Deadline: January 20, 2026.

TechGirls is a U.S.-based summer exchange program designed to expand the talent pipeline in STEM. Young women (ages 15-17) from the United States and select countries gain valuable hands-on training leading them to pursue higher education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.

In 2026, the program will include 111 young women from 37 eligible countries/territories and 13 U.S. peers in a dynamic three-week U.S.-based experience with a seven-month mentoring program (including pre-and post-exchange).

Participating Countries: TechGirls will be competitively recruited and selected from the following regions/countries and territories (approximately 3 participants per country/territory):

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

Since 2012, TechGirls has trained and mentored 901 teenage girls.  The TechGirls program engages a talented cadre of STEM-minded young women from the United States and select countries in all six regions of the world (Western Hemisphere, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and Eurasia, East Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, and South and Central Asia).

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Students eligible to apply are those who:

• Are citizens of one of the 2026 participating countries/territories AND living in that country/territory at time of exchange:
  • Sub-Saharan Africa (AF) – Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zambia
  • East Asia and Pacific (EAP) – Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Mongolia, Taiwan, and Vietnam
  • Europe and Eurasia (EUR) – Albania, Cyprus, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Türkiye
  • Middle East and North Africa (NEA) – Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, and Tunisia
  • South and Central Asia (SCA) – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan
  • Western Hemisphere (WHA) – Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Suriname
  • United States of America
• Are between the ages of 15 and 17 at the start of the exchange on July 11, 2026
  • Born on or between July 12, 2008 and July 11, 2011;
• Have demonstrated advanced skills and a serious interest in science, technology, engineering, and/or math in their academic studies;
• Intend to pursue higher education and/or careers in STEM, especially technology;
• Have strong English language skills (advanced intermediate English skills);
• Exhibit maturity, flexibility, and open-mindedness;
• Will attend at least one additional semester of secondary school upon their return to their home country;
• Are committed to completing a community-based project upon their return home;
• Eligible candidates must be citizens and current residents of 2026 participating countries. Third-country nationals permanently living in an eligible country should contact us to determine eligibility prior to applying.
• Preference will be given to those who have limited or no prior experience in the United States. You are not eligible if you have traveled to the United States in the last three years as part of any other ECA exchange program.
• Not eligible if you are a family member of U.S. Embassy or Consulate staff or U.S. Department of State employees. You cannot be a family member of a Legacy International staff member or any of our partner organizations. 
• Americans who are dual citizens and living abroad are not eligible to travel to the US on the program or get a J-1 visa.

BENEFITS

The TechGirls program covers the following costs:

• Visa fee for international participants
• Roundtrip international airfare from participant home country to the United States
• Roundtrip domestic airfare from participant home city (as applicable)
• Housing during program
  • Double occupancy dormitory accommodations at Virginia Tech
  • Double occupancy accommodations at hotel in Washington, D.C.
• Meals during program
  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Local transportation to group program events
• All educational and cultural events
• Emergency health insurance

Find More Information on the OFFICIAL WEBSITE