FY 2026 TechLeaders: Critical Emerging Technologies Exchange

Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs$1,500,000Closed

Nonprofits Schools & universities Large award Narrow eligibility

Deadline: Jul 6, 2026
Posted: May 7, 2026
Award amount: $1,500,000
Focus areas: Other (see text field entitled "Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity" for clarification)

In plain English

This State Department (ECA) program funds a single recipient to run TechLeaders, a five-week U.S.-based exchange engaging about 60 foreign professionals in AI, space, biotech, supply chain, and agricultural technology. Specific eligibility is in the full announcement, but applicants must demonstrate capacity to recruit and place participants and manage complex domestic and overseas programming. The single award is $1,500,000. Eligibility details should be confirmed in the NOFO.

AI-generated summary to help you decide quickly — verify the official eligibility rules before applying.

Who can apply

Please see full announcement.

About this grant

The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Global Leaders Division, of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) invites proposal submissions for the FY 2026 TechLeaders: Critical Emerging Technologies Program. TechLeaders will strengthen America’s technological edge and industry dominance by promoting U.S. leadership in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Space Technology, Biotechnology/Health Technology, Supply Chain/Cold Chain Technology, and Agricultural Technology (AgriTech). This initiative engages approximately 60 foreign participants, ages 25-40, from Europe and Eurasia, East Asia and the Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, South and Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Western Hemisphere through a five-week intensive placement in the United States. Participants will collaborate with U.S.-based mentors and companies to develop actionable solutions in critical technology sectors, showcasing American expertise and innovation. The program will also feature overseas components including reciprocal exchanges and an accelerator following the second U.S.-based cohort to expand U.S. influence, inspire future STEM professionals, and foster collaboration with American businesses. TechLeaders supports U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives by exporting American expertise and technological innovations abroad, promoting U.S.-preferred technology standards globally, bolstering economic ties, and countering the proliferation of malign competitors’ technology in the global market. Organizations applying for this federal award must demonstrate the capacity to recruit, select, and place participants, manage all program logistics, and implement overseas programming, which includes annual reciprocal exchanges and a Critical Emerging Technologies Accelerator program after the second cohort of participants. The recipient will be awarded $ 1,500,000 for the overall FY 2026 TechLeaders: Critical Emerging Technologies Program, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently to advance U.S. national interests and global leadership in critical technology sectors. Please see the Notice of Funding Opportunity for additional information.

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