The FY26 EducationUSA Nigeria Advising program, administered by the U.S. Mission to Nigeria, expands access to U.S. higher education for qualified Nigerian students while strengthening advising services that promote informed and lawful study. The programme implements two core initiatives: the EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program (OFP) and support for four advising centers. OFP covers essential up-front costs such as standardized testing, application fees, visa interview travel, and initial flights to enable merit-based competition for U.S. admissions. Advising centers deliver accurate, outcome-driven guidance with an emphasis on pre-departure orientations regarding student visa responsibilities, status maintenance, and U.S. law compliance.

Overview

This cooperative agreement, listed under Assistance Listing 19.432 – Academic Exchange Programs – Educational Advising and Student Services, targets academically strong Nigerian secondary school and university students. Eligible recipients must have nationwide advising and program implementation capacity. OFP recruitment must follow a rigorous, transparent selection process to identify the highest-performing students whose academic profiles align with U.S. strategic interest in STEM, AI, and critical emerging technologies. The program curbs visa misuse and illegal immigration while expanding access for top talent, advancing U.S. foreign policy priorities through American higher education, Freedom 250 support, commercial diplomacy, and workforce development in critical sectors.

Funding and Benefits

• Total Program Funding: $168,200
• Expected Number of Awards: 2
• Award Minimum: $67,500
• Award Maximum: $100,700
• Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No
• Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement
• Opportunity Category: Discretionary
• Funding Opportunity Number: PDS-EDUSA-FY26-01

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include the following types of organizations:

• Public and state institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Nonprofit non-higher education organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status
• Think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
• Public International Organizations and governmental institutions

Program Components

EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program (OFP): Provides financial support for up-front costs needed to compete for U.S. admissions, including standardized test fees, application fees, visa interview travel, and initial flights. Recruitment focuses on academically outstanding students whose profiles align with U.S. priorities in STEM, AI, and critical emerging technologies.

Advising Centers: Supports four centers that deliver accurate, outcome-driven guidance on study pathways, student visa compliance, and U.S. law. These centers promote informed and lawful study, reducing visa misuse and illegal immigration while expanding access to top Nigerian talent.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov. The following documents are provided for download and must be included in the proposal:

• Proposal Template (Proposal_Template.docx)
• Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)
• Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)
• Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B)
• Budget Narrative Sample Template (Budget_Narrative_Sample_Template.xlsx)
• Notice of Funding Opportunity (PDS-EDUSA-FY26-01.pdf)

The full notice of funding opportunity and application instructions are available on Grants.gov under the same funding opportunity number.

Deadline and Timeline

• Posted Date: June 4, 2026
• Closing Date: July 3, 2026
• Archive Date: August 2, 2026

Contact Information

Grantor: Lagos PD Grant Team, U.S. Mission to Nigeria
Phone: (234) 201 460 3410
Email: LagosPASgrants@state.gov