TechGirls 2026 Is Now Open: Fully Funded U.S. STEM Program for Girls

Applications are now open for TechGirls 2026, a fully funded U.S.-based summer exchange program designed to empower the next generation of female leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

TechGirls brings together young women aged 15–17 from the United States and selected countries worldwide for an intensive three-week STEM experience in the U.S., followed by seven months of mentorship and community impact work.

About the TechGirls Program

TechGirls is a flagship initiative of the U.S. Department of State, created to expand the global pipeline of women in STEM fields. Since its launch in 2012, the program has trained and mentored over 900 young women from across six world regions.

For the 2026 cohort, TechGirls will select:

111 international participants from 37 countries/territories
13 participants from the United States

Participants will take part in:

A 23-day immersive STEM experience in the United States
Hands-on technology training
Leadership development
Cultural exchange
A 7-month pre- and post-exchange mentoring program

Participating Countries & Regions (2026)

TechGirls applicants will be competitively selected from the following regions:

United States of America
Sub-Saharan Africa (AF): Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia
East Asia & Pacific (EAP): Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Mongolia, Taiwan, Vietnam
Europe & Eurasia (EUR): Albania, Cyprus, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, Türkiye
Middle East & North Africa (NEA): Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, Tunisia
South & Central Asia (SCA): Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
Western Hemisphere (WHA): Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Suriname

What Does the Program Include?

The heart of TechGirls is a U.S.-based technology and leadership experience, delivered in partnership with Virginia Tech University.

Participants will:

Attend an interactive tech camp at Virginia Tech
Learn coding and emerging technologies from university faculty
Explore STEM career paths
Travel to a U.S. city for community immersion and job shadowing
Conclude the program in Washington, D.C.

After returning home, TechGirls implement community-based STEM projects with continued mentorship.

Eligibility Requirements (2026)

Applicants must:

Be citizens and residents of a participating country
Be 15–17 years old at the start of the exchange
(Born between July 12, 2008 – July 11, 2011)
Demonstrate strong interest and ability in STEM subjects
Intend to pursue STEM studies or careers
Have strong English proficiency
Show maturity, leadership potential, and openness to new cultures
Be returning to at least one more semester of secondary school
Commit to completing a Community Action Project after the program

Important Notes:

Preference is given to applicants with little or no prior U.S. travel
Applicants who participated in U.S. exchange programs in the past 3 years are not eligible
Children of U.S. Embassy, U.S. Department of State, or partner organization staff are not eligible
U.S. dual citizens living abroad are not eligible for a J-1 visa

Application Timeline

Application Opens: December 11, 2025 (8:00 AM EST)
Application Closes: January 20, 2026 (12:00 PM / Noon EST)

Important: Only the first 125 fully completed applications per country/territory will be reviewed. Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Selection Process