The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program strengthens national security by engaging emerging young leaders from the United States and from countries of strategic importance.

YES is a merit-based, academic-year program consisting of two exchange cohorts:
YES and YES Abroad.

YES

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brings approximately 450 high school participants to the United States each year from approximately 30 countries of strategic importance.

Participants live with volunteer Americans host families in all 50 states, study in U. S. high schools, engage in community service activities, and learn leadership skills for an academic year.

YES Abroad sends approximately 60 American high school participants abroad each year to select YES countries for a similar program.The FY 2025 Kennedy-Lugar YES Program:
Overseas Components cooperative agreement, which is the subject of this NOFO, will fund the recruitment, selection, orientation, travel, liaison activities with natural parents, and alumni support for international and U. S. participants.

This award will also fund the placement and support of U. S. participants abroad.

Participant placement and support for the international participants in the United States will be conducted under separate awards.

The exchanges for both cohorts will take place during the 2026-27 academic year.Please see the full announcement for additional information.