We are pleased to announce the 2021 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Alumni Grants opportunity. The grants are funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and administered by American Councils for International Education. The grants are available to YES and YES Abroad alumni to enable you to contribute to your communities through projects in areas such as:

Conflict Resolution – like Musa’s peacebuilding projects in Liberia

Education – check out Kamal from Pakistan’s Educational Expos or Andani from Ghana’s youth education project (featured in the highlight photo)

English Language and American Culture – Coskun used English to promote tolerance and mutual understanding in Turkey

Entrepreneurship – read about Allieu’s Agribusiness for Youth project in Sierra Leone

Inclusion of People with Disabilities – Zeenat from Ghana engaged PWDs in a work experience program

Interfaith Dialogue – Mondher created a program to counter violent extremism in Tunisia

Media Literacy – former grantee Maxim from Cameroon is now fighting fake news about COVID-19

Public Health – see Lincoln’s community health work in Liberia

Women’s and Girls’ Empowerment – like Hassani in Tanzania’s fight against gender-based violence

Grants fall into two categories: 

Group Grants (Up To $3,000): To support projects centered on any of the above categories or other projects which alumni demonstrate will make a positive contribution in their community.

Individual Grants (Up To $250): To support individual community service projects as well as professional development opportunities.

Grant projects may begin after July 1, 2021 and must be completed by February 28, 2022.

The application is open to all alumni of the YES and YES Abroad programs. The application will be open from December 15, 2020 through January 31, 2021. 

Start your application! Visit the resource library for useful information to help you develop a strong application.

Have questions? Contact [email protected].