FY2019 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program Overseas Components

The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Youth Programs Division, of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an open competition for a cooperative agreement to manage the FY 2019 Overseas Components of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program. The YES program advances the U.S. foreign policy goals of engaging youth populations and building civil society by providing physical, academic-year exchanges, and building lasting ties between foreign and U.S. high school students and the communities that host them. The program consists of two components: (1) the YES inbound program that brings international high school students to the United States, and (2) the YES Abroad program that sends American high school students to select YES countries. The FY 2019 Overseas Components cooperative agreement will fund the recruitment, selection, orientation, travel, liaison activities with natural parents, and alumni support for the international students. Their placement and support in the United States will be conducted under separate awards. This award will also fund the full range of activities as with the international students, as well as the placement and support of American participants abroad. U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to: (1) recruit and select international students from designated countries and American students; (2) identify host families and schools, and provide programs and support to American participants in approximately thirteen countries overseas; (3) provide orientations to all groups; (4) coordinate travel and logistics; (5) liaise with U.S. embassies and natural families; and (6) provide follow-on alumni programs that promote civil society, leadership, and mutual understanding.