Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS NBO PDS FY26 001
The U.S.-Kenya Freedom 250 Tech and Innovation Exchange is a U.S. Department of State-backed academic exchange announced by the U.S. Mission to Kenya to mark the United States' 250th anniversary and the broader Freedom 250 celebrations. The program is framed as a way to showcase American excellence while deepening U.S.-Kenya ties in science, technology, and engineering, with a strong emphasis on building practical, long-term linkages that support U.S. strength, prosperity, and commercial interests in Kenya and across Africa.
At the center of the exchange is an undergraduate mobility component designed to place 76 high-potential Kenyan students in U.S. universities for a junior-year semester focused on tech education and innovation. The goal is not only academic training, but also immersion in American-led tech and business ecosystems so participants build professional networks, familiarity with U.S. approaches and standards, and ongoing connections to U.S. institutions. The target participant pool is Kenyan undergraduates ages 18 to 26 studying science, technology, engineering, or innovation-related fields, especially those showing leadership potential in industries tied to U.S.-Kenya cooperation and American commercial priorities.
Beyond student exchange, the program seeks to strengthen institutional relationships between U.S. and Kenyan universities, with a specific focus on collaborative research. The solicitation emphasizes that these partnerships should advance U.S. economic priorities and business interests by positioning U.S. universities and American innovation as influential and competitive in Kenya's technology sector. A key deliverable in spirit is also reputational: the initiative aims to establish "Freedom 250 Tech and Innovation Exchange" as a prestigious and recognizable brand associated with excellence in U.S.-Kenya collaboration, shaping a pipeline of Kenyan leaders inclined to partner with the United States over the long term.
Selection of participants is expected to be coordinated by the U.S. Embassy in Kenya in collaboration with the eventual program implementer and American private-sector leaders active in Kenya's ICT market. The intent is to identify candidates with strong talent, motivation, foundational skills, and a clear commitment to engaging with U.S. systems in ways that create value for U.S. interests in Kenya and the region.
From a grantmaking standpoint, this opportunity is issued as an earmark under Funding Opportunity Number DOS NBO PDS FY26 001, using a cooperative agreement mechanism in the science and technology and other research and development category (CFDA 19.989). The agency anticipates making one award, with a ceiling of $3,300,000. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations (including American universities and think tanks), public and private educational institutions, and for-profit exchange-management organizations. The original application deadline is May 29, 2026, and the opportunity was created on April 13, 2026.Apply for DOS NBO PDS FY26 001
- The U.S. Mission to Kenya in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S.-Kenya Freedom 250 Tech and Innovation Exchange" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.989.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-04-13.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-29. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the U.S.-Kenya Freedom 250 Tech and Innovation Exchange?
The U.S.-Kenya Freedom 250 Tech and Innovation Exchange is a U.S. Department of State-backed academic exchange announced by the U.S. Mission to Kenya as part of the United States' 250th anniversary and the broader Freedom 250 celebrations. It is designed to showcase American excellence while deepening U.S.-Kenya ties in science, technology, and engineering, with an emphasis on building practical, long-term linkages.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program aims to strengthen U.S.-Kenya collaboration in science, technology, and engineering by combining undergraduate academic mobility with deeper institutional partnerships. It emphasizes long-term connections that support U.S. strength, prosperity, and commercial interests in Kenya and across Africa.
What is the undergraduate mobility component?
The undergraduate mobility component is intended to place 76 high-potential Kenyan undergraduate students in U.S. universities for a junior-year semester focused on technology education and innovation.
How many students are expected to participate?
The exchange is designed to place 76 Kenyan undergraduate students in U.S. universities.
How long is the student exchange period?
The program description specifies a junior-year semester at U.S. universities.
Who is the intended student participant audience?
The target pool is Kenyan undergraduates ages 18 to 26 studying science, technology, engineering, or innovation-related fields, especially those demonstrating leadership potential in industries tied to U.S.-Kenya cooperation and American commercial priorities.
What fields of study are emphasized for student participants?
The exchange emphasizes science, technology, engineering, and innovation-related fields, with a focus on technology education and innovation.
What does the program aim to provide students beyond classroom learning?
Beyond academics, the program aims to immerse students in American-led tech and business ecosystems so they build professional networks, gain familiarity with U.S. approaches and standards, and maintain ongoing connections to U.S. institutions.
How does the program connect to U.S. commercial and economic interests?
The program is framed to support U.S. strength, prosperity, and commercial interests in Kenya and across Africa. It seeks to position U.S. universities and American innovation as influential and competitive in Kenya's technology sector and to build a pipeline of Kenyan leaders inclined to partner with the United States over the long term.
Does the program include partnerships between universities?
Yes. In addition to student mobility, the opportunity seeks to strengthen institutional relationships between U.S. and Kenyan universities, with a specific focus on collaborative research.
What is the emphasis of the U.S.-Kenya institutional partnerships?
The solicitation emphasizes collaborative research partnerships that advance U.S. economic priorities and business interests by positioning U.S. universities and American innovation as influential and competitive in Kenya's technology sector.
Is there a branding or reputational goal for the initiative?
Yes. The initiative aims to establish the "Freedom 250 Tech and Innovation Exchange" as a prestigious and recognizable brand associated with excellence in U.S.-Kenya collaboration.
Who is expected to coordinate participant selection?
Selection of participants is expected to be coordinated by the U.S. Embassy in Kenya in collaboration with the eventual program implementer and American private-sector leaders active in Kenya's ICT market.
What qualities are sought in student participants?
The intent is to identify candidates with strong talent, motivation, foundational skills, and a clear commitment to engaging with U.S. systems in ways that create value for U.S. interests in Kenya and the region.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DOS NBO PDS FY26 001.
What is the assistance listing / CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.989.
What type of funding mechanism is being used?
This opportunity is issued as a cooperative agreement.
What is the program category for this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is in the science and technology and other research and development category.
How many awards does the agency expect to make?
The agency anticipates making one award.
What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?
The award ceiling is $3,300,000.
Who is eligible to apply for the grant?
Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations (including American universities and think tanks), public and private educational institutions, and for-profit exchange-management organizations.
When is the application deadline?
The original application deadline is May 29, 2026.
When was the opportunity created/announced in the listing?
The opportunity was created on April 13, 2026.
Which U.S. government entity is connected to this program?
The exchange is backed by the U.S. Department of State and was announced by the U.S. Mission to Kenya, with participant selection expected to be coordinated by the U.S. Embassy in Kenya.
Is the exchange tied to a specific commemorative milestone?
Yes. It is tied to the United States' 250th anniversary and the broader Freedom 250 celebrations.
How does the private sector fit into the program design?
American private-sector leaders active in Kenya's ICT market are expected to be involved in coordination of participant selection alongside the U.S. Embassy in Kenya and the program implementer.
What is the expected role of the program implementer?
Based on the description, the program implementer is expected to collaborate with the U.S. Embassy in Kenya and American private-sector leaders in the selection process and to carry out the exchange and partnership activities under the cooperative agreement.
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