An official website of the United States government

Worldwide Caution: The Department of State advises Americans worldwide to exercise increased caution.

Education & Exchanges

Overview

Learn, exchange, grow, and serve. The U.S. Department of State offers many programs for non-U.S. citizens wishing to come to the U.S. for cultural, educational, or professional exchange. These programs are augmented by local opportunities in countries around that world that allow non-U.S. citizens to explore U.S. culture and the English language. Learn more about the opportunities offered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Through its ‘people-to-people’ programs, the Public Engagement Section of the U.S. Embassy in Israel supports a rich variety of educational and cultural initiatives spanning themes such as youth leadership, entrepreneurship and employment opportunity, arts and culture, science and technology, professional development, sports diplomacy, and more.  We also implement exchange programs and maintain contact with our alumni.

The Public Engagement Section advances policy goals through enhancing educational opportunities and English language skills, promoting conflict mitigation and resolution, fostering shared society values, promoting democratic values, enhancing the U.S.-Israel security partnership, and fostering mutual understanding among Israel’s broad array of communities as well as between the Israeli public and the people of the United States.  Audiences of these initiatives include young entrepreneurs, NGOs, students, current and future leaders, as well as leading experts, scholars, policy makers, and opinion leaders in academia, think tanks, and government.  The Public Engagement Section also sponsors workshops, conferences, roundtables, performances, and other outreach activities that address U.S. policy, U.S.-Israeli relations, regional affairs, terrorism, security issues, health, U.S. history, government, economics, culture, and society.

The Public Engagement Section works from two offices:  the U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy Section, and the America Hub Israel in Jerusalem.

Learn About the U.S. – Middle East Partnership Initiative Program

Opportunities for Palestinian Audiences

Education & Exchanges for Palestinian Audiences

Educational opportunities are available for students, academics, professionals. Grant and funding opportunities are also available.

Read About Opportunities for Palestinian Audiences
students standing together

American Spaces Serving Palestinian Audiences

American Spaces offer programs and activities on a wide range of themes and topics.

Read About American Spaces in the Palestinian Territories

Learn, exchange, grow, and serve. The U.S. Department of State offers many programs for non-U.S. citizens wishing to come to the United States for cultural, educational, or professional exchange. These programs are augmented by local opportunities in countries around the world that allow non-U.S. citizens to explore American culture and society and the English language. Learn more about the opportunities offered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

U.S. Embassy Jerusalem’s Public Diplomacy Section provides advising services through EducationUSA for Israeli and Palestinian students interested in studying in the United States.

Education & Exchanges for Israelis
Education & Exchanges for Palestinians

Education

EducationUSA

EducationUSA is your official source on U.S. higher education

Learn About EducationUSA

Local EducationUSA Centers

EducationUSA advising centers help you navigate the Five Steps to U.S. Study.

Find an EducationUSA Center Near You
students standing together

Study & Exchange

The United States supports international education and welcomes foreign students and exchange visitors. Before applying for a visa, students and exchange visitors must be accepted by their schools or program sponsors.

Learn more about Study & Exchange

American English

American English is a resource center for teaching and learning about American English.

Visit the American English Site

Study of the United States Institutes for Scholars (SUSIS)

SUSIS for Scholars and Secondary Educators are post-graduate level academic programs for mid-career foreign scholars, faculty, practitioners, and secondary educators that are designed to strengthen curricula and to improve teaching about the United States in academic institutions abroad. These Institutes are comprised of a four- to five-week academic residency and one to two weeks of educational travel to a different region of the United States.  In recent years, Study of the U.S. Institutes have been held on the following topics: American Politics and Political Thought, Contemporary American Literature, Journalism and Media, Religious Pluralism in the United States, Secondary Education, U.S. Culture and Society, U.S. Foreign Policy and U.S. National Security and Policymaking.  For more information, visit the SUSI webpage or email at SchiffmanEX@state.gov.

Read More About the Study of the United States Institutes for Scholars

Professional Fellows Program

The application period for the Professional Fellows Program (PFP) on Citizen Participation in Government for applicants from the Middle East is now open. The PFP is sponsored by the United States Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government, and administered by the Institute for Training and Development based in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Read More About the Professional Fellows Program

Community Solutions Program (CSP)

The Community Solutions Program (CSP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by IREX, provides experienced community leaders between the ages of 26 and 39 from 109 countries with an intensive professional development exchange program in the United States. CSP fellows collaborate with U.S. organizations to help promote mutual understanding, support local communities, and address some of the world’s most pressing social, political, environmental, and economic issues.

Read More About the Community Solutions Program (CSP)

Embassy Speaker Program

The Embassy Speaker Program: American diplomats and their spouses are available to engage with Israeli communities to speak on a variety of topics. Examples include Foreign Policy and International Relations, U.S.-Israel relations, Model UN, American History, and more. If you are interested in inviting an Embassy speaker to visit your school, please contact Levyrx@state.gov and disiat@state.gov.

Read More About the Embassy Speaker Program

Exchanges

BridgeUSA

Brings emerging leaders and professionals to the United States.

Learn More About BridgeUSA

Academic & Professional Exchanges

Opportunities for international study & research from undergraduate through postdoctoral.

Read more about exchanges

Exchange/Scholarship Programs

The U.S. Embassy sponsors a variety of international exchange programs each year, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). These exchanges are designed to enhance mutual understanding between the U.S. and Israel. These programs and scholarships cover a wide range of interests including communications and journalism, law, human rights, economic development, science and technology, teaching English, and other disciplines.

Read More About Exchange/Scholarship Programs

Current Exchange Opportunities

Applicants must be able to begin studies in the U.S. in August 2025 or January 2026 (selected applicants may not choose their semester of participation).

Read More About Current Exchange Opportunities

Apply Now for the Community Engagement Exchange Program

The Community Engagement Exchange Program is a transformational year-long leadership development program designed to enable civil society leaders, ages 21-28 from communities in over 100 countries to harness the power of networks, relationships, and information for the public good, specifically on issues related to civic dialogue and peacebuilding, open and participatory government, women and gender, resilience and sustainable development, and youth engagement.

Read About the Community Engagement Exchange Program

Global UGRAD Exchange Program

The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD ) provides a diverse group of emerging student leaders with a scholarship for one semester of non-degree academic study at a U.S. college or university. Global UGRAD is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State and aims to recruit participants from underrepresented backgrounds who have not had other opportunities to study in the United States. Successful applicants can expect an in-depth exposure to U.S. society, culture, and academic institutions, as well as opportunities to enhance their professional skills.

Read About the Global UGRAD Exchange Program

Youth Exchange and Study (YES)

The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program provides scholarships to high school students in many countries with significant Muslim populations so that they can study at an American high school and live with an American host family for one academic year.

Read About the Youth Exchange and Study (YES)

Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund

The Embassy of the United States in Jerusalem is pleased to announce an open competition for past participants (“alumni”) of U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to submit applications to the 2025 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2025). We seek proposals from teams of at least two alumni that meet all program eligibility requirements below. Exchange alumni interested in participating in AEIF 2025 should submit both Proposal Form and Budget Form (links below) to Exchanges and Alumni Coordinator Tomer Levi at AlumniIsrael@state.gov by February 3, 2025. For application instructions and eligibility, please click the “AEIF Call for Proposals” link below.

Read More About the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund

Grant Programs and Opportunities

Public Diplomacy Grant Programs

Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Israel administers grants for projects that aim to strengthen ties between the United States and Israel.

Read More About Public Diplomacy Grant Programs
Great Seal of the United States

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for a PD Small Grant? How much money is available? Find the answers to these and other questions about grants.

Access a List of Frequently Asked Questions
Great Seal of the United States

American Spaces

Local American Spaces

Find American Spaces, American Centers, American Corners, or Binational Centers near you.

Find an American Spaces location near you

American Spaces

The Office of American Spaces oversees a network of 600 open-access cultural centers.

Learn More About American Spaces

Exchange Alumni: Resources & Opportunities

Alumni - group of people gathered together

Join the Exchange Alumni community portal and open the door to a world of resources and funding opportunities to help you build on the skills you gained during your exchange program:

  • Access academic journals and articles through EBSCO, JSTOR, and Libby, among other academic and research resources through eLibraryUSA (make sure to first visit an American Space in your region to set up an account).
  • Find and connect with fellow Exchange Alumni locally and globally.
  • Collaborate in group discussions, search for and post upcoming career opportunities, update your alumni contact information, and more!

For Exchange Alumni community portal log-in questions, reach out to: alumniwebsite@state.gov.

In addition, get up-to-date information on upcoming events and Exchange Alumni highlights in our quarterly international newsletter, and reach out to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to find out more about funding opportunities like the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF).

Don’t forget to connect with us online through LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, sharing your successes by using #ExchangeAlumni when you post. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Feel free to reach out directly at exchangealumni@state.gov.

You May Be Interested
Education

The 2027-2028 Humphrey Fellowship Program (Deadline: August 15, 2026)

Education

FULBRIGHT FOREIGN STUDENT PROGRAM FOR WEST BANK

Education

Summer 2026 Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Secondary Educators