction with American peers. Programs must highlight American success and innovation related to the theme and include opportunities for continued follow‑on engagement after participants return home. The award recipient is responsible for planning, overseeing, and implementing all three institutes, including oversight of any subaward recipients.

Eligibility

• Nonprofit Organisations: U.S. private and public academic and cultural institutions, including community colleges, liberal arts colleges, public and private universities, and other not‑for‑profit organisations meeting 501(c)(3) status (see section B of the full announcement).
• Eligible applicants also include public and state institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and other miscellaneous categories as described in the full announcement.

Award Information

• Funding Instrument: Cooperative agreement (discretionary)
• Funding Opportunity Number: DFOP0017918
• Program Funding: Not specified
• Expected Number of Awards: 1
• Award Minimum: $1,500,000
• Award Maximum: $1,500,000
• Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No

Applicants should review the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for detailed budget and performance monitoring requirements. The assistance listing is 19.401 – Academic Exchange Programs – Scholars.

Application Process

• Closing Date: May 11, 2026
• Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov. The opportunity page on Simpler.Grants.gov provides a link to the full application on Grants.gov for tracking and updates.
• Documents available include the NOFO, a Program and Organizational Guidance Instruction (POGI), budget templates (PDF and Excel), and an ECA Performance Monitoring Plan (in DOCX and PDF).

Contact Information

Grantor Contact: Tania Jazynka
Email: JazynkaT@state.gov