FY2026 TechLeaders: Critical Emerging Technologies Exchange

FY2026 TechLeaders: Critical Emerging Technologies Exchange is sponsored by U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). This program strengthens 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).

It engages foreign participants from various regions through intensive placements in the United States, where they collaborate with U.S.-based mentors and companies to develop actionable solutions in critical technology sectors.

Opportunity Listing - FY 2026 TechLeaders: Critical Emerging Technologies Exchange FY 2026 TechLeaders: Critical Emerging Technologies Exchange Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Assistance Listings: 19. 415 -- Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Citizen Exchanges Last Updated: May 13, 2026 View version history on Grants.

gov 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.

Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3) Public and state institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Please see full announcement. Grantor contact information File name Description Last updated FY26_TechLeaders_NOFO. pdf FY 2026 TechLeaders: Critical Emerging Technologies Exchange NOFO May 7, 2026 04:43 PM UTC performance_monitoring_plan_mode_2.

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docx ECA Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) (DOCX) May 7, 2026 04:44 PM UTC performance_monitoring_plan_mode_2. 3_02. 03.

2025. pdf ECA Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) (PDF) Link to additional information Funding opportunity number : Cost sharing or matching requirement : Funding instrument type : Opportunity Category Explanation : Category of Funding Activity : Please see full announcement.