2025-2026 U.S. Department of State Eligibility Policy for U.S. Youth Programs Applicants
Eligibility: The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) offers many opportunities for American youth to participate in international exchanges. ECA seeks to represent the diversity of America in these youth exchange programs and to make sure the selection process is fair and transparent.
Strong selection preference is given to those who have not previously participated in an in-person exchange program or lived abroad for six months or more during the past five years.
This eligibility policy applies to the following programs, which take place outside the United States:
- Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) Outbound
- Future Leaders Exchange Abroad Program (FLEX Abroad)
- Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Abroad (YES Abroad)
- National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y)
- Youth Ambassadors and Youth Leadership Programs
To be eligible, an individual must:
- Be a U.S. Citizen
- Be enrolled in grades 9-12 (high school, including home school) at the time of application
- Meet age and GPA requirements specific to the program
- Not be in either of the two ineligibility categories described below.
1) Current or previous participant in ECA exchanges
U.S. citizens who are current or past participants in any of the above mentioned programs are not eligible to participate if:
- The two programs take place in the same calendar year.
- The individual is currently participating, or has already participated, in an academic year program.
Current or past participants in a short-duration program of eight (8) weeks or less are not eligible for another short-duration program but are eligible for an academic year program.
The restrictions above apply only to in-person programs taking place outside the United States. Participation in a virtual program does not make the applicant ineligible for programs of any length.
An individual may not participate in more than two of the above-listed programs, unless one of the programs was completely virtual.
2) Family member employment
For a period ending one year following the termination of such employment, association, or service:
- Employees of the U.S. Department of State/U.S. Agency for International Development are ineligible. This provision includes all employees, paid or unpaid (including part-time or temporary employees, consultants, externs, interns, fellows and personal service contractors).
- Immediate family members (e.g. dependent children) of employees of the U.S. Department of State/U.S. Agency for International Development are ineligible. This provision includes all employees, paid or unpaid (including part-time or temporary employees, consultants, externs, interns, fellows and personal service contractors). Self-supporting children who live apart from their parents are qualified to participate.
- Employees (and their immediate family members) of private and public agencies under contract or grant with the U.S. Department of State who perform services on behalf of the U.S. Department of State exchange programs are ineligible.
