International Exchange Alumni Programs

There are over two million alumni of U.S. Government-funded or sponsored exchange programs worldwide, over one-quarter of whom are Americans. ECA is committed to providing resources to sustain engagement with and harness the energy, enthusiasm, and expertise of these current and emerging leaders. Working closely with Department of State regional bureaus and U.S. embassies worldwide, ECA supports exchange alumni programs that are strategic, responsive to U.S. embassy priorities, and designed to reinforce U.S. foreign policy objectives. To best address those objectives, ECA focuses exchange alumni programs on policy priority topics including increasing America's global competitiveness, protecting freedom of speech, and advancing economic prosperity through innovation. ECA does this through professional development for U.S. citizen alumni and by providing expertise and training for on-the-ground foreign alumni activities led by U.S. embassies and consulates around the world. ECA also maintains a robust contact engagement system which includes the Exchange Alumni website (exchangealumni.state.gov). The site offers alumni a secure place to network and connect with other alumni, share news, and access resources such as grants and research databases. The funding provided to non-profit organizations supports U.S. citizen alumni via cooperative agreements for professional development programs and small grants on thematic topics that support U.S. foreign policy priorities and foster a sense of shared identity, networking, and dialogue among participating alumni.