FY 2026 Ngawang Choephel Fellows Program

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the FY 2026 Ngawang Choephel Fellows Program. This program seeks proposals for cooperative agreements to design and implement a two-way economic exchange program for emerging Tibetan entrepreneurs from China, India, Nepal, and Bhutan, and the United States. The program aims to enhance leadership and professional skills, build partnerships, and support U.S. economic interests. Eligible applicants are U.S. not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions with at least four years of international exchange experience. The total available funding is $750,000, with 1-2 awards anticipated, each lasting 18-24 months. Proposals are due by May 1, 2026, and must include a detailed budget and performance monitoring plan adhering to ECA's MODE Framework.

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is seeking proposals for the FY 2026 Ngawang Choephel Fellows Program, a two-way economic exchange designed to enhance leadership and professional skills and build partnerships between emerging entrepreneurs from Tibetan communities in China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and the United States. The program, launched in 1997, supports the 2025 National Security Strategy and U.S. foreign policy, positioning the U.S. as a preferred partner. Up to two cooperative agreements will be awarded, totaling $750,000, with a performance period of 18-24 months. Eligible applicants are U.S. not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions with at least four years of international exchange experience. Award recipients will be responsible for program design, implementation, recruitment, financial management, and monitoring and evaluation using the MODE Framework. The program emphasizes countering Chinese economic coercion, promoting U.S. leadership, and fostering business partnerships, with virtual exchange components as a contingency.

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the FY 2026 Ngawang Choephel Fellows Program. This program seeks proposals for one to two cooperative agreements to design and implement an economic exchange program for emerging entrepreneurs from Tibetan communities in China, India, Nepal, and Bhutan, and the United States. The program aims to enhance leadership and professional skills, build partnerships, and support U.S. economic interests and foreign policy. Eligible applicants are U.S. not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions with at least four years of experience in international exchanges. The program, with anticipated awards of $750,000 for one or up to $325,000 each for two, will span 18 to 24 months, focusing on two-way exchanges, virtual engagements, and U.S.-based professional development, followed by U.S. professionals traveling to the region. Proposals must include a detailed budget, narrative, and adhere to specific monitoring and evaluation requirements using the MODE Framework. Submissions are due by May 1, 2026, through Grants.gov, and require SAM.gov and MyGrants registration.