The Office of Academic Exchange Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an open competition for an assistance award to administer the FY 2026 U.S. South Pacific Scholarship Program (USSP). U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 CFR 1.501(c)(3) may submit proposals to organize and carry out academic exchange program activities for up to eight participants for the USSP program (eligible nations for USSP are listed below in the Overview section).

The Office plans to issue a cooperative agreement to support up to eight participants to undertake degree studies in the United States for the FY 2026 USSP program for approximately $925,000. Working closely with Public Affairs Sections at U.S. embassies in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region, the award recipient will be responsible for the administration of the programs, including outreach and recruitment, convening review panels and assisting with merit-based competitive selection and nomination, placing students at appropriate U.S. institutions for academic degree study, providing orientation, enrichment activities, and pre-return activities, providing monitoring and support services, conducting on-going monitoring and evaluation, and follow-up with program alumni.

Please see the announcement for additional information.